Abstract

The unity of the church of Christ is a spiritual reality, which finds its origin in the triune God. Although unity is a spiritual reality given by God himself, a comprehensive, visible expression of this essential unity must be achieved. The family of Dutch Reformed Churches in South Africa is currently struggling to achieve visible unity. In this study, two research questions were posed. Firstly, what is members of the family of Dutch Reformed Churches\' attitude towards church unification? Secondly, are there statistically significant differences among members of the family of Dutch Reformed of Churches\' attitude towards church unification when home language, level of education and monthly income are taken into account? A total of 223 respondents were included, which consisted of 104 (46,6%) Dutch Reformed Church members, 72 (32,3%) DRC in Africa members and 47 (21,1%) Uniting Reformed Church members. The Attitude towards Church Unification Questionnaire was utilized. Statistical analysis concluded that members of the Dutch Reformed Churches in all the different denominations have a positive attitude towards church unification. The variable found to have the greatest influence on the attitude of church members was home language. Monthly household income was also significant at the 5% level, while level of education did not have a statistically significant influence on people\'s attitude towards church unification. Acta Theologica Vol. 1 2007: pp. 60-82

Highlights

  • The unity of the church of Christ is a spiritual reality, which finds its origin in the triune God

  • In Februarie 2005 is berig dat byna die helfte van NG Kerk (NGK)-gemeentes óf sterwend is óf ’n oorlewingstryd voer en dat net 10% van dié kerk se gemeentes dinamies groei (Rapport 8 Mei 2005:8)

  • Ten einde lidmate se houding teenoor kerkvereniging te bepaal, gaan eerstens gepoog word om die belangrikste veranderlikes, te wete houding en kerkvereniging, vanuit die literatuur te konseptualiseer, waarna die navorsingsmetode, resultate en gevolgtrekkings bespreek sal word

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Summary

INLEIDING EN DOELSTELLING

Die tydperk waarin Suid-Afrika tans verkeer, is een van snelle veranderinge wat neerslag vind in alle fasette van die samelewing. As helpende professie, kan ’n betekenisvolle bydrae lewer om hierdie en ander sosio-politieke kwessies aan te spreek. Hierdie vraagstukke het egter ook ’n besliste uitwerking op die kerk en sy lidmate (Kerkbode 24 November 2006:6). Die NGK-familie het ’n beslissende tydvak in sy bestaan betree: óf die kerk maak ’n paradigmaskuif in die rigting van eenheid en nuwe bedieningspatrone, óf dit sal ’n kwynende kerk word (Kerkbode 12 November 2004:7; Kerkbode 11 Augustus 2006:10). Daar word ook te kenne gegee dat die oorhaastige afdwing van eenwording die kerk nie tot heil kan wees nie (Kerkbode 24 November 2006:7). Aan die ander kant is dit egter ook so dat skeiding die verskeidenheid van kulture in Suid-Afrika weerspieël (Kerkbode 24 November 2006:6). Ten einde lidmate se houding teenoor kerkvereniging te bepaal, gaan eerstens gepoog word om die belangrikste veranderlikes, te wete houding en kerkvereniging, vanuit die literatuur te konseptualiseer, waarna die navorsingsmetode, resultate en gevolgtrekkings bespreek sal word

Houdings
Kerkeenheid
Vernuwing in die NGK-familie
Huistaal
Opleidingsvlak
Inkomste van die huisgesin
NAVORSINGSMETODE
Navorsingsontwerp
Meetinstrument
Statistiese tegnieke
RESULTATE
Findings
GEVOLGTREKKING
Full Text
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