scholarly journals The role of the Institute for Missiological and Ecumenical Research in the past and present

2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Attie Van Niekerk
Keyword(s):  
Dutch Reformed ◽  
African Society ◽  
The Past ◽  
Reformed Church ◽  
Missionary Movement ◽  
The University ◽  
The Church ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Comprehensive Study

IMER, the Institute for Missiological and Ecumenical Research, was initiated in 1979, when the 20th century missionary movement in the Dutch Reformed Church had already started to unravel. IMER�s history gives us insight into these events. IMER has focused on the missionary calling of the church and on guiding the church in its broad responsibility to Southern African society. IMER conducted a comprehensive study on the unfinished task in the eighties, from which a variety of other projects followed. The understanding of the task of mission has gradually broadened to include the church�s responsibility to the whole of life, with faith in Christ at the centre. However, as funding for the missionary movement diminished and the university had to cut down on expenses, funding for IMER dried up. IMER is now in the same position as mission itself, and even many congregations: it has to be innovative and find new structures and new sources of funding to respond to the challenges of a new century.�

scholarly journals Screening the church: A study of clergy representation in contemporary Afrikaans cinema

2018 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaun Joynt ◽  
Chris Broodryk
Keyword(s):  
Practical Theology ◽  
Urban Society ◽  
Dutch Reformed ◽  
The Past ◽  
Reformed Church ◽  
Religious Conservatism ◽  
Political Conservatism ◽  
Primary Focus ◽  
The Church

The church-funded CARFO or KARFO (Afrikaans Christian Filmmaking Organisation) was established in 1947, and aimed to ‘[socialise] the newly urbanized Afrikaner into a Christian urban society’ (Tomaselli 1985:25; Paleker 2009:45). This initiative was supported and sustained by the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC), which had itself been part of the sociopolitical and ideological fabric of Afrikaans religious life for a while and would guide Afrikaners through tensions between religious conservatism and liberalism and into apartheid. Given Afrikaans cinema’s ties with Christian religious and political conservatism, we explore the role – even the centrality – of the Afrikaans church in cultural activity before 1994, and then after 1994. Here, Afrikaans church is an inclusive term that brings together various denominations of Afrikaans-speaking churches, but which mainly suggests the domination of the DRC. After establishing the role of the Afrikaans church in the way described above, we move towards the primary focus of our study: exploring the representation of clergy in the contemporary Afrikaans film Faan se Trein in order to describe certain theological implications of this representation. With reference to Faan se Trein, our article notes and comments on the shifts that have occurred in clergy representation in Afrikaans cinema over the past decades. Osmer’s four tasks of practical theology, namely, descriptive, interpretive, normative and strategic are used for theological reflection. With due contextual reference to Afrikaans film dramas such as Broer Matie [Brother Matie], Saak van Geloof [A Matter of Faith], Roepman [Stargazer], Stilte [Silence], Suiderkruis [Southern Cross] and Faan se Trein, we arrive at some preliminary conclusions about the representation of clergy in mainly contemporary Afrikaans cinema.

scholarly journals Nelson Mandela on leadership and the role of the churches: An interview

2002 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 615-620
Author(s):  
N. R. Mandela
Keyword(s):  
Dutch Reformed ◽  
Special Edition ◽  
Special Significance ◽  
Reformed Church ◽  
Nelson Mandela ◽  
Theological Argument ◽  
The Church ◽  
Dutch Reformed Church

In October 2002 the editor of Die Kerkbode, official newspaper of the Dutch Reformed Church (N G Kerk) paid a visit to ex-president Nelson Mandela. He talked about his life, leadership, as well as the challenges to the churches in our day. His gracious remarks on the role of the Dutch Reformed Church is of special significance, in view of the fact that during many years the church not only supported the policy of Apartheid, but provided a theological argument for doing so. During the 1990s the church, on a number of occasions, confessed guilt in this regard. Dr Frits Gaum, editor, provided a transcript of the interview to Verbum et Ecclesia for this special edition on leadership.

University Startup Accelerators: Startup Launchpads or Vehicles for Entrepreneurial Learning?

