Gemeentebou as instrument om lidmate toe te rus om verandering te kan hanteer in die SA konteks / Pieter Fanoy

• Main Author: Fanoy, Pieter
• Language: other
• Published: 2014
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10394/11752

Change is a reality that has an effect on the society as a whole and affects all layers of people and this also includes members of the church. Or as Herakleitos, the Greek philosopher indicated that there is only one thing that does not change and that is the fact that everything do change. With this study an attempt is made to determine whether congregation-building can be an instrument to enable/prepare members of the Church to handle change which has an effect on them. This study only focuses on the church in the South African community. For the purpose of this study and as the basis of the basis-theoretical material, an exegetical study of Romans 12:2 and Ephesians 4:23, especially terms like μeraμop<poaee, avaKatVWael, avaveo, and voOc;, has been done to determine what the Bible teaches about change. It was indicated that change is important for each Christian and is work that is being done by the Holy Spirit in the believer and is a lifelong task which asks the right attention. Together with this study, several theological works has been investigated to find out how students of Theology have seen the importance of change. A study of some figures that we know from the Bible has also been undertaken to see what effect change had on them and how they handled the changes that they had to go through. It was clear that when God called someone, He expected obedience although great challenges of change were facing them. God did however show patience when there was hesitance at first. It was also clear that He prepared the persons for what they should do. The reason why the members of the Churches in Rome as well as in Ephesians was called to change, was also determined in this study and it was indicated that to be one in Christ, their attitudes to one another has to change rapidly. Many Theological works urged the church of the day to understand that several aspects make it necessary for the church to give proper attention to change. Churchgoers are not sentimental about which church they attend, demographic changes and the need of society in which the church has to serve and be light, is a few aspects that the church must acknowledge which indicates the necessity for change. Meta-theoretical a study in the field of Human Resources has been undertaken to establish how change in organisations has been undertaken and what has been done to equip/prepare people who has been influenced by the changes. It was clearly indicated that several aspects should be taken in consideration when change is been undertaken, namely: whether it is important, it must be Biblically founded, resistance against change must be handled carefully, people must be equipped/prepared properly and there must be certainty that everybody is comfortable with the whole procedure. Force on people to accept change, should not be considered. Effective communication before and during the process of change is of utter importance. Specific set goals must be known by everyone and sensible control of the process is necessary. It is determined by this study that congregation-building can be used to prepare or equip people for the purpose of change which will have an effect on them. This finding has also been determined by an empirical study which is done by terms of a structured questionnaire in the Reformed Church of Ontdekkers. A program/model which can be used by congregations to prepare their members to successfully deal with change is presented. The church must take cognisance of the words of Jack Welch, namely: If change outside (the organisation) is faster than inside (the organisation), it spells the end (of the organisation). === PhD (Pastoral studies), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011