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- Research outputs and conference proceedings from conferences hosted by the seminary
- Conspectus is the official journal of South African Theological Seminary
- Thesis holdings emanating from successfully defended degrees completed at the seminary
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Practical Proposals for raising the profile of Children’s Ministry in the Ethiopian Full Gospel Believer’s Church
(South African Theological Seminary, 2010) Abera, Abay; Jabini, Frank
This mini-thesis, titled "Practical Proposals for Raising the Profile of Children's Ministry in the Ethiopian Full Gospel Believer's Church," addresses the critical issue of children's ministry within the Ethiopian Full Gospel Believer’s Church (EFGBC). Submitted in partial fulfillment for the Master of Theology degree at the South African Theological Seminary, this work comprehensively explores identifying and rectifying the deficiencies in spiritual and social nurturing of children within the EFGBC.
The research is structured into several key sections: an introduction providing background, significance, research questions, objectives, and methodology; an examination of biblical perspectives on children’s spiritual and social life; a survey assessing the current state of children’s ministry within EFGBC; identification of existing problems based on research findings; and proposed strategies for improvement.
Key findings reveal that children in the EFGBC are significantly neglected both spiritually and socially. The study highlights the necessity for a biblically grounded approach to children’s ministry, emphasizing evangelism, teaching, caring, proper discipline, and equipping children for ministry. The proposed strategies include enhanced parental involvement, structured teaching programs, and church-led initiatives aimed at the holistic development of children.
The research methodology involved data collection through written interviews with 90 church leaders and members across five zones of Ethiopia. Analysis of this data, supported by relevant graphs and comparisons with biblical teachings, led to practical recommendations aimed at transforming the current state of children's ministry in the EFGBC.
The study concludes that for the EFGBC to cultivate a godly generation and future leaders, it must prioritize children’s ministry, adhering to scriptural principles. This transformation requires concerted efforts from both church leadership and the wider believing community to ensure children are adequately evangelized, nurtured, disciplined, and equipped for future ministry. The mini-thesis thus serves as a vital resource for pastors, parents, and church leaders dedicated to the spiritual and social development of children within the Ethiopian Full Gospel Believer’s Church.
Widowhood Practice in Ezeagu, Nigeria: The Role of the Anglican Church
(South African Theological Seminary, 2014) Mgboo, Agubuzu-Oyi Celestina; Lessing, Pelham
The mini-thesis explores the socio-cultural practice of widowhood in Ezeagu, Nigeria. The study found through both the literature study and the empirical component, that harmful cultural practices are associated with the cultural rituals of widowhood. These rituals are deeply rooted in hegemonic theory, a type of moral and philosophical leadership, which promotes dominance and control at the expense of the oppressed and marginalized. Hegemonic practice in Nigeria, as it relates to widowhood practices, rests with major social, political, and religious groups who provide consent to cultural practices. Furthermore, the study found hegemonic theory undermines the human dignity and rights of widows and their children in the research locale and has added to the stress (life crisis units) and hardships of widowhood.
The study proceeds to reflect on the role of Scripture and consequently the church in addressing these harmful widowhood practices as well as charting a path to assist widows in ordering their personal worlds. The people of God in the Old Testament (the Kehal Yahweh) and the Church in the New Testament (the Ecclesia), the study argues, have always been at the forefront of addressing issues related to social justice. Drawing on the Biblical narrative and secondary sources, the researcher highlights the social responsibility of the [Anglican] Church. The Anglican Church, the study also found, has been very active in alleviating the plight of widows in Ezeagu. Through its pastoral and caring activities, the church assisted several of its members as well as citizens attached to other religions to find accommodation; assisted in supplying food; through its advocacy programs addressed issues relating to legislation, education, and creative strategies in their attempt to eradicate the harmful practices relating to the nature, rituals, and damaging practices of widowhood.
The study concludes by making recommendations on how widows, the church, and society at large can continue to upgrade and intensify their efforts to empower especially Anglican widows, who are members of the church, to order their private world and become mentors and/or coaches of those who enter the status of widowhood and serve as advocates for the plight of widows in Ezeagu. The study appeals to the spiritual senses of the Anglican Church deeply rooted in the biblical narrative to continue to seek the welfare of widows as an expression of biblical advocacy and action in relation to human hardships. Solitary religion is not an option for the church. In keeping with one of the central biblical passages for the church at large, Matthew 22:34-40, [social] holiness is deep intentional love for neighbor. Stressing religion, evangelical spirituality, or social action, one without the other, the study argues, leads to problems in both directions (Evangelical Gnosticism), and keeping the balance is the task of the church; this is theology in action.
La Formación de Líderes en la Iglesia Local: El Caso de Cuatro Iglesias Pertenecientes a la Asociación De Iglesias Evangélicas de Oriente (ASIGEO) en Venezuela
(South African Theological Seminary, 2016) Marcano Carrizalez, Samuel Antonio; Hendrickson, Mark G.
