By SIYABULELA THANDUXOLO LUNGANA
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AN AFRICAN YOUTH PERSPECTIVE ON MISSIONAL ECCLESIOLOGY; A METHODIST REFLECTION By SIYABULELA THANDUXOLO LUNGANA Submitted in partial fulfilment in accordance with the requirements for the degree of M.Th.- (Science of Religion and Missiology) In The Faculty of Theology Department of Science of Religion and Missiology University of Pretoria SUPERVISOR: PROF. C. J. P. NIEMANDT AUGUST 2019 Declaration I, SIYABULELA THANDUXOLO LUNGANA (Mr.), student number 14063710 hereby declare that this dissertation, “An African Youth Perspective on Missional Ecclesiology; A Methodist Reflection,” is submitted in accordance with the requirements for the Master of Theology, M.Th. - (Science of Religion and Missiology) degree at University of Pretoria, is my own original work and has not previously been submitted to any other institution of higher learning. All sources cited or quoted in this research paper are indicated and acknowledged with a comprehensive list of references. ............................................................. Siyabulela Thanduxolo Lungana (Mr.) 30 August 2019 i Dedication This work is dedicated to the life of my grandmothers, the late Nofezile Jane Lungana and the late Nomsombuluko Linah Tshabalala. These two women lived their lives in total devotion to God and to his mission not by making a lot of noise, but in silence and their devotion being seen through their works of piety and works of mercy. Intliziyo ka Jesu imnene, sengizocasha kuyona and Lizalis’ idinga laKho, Thixo Nkosi yenyaniso they used to sing respectively as they laboured on in their lives…Perfect examples of Hebrews 11:13. This study is also dedicated to the late Dr. Albert Mutavhatsindi who was a gifted academic in his own life. The first inspiration for doing this study came from the influence of his word. A great man who gave me a final handshake of fellowship and mission on the afternoon of his passing. May the souls of these soldiers and servant rest in peace and rise in eternal glory! Lastly, this study is dedicated to all young people of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa and beyond. This should serve as reminder that it is never too early or too late to discern and realise the call that God has placed on one’s life. Following this call, at any young age, is not and never will be a mistake. Blessings to all young people who will have the chance to read this work. ii Acknowledgements To have achieved this milestone in my life, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the following people: ❖ First and foremost, I would like to thank God and my heavenly father for having called me into his ministry. I believe that it is the greatest testament of His love that he could have given to me. I pray only that this work be used to the honour of His name and work. ❖ Prof. Nelus Niemandt, my research supervisor. This work would not have been possible if it was not for his continued support and guidance, critique as well. I must say, it has been a long two years of work. I pray that God richly bless you as you continue to labour on. I wish you well in your future endeavours and in the position which you will be occupying from next year. ❖ I thank also, from the bottom of my heart, the University of Pretoria because they did not only allow me the space to come and study at this prestigious institution, but for the two years that I have been pursuing this study, the offered me a 100% bursary towards my research. I would not have been able to be where I am today if it as not for them. I trust and pray that it will continue in the future as well. ❖ Last, but definitely not the least, I thank my family in totality and my partner for their continued love and support throughout the duration of this study. Most of all, I thank them for the encouragement throughout this time. May God bless you all unendingly. MAZENETHOLE! iii Abstract Missional church is not a new concept that is going around, however it is only recent that it has begun to be place more in the forefront in the context of the church. In this happening also, especially in the traditional mainline churches, there have been some gaps that have been left over, the most prevalent of those gaps being that of young people and how things relate to them. This study aims to show the state of missional church from the perspective of young African people in the context of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa. A comprehensive literature review is tabled in this study, which displays what exactly missional church entails and how it can be implemented. The study continues to table the MCSA as missional church and the components thereof referring back to some of the teachings and practices of the founder of Methodism, John Wesley. We continue on to investigating the state of youth ministry in the missional church; reflecting on this from the general African state and then narrowing the reflection down to the MCSA. In that section as well, the latest developments in the MCSA are tabled as well. The study continues to table the aspects of missional church that are ascribed to by the youth in the church; a case study of implementation there is tabled as well. The role of the youth pastor and local preacher as driver is tabled in the study as well and a brief reflection is made on that as well stipulating the key roles of the offices. The study concludes with an integration of all the chapters into the title and offers a brief conclusion and recommendations. iv Key Terms: Missiology (Mission), Missional, Ecclesiology (Church), African, Youth, Methodist (Methodism), Local Preacher, Youth Pastor v List of abbreviations MCSA Methodist Church of Southern Africa United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural UNESCO Organisation MYU Methodist Youth Unit CM Children’s Ministry YAM Young Adults Movement MethSSoc Methodist Student Society WG Wesley Guild PB Presiding Bishop MCYU Methodist Children and Youth Unit EMMU Education for Ministry and Mission Unit Comm. Dev. Community Development vi Table of Contents Declaration ................................................................................................................. i Dedication.................................................................................................................. ii Acknowledgements ................................................................................................. iii Abstract .................................................................................................................... iv List of abbreviations ............................................................................................... vi Table of Contents ................................................................................................... vii List of Figures .......................................................................................................... xi 1. CHAPTER ONE: GENERAL ORIENTATION ......................................... 1 1.1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................ 1 1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT ................................................................................... 3 1.3 AIMS/ GOAL OF THIS STUDY .......................................................................... 3 1.4 LITERATURE REVIEW ...................................................................................... 4 1.5 DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS ......................................................................... 17 1.5.1 Missiology (Mission) ......................................................................................... 18 1.5.2 Missional ........................................................................................................... 19 1.5.3 Ecclesiology ...................................................................................................... 20 1.5.4 African ............................................................................................................... 21 1.5.5 Youth ................................................................................................................. 22 1.5.6 Methodist/Methodism ....................................................................................... 22 1.5.7 Local Preacher .................................................................................................. 24 1.6 RESEARCH QUESTIONS UNDER INVESTIGATION .................................... 28 1.7 RESEARCH GAP ............................................................................................. 28 1.8 METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................. 29 1.9 CHAPTER OUTLINE/ RESEARCH PLAN ....................................................... 30 2. CHAPTER 2: DEFINING MISSIONAL CHURCH AND THE CURRENT STATE OF THE METHODIST CHURCH OF SOUTHERN AFRICA AS MISSIONAL CHURCH. .......................................................................... 32 2.1 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................. 32 2.2 MISSIONAL CHURCH ..................................................................................... 32 2.2.1 WHAT DO WE MEAN BY MISSIONAL CHURCH? ......................................... 32 2.2.2 WHAT ARE THE COMPONENTS OF MISSIONAL CHURCH? ..................... 35 Missional Church is missionary in nature ......................................................... 35 Missional Church is Historical. ........................................................................