Research

1. poetic metaphors,
2. conceptual metaphors,
3. image schemata and,
4. idealised cognitive models.

This research examines the effectiveness of the leadership of Langa Church in its equipping task of church members for the upliftment of the community. In the study the researcher seeks to address the following questions: (1) what is the current church praxis in Langa church community with regard to equipping as illustrated through a descriptive empirical investigation? (2) What does existing research say concerning the equipping of church communities? (3) What principles from Scripture can be applied to determine the effectiveness of Langa church’s equipping task? and (4) Which models will have to be taken into account regarding equipping to enhance effectiveness of Langa church’s equipping task? In accordance with Osmer’s (2008) the four tasks of practical theological interpretation which are descriptive-empirical, interpretive, normative, and pragmatic tasks have been employed.

The findings of the descriptive-empirical task points to the failure by the leadership of Langa Church at its equipping task. There are numerous reasons given by all participants in the interviews for the failure. There were some equipping attempts done at various churches, but they could not be described as sufficient to uplift the local community. On the other hand, the interpretive task shows that a community upliftment requires holistic approach from the church and this requires the buy-in of all involved especially in decision making.

The hermeneutic research was done from a historical grammatical perspective whereby the Bible is believed to be inspired by the Holy Spirit according to 2 Timothy 3:16, and, therefore, accepted as the authoritative Word of God (De Klerk & De Wet, 2013:300). Therefore, the normative guidelines to the equipping task by the leadership of Langa Church should also be based on the principles from Scripture. In the final pragmatic task the researcher proposed practical guidelines and the model which was derived through critical reflection of the research findings.

The researcher believes that the study will contribute to the discourse of practical theology with regard to equipping of the church and community upliftment from the context of Langa area. Burns and Grove (2009:29) observe that “by understanding the meaning of a phenomenon in its context, it becomes easier to understand phenomena in other similar contexts”.

This research examines the effectiveness of the Sesheke Church's transformational task from the inception of the task in 2007. Throughout the study the researcher seeks to answer the following questions:

1. What has been the church's current practice, aimed at transforming the community?
2. What can be learned form other research findings about the transformational task of the church?
3. What principles from Scripture can guide the church's transformational practice?, and
4. Combining the findings of the first three questions in guidelines to help the church to be effective in transforming their community?

David's research was in the specific setting of his home town of Sesheke in Zambia, but his findings and guidelines will also help other churches that want to become more effective in transforming their community.

Liturgy should consciously have in mind the transformation of the world, as we know it.

Sweet (1999:58) remarks: 'If there is darkness, the blame should be attached where it belongs; not to the world that is dark, but to the church that is failing to provide the light'.

This research proposes that it is in particular the calling of the individual believer to work towards the transformation of society, however, the latter is not practiced effectively in the world, the reason mainly being that corporate liturgy does not prepare and equip believers for the liturgy of daily living.

This study seeks to answer one important question; Which practice-theoretical markers can be discerned, in order to;

• effectively equip individual believers, and
• erect signs of God's coming Kingdom daily as the liturgy of life.

The opening decade of the 21st century has seen a marked expansion in the influence of digital technology on virtually all fields of human endeavour. While fostering koinonia is a primary goal of social media use in congregational settings, it is still unclear whether the theoretical expectations we have of this brand new communicational tool will be met in practise over the long term. This leaves a central question: Can the use of digital social media networks in the church context help foster true koinonia - especially in urban congregations, where the impact of lifestyle pressures on relationships is often more pronounced?

The study developed a new model of youth praxis, intended to increase trained and qualified youth ministry personnel, progressive classes and the level of resource accessibility to congregational youth ministry curriculum providers as well as the youth in general.

How can the AFM, from a pastoral perspective, understand the situation of, prepare and assist its emeritus in coping effectively with retirement - in the process addressing their holistic needs - maintaining a meaningful life in the service of God as integral members of his community? A model that explains the strategy for planning and preparing for retirement has been compiled in this study to address the fears and problems of emeritus.

