Original Research

Denke as krisisterrein in die verskynsel van kerkkrimping by tradisioneel Afrikaanssprekende susterkerke

Phia van Helden
Verbum et Ecclesia | Vol 34, No 1 | a677 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/ve.v34i1.677 | © 2013 Phia van Helden | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 23 August 2011 | Published: 28 February 2013

About the author(s)

Phia van Helden, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, South Africa

Abstract

Thinking as a crisis area in the phenomenon of the declining traditionally Afrikaans ‘sister churches’. Since little can be done, humanly speaking, to address the numerous factors influencing the decline of churches, it is obvious that everything humanly possible must be done. Thinking plays a major role in ecclesiology. This article focuses on human thinking as crisis area and as variable in ecclesiology. Because thinking is the determining factor controlling human activities, it is necessary to transform and change thinking when imbalances appear under the microscope of the last command of Jesus. Through the Great Commission, the Christocentric paradigm is revealed which serves as a corrective guideline for the imbalances created by the institutionalistic (I-paradigm) or the spiritualistic (S-paradigm) paradigms. Appreciative Inquiry (AI) is rediscovered as Scripture-based approach regarding change in thinking and the resulting change in the ecclesiastic crisis area, thus focussing on a more complete obedience to the Great Commission and promoting the possibility of natural church growth.

Keywords

susterkerke; institusionalisme; denkparadigma; Waarderende ondersoek

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Crossref Citations

1. Missionale kerk, missio Dei en kerkverband: ’n Diskussie
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doi: 10.4102/ids.v48i1.1775