La formación para el ministerio es una necesidad vital para todas las iglesias. El apóstol Pablo deja claro que los dones deben ser desarrollados para la edificación de la iglesia (1 Corintios 12:4-11; Efesios 4:11-16) y Pedro exhorta a cada creyente a servir a los demás a través del ejercicio de sus dones (1 Pedro 4:10). En ese proceso de crecimiento, la iglesia necesita de creyentes que sirvan de guías o líderes para ayudar a los demás en el servicio al Señor. La formación de estos líderes siempre ha sido un desafío para todas las iglesias. La mayoría de los pastores se sienten frustrados cuando buscan apoyo en otros creyentes para que les ayuden a liderar ministerios o áreas de servicio en la iglesia y no lo encuentran. Esta investigación muestra la forma cómo cuatro iglesias que pertenecen a la Asociación de Iglesias Evangélicas de Oriente (ASIGEO) en Venezuela están asumiendo la tarea de formar líderes locales. Se demuestra, en la investigación, que es importante en este proceso de formar líderes: 1) Tener una definición clara de lo que es un líder cristiano, 2) puntualizar la necesidad de que sean los pastores mismos quienes asuman la responsabilidad de la formación de líderes en la iglesia local y que busquen toda la ayuda necesaria para este fin, 3) ofrecer apoyo continuo a los líderes emergentes a través de mentorías y asistencias pastorales y 4) reconocer el papel importante que la organización, ASIGEO, puede cumplir en ayudar a los pastores e iglesias en el proceso de formación de líderes emergentes.
An Exegetical Study of 1 Timothy 6:3-12 With Special Reference to Its Implications for the Prosperity Gospel
(South African Theological Seminary, 2018) Dlamini, Sifiso T.; Falconer, Robert D.
The prosperity gospel (PG) is a widespread theology among certain denominations of the Christian church. The essence of this theology is the teaching that Christians have a right to wealth and health through positive confession and is based on a selection of texts in the Bible. The prosperity gospel, on closer examination, is the result of a very particular view of the Bible. The Bible is primarily seen as a faith contract between God and believers. Along this way, God is manipulated by the believer to fulfill his or her wants or desires. Most have come to believe that whatever they desire from God, they must simply speak (claim) it by faith. Positive confession means, therefore, that believers are speaking in faith what they believe God has already promised to them. At the heart of the prosperity teaching lies the conviction that no Christian is destined to suffer and live in poverty on this earth. The prosperity gospel has been examined and analyzed in the light of what the Bible teaches about wealth and health. The study is limited to an exegetical study of 1 Timothy 6:3-12. The results, as well as the practical implications and warnings, are discussed. It concludes with a summary of the prosperity gospel, detailing its faithfulness or infidelity to the biblical text. Recommendations are suggested that, taken together, are considered to be an appropriate response to advocates of that gospel.
De Bijbelse Rol van Oudsten en Diakenen in de Volle Evangelie Gemeente “The Open Door” in Suriname: Een Gevalstudie
(South African Theological Seminary, 2010) Gregor, Ewald F. F.; Jabini, Frank
Dit onderzoek zal de Bijbelse rol van de ambten van diakenen en oudsten binnen de Volle Evangelie Gemeenten, in het bijzonder de Volle Evangelie Gemeente The Open Door, behandelen. Na onderzoek is gebleken dat er binnen de kerken, maar vooral de Volle Evangelie Gemeenten in Suriname, geen duidelijke richtlijnen en ook geen publicaties zijn die handelen over de ambten. Vanwege het feit dat er geen publicaties zijn, zal er gebruik worden gemaakt van interviews, enquêtes en gesprekken.
Vanwege de verschillende kerkdenominaties in Suriname, zal er een verscheidenheid van meningen zijn met betrekking tot de rol van deze ambten binnen deze kerken. Elk van de geïnterviewde kerkleiders deelt naast de stand van zaken binnen zijn kerkdenominatie ook zijn eigen ervaring en de verwachte rol van deze ambten binnen de huidige levenssituatie mee.
Er zullen ook boeken en andere publicaties die handelen over de ambten besproken worden om zodoende een goede Bijbelse Theologische basis te leggen voor de Bijbelse rol van de ambten binnen de Volle Evangelie Gemeente The Open Door. De nadruk zal ook gelegd worden op de eventuele verschillen in het functioneren van deze ambten. Er zal onderzoek gedaan worden van twee van de pastorale brieven van de apostel Paulus, namelijk 1 Timotheüs 3:1-13 en Titus 1:5-9, om de verantwoordelijkheden van deze ambten duidelijk te zien. Ook zal er gekeken worden naar de kwaliteiten die deze ambtsdragers volgens deze brieven behoren te hebben.
Dit onderzoek zal in de opbouw de gangbare indeling van een verslag van Soudijn opvolgen: Soudijn 1991:60. Ook zal er een soort “trechter” methode worden gevolgd naar het voorbeeld van Soudijn (Soudijn 1991:63-65). Deze “trechter” methode zal als volgt worden toegepast. Ik wil eerst de internationale ontwikkelingen bestuderen, daarna die van de Surinaamse kerken in het algemeen, vervolgens die van de Pinkster Gemeenten, en tenslotte zal ik voor de Volle Evangelie Gemeente The Open Door een strategie ontwikkelen.