Search

Diaconate and youth in Afrikaans-speaking Reformed congregations in South Africa. South Africa is characterised by various socio-economic and socio-political challenges (fractures) not easily met (or healed). 'Fractures' refer to social, economic, religious, spatial, ecological, environmental, and economic injustices and other issues. Within this context, the church is confronted with her vocation. The unique vocation of a congregation is that the members become a 'new community' (koinonia) in which they not only care for one another but also develop relationships featuring care for, and mercy and solidarity (diakonia) with the weak, poor, and marginalised in society. Several researchers prove that the current South African youth could be classified as vulnerable and marginalised. Since the church does not preach the gospel in a vacuum but in relation to specific human realities, the theme of the youth and diaconate in the Afrikaans-speaking Reformed churches in South Africa is examined in this study, based on Osmer's Practical Theological Interpretation. Interdisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The interdisciplinary nature of this contribution is spread across the two fields of youth ministry and diaconate. The sub-disciplines of both the youth in general, and youth ministry and youth work within the academic discourse of the diaconate are studied, specifically in the Afrikaans-speaking Reformed denomination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports on the findings of the local churches' involvement in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Tembisa in Gauteng province of South Africa. The article employed Richard Osmer's model of the four tasks of practical theological interpretation, focussing on narrating and examining the situation in the Tembisa community. The article relied on documentary analysis and in-depth semi-structured interviews. The study findings revealed that local churches could significantly promote the SDGs within their local communities. The study identified essential factors such as human rights, gender equality, peace and justice, and biodiversity conservation as crucial for achieving developmental outcomes. The challenges that local churches face in implementing the SDGs were also discussed. Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The study outlined principles for ensuring improved quality of life for all through effective implementation of the SDGs. Additionally, the study recommended further empirical research on the role of local churches in promoting SDGs, as well as similar studies in different regions or sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The correction notice addresses an error in the affiliation of the second author in the article "Enhancing youth involvement in community development: A pragmatic strategy for local churches." The correct affiliation should be 'Department of Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology, School of Humanities, College of Human Sciences, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa.' The authors have acknowledged and apologized for this mistake, clarifying that it does not impact the study's findings or conclusions. [Extracted from the article]