This book is the first volume of theological research papers from the Namibia Evangelical Theological Seminary (NETS). The authors are young southern African theologians and practitioners. While they come from different countries and church backgrounds they all share a commitment to Gospel-centred mission and church ministry. Simba Musvamhiri (Zimbabwe) looks at the discipleship process in a fast growing evangelical-charismatic church in Namibia’s capital Windhoek. He argues that attractive services and a strong preaching and teaching ministry, as well as a focus on hospitality are no guarantee that church members are fully committed to follow Jesus Christ in all areas of life and on a daily basis. What is needed is a relational and transferable discipleship process which equips all church members whether they are students, young professionals or other community members, to move towards spiritual maturity. Peter Koona Tefo (Lesotho) demonstrates the importance of pastoral visitation in the southern African context. According to Tefo there is a direct correlation between the frequency and quality of pastoral visits by church leaders and active participation in the life of a local congregation by church members. Abednigo Musona (Zimbabwe) examines the relationship between church leadership and the level of participation of church members in congregational programmes and fluctuations in church membership respectively. He argues that a church leadership which follows Biblical principles is more likely to achieve spiritual and numerical growth. Finally, Zeka Avelino Tjiwana (Namibia) explores the situation of young church members in the north of Namibia. He shows that due to the absence of youth ministry guidelines and a lack of spiritually mature and well trained youth leaders, emotional and spiritual problems of young people are not properly addressed.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Mission practice: The dynamics of discipleship in a multicultural evangelical-charismatic church in Namibia
- Pastoral care: Biblical guidelines for pastoral visitation and its impact on members of the Lesotho Evangelical Church and what Africans can learn from it
- Church leadership: The leadership of the Evangelical Church of Zimbabwe, Chinhoyi Congregation: strengths and weaknesses
- Youth ministry: A description and critical evaluation of youth ministry in the Evangelical Bible Church in Namibia
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This volume of theological research papers aims to inspire more Southern African Christians to engage in theological research. The papers explore various aspects of church ministry and mission practice within the Southern African context, focusing on the experiences and perspectives of young theologians and practitioners.
- Discipleship practices within evangelical-charismatic churches
- The role and impact of pastoral care and visitation
- The relationship between church leadership and congregational engagement
- Challenges and opportunities in youth ministry
- The importance of Gospel-centered mission and church ministry
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Mission practice: The dynamics of discipleship in a multicultural evangelical-charismatic church in Namibia: This chapter investigates the discipleship process within His People Church in Windhoek, Namibia. It questions whether the church's numerical growth equates to effective discipleship, arguing that factors like attractive services and charismatic gifts do not guarantee genuine commitment to Christ. The research explores the need for a relational and transferable discipleship process that fosters spiritual maturity among all members, regardless of their background or life stage. The study analyzes the effectiveness of existing methods and suggests improvements to cultivate a culture of discipleship within the congregation.
Pastoral care: Biblical guidelines for pastoral visitation and its impact on members of the Lesotho Evangelical Church and what Africans can learn from it: This chapter examines the significance of pastoral visitation within the Lesotho Evangelical Church. It posits a direct correlation between the frequency and quality of pastoral visits and members' active participation in congregational life. The research likely explores practical applications of biblical principles related to pastoral care and demonstrates their impact on fostering a strong sense of community and spiritual growth among church members. The study may also highlight lessons learned from this practice and how they can be applied more broadly in African contexts.
Church leadership: The leadership of the Evangelical Church of Zimbabwe, Chinhoyi Congregation: strengths and weaknesses: This chapter analyzes the connection between church leadership and the level of member participation and church growth within a specific congregation in Zimbabwe. It investigates how leadership styles and practices impact various aspects of church life, including congregational programs and overall membership. The research likely argues that leadership aligning with biblical principles is essential for both spiritual and numerical growth. The study likely identifies both successful and less effective leadership strategies, offering insights into building thriving congregations.
Youth ministry: A description and critical evaluation of youth ministry in the Evangelical Bible Church in Namibia: This chapter explores the state of youth ministry within the Evangelical Bible Church in Namibia. It highlights the challenges stemming from a lack of guidelines and trained youth leaders, leading to inadequate attention to the emotional and spiritual needs of young people. The research likely provides a detailed description of existing youth ministry practices (or the lack thereof) and assesses their effectiveness in addressing the specific needs of young adults within the church. The study likely proposes recommendations for improving the effectiveness and reach of youth ministry programs.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Discipleship, pastoral care, church leadership, youth ministry, evangelical churches, charismatic churches, Southern Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, theological research, mission, spiritual growth, congregational engagement.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of Theological Research Papers from Southern Africa
What is the focus of this collection of theological research papers?
This volume presents theological research papers focusing on various aspects of church ministry and mission practice within the Southern African context. The papers explore the experiences and perspectives of young theologians and practitioners, aiming to inspire more Southern African Christians to engage in theological research. The key themes include discipleship practices, pastoral care, church leadership, and youth ministry within evangelical and charismatic churches in the region.
What are the key themes explored in the research papers?
The key themes encompass discipleship practices within evangelical-charismatic churches; the role and impact of pastoral care and visitation; the relationship between church leadership and congregational engagement; challenges and opportunities in youth ministry; and the overall importance of Gospel-centered mission and church ministry in Southern Africa.
Which countries and church denominations are specifically studied?
The research papers examine churches and their practices in Namibia, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe. Specific denominations mentioned include the His People Church (Namibia), the Lesotho Evangelical Church, the Evangelical Church of Zimbabwe, and the Evangelical Bible Church (Namibia). The studies primarily focus on evangelical and charismatic church contexts.
What specific topics are covered in each chapter?
The papers cover a range of topics, including:
- Discipleship: An in-depth analysis of discipleship processes in a Namibian church, questioning whether numerical growth equates to effective discipleship and exploring methods for fostering spiritual maturity.
- Pastoral Care: An examination of the significance of pastoral visitation in the Lesotho Evangelical Church, its impact on members' participation, and the practical applications of biblical principles in pastoral care within African contexts.
- Church Leadership: An analysis of the relationship between church leadership styles, member participation, and church growth within a specific congregation in Zimbabwe, identifying strengths and weaknesses in leadership approaches.
- Youth Ministry: A description and critical evaluation of youth ministry practices in a Namibian church, highlighting challenges and proposing recommendations for improvement in addressing the spiritual and emotional needs of young people.
What are the overall aims and objectives of the research?
The primary aim is to encourage more theological research within Southern Africa. By showcasing diverse case studies, the research seeks to contribute to a better understanding of effective church ministry and mission within the unique cultural and social contexts of the region. The studies aim to provide practical insights and recommendations for improving various aspects of church life, including discipleship, pastoral care, leadership, and youth ministry.
What are the key takeaways or conclusions of the research?
While specific conclusions are not explicitly detailed in the preview, the papers collectively suggest the importance of contextualized approaches to ministry, emphasizing the need for relational discipleship, effective pastoral care, biblically-aligned leadership, and dedicated youth ministry. The research highlights the crucial role of these elements in fostering spiritual growth and effective congregational engagement within Southern African churches.
What keywords best describe the content of this collection?
Keywords include: Discipleship, pastoral care, church leadership, youth ministry, evangelical churches, charismatic churches, Southern Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, theological research, mission, spiritual growth, congregational engagement.
- Quote paper
- Dr. Thorsten Prill (ed.) (Author), Simba Musvamhiri (Author), Peter Koona Tefo (Author), Abednigo Musona (Author), Zeka Avelino Tjiwana (Author), 2011, God's Mission in Southern Africa, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/183646
