Geroep om te dien: Suider-Afrika en al sy mense – ’n perspektief op die implementering van die NG Kerk se Verklaring (2002)

Abstract

Called to serve: Southern Africa and all its people – a perspective on the implementation of the Declaration 2002 of the Dutch Reformed Church The General Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church issued a declaration in 2002 in which the Church committed herself to be involved in the healing and the socio-economic needs of Southern Africa and all its people. The article addresses the question of how to put such a commitment into practice. The author suggests that a programme of action should rest on six fundamentals or pillars: a theology of poverty alleviation needs to be developed, the voice of the poor themselves should be heard, congregations should be transformed into serving communities, united structure is necessary, the ministry of caring of the Church should focus on development and the Church should enter into ecumenical partnerships as well as partnerships with other organisations, the state and business.