'n Begronde bedieningsmodel vir die diakonia van die gemeente

Abstract

This article describes a founded model for ministry in the Reformed Church of Randburg (RCR) and the process that was followed to develop this model. The article is the last of four articles. Each of these articles describes a phase of this process, which leads to the developed model. Osmer's model for research in Practical Theology was followed in the research. The article describes the research conducted according to the final phase (pragmatic) of Osmer's model. The question of how practical ministry in an urban congregation such as the RCR should look like is addressed by the suggestion of a model for the ministry. This model is founded on the research results described in the previous three articles. In this article, the research question of what a founded model for ministry may look like and what the developing process entails is being answered. At first, various angles of approach to the research on ministry in congregations, is described. To accomplish this, recent literature was examined. Secondly, the points of departure in the research are stated. Thirdly, the process that the congregation followed to develop the model is described. In the fourth place, the results of the previous research on which the model is based, are summed up. Lastly, the most important aspects of the model for ministry in the congregation are described. © 2012 The Authors.