2020 ◽  
pp. 251512742093175
Author(s):  
Lynn E. Metcalf ◽  
Thomas M. Katona ◽  
Jonathan L. York
Keyword(s):  
Return On Investment ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Uniform Structure ◽  
Primary Role ◽  
Entrepreneurial Ecosystem ◽  
The Past ◽  
Mode Of Operation ◽  
The University ◽  
Insight Into

Over the past decade, universities have invested heavily in startup accelerator programs; however, their role in the university entrepreneurial ecosystem is ambiguous. Are university startup accelerators intended to educate or are they created to facilitate business starts and to contribute to regional economic development? In contrast, most private-sector startup accelerators serve a consistent and differentiated role in the entrepreneurial ecosystem—they provide programming and resources to startups to increase the probability of a return on investment. Understanding the role of university startup accelerators is an important precursor to evaluating their impact and whether or not the return is worth the considerable investment. In this study, we poll university accelerator directors to gain their perspective on the role(s) that university startup accelerators play and to identify how they are structured and operated. Our research reveals a fairly uniform structure and mode of operation. While facilitating business starts is a key role for some, it confirms education as the primary role for university startup accelerators. We outline appropriate means of assessing the learning that takes place in accelerator programs, offer insight into how these findings can help accelerator directors deliver on outcomes and demonstrate impact, and propose avenues for future research.

scholarly journals The (Non)acceptance of Belhar in the Dutch Reformed Church: Analysing Synodical Debates of 2011 and 2013

2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
George Jacobus Van Wyngaard
Keyword(s):  
Dutch Reformed ◽  
Reformed Church ◽  
History Of ◽  
Open Session ◽  
Local Congregations ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The Church ◽  
Dutch Reformed Church

This article analyses the open session debates on the Belhar Confession at the 2011 and 2013 General Synod meetings of the Dutch Reformed Church. It identifies six key themes that repeatedly emerge from arguments made by delegates, namely: 1) accepting Belhar for the sake of the youth and future of the church; 2) Belhar as guide in the mission of the church; 3) Belhar as challenge to racism within the church; 4) Belhar and its relationship to liberation theologies; 5) the role of members in formal adoption of a new confession; and 6) adoption of confessions in ways which would not make them binding on all. From these themes three matters, which remain outstanding in terms of how the Dutch Reformed Church engages with the Belhar Confession, are raised: 1) the relationship between mission and racism; 2) the history of heresy and its implication for the present; and 3) the implication of and response to black and liberation theologies. These matters are identified as challenges given particular meaning in light of the emphasis on local congregations and members of the Dutch Reformed Church when discussing the Belhar Confession.

scholarly journals Petrus Hofstede de Groot: een hervormd dominocraat?

2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (92) ◽  
pp. 3-28
Author(s):  
Leon van den Broeke
Keyword(s):  
Jesus Christ ◽  
Dutch Reformed ◽  
Central Question ◽  
Reformed Church ◽  
The University ◽  
The Church ◽  
Dutch Reformed Church ◽  
At Home

Abstract This article tries to find an answer to the central question whether the Dutch Reformed pastor and professor Petrus Hofstede de Groot (1802-1886) was a dominocrat. Hofstede de Groot was pastor in Ulrum and professor at the university in Groningen. My contribution is an elaboration of the oral book review I held in 2017 at the presentation of Jasper Vree’s book Kerk, huis, school en staat: Leven, werk en vriendenkring van P. Hofstede de Groot (1844-1886). In my article I explain the meaning of ‘dominocrat’ and also ‘Dominocrat’ and explore the synodical acts of the Dutch Reformed Church (Nederlandse Hervormde Kerk) between 1830 (Hofstede de Groot’s first appearance in the general synod as professor) and 1886 (his death), and Hofstede de Groot’s role in synodical meetings. He was indeed a dominocrat. He favored the leadership of the pastors. At the same time, he was a Dominocrat. In his life and in his work, he was focussed on the Dominus, Jesus Christ, for the church (kerk), at home (huis), school and state (staat).

scholarly journals The University of Pretoria’s centenary celebration in 2008: A message of congratulation from the Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa

2008 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
T.F.J. Dreyer
Keyword(s):  
Sixteenth Century ◽  
Academic Training ◽  
The Past ◽  
Reformed Church ◽  
University Of Pretoria ◽  
History Of ◽  
History Of The University ◽  
The University ◽  
The Church ◽  
Important Stimulus

The Church Reformation of the sixteenth century provided an important stimulus to the academic training of ministers at universities. The origin of some of Europe’s oldest universities is closely associated with faculties of theology. In some instances universities grew from the early beginnings of a theological faculty. The past hundred years of history of the University of Pretoria (UP) also reflects something of this close partnership between theological training and a university. The Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa (NHKA) has been part of UP ever since the establishment of a faculty of theology at this university in 1917. Opsomming: Die Kerkhervorming van die sestiende eeu was ‘n belangrike stimulus vir akademies- universitêre opleiding van predikante. Die ontstaan van die oudste universiteite in Europa is ten nouste verweef met teologiese fakulteite. In sommige gevalle het universiteite gegroei vanuit ’n aanvanklike teologiese fakulteit. Die honderd jaar se geskiedenis van die Universiteit van Pretoria (UP) reflekteer ook iets van die verbondenheid van teologiese opleiding met UP. Van die honderd jaar was die Nederduitch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika (NHKA), vanaf die vestiging van ‘n teologiese fakulteit in 1917, verbonde aan die Universiteitvan Pretoria.