The motivation for this study is to determine to what extent dishonoured AFM pastors of South Africa are supported by formal church structures. The purpose of this research is to establish practical guidelines for the AFM of South Africa to provide meaningful support to dishonoured pastors in a crisis in order for them to recover fully.

It is important that a sustainable, long-term solution is found in the light of an anticipated crisis by 2014 with regard to orphans and vulnerable children in SA. The practical implication and implementation of the promoted approach of community development and the inclusion of the recommended strategies for orphans and vulnerable children are crucial in the praxis of the church.

The aim of this study is to conduct a critical evaluation of evangelism, as understood and practiced by SA Christian leaders of the Pentecostal and Charismatic churches.

The post-1994 South African society has become humanistic, pluralistic and tolerant. The era is characterised by a call and commitment to build a non-racial, non-sexist, and non-discriminatory society enshrined in the constitution of the Republic of South Africa. These conditions challenge African evangelical leaders to minister the gospel without losing their faith and cultural identity.

Money plays an important role in the everyday lives of church members. How church members view and engage with money has various implications. This practical theological study concerns the ethos of church members with regard to their personal financial management.

The whole world, including Africa and South Africa, is moving in transitional phases between pre-modern, modern and post-modernistic tendencies. In Southern-Africa we see the co-existence of at least these three worldviews. The point of departure in this study is that in order to develop a better notion of the demands that the current time frame places upon congregational leaders and to support them as leaders, it would be valuable to listen in an explorative way to their practical experiences.

This study was motivated by the problems encountered by pastors within the context of the AFM of SA in a small rural congregation and what their specific needs were. The purpose of the research is to supply workable guidelines to help pastors to improve their situation in the rural area.

South Africa is a culturally diverse country, which is becoming increasingly complex due to secular influences such as globalisation and the influx of African migrants. As different ethnic groups are integrated in South African communities, pastors are faced with new challenges to develop multicultural congregations, that reflect the demography of the community.

Rethinking and reforming of the church in contemporary twenty-first century culture, inter alia, the post-modern condition is currently a popular topic of profound ecclesiological interest and generates much church talk. The prominence of the 21st century emerging church's growing influence, and potential to influence the exiting or traditional church with conventional or orthodox practices, cannot be ignored.

This study has a dual contribution in that it presents a systematic practical theological study of the essence of church, and allows for the development of a contextual model. This model was developed and tested through a process of participative action research in the context of two AFM congregations.

The needs of city communities are so challenging and critical that it has become a matter of urgency for the church to develop community transformation strategies to address these needs. The community transformation strategy of the Tshwane-based Doxa Deo Group offers an approach that can be used as a guideline for other churches and assemblies to develop their own relevant strategies.

At present there are 1850 ordained, non-ordained and affiliated AFM pastors. The various types of training pastors receive for admission to the ministry vary from a one-year certificate to an honours degree in theology. In this study, the theological background history of the pastor was investigated.

Preaching is one of the main pastoral or congregational activities that takes place in all Christian congregations. The Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM), Diepkloof Assembly in Soweto was selected as a study sample to investigate how church members experience their pastor's preaching at church during worship services.

Marriage seems to be a key element in the family system of the western world. This bond usually starts with a romantic love affair between the partners that leads to marriage. In most of the western world the divorce rate averages at fifty percent and Christian couples do not seem to indicate a higher rate. Imago relationship therapy is an approach to relationship counselling that offers some new ideas and methods. This approach indicates a high success rate and seems to seamlessly flow with normal Christian counselling, and produce good results.

This study was motivated out of a concern for the declining church attendance of young adults. The goal of this study is the identification of the needs of young adults in relation to the church service and the measurement of the success of the AFM of SA in meeting these needs. The conclusion of this study indicates that the true character of the church service must be reflected in the planning of the liturgical elements towards the needs of young adults.

The history of the AFM of SA confirms its own missional character. In the light of the church's rich missional history, an attempt is made to determine to what extent non-Christians are still reached through the gospel by the AFM.

