Netherdutch Reformed Church Of Africa Research Articles

Corrigendum: Observing systemic conflict: The emotional affect on pastors in the Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa

No abstract available.

Die bedieningbehoeftes van Afrikaanssprekende universiteitstudente in Suid-Afrika

The ministerial needs of Afrikaans-speaking university students in South Africa. This article is the result of an empirical study conducted in the student congregations of the Dutch Reformed Church, the Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa and the Reformed Church in South Africa. The study has been done to answer the question: What are the miniserial needs of Afrikaans-speaking university students in South Africa? The research problem that necessitates this study is a lack of knowledge and understanding of the ministerial needs of Afrikaans-speaking university student members of the Reformed student congregations in South Africa. Recent research on student ministry to support student ministers and congregations in the South African context is scant. The research question is formulated to determine the ministerial needs of university students and the implications those needs have for ministry to university students. The goal of the research is to identify the ministerial needs of university students in South Africa and to empower the student congregations to minister to these students more effectively. From the research, three primary ministry needs have been identified: (1) the need for faith formation; (2) the need for mentoring; and (3) the need for a faith community.Contribution: The contribution of this article is original empirical research on the ministerial needs of Afrikaans-speaking university students in South Africa. The research contributes to the current void in South African research on student ministry.

Observing systemic conflict: The emotional affect on pastors in the Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa

Observing systemic conflict: The emotional affect on pastors in the Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa

Ecclesia reformata semper reformanda: W.A. (Wim) Dreyer and the reformation of the Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa

Prof. W.A. Dreyer played an important role in the continuous reformation of the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika (NHKA). This contribution to his Festschrift is not about him. He would not want that. It is about the church and how his understanding of reformed ecclesiology became the basis on which the transformation from ‘Volkskerk’ to missional church took place. According to himself, that was his calling and his life’s work. The importance of his contribution cannot be understood without the historical background in which it played out. Neither is it possible to envisage what really happened without acknowledging the theologians who played an important part in his life. This article therefore starts with a short overview of the history of the NHKA. It then proceeds with an overview of how important theologians in the NHKA influenced his ecclesiology. It concludes with three specific contributions that Prof. W.A. Dreyer made which makes him a key role player which led the NHKA on the way of Ecclesia reformata semper reformanda.Contribution: Prof. W.A. Dreyer became an important church leader in the Netherdutch Reformed Church. His leadership resulted in important changes in the church and especially in the ecclesiology of the church. This article, which is part of his Festschrift, gives an overview of his theological contribution through the lens of semper reformanda. By doing so, it indicates how important is the role of church leaders. All the research is based on his scholarly work.

Observing systemic conflict: The emotional affect on pastors in the Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa

Observing systemic conflict: The emotional affect on pastors in the Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa

South Africa’s Reformed Churches improved aspects of the Dutch church polity in the 19th century

Systematic theology determined church polity, and that had an influence on church history. Thus, the Church Order of Dordt (1618/19) was for centuries the standard of church polity within the Reformed Church in the Netherlands until it was replaced by the General Regulation (1816). Because this church played a major role in the development of the reformed churches in South Africa, the assumption was that the mainline churches in South Africa closely followed the example of the Netherlands. This article aimed to evaluate the development within the mainline churches in South Africa regarding three aspects: the delegation by a church council to broader (major) assemblies; the naming of the presbytery as a circle; and finally, the composition regarding a synodical commission. A comparison was made between the densely populated Netherlands and the scantily populated South Africa. For a comprehensive view, both demographical and geographical differences, as well as political and historical developments were considered. The outcome clearly showed that church polity cannot be applied in the same manner in different locations. The majority Reformed Churches in South Africa (the Dutch Reformed Church – the whole family of churches); the Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa (Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika) followed the same route. The only exception was the Reformed Churches in South Africa (Gereformeerde Kerke in Suid-Afrika).Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This paper contributes to a new appreciation for these three aspects as still being regarded as true church polity, but in a ‘decolonised’ way from the Dutch situation during the first half of the 19th century.

