In our post-Christendom age, knowledge of Christianity and familiarity with Christian
concepts are on the decline for some time now. Christianity has been losing its status as
a lingua franca as postmodern society has become highly suspicious of its presence,
especially as an institution. With the final stages of the modern period the presence and
power of traditional Christian ideologies is coming to an end.
This does not imply that Christian institutions cannot change or adapt to these
challenging circumstances. Missiologists are key people assisting Churches and Christian
institutions to cope with change and to help the leadership of these institutions to value
their challenging context by connecting in new and various ways with their community.
In this presentation, the author, who is a trained missiologist and an ordained
minister in a local parish, is re-inventing what is called the "Pastoral Cycle"
to infuse new ways of dealing with change. He uses real life experience in his local
parish to encourage others to embrace their context as an opportunity to re-invent
"newness" from within their fellowship and in so doing, to engage with
Postmodern communities.
This exposition is done in three parts which includes an explanation of the Pastoral
Cycle with a description of how to implement it. The author works with four realities
which is of importance to society (Beauty, Prosperity, Purpose and Community) and relates
these four realities to a process that prepares faith based institutions for necessary
change.
Contents
Introduction
Presentation
1. The Courage to Face Ongoing Change
2. LSD Overdose
3. The Pastoral Cycle to the Rescue
4. The Church... God's New Creation
Clarification
5. Beauty
6. Prosperity
7. Purpose
8. Community
Implementation
9. Utilising the Four Creative Elements for Your Church
10. Considering Your Local Context
11. Conclusion: Gods's Ultimate Creation
Bibliography
Mario Weyers started with ordained pastoral ministry in the Dutch
Reformed Church in South Africa, 20 years back. There, he pastored several churches and
visited Flemish Belgium in regard to church planting projects in the Low Countries. At
present, he ministers in the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand.
Academically, he has completed a Masters and Doctorate in Missiology. His main area of
research is Post Christendom and how the Church can move beyond this reality and even
flourish in spite of its challenges.
His first published book, titled: `Belonging to the Church before believing in Christ'
by Mediacom Education in Australia (2016) deals with the ongoing issue of membership and
faith.
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