In the name of allah-the most merciful the most gloriest------eConclusion
straits. The numbers of memberships are dwindling since the
mid-1980s and hiding behind excuses while not trying to
uncover the real reason for this, which is contributing to the
critical state that these denominations are finding themselves
in. Although numbers are a significant indicator that
something is seriously wrong, there are also other symptoms
that confirm the critical state of these churches. Most
important is the identity crisis that is causing confusion,
supported by the lack of spiritual leadership, the denial of
the concept of the priesthood of all believers and a number of
practical dilemmas. If these churches would consider
changing their identity (from Afrikaans-speaking to
inclusiveness in the diverse contexts of the country), there
could be some hope for survival and even a thriving new
Christian reformation in South Africa.
Unfortunately, similar to the previous revolutions (such as
in the time of Jesus and again during the time of Luther), the
institutional church became lifeless and stagnant. Living,
changing, radical faith no longer resembles a relationship
with the living God. In the light of the history of South
Africa where apartheid actually crossed out the right to
exist for the Afrikaans-speaking churches (Oosthuizen
2018:199), it is high time for the old structures, hierarchy,
customs and dogma to make way for a renewal on the one
hand, and for pacified members to be awakened to a new
reformation on the other hand; something new and different
must be created to carry the salvation in Christ to the broken
world and especially to the violent, crime-ridden, corrupt
doing this
Thinking about faith as a safe and uncontested space. -
Doing the same things and expecting different results. -
Trying to get people to the church. -
Seeking approval from society and/or the government. -
Worrying about the institution and buildings and facilities. -
Look for solutions to African problems in non-African contexts. -
Start doing this
Put God first – always and in everything. -
Take risks – live in faith. -
Keep asking difficult questions. -
Understand that unity in Christ means just that. -
Stay focused on the goal/mission/purpose as seen from God’s side. -
Think and act in a positive way – always. -
Learn from history, learn from mistakes (yours and that of others). -
Remember that faith changes people, not institutions. -
Value the process of transformation, not only the end result. -
Actively create an alternative society. -
Create a holistic understanding of mission, including a social responsibility. -
-
In the name of allah-the most merciful the most gloriest------eConclusion
straits. The numbers of memberships are dwindling since the
mid-1980s and hiding behind excuses while not trying to
uncover the real reason for this, which is contributing to the
critical state that these denominations are finding themselves
in. Although numbers are a significant indicator that
something is seriously wrong, there are also other symptoms
that confirm the critical state of these churches. Most
important is the identity crisis that is causing confusion,
supported by the lack of spiritual leadership, the denial of
the concept of the priesthood of all believers and a number of
practical dilemmas. If these churches would consider
changing their identity (from Afrikaans-speaking to
inclusiveness in the diverse contexts of the country), there
could be some hope for survival and even a thriving new
Christian reformation in South Africa.
Unfortunately, similar to the previous revolutions (such as
in the time of Jesus and again during the time of Luther), the
institutional church became lifeless and stagnant. Living,
changing, radical faith no longer resembles a relationship
with the living God. In the light of the history of South
Africa where apartheid actually crossed out the right to
exist for the Afrikaans-speaking churches (Oosthuizen
2018:199), it is high time for the old structures, hierarchy,
customs and dogma to make way for a renewal on the one
hand, and for pacified members to be awakened to a new
reformation on the other hand; something new and different
must be created to carry the salvation in Christ to the broken
world and especially to the violent, crime-ridden, corrupt
doing this
Thinking about faith as a safe and uncontested space. -
Doing the same things and expecting different results. -
Trying to get people to the church. -
Seeking approval from society and/or the government. -
Worrying about the institution and buildings and facilities. -
Look for solutions to African problems in non-African contexts. -
Start doing this
Put God first – always and in everything. -
Take risks – live in faith. -
Keep asking difficult questions. -
Understand that unity in Christ means just that. -
Stay focused on the goal/mission/purpose as seen from God’s side. -
Think and act in a positive way – always. -
Learn from history, learn from mistakes (yours and that of others). -
Remember that faith changes people, not institutions. -
Value the process of transformation, not only the end result. -
Actively create an alternative society. -
Create a holistic understanding of mission, including a social responsibility. -
-
In the name of allah-the most merciful the most gloriest------eConclusion
straits. The numbers of memberships are dwindling since the
mid-1980s and hiding behind excuses while not trying to
uncover the real reason for this, which is contributing to the
critical state that these denominations are finding themselves
in. Although numbers are a significant indicator that
something is seriously wrong, there are also other symptoms
that confirm the critical state of these churches. Most
important is the identity crisis that is causing confusion,
supported by the lack of spiritual leadership, the denial of
the concept of the priesthood of all believers and a number of
practical dilemmas. If these churches would consider
changing their identity (from Afrikaans-speaking to
inclusiveness in the diverse contexts of the country), there
could be some hope for survival and even a thriving new
Christian reformation in South Africa.
Unfortunately, similar to the previous revolutions (such as
in the time of Jesus and again during the time of Luther), the
institutional church became lifeless and stagnant. Living,
changing, radical faith no longer resembles a relationship
with the living God. In the light of the history of South
Africa where apartheid actually crossed out the right to
exist for the Afrikaans-speaking churches (Oosthuizen
2018:199), it is high time for the old structures, hierarchy,
customs and dogma to make way for a renewal on the one
hand, and for pacified members to be awakened to a new
reformation on the other hand; something new and different
must be created to carry the salvation in Christ to the broken
world and especially to the violent, crime-ridden, corrupt
doing this
Thinking about faith as a safe and uncontested space. -
Doing the same things and expecting different results. -
Trying to get people to the church. -
Seeking approval from society and/or the government. -
Worrying about the institution and buildings and facilities. -
Look for solutions to African problems in non-African contexts. -
Start doing this
Put God first – always and in everything. -
Take risks – live in faith. -
Keep asking difficult questions. -
Understand that unity in Christ means just that. -
Stay focused on the goal/mission/purpose as seen from God’s side. -
Think and act in a positive way – always. -
Learn from history, learn from mistakes (yours and that of others). -
Remember that faith changes people, not institutions. -
Value the process of transformation, not only the end result. -
Actively create an alternative society. -
Create a holistic understanding of mission, including a social responsibility. -
-
