Abstract
This article reports on the findings of the descriptive-empirical task of an original research into the effectiveness of the Sesheke Church’s transformational task. Osmer’s (2008) model of the four tasks of practical theological interpretation (descriptive-empirical, interpretive, normative, and pragmatic) has been employed in the original research. Each of the tasks addresses a specific stage of a proposed study, but this article, as already mentioned, reports on the descriptive-empirical task. The task seeks to understand the current praxis of the Sesheke Church regarding the transformation of their local community (Osmer, 2008:31–79).The Sesheke Pastors Fellowship, referred to as Sesheke Church in the article, has accepted an obligation regarding the welfare of their community and formed a sub-committee in July 2007 to engage the church, government, and all other stakeholders in a transformation process. The aim of the Sesheke Church has been to bring about socio-economic transformation for the local community.The researcher was chairperson of the sub-committee for seven years and has, therefore, been motivated to investigate the praxis and impact of the Sesheke Church’s transformational task. According to the opinions of the participants interviewed, the transformational task by the church in Sesheke has not been effective for various reasons. This article discusses the reasons for the church’s failure as perceived by the participants.The researcher believes that this article will contribute to the understanding of practical theology with regards to community transformation from the unique context and situation of the transformational task by the church in the Sesheke area.
Highlights
IntroductionOsmer’s (2008:4) four tasks of practical theological interpretation have been employed in the bigger research study to address the respective four stages of the research process
This article reports on the descriptive empirical task as part of a larger research study that has sought to determine the effectiveness of the Sesheke Church in bringing about social and economic transformation to their local community. Osmer’s (2008:4) four tasks of practical theological interpretation have been employed in the bigger research study to address the respective four stages of the research process
This article provides an exposition of the descriptive empirical task from a practical theological perspective with regard to the effectiveness of the Sesheke Church’s transformational task
Summary
Osmer’s (2008:4) four tasks of practical theological interpretation have been employed in the bigger research study to address the respective four stages of the research process. These stages involve descriptive empirical, interpretive, normative, and pragmatic tasks. Sesheke is a small semi-rural town in Zambia situated right at the boarder of Zambia and Namibia and has a cross-section of people, including those from Angola. As such, it has a unique crosssection of lifestyle and challenges of its own. The company closed without paying workers their dues, causing great hardships to workers and their families living from hand to mouth
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