Abstract
Behind the numbers are believers, congregations and the church, a practical theological reflection on membership. Churches, especially mainline churches, reported the past few years a decline in their membership numbers. This trend of declining membership deserves attention and asks for a practical theological reflection. Behind the declining statistics are believers, congregations and churches that should be part of a broader reflection. Membership not only describes a static and geographic relationship, it can also be described as dynamic and fluid. The purpose of this article is to discuss this declining trend of church membership from a practical theological perspective. This phenomenon is discussed for the church in general and then the specific situation of the Dutch Reformed Church is described in more depth. The latest Church mirror data (an empirical survey in the DRC) is used as a quantitative lens. Against this background it is clear that the relationship between member and congregation exists within a dynamic and changing context, which can no longer be described in simplistic terms. Membership should be seen as a fluid and variable concept that describes the relationship with the congregation. The challenge is to develop a new ecclesiology with new terms and metaphors to describe this relationship.
Highlights
Note: A part of this article was presented at the Lentekonferensie (17−19 Sept. 2013)
The purpose of this article is to discuss this declining trend of church membership from a practical theological perspective. This phenomenon is discussed for the church in general and the specific situation of the Dutch Reformed Church is described in more depth
The latest Church mirror data is used as a quantitative lens. Against this background it is clear that the relationship between member and congregation exists within a dynamic and changing context, which can no longer be described in simplistic terms
Summary
Agter die syfers is gelowiges, gemeentes en die kerk, ’n prakties teologiese refleksie oor lidmaatskap. Die grootste gedeelte van die Suid-Afrikaanse bevolking behoort aan ’n Afrika-onafhanklike of geïnisieerde kerk (40.82% van Christene). ’n Belangrike tendens is die afname binne die Wit bevolkingsgroep van lidmate wat aan ’n Gereformeerde denominasie behoort. Gegewens in hierdie verslag kan verwerk word om ’n beeld van die godsdienstige landskap in Suid-Afrika sedert 2001 te vorm. Die ondersoek het getoon dat 87% van die Suid-Afrikaanse bevolking as Christelik geklassifiseer kan word (Lugo & Cooperman 2010:20−23). In Suid-Afrika word 89% van die bevolking binne die Christelike godsdiens grootgemaak, terwyl 87% hulself (in 2010) as Christene beskou. Alhoewel die Christelike godsdiens as die meerderheidsgodsdiens in Suid-Afrika geïdentifiseer word, is dit belangrik om aan te toon dat wisselende vlakke van toewyding en assosiasie binne die breër Suid-Afrikaanse geloofsgemeenskap heers
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