Sister Churches and Sisters in the Church: How do we Think about such Things?

Utilisation of liturgical space in Pentecostal Churches. Afrikaans-speaking Pentecostal Churches were originally part of a revival movement that for various historical reasons chose not to be known as a church. The liturgical space in their churches reflected the anticlerical feeling. From the fifties of the previous century, however, it became important for Pentecostal Churches to be accepted as such within the community and the church world. This led to changes in the organisation of the liturgical space that began to duplicate the liturgical space of the three Afrikaans-speaking Sister churches to a large extent. From the nineties pulpits were replaced with a lectern, and the liturgical space adapted to reflect a new emphasis that became important for these churches. This article briefly examines the history of the use of liturgical space within Pentecostal Churches for the purpose of offering a theological reflection on current trends.

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Institusionalisme – springlewendig in die kwynende Afrikaanse Gereformeerde kerkpraktyk

In die Skriflig/In Luce Verbi ◽

10.4102/ids.v47i1.87 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 47 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Sophia Van Helden

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Church Growth ◽

Great Commission ◽

Natural Growth ◽

Church Decline ◽

Reformed Church ◽

Long Run ◽

The Church ◽

Dominant Paradigm ◽

Sister Churches

In hierdie artikel word die institusionalistiese denkwyse (I-denke) as dominante denkwyse in die krimpende tradisioneel-Afrikaanssprekende Gereformeerde kerke bespreek. I-denke toon ’n denkwanbalans wat weerspieël word in die huidige ongebalanseerde en ongesonde kerkpraktyk. Die onwaarskynlikheid van organiese groei binne die huidige ekklesiologiese wanbalans, word belig deur te fokus op navorsing binne die Gereformeerde Kerk van Suid Afrika (GKSA)-kerkpraktyk, as een van die drie gereformeerde susterskerke. Die bevindings dui op die noodeisende toestand binne die tradisionele ekklesiologie. Die Christosentriese denkparadigma word as gebalanseerde korrektief aan die hand van die groot opdrag uiteengesit (maak dissipels van alle nasies) uiteengesit, as sleutel vir die daarstel van gesonde omstandighede ter wille van kerkgroei. Denke as die belangrikste ekklesiologiese oorsaak van kerkkrimping, kan deur denkverandering teëgewerk word ten einde verdere krimping van die susterskerke teë te werk.Institutionalism – alive and well in the declining Afrikaans reformed church practice. This article discusses institutionalism as the dominant paradigm (I-paradigm) among the declining traditional Afrikaans speaking Reformed churches in South Africa. The I-paradigm portrays imbalanced thinking prevailing in the current unhealthy church practice. The improbability of natural growth within the recent ecclesiastic imbalance, is highlighted by focusing on a study within the church practice of the Reformed Curch of South Africa (RCSA) – one of the three reformed sister churches. Conclusions drawn from the study emphasise the serious conditions of this traditional ecclesiology. The Christ centered paradigm, as balanced corrective, is discussed in line with the great commission (disciple the nations) as key to creating healthy circumstances in order to realise church growth in the long run. Thinking, as the most important ecclesiological factor causing church decline, can be changed, thus preventing further decline of the sister churches.

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Spiritual Healing, Sick Kids and the Law: Inequities in the American Healthcare System

American Journal of Law & Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0098858800002847 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 29 (2-3) ◽

pp. 269-299

Author(s):

Janna C. Merrick

Keyword(s):

Medical Science ◽

Spiritual Healing ◽

Best Interests ◽

Legal Rights ◽

High Tech ◽

Divine Love ◽

Religious Minority ◽

Human Need ◽

East End ◽

The Church

Main Street in Sarasota, Florida. A high-tech medical arts building rises from the east end, the county's historic three-story courthouse is two blocks to the west and sandwiched in between is the First Church of Christ, Scientist. A verse inscribed on the wall behind the pulpit of the church reads: “Divine Love Always Has Met and Always Will Meet Every Human Need.” This is the church where William and Christine Hermanson worshipped. It is just a few steps away from the courthouse where they were convicted of child abuse and third-degree murder for failing to provide conventional medical care for their seven-year-old daughter.This Article is about the intersection of “divine love” and “the best interests of the child.” It is about a pluralistic society where the dominant culture reveres medical science, but where a religious minority shuns and perhaps fears that same medical science. It is also about the struggle among different religious interests to define the legal rights of the citizenry.

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Ideas and Leaders in Contentious Politics: One Parish Priest in El Salvador's Popular Movement

Behavioral and Brain Sciences ◽

10.1017/s0140525x13009862 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 38 (01) ◽

pp. 76-101

Author(s):

PETER M. SANCHEZ

Keyword(s):

Collective Action ◽

El Salvador ◽

Liberation Theology ◽

Contentious Politics ◽

Religious Leaders ◽

Political Movement ◽

Parish Priest ◽

Historical Moment ◽

Resource Mobilisation ◽

The Church

AbstractThis paper examines the actions of one Salvadorean priest – Padre David Rodríguez – in one parish – Tecoluca – to underscore the importance of religious leadership in the rise of El Salvador's contentious political movement that began in the early 1970s, when the guerrilla organisations were only just beginning to develop. Catholic leaders became engaged in promoting contentious politics, however, only after the Church had experienced an ideological conversion, commonly referred to as liberation theology. A focus on one priest, in one parish, allows for generalisation, since scores of priests, nuns and lay workers in El Salvador followed the same injustice frame and tactics that generated extensive political mobilisation throughout the country. While structural conditions, collective action and resource mobilisation are undoubtedly necessary, the case of religious leaders in El Salvador suggests that ideas and leadership are of vital importance for the rise of contentious politics at a particular historical moment.

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