Verantwoordelike vernuwing in die Evangelies-Gereformeerde Kerk van Suid-Afrika

[摘要] English: Responsible renewal in the Christian church is a subject that has been debatedwidely for the past few decades and the debate takes on various forms. In somecircles renewal means the implementation of new styles of service (ministry),resulting in a change in the character and spirituality of the church. It would,however, seem that most of the renewal movements simply have in mind numericalgrowth as a paradigm. For proponents of the Emerging Church the word 'renewalseems outdated, as it simply links to a forced adaptation from an old obsoleteparadigm of being church.The Evangelies-Gereformeerde Kerk van Suid-Afrika (EGK) has as one of its aimsthe continuous focus on renewal with regards to a new breeze in witness,experience and message. In doing so, the church declares that a dead formalism and cold orthodoxy (teaching without life) are not welcome. On the one hand, theEGK assumes a strong conservative character, in all aspects obedient to the Bibleas the Word of God, whilst, on the other hand, campaigning for spiritual renewal sothat the lives of members will be in line with the holiness doctrine of the church.This research is aimed at establishing how practical and meaningful renewal can beachieved within the EGK, without the church compromising its Biblical convictionsand conservative character. It is shown how the EGK was founded in 1944 from theranks of the Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk (NGK) to answer to the need forspiritual renewal amongst evangelical members within the NGK. In this regard, theestablishment of the EGK itself can be regarded as a renewal church. After sixdecades since its founding, there is a dire need for spiritual renewal, which will bringthe lives of members of the church in line with its doctrine. Such renewal iseminently the work of God, but obedient men are the agents in realising renewal.As a starting point a theoretical basis investigation was done with regard to aPractical Theological ecclesiology in order to reach a meaningful practice theory forresponsible renewal within the EGK. The Bible is the basis for establishing what thecalling and task of the church ought to be, and the principles for being church areconfirmed anew. This theoretical basis investigation is expanded in order toestablish what responsible renewal involves according to the Bible. In both chapterscontributions from leading local Practical theologians and those worldwide wereresearched, and data was tested against the Scriptural accuracy thereof.Furthermore, research was done with regard to contemporary renewal tendencieswithin the Church of Christ. The 'Church Growth Movement, 'Seeker Sensitive Movement, 'Emerging Church, 'Jesus Seminar, and the 'New Reform Networkare critically judged from the diaconiological paradigm.For an empirical study qualitative interviews were conducted with leaders in thechurch regarding their experience of the status quo within the EGK, and to acquireproposals towards responsible renewal. This qualitative research was done inaccordance with an interpretative approach in which initial concepts are validatedand configurations done towards forming a theory which results in a more effectivepraxis. In accordance with the nature of a diaconiological epistemology, Scripturalprinciples are supplemented with knowledge from the human sciences and a newpractice theory is suggested regarding responsible renewal within the EGK.

[发布机构] University of the Free State