Abstract
The research presented in this article was conducted as a continuing concern over ‘being church’ in a multicultural urban setting in postapartheid South Africa. It has been nearly 30 years since the end of apartheid and South Africans are still learning to live together in unity, as the pioneers of democracy envisaged. In this contribution, it is suggested that in this context, prayer could be utilised as an instrument for church-praxis. This is done by taking an interdisciplinary approach, namely, integrating theories from the fields of practical theology and systematic theology with regard to liturgical studies and ecclesiology, and using them to interpret empirical data and to build on the process of liturgical inculturation. The concept of ‘koinonia’ is explored by reflecting on the relationship between inclusivity and exclusivity and integrating it with contemporary praxis theory from liturgical studies. This is aimed at promoting a manner of ‘being church’ that reflects Dirk Smit’s aphorism, of lex orandi, lex credendi, lex (con)vivendi , that is, as we pray, so we believe, and so we live (together). Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The research presented in this article was conducted as a continuing concern over ‘being church’ in a multicultural, urban setting in postapartheid South Africa. This is done by taking an interdisciplinary approach, integrating theories from the fields of practical theology and systematic theology with regard to liturgical studies and ecclesiology.
Highlights
The Republic of South Africa displays a diversity of cultures, languages and individuals in relation with one another
The working hypothesis for the results of the investigation presented in this article is, as people live together and with one another, they think and talk together and with one another, and so they believe together and with one another, and so this ‘togetherness-in-diversity’ is reflected in their prayer
By way of liturgy and prayer, make a meaningful contribution to cohesion in South Africa, in terms of how people connect to one another? How could this happen? It is argued here that it could take place by way of a specific form of liturgical inculturation, which takes into serious account the relationship between the praxis of prayer and ecclesiology
Summary
The Republic of South Africa displays a diversity of cultures, languages and individuals in relation with one another. South Africans, as a nation, are still learning to live together in unity and inclusivity, some two decades after the birth of democracy in a postapartheid context. It is understood that culture, in a South African sense, is directly related to one’s home language or mother tongue (Scott 2018:6). ‘culture’ can be seen as a factor that contributes to a complex web – or matrix – that defines an individual (cf Scott 2018:28, 174, 175, 186) This is an aspect which will be discussed further below when considering Systematic Theological perspectives on inclusivity and exclusivity. ‘Culture’ is understood as ‘describing the complex aspects that culminate to determine someone’s context and the way in which one experiences the worship service’ (Scott 2018:28)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