Some homiletical perspectives for the Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa

This article explores Professor T.F.J. Dreyer’s definition for preaching that he developed for preaching in the Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa (NRCA) three decades ago. Dreyer’s own homiletical perspective towards preaching developed continuously through numerous philosophical paradigm shifts since 1989. His basis theory plays an important role in the theological training of the church’s students today. The aim of the research is to reflect on the changes, following Dreyer’s homiletical development over three decades. The research discovers a strong prophetical character in the homiletical approach of Dreyer and concludes by asking how a kairos moment of prophetical speech can benefit the NRCA.Contribution: This research hopes to contribute to the existing research that was done in the homiletical field of traditional Afrikaans-speaking churches in South Africa. The research also contributes by identifying some homiletical perspectives that can help the church to proclaim the gospel in times of transition.

Die debatteerbare kerkregtelike relevansie tussen 1618, 1816 en 1951 in verhouding tot die Kerkorde van die Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika

The debatable church orderly relevance between 1618, 1816 and 1951 in relation to the church order of the Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa: The above-mentioned dates from the past, although distant from each other, are linked to each other and influential in the church law debate, even in recent times. The intention of this paper is to link the dates as well as the events associated with the mentioned dates from the past with the church order of the Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa which was determined during the church’s 71st synod meeting during 2016. Churches in South Africa originated from the 16th century Reformation should accommodate each other even with some different viewpoints especially in connection with church law as formulated and practised in different churches. Contribution: The contribution of this paper is to point out that the relation between the mentioned dates indicate important milestones in the church orderly past, in the Netherlands and in South Africa and should be treated with caution, especially in reference to the church order of the Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa.

A Neuro Linguistic Programming’s modelling process for the development of and guidance to congregations: An adaptive ministry

Several congregations in the workspace of the Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa are losing viability and sustainability. This can be attributed to various factors, the most prominent being isolation. Isolation is defined here as the inability of some congregations to move away from maintenance and an inward focus towards making necessary adjustments on the way to a dimension of missional focus. While commitment and enthusiasm are present in the work of all congregations, some find it difficult to adapt their established ideas and in some cases obsolete customs and traditions. Other congregations have made the necessary adjustments by defining themselves as missional. In congregations where constructive change occurs, the focus moves to undertake congregational ministries. The congregation not only gains insight into their own situation but also becomes aware of God’s calling for that specific congregation within a specific context. The focus shifts from their own situation and needs to the needs and challenges of the context surrounding the specific congregation. A consequence of this change in focus is that the whole ministry of the congregation adjusts accordingly. These congregations discover their own unique spirituality and begin to ask: For whom do we exist? The article is based on a PhD thesis, where Osmer’s four questions of practical theology were brought into the conversation with the modelling process of neuro-linguistic programming, in an attempt to sojourn with congregations towards a contextual missional focus. This research was undertaken to expand Osmer’s four questions of practical theology by using the modelling process of neuro-linguistic programming so that congregations may succeed in making the necessary adjustments.

Skrifbeskouing en Skrifhantering: Marcus Borg en die Hervormde Kerk – ʼn Vergelykende studie

Marcus Borg, one of the most prominent New Testament scholars in the past four decades, is considered by many in the Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa as a liberal scholar. His understanding of the origin of the Bible, the way he interprets the Bible, and what he sees as the status and function of the Bible, should therefore be dismissed. A comparison of Borg’s point of view on these topics with that of the points of view of the Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa, however, indicates that Borg’s understanding of these matters differs not even marginally from that of the Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa. In a certain sense, Borg could therefore be described as a theologian who fits the mould of what is understood in the Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa as a responsible approach to and interpretation of the Bible.

Third A.S. Geyser Commemorative Lecture on 30 March 2017: Welcoming address by the moderator of the executive of the General Assembly of the Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa

Third A.S. Geyser Commemorative Lecture on 30 March 2017: Welcoming address by the moderator of the executive of the General Assembly of the Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa

Die <i>Fresh Expression</i> beweging en die Hervormde Kerk – ’n nuwe manier van kerkwees?

