the administrative functioning of the seventh-day adventist church in south africa and the ...

255 Pages·2011·8.94 MB·English

THE ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONING OF THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
INSOUTH AFRICA AND THE DISILLUSIONMENT AND ALIENATION OF ITS MEMBERS
- ACATALYST FORCHANGE
by
Calvin William Plaatjes
Dissertation presentedfortheDegreeof
DoctorofTheology attheUniversityofStellenbosch
Promoter: ProfHJ Hendriks
March2007
DECLARATION
I,the undersigned, hereby declarethatthe workcontained inthis dissertation is my own original workand
in its entiretyor inpartsubmitteditat any universityfor adegree.
rtJ7
/3,03.
Signature: _.<.-~~I13'~~t5:~-- Date:
ABSTRACT
This dissertation addresses the functioning ofthe Seventh-day Adventist Church in South Africa and the
disillusionment and alienation of its members. Its aim is to uncover what the key factors are in the
administrative functioning that has contributed tothe disillusionment and alienation ofthe rank and file from
the administration of the church. It gives particular attention to five aspects of administration:
administrative authority, leadership, power, transition, and organizational structures.
The objectives of the study are multifaceted. It wants to sensitize and make the Conference and Union
administrations aware ofthe issues that separate them from the rank and file in the church, and how that the
present challenges can be solved on a broad consultative basis. Furthermore, the study wants to make
recommendations astohow broaderrepresentation can beestablished. Importantly, the studywishes tohelp
the SDA Church administration to maintain a healthy balance between the church as institution and the
churchas organism.
The study is basically exploratory as it seeks to explore the social phenomenon between the administrative
functioning and the grassroots ofthe church for the reason ofgaining insight as well as to explainthe reason
for its existence. It is also hermeneutical in nature as it seeks to establish a proper understanding ofthe
interrelatedness between the administrative functioning and the laity in the church. Empirical enquiry is an
important aspect of the study as it employs structured interviews with church boards and survey
questionnairesto pastors in orderto establishquantitative and qualitative aspects ofthe study.
The study made use ofa practical-theological methodology. The methodology is a hermeneutical sensitive
and correlational dialogue that brings different theological parameters into dialogue with the realities of
practiceofministry andtheworld.
Chapterone introduces the study. It outlines the various dimensions ofthe study. Chapters two and three
are historical. Itdealswith the presentrealityand the identityofthe church using literarysources. Chapter
five deals with the empirical researchand gives a description ofthe views ofministers andthe churchboards
concerning the five aspects ofadministration ofthe church, which has been researched. Chapters four and
sixdealswith thetheoretical-theological aspects ofthe study. Chapterfour deals withthe tensionthatexists
between the church as institution and the church as organism. Chapter six is a theological evaluation that
seeksthe will ofGod orHis guidance interms ofthe problem whichthe churchfaces.
Chapter six describes the way forward by making recommendations and gives some strategies that can be
usedto realizethe goals ofthe studyandthe church.
ii
OPSOMMING
Die verhandeling ondersoekdie denominasionele etos en die administratiewe strukture van die Sewendedag
Adventistekerk in Suid-Afrika. Die studie toon aan dat daar ontnugtering en vervreemding by die gewone
lede van die kerk ten opsigte van die administratiewe strukture bestaan. Dit gee aandag aan vyfaspekte van
administrasie: administratiewe gesag, leierskap, mag, oorgangen organisatoriesestrukture.
Die doelstellings van die studie is veelvoudig. Dit is poog om die Konferensies en die Unie-administrasies
sensitiefte maak van die strydpunte wat hulle verwyder van die gewone mense in die kerk. Ditstel voor dat
die huidige uitdagings opgelos kan word deur middel van 'n bree konsultatiewe proses. Verder maak die
studie aanbevelings oor hoe wyer verteenwoordiging in administratiewe strukture bereik kan word. Die
studie wi! die SDA-kerk administrasie van hulp wees om 'n gesonde balans te handhaaftussen die kerk as
organisasieen diekerk as organisme.
Die studie is verkennend en hermeneuties van aard. Oit wou vasstel wat die mening van die werkers
(predikante)en kerkrade isoordie administratiewe struktureen leierskap in die kerk. Teneindeditvaste stel
is 'n omvattende empiriese ondersoek gedoen deur gestruktureerde onderhoude met kerkrade oor die hele
landte voeren deurvraelyste aan 'nverteenwoordigende steekproefpredikantete stuur.
Die navorsing het gebruik gemaak van 'n prakties-teologiese metodologie. Die metodologie is 'n
hermeneuties sensitiewe en korrelatiewe dialoog wat verskillende teologiese parameters in dialoog met die
realiteitevan diebedieningspraktyken wereldbring.
Hoofstuk een is inleidend en gee 'n oorsig oor die navorsingsontwerp. Hoofstukke twee en drie is histories.
Dit behandel die huidige realiteit en die identiteit van die kerk deur gebruik te maak van literere bronne.
Hoofstuk vyfhandel oor die empiriese ondersoek en gee 'n beskrywing van die menings van predikante en
kerkrade oor die vyf aspekte van die administrasie van die kerk wat ondersoek is. Hoofstukke vier en ses
handel oar die teoreties- teologiese aspekte van die studie. Vier bespreek die spanning wat altyd bestaan
tussendie kerkas organisasieen die kerkas organisme. Ses is 'nteologiese evalueringwat soeknadiewi! of
leidingvanGod interme vandie probleem waarmee die kerkworstel.
