Kerke en transformasie in Suid-Afrika

Abstract

Churches and Transformation in South Africa
The article is an attempt to determine the church orderly position of churches in South Africa, given the right to freedom of religion, with regard to transformation as a fundamental fact in the country. This is done by determining what is meant by the term transformation and establishing the constitutional context of transformation regarding churches and their order in South Africa. It is suggested that it will be better for churches to speak of reformation rather than transformation since continuous reformation is part of being church – at least a reformed church. Before looking at the ambit and scope of everything that can be affected in churches, statements are made regarding religion, freedom of religion and the identity of the church because these factors are important guidelines for the reformation process that is needed in churches. It is concluded that given freedom of religion churches can indeed reform or deepen their religious identity and function within the boundaries of the Bill of Rights and the Constitution in a way which is in conformity with their religious identity as church of Christ. The Constitution and the Bill of Rights poses a call to churches which they should cannot ignore. Some guidelines for the way churches can go are suggested.