Applying collective narrative practices in local churches : a study exploring to what extent narrative practices can facilitate re-authoring conversations around the church’s role in development.
Loading...
Date
2016
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Emerging from the struggle many churches seem to experience in engaging with
issues of injustice, and the role of the church in the development discourse, this
research aims to investigate to what extent Narrative Practices, when applied in local
church congregations, can facilitate new conversations around what it means to be
the church in society today. In order to address this question, this research first
explores the Narrative Approach. Asking what Collective Narrative Practices local
congregations can participate in that would give space for new stories around the
church’s role in society brings into focus the specific contribution of Narrative
Practices to communities and groups. The research then moves on to investigate the
unique contributions of theology to the development discourse and our understanding
of The Church. With the purpose of the research being to explore the possible
relationship that exists between Narrative Practices, Theology and Development
praxis within the local church, establishing the foundational theory that would inform
the practical application of Narrative Practices in local church contexts is the primary
focus. This study has revealed four key areas of intersection that exist between
Narrative, Theology and Development: conscientization, a de-centred approach,
hope and active/responsible citizenship. It is the finding of this research that
Narrative Practices have the potential to be a powerful tool for analysing social
contexts, encouraging new ways of reflecting theologically on development, and the
church’s role in development, and moving people to new kinds of action, when the
map of Narrative Practice that is designed takes into account these intersections.
The significance of these findings, and of the research, is the potential Narrative
Practices hold for enabling new conversations around the role of the church in
development.
Description
Master of Theology. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg 2016.
Keywords
Collective narrative practices., Churches., Theology., Narrative therapy.