scholarly journals ‘Ecclesia reformata semper reformanda’ Church renewal from a Reformed perspective

2015 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leo J. Koffeman
Keyword(s):  
20Th Century ◽  
Church Renewal ◽  
Historical Background ◽  
Dutch Reformed ◽  
Reformed Tradition ◽  
Reformed Church ◽  
Church Polity ◽  
Important Field ◽  
The Church

With a view to the theme of church renewal, this article explores the role of a well-known and popular phrase in the Reformed tradition within Protestantism, that is, ecclesia reformata semper reformanda [‘the reformed church should always be reformed’]. Is this a helpful slogan when considering the possibilities and the limitations of church renewal? Firstly, the historical background of this phrase is described: it is rooted in the Dutch Reformed tradition, and only in the 20th century it was widely recognised in Reformed circles. Against this background the hermeneutical problem, linked with the principle of sola Scriptura, is presented, and put into an ecumenical ecclesiological perspective: the church is grounded in the gospel. Finally, the article focuses on church polity as an important field of renewal, taking into account Karl Barth’s interpretation of this phrase. From this perspective, a balanced and ecumenical approach of church renewal is possible.

scholarly journals Preaching and culture

2005 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
T.F.J. Dreyer
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Dutch Reformed ◽  
Topical Issue ◽  
Multicultural Society ◽  
Changing Environment ◽  
Language And Culture ◽  
Reformed Church ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The Church

Before the new political dispensation in South Africa (1994), the Dutch Reformed Church in Africa (Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika) referred to the church as a “peoples church” (volkskerk). Owing to political changes the qualification “volkskerk” has created a certain degree of disturbance in the ranks of the church. The relationship between “church and culture” became a topical issue. Since 1994 the focus of the homiletical debate shifted to the question of the role of the church within a changing environment and again the answer to the question of “church and culture” was of utmost importance. Nowadays the reality of a multicultural society becomes a new challenge to the church. This article is an attempt to define the relation between culture and preaching from different hermeneutic perspectives, namely the cultural embedding of the biblical kerygma; the interwovenness of language and culture; and the necessity for contextuality in preaching.

scholarly journals Sharing in God�s surprise: The place and role of the Department of Science of Religion and Missiology at the University of Pretoria

2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pieter G.J. Meiring
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
The Third ◽  
The Past ◽  
University Of Pretoria ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
African Context ◽  
Science Of Religion ◽  
The University ◽  
The Church

During the centenary year of the University of Pretoria (2008), the Department of Science of Religion and Missiology took stock of its activities during the past 55 years, since the first professor in Missiology, H.D.A. du Toit, was appointed. In his wake a number of missiologists followed � C.W.H. Boshoff, D. Crafford, P.G.J. Meiring, J.J. Kritzinger, P.J. van der Merwe, A.S. van Niekerk and C.J.P. Niemandt � each of whom has contributed to the formation of hundreds of ministers and missionaries, as well as to the development of missiology and science of religion in South Africa through their research and writings. In this article, the place of missiology among the other theological disciplines at the University of Pretoria is discussed, together with an analysis of the nature and the mandate of missiology and science of religion in South Africa in our day. This article discusses five specific challenges to missiology at the beginning of the third millennium, namely to maintain its theological �roots�; to operate in close relationship with the church; to focus on our African context; to concentrate on a relevant agenda; and to develop a responsible methodology. Attention is given to some of the more important publications by members of the Department.

scholarly journals Kern-oorwegings in die besinning oor die rol van die (NG) Kerk in Suid- Afrika se grondhervormingsdebat

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anton Van Niekerk
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Human Dignity ◽  
Land Reform ◽  
Leadership Role ◽  
Dutch Reformed ◽  
Land Expropriation ◽  
Reformed Church ◽  
Traditional Leadership ◽  
The Church

Core considerations in the reflection on the role of the (NG) Church in South Africa’s land reform debateThis article deals with the question as to whether the church (the Dutch Reformed Church in particular) ought to become involved in the current (2019) debate about land reform (particularly land expropriation without compensation) in South Africa. The author defends the position that such involvement is, for the church, desirable and even unavoidable. Four key elements of such involvement are identified and analysed. The first is the issue of human dignity, which is a key aspect of the message of the gospel. The second aspect is (possible) leadership. Here it is argued that the church can facilitate, but not in a traditional leadership role. Much attention is, thirdly, paid to the moral aspects of the debate. Finally, in terms of the “how”-question relating to the church’s involvement, dialogue is proposed.

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