The Fresh Expression movement is well-known in Great Britain and other Western countries like the USA, Australia and lately South Africa. During 2013, a task team launched two pilot courses in Cape Town and George that marked the beginning of Fresh Expressions in South Africa. The Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika (Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa – NRCA) exposed 125 of her pastors to the Fresh Expression movement by means of the annual continuous theological training program during 2015. Three of the pastors underwent the ‘Train the Trainer’ course and are currently involved in the presentation of courses in the Pretoria region. The Fresh Expression movement hold the possibility for pioneers in church planting to reach the people who have no ties with the established church. By entering a certain context, faith communities are established by means of listening to the people in their context, serving them in a loving way, creating a community, evangelise and discipling them and starting their own unique way of worshipping. The new faith communities are not in competition with the established church but it is rather a question of a mixed economy where different types of church exists alongside each other in mutual respect and support. This study tries to establish basic criteria to distinguish a Fresh Expression from random missional outreaches by a congregation. Two potential Fresh Expressions in the NRCA were evaluated by the set criteria.

Die funksie en doel van die Apostoliese Geloofbelydenis

The article deals with the function and aim of the Apostles’ Creed in the Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa – and for that matter, all other Reformed churches. The history of the Credo is carefully described. By so doing the earliest uses of the Creed are established. This information is necessary to determine the present-day function and aim of our confession.The relationship between faith, confession and the catechisms also provides important perspectives on the role of the Creed in the life of the church. The ecumenical nature of the church and the unity amongst Christians are emphasised. Unity with previous generations also receives attention as one of the main functions of the Credo.In the article, attention is further given to a variety of misunderstandings about the Creed. Due to the fact that the confessional documents interpret the Credo, these documents tend to receive a status beyond the original intention. The Reformed understanding of the doctrinal standards is therefore explained.

Hou Christus die Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika in stand?

Does Christ sustain the Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa? The Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa (NRCA) that is situated in South-Africa is currently experiencing a serious decline in numbers. The question arises whether Christ will sustain the NRCA in the words of the Afrikaans Hymn 477 in the ‘Liedboek van die Kerk’ (Hymnbook of the Church): ‘Christ will maintain his church …’ Is it a matter of faith, or even more – a matter of obedience? The membership of the NRCA mainly consists of white Afrikaans-speaking people. Apart from the situation in the NRCA there is also a serious decline in the number of white people in South Africa. It raises the question about the sustainability of the NRCA if it continues to maintain a membership of predominately white Afrikaans-speaking people. The NRCA is very much institutionalised with a history that lacks missional intention and involvement in the community. This study investigates the possibility for a more applicable missional curriculum in the training of theology students to counter the lack of missional involvement. It also investigates new ways to reach the unchurched society with a missional approach. The Fresh Expression Movement that originated in the UK provides a new paradigm for the NRCA that will hopefully lead to a new way of thinking and doing. Will Christ sustain the NRCA? The answer lies in the willingness of the NRCA to show a missional heart for all the people of Africa, especially those in Southern Africa.Keywords: Missional; missional curriculum; missional ecclesiology; institutionalism; toxic organization; spiritual; church planting; fringes; Fresh Expressions

Die oor-en-weer beroep van predikante tussen die Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk en die Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika: 1862–1917

The ongoing appointment of ministers between the Dutch Reformed Church and the Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa: 1862–1917. This article highlights the situation prior to the establishment of the theological training of the Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa (NDRCA). The training of ministers of the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) started in 1859 with the establishment of the Theological Seminary at Stellenbosch. Since 1862 three churches operated in the then Transvaal (South African Republic). Many ministers of the DRC were called to serve in the NDRCA. The most notable were the Rev D.P. Ackerman and the Rev H.S. Bosman. They were called before the origin of the united church (of the NDRCA and the DRC) that existed between 1885 and 1892. After the split in 1892, they (as well as many others) continued as ministers in the DRC. The first lecturer of the NDRCA was called in 1917 − also a minister that was previously from the DRC. The calling of his successor sparked a major row. The NDRCA congregation of Pretoria called another minister from the DRC – the Rev H.D. van Broekhuizen. This eventually led to a special meeting of the General Assembly of the NDRCA in 1917 where his calling was eventually approved.

