Practical theology: Can it really help the local congregation?

A Roger Tucker

doi:10.4102/hts.v67i2.884

Abstract

This article sought to demonstrate that a synthesis of various church growth methods used within the framework of Heitink’s (1999:124ff.) three theory of action perspectives, namely the ‘hermeneutical’, ‘empirical’ and ‘strategic’, has successfully enabled the building up of one congregation both structurally and spiritually. The ‘building up’ concept was drawn from the practical theological subdiscipline of ‘building up the local church’. This subdiscipline judges the success of God’s work in a local congregation by how effective it is in mobilising its members, facilitating growth towards holistic maturity, making disciples and serving others in mission. Since 2006, St John’s has moved towards this goal by mobilising its members into four new ministry teams (with 13 subsidiary teams), which appear to have achieved growth in these areas.

Highlights

This article sets out to provide one example of where a congregation has been lead through a change process, using the analytical discipline of practical theology, so that it appears to have become more effective in fulfilling God’s purpose for it in terms of the subdiscipline of building up the local church
The St John’s experience in conjunction with Nel’s (2009a, 2009b) two recent papers would seem to indicate that practical theology has a vital role to play in building up the local congregation in a holistic manner
It is recommended that every step be taken to make these resources available to ministers and church leaders

Summary

Introduction

This article sets out to provide one example of where a congregation has been lead through a change process, using the analytical discipline of practical theology, so that it appears to have become more effective in fulfilling God’s purpose for it in terms of the subdiscipline of building up the local church. After briefly outlining the assumptions on which the change process was based, it describes the strategic planning procedures employed to try and build up St John’s since 2006 and the theological sources and authors from which they originated. This description is schematised using Heitink’s (1999:124ff.) three action perspectives. The author either made extracts of them or else used them as a resource in teaching and discussion

Objectives

Results

Conclusion