We are living in post-modern times that was preceded by the pre-modern and modern times. All the negative happenings and unfulfilled promises of the modern period gave rise to the post-modern period. This present post-modern period is characterised by disillusionment with all the harmony, truths and prosperity promised, that didn't materialise during the modern era.

Mankind has been in a state of flux through the ages. It follows that the church, to remain relevant and effective, should also adapt continuously in its approach to the delivery of its message. In this research a literature study was undertaken of contemporary man – attention was paid to distinctive traits, characteristics and the manner in which he argues and thinks about a specific matter.

Counselling experience shows that a majority of problems that endanger marital and family functioning result from an absent father. The problems of an absent father and his important role in the upbringing of his children have already become well known. The welfare of children has declined dramatically compared to earlier generations. This study addresses the problems of the absent father from a theological perspective.

In most congregations 'the work' of ministering is primarily performed by salaried pastors and permanent staff. The members of the congregation are mainly spectators, and at best, helpers in the various ministries of the church. This study seeks to show that members of the congregation should be fully incorporated in the ministry teams and leadership structure of local congregations; that they should take part in the vision and mission; and should be empowered and allowed to minister and function as leaders.

Africa shows the fastest growth of Christianity worldwide, with more than half of its people considering themselves Christians. Still the people in Africa experience poverty, famine and other relating circumstances. The Gospel surely does not only save the soul, but also brings blessings from God. The people of Africa desperately need to experience the full impact of the blessing of the Gospel. The answer and focus herein lies in the holistic approach of evangelism strategy of Siloso.

The uniqueness of New Testament testimony concerning death as reflected in Pauline Epistles is explored in comparison with a Padmasambhivic text from Tibetan Buddhism called the ‘Great Liberation by hearing the Barbo'/'Tibetan Book of the Dead.'

Throughout history there developed a dualism between being the church and the world. This separation brought forth a church that is moving away from an outside focus on the unchurched, to the tending and retaining of members. Therefore it is necessary that the church will realise that it does not exist for itself but is an extension of God in Christ to a world that is lost.

In this dissertation a study is conducted about the tension that develops between God and man during suffering, by discussing the following topics: The understanding and topicality of suffering The realisation of the promises of God during suffering Handling and coping with suffering. This study identifies the tension during chronic suffering that leads to a crisis in faith between God, who is powerful, and the sufferer who feels powerless in his/her situation.

Judea Harvest is a modern cross-cultural gospel-mission outreach that started four years ago. During this short span of time it has laid claims to phenomenal success. The view has been expressed that the cross-cultural gospel-mission has a worldwide crisis. This situation was researched by means of literary study and qualitative research, and certain proposals made to Judea Harvest.

The purpose of this study is to suggest a paradigm shift that enables the traditional pastor to effectively mobilise his congregation.

The aim of this study was to research the content of the Robertsham AFM congregation, as well as to identify growth areas in the congregation and to design and implement guidelines for mobilisation.

The focus of this research is on the essential leadership needed, especially within the cell church paradigm. An effort is made to determine what the most important aspects and principles may be that enhance leadership development within the cell church paradigm.

This research examines the vital biblical issues to be taken into account for effective cross-cultural counselling.

Except that the pastor is well equipped to counsel, he also has the church with all its resources, different actions in the church, and especially people at his disposal to help with the process.

The objective with this study is to develop a management model for assemblies in the AFM. This model focuses on the development of positive potential and the equipping of assembly members.

There is still great uncertainty about the role of healing in proclaiming the Gospel and in church building and development. For many Christian denominations this is still a contentious and controversial subject. This study looks at the role and influence that the gifts had in the emergence of the modern Pentecostal movement and the AFM of SA.

Pentecostal counselling was approached from the perspective of systems-thinking and communicative action theory but was also directed by basic assumptions, among other things, that Jesus Christ is the centre of every counselling session and that the congregation as a whole is the object of counselling.