A.G. van Aarde en historiese Jesus-navorsing

A.G. van Aarde and historical Jesus research. A.G. van Aarde’s contribution to historical Jesus research is mainly expressed in his book Fatherless in Galilee: Jesus as Child of God. The book was the result of five years of Jesus research. Van Aarde is an ordained minister of the Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa (NRCA). Since the book’s publication in 2001, the NRCA has experienced an immense dispute regarding the book in particular but also regarding the subject of historical Jesus research in general. This dispute has publicly escalated since 2010. It has often centred on Van Aarde’s notion of Jesus’ fatherlessness. This article will focus on said book in order to ascertain what is meant by the concept ‘the fatherless Jesus’. This is done to illustrate that Van Aarde’s research, as it converges in the scrutinised publication, remains of relevance to the NRCA.

Die inkarnering van die <i>missio Dei</i> as praktykmodel vir die Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika

The incarnation of the missio Dei practice model for the Dutch Reformed Church of Africa. The decline of the church in the West is of great concern to many today. The Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa (NRCA), experiences the same tendency. We are living in a time when survival is on the mind of most mainline congregations and denominations. The question is what shall we do to turn this situation around? The answer is to be found in the rediscovery of what it means for the church to be missional. The knowledge about how the early church functioned helps us to rediscover the character of early Christian mission, much of what is drawn together in the concept of incarnational mission. This article examines incarnational mission as the understanding and practise of Christian witness that is rooted in and shaped by the life, ministry, suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus. Understanding mission incarnationally in this manner is an integrative way to approach the church’s missionary vocation and to avoid the typical Western reduction of mission to one of the many programms of the church. The article, by exploring the meaning of incarnational mission, endeavours to be both constructive with regard to the biblical and theological understanding of the message, and polemical with regard to the context and history of mission, especially in the Western tradition. This article follows Darrell Guder in arguing that the historical ‘happenedness’ of Jesus’ life both enables and defines Christian witness. In exploring the missional ignificance of the incarnation, the article tries to avoid any dilution of the centrality of the incarnation event.

Martin Luther en teologiebeoefening in die toekoms

Martin Luther and doing theology in the future. The Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa prides itself for the fact that she has always appreciated the German-Lutheran tradition. The Reformed Theological College has for 15 years contributed to the appreciation of this tradition. This article wants to encourage the new leadership to keep this legacy alive. The main aspects of Luther’s theology are explained. These aspects are: prayer (oratio), meditation (meditatio), constitation (tentatio), grace of the Spirit (gratia Spiritus), exegesis (sedulalectio), and the use of other sciences in understanding the Bible (bonarum atrium cognitia). Attention is also given to the subject-matter of Theology as well as the notion of humbleness.

Die etos van die Hervormde Kerk in die derde millennium

The ethos of the Reformed Church in the third millennium. This article aims at revisiting the ethos of the Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa. There are concerns over the vast numbers of members, especially young members that leave the church. Special interest is taken in view of the ethos of the church in the third millennium. The author was curious about the understanding of members of the church as far as the ethos is concerned. A study which included two different groups within the church indicated that further investigation and research are inevitable in order to broaden the view on the future of the church even more. Factors such as the opinions of members of the church regarding the ethos and the question whether the understanding of the ethos has any impact on the declining of membership numbers could contribute to this debate.

Lewensstories van getroude vroue: ’n Moontlikheid tot transformasie

Life stories of married woman: A possibility to transformation. Feminist scholarship in various disciplines has shown that women tend to internalise dominant social and religious discourse with regard to their lesser worth and value as human beings and members of society. The focal point of this article is to demonstrate how the place and role allocated to women, specifically in marital relationships, can be experienced as harmful. This article makes use of the life history research method in combination with the emancipatory analysis model of Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza in order to demonstrate this. Interviews were done with five women of the Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa, a fairly conservative and traditional Afrikaans speaking South African faith community. In spite of having lived with this mindset all of their lives, the women were able to express in which ways they experienced the dominant discourse as harmful. If social and religious views devalue a certain group of people, transformation is required. In the case of women, respectfully listening to their life stories and experiences can contribute to their own healing as well as to the transformation of their social and religious environment and the practice of the church.