Abstract
The future of the Afrikaans reformed churches in South Africa: possible, probable and desirable optionsIn 1994, South Africa experienced a radical paradigm shift which in some ways led Afrikaans reformed churches into a state of semi-paralysis. Over the past twenty-six years the church has had to deal with the resultant fallout. The fact that many setbacks had been overcome successfully, is an encouraging indication that the church has the potential of a brighter future. Bosch stated that as long as one lives and thinks within the patterns of a given paradigm, then that paradigm provides one with a plausible structure according to which all reality is interpreted. The quintessential question would be: what is the preferred future vision for the Afrikaans reformed churches? How is the journey to 2030 and 2040 mapped out? These answers will partly determine the outcome. When one evaluates the current situation, both positive and negative aspects have to be considered. The key question is, how can the positives be optimised, and the negatives minimised? With vision and scenario planning and the detailed consideration of possible, probable and preferable outcomes, an exciting future becomes possible. The challenges of membership, finances, consumerism and also Covid-19 can also be overcome. More informal church practises for those on the fringes are opening new opportunities globally – as expressed by for instance the Fresh Expression Movement. A new and vigorous focus on relationships, care, community involvement and friendship missions may result in fulfilling the vision of the Afrikaans reformed churches. With compassion in action, Afrikaans reformed churches can in some ways blossom over the next two decades.
Highlights
Die vraagstelling wat in hierdie artikel aangespreek word, is of die verskillende moontlike opsies wat voorgestel word vir die toekoms van die Afrikaanse gereformeerde kerke in Suid-Afrika, met behulp van die toekomswetenskappe wetenskaplik aanvaarbaar en verantwoord is
Wanneer mense in enige verband beplanning wil of moet doen, kan ’n mens dus beslis nie passief wag dat die toekoms blindelings op die indiwidu of die instelling afgerol kom nie
Geen beplanning is moontlik as daar nie iets van die toekoms geantisipeer word nie
Summary
Die vraagstelling wat in hierdie artikel aangespreek word, is of die verskillende moontlike opsies wat voorgestel word vir die toekoms van die Afrikaanse gereformeerde kerke in Suid-Afrika, met behulp van die toekomswetenskappe wetenskaplik aanvaarbaar en verantwoord is. Verder word gevra na die verskillende faktore wat hierdie toekoms mede kan bepaal, om so tot ’n beter selfverstaan van hierdie kerke in Suid-Afrika te kom. Aan die begin is gevra of daar wel ’n wetenskap is wat aangewend kan word om oor die toekoms van kerke te besin. Hierdeur kan moontlike uitkomste oor die toekoms vir Afrikaanse gereformeerde kerke ontwikkel word. Met betrekking tot ’n paradigma is dit iets wat handel oor ’n raamwerk van denke wat moontlik in die toekoms kan gebeur. Baie elemente van wat ons die waarskynlike toekoms noem, word in hierdie tipe scenario uitgedruk. Baie elemente van wat ons in die verkieslike toekoms noem, word in hierdie tipe scenario uitgedruk (Cornish 2004:98). Dit word hieronder kortliks omskryf: 1. Die vraag na volhoubaarheid in die algemeen staan baie prominent: Tradisionele vorme van ekonomiese ontwikkeling plaas ekosisteme onder geweldige druk wat op sy beurt geweldige uitdagings aan globale ontwikkeling stel om hulpbronne en die ekosisteme te beskerm
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