Exploring the practical theological study of congregations
The first congregation was formed in Jerusalem, giving rise to faith communities throughout the New Testament. In the ensuing two millennia, congregations are found worldwide. The aim of this article is to describe congregations and the study of congregations from a practical theological perspectiv...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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University of the Free State
2015-12-01
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| Series: | Acta Theologica |
| Online Access: | https://journals.ufs.ac.za/index.php/at/article/view/2727 |
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| _version_ | 1823858863414181888 |
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| author | W. J. Schoeman |
| author_facet | W. J. Schoeman |
| author_sort | W. J. Schoeman |
| collection | DOAJ |
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The first congregation was formed in Jerusalem, giving rise to faith communities throughout the New Testament. In the ensuing two millennia, congregations are found worldwide. The aim of this article is to describe congregations and the study of congregations from a practical theological perspective. An introduction to the study field of congregations is followed by a description of the development of the study field of congregational studies from the perspective of four countries, namely the United States, the United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and South Africa. The aim is not to give a comprehensive historical overview of the discipline, but to trace some trends that have an influence on the discipline within the South African context. The second part of the article describes the exploration of congregations from a practical theological ecclesiology (the identity, mission and ministry of the congregation) and an analytical perspective (external interaction between congregation and community, and the internal life of the congregation). A practical theological ecclesiology and an analytical framework should interact critically with each other.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b93749072cbc4140923afa16431f9ce5 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1015-8758 2309-9089 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2015-12-01 |
| publisher | University of the Free State |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Acta Theologica |
| spelling | doaj-art-b93749072cbc4140923afa16431f9ce52025-02-11T09:54:01ZengUniversity of the Free StateActa Theologica1015-87582309-90892015-12-012210.38140/at.v0i22.2727Exploring the practical theological study of congregationsW. J. Schoeman0University of the Free State, South Africa The first congregation was formed in Jerusalem, giving rise to faith communities throughout the New Testament. In the ensuing two millennia, congregations are found worldwide. The aim of this article is to describe congregations and the study of congregations from a practical theological perspective. An introduction to the study field of congregations is followed by a description of the development of the study field of congregational studies from the perspective of four countries, namely the United States, the United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and South Africa. The aim is not to give a comprehensive historical overview of the discipline, but to trace some trends that have an influence on the discipline within the South African context. The second part of the article describes the exploration of congregations from a practical theological ecclesiology (the identity, mission and ministry of the congregation) and an analytical perspective (external interaction between congregation and community, and the internal life of the congregation). A practical theological ecclesiology and an analytical framework should interact critically with each other. https://journals.ufs.ac.za/index.php/at/article/view/2727 |
| spellingShingle | W. J. Schoeman Exploring the practical theological study of congregations Acta Theologica |
| title | Exploring the practical theological study of congregations |
| title_full | Exploring the practical theological study of congregations |
| title_fullStr | Exploring the practical theological study of congregations |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring the practical theological study of congregations |
| title_short | Exploring the practical theological study of congregations |
| title_sort | exploring the practical theological study of congregations |
| url | https://journals.ufs.ac.za/index.php/at/article/view/2727 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT wjschoeman exploringthepracticaltheologicalstudyofcongregations |