Die laaste hoofstuk maak voorstelle oor die pad vorentoe en stel strategiee voor wat gebruik kan word om
doelstellingstebereik.
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DEDICATION
This workis dedicatedto my study leaderJurgens Hendriks,
for his inspiringleadership,for beinghuman, and for beingan Incarnational ServantLeaderand mentor in a
varietyofways
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
A sincere word of appreciation and thanks to my wife Millicent. Her support, encouragement and
understanding never failed. Our children Clinton and Candice, Elton and Mandy and Lee-Anne deserve
special mention for their encouragement and support and for patiently waiting for me to complete my
studies.
A word ofthanks to Helderberg College for allowing me a Sabbatical and for their financial support. A
word ofgratitude is also extended to those conference administrations for allowing me to interview their
church boards and the church boards that allowed me to interview them. Appreciation to all pastors who
willingly returnedtheir surveyforms.
Appreciation must also be extended to the Human Sciences Research Council for their generous financial
supportthat assistedtowardsthecompletionofthis study.
I purposefullydedicatethis workto my mentorand study leaderprofessorH JHendriks whose guidance and
help was of incalculable and inestimable value. I am indebted to him for his encouragement and
understanding, but most ofall for beinga servant leader. His guidance has always been most inspiring, yet
he allowedmethe freedom to developmy ownthinkingand to do so inacritical way.
Last but not least, Iwill always be eternally grateful to God who has been gracious and faithful to me. All
thatIam and everhopeto belowetoHis grace.
REVISIONING THE DENOMINATIONALETHOS AND ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURESOF
THESEVENTH-DAYADVENTIST CHURCH INSOUTHAFRICA
TABLEOFCONTENTS
DECLARATION/ i
ABSTRACT/ii
OPSOMMING/ iii
ILLUSTRATIONS,FIGURES& TABLES /xi
TERMINOLOGY/xiii
ABBREVIATIONS/xiv
LINES OF COMMUNICATIONAND APPEAL/xv
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction 1
1.2 TheResearch problem 1
1.3 Motivationforthis study 4
1.4 Research desigIl,., '.."
4
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1.4.1 Guidinghypothesis ,.., , , ,.., , 4
1.4.1.1 Study hypothesis ,.., , ,.., ,.., , , 6
1.4.2 Studyobjectives " , ", , 6
1,4.3 Research methodology"." .." "." "., " ".,.., , ,..,.., ,.7
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1.4.3.1 Interviews.."..".."""" ..,..,..,..,..",..",." ..,....,..,..,..""",.."" ..,.."..".."",.."..,..,.."" ..",..,....,..",..
9
1.4.3.2 Mailedquestionnaires.....
1,." ••••_••••••••••••••11.11••••••••••,••••••••" ••,.",."••"""'III"II11111It'11111111111111111"
1.4.4 Basicconcepts 10
1.4.4.1 Population 10
1.4.4.2 Samplingframe 12
1.4.5 Pilotstudy 15
1.4.6 P'l1otstudyC,orthOIS research .... 15
1.4.7 Operatl.Onal'lzatl.on ... 15
148 Practicaltheological perspective 16
1'.4:9 Practicaltheology methodology 17
4.6.4 TheHuman Relationstheory 64
4.6.5 Systemtheory 65
4.6.5.1 Thenature ofSystemstheory 66
4.7 Institutionalization 67
4.7.1 The negative sideofinstitutionalization 68
4.7.1.1 Formalism 68
4.7.1.2 Rigidnessand unadaptableness 68
4.7.1.3 Selfishness 69
4.7.1.4 Power 69
4.8 Institutionalism 69
4.8.1 Judaism 70
4.8.2 Roman Catholicism 70
4.8.3 Reformation Churches 71
4.9 Formand structure 71
4.10 Curbing institutionalism 73
4.10.1 Evaluatingthe Churchas Institution 74
4.10.2 Formfollows function 75
4.11 The churchas organism 77
4.11.1 The churchasthe "BodyofChrist" 78
4.11.2 "BodyofChrist" metaphor inRomans & I Corinthians 79
4.11.3 Bodyand "Head"metaphors in Ephesiansand Colossians 80
4.12 TheSeventh-DayAdventistChurchand itsviewofthe Churchas InstituteandOrganism 82
4.12.1 The Churchas aBride 82
4.12.2 The Churchas aTemple 83
4.12.3 The Churchasthe PeopleofGod 83
4.12.4 The Church as aBody 85
CHAPTER5
RESEARCHRESULTS
5.1 Introduction 88
5.1.1 The question underview 88
5.2 Methodology 88
5.2.1 Research procedures 88
5.2.1.1 Pilotstudies 89
5.2.1.2 Pastoralsurveys 89
5.2.1.3 Structuredinterviews 89
5.2.1.3.1 Method ofinterviews 90
5.3.1 Study results- structured interviews 90
vii
5.3.1 Administrative authority 90
5.3.1.1 Administrative authority- concentrated 9I
5.3.1.2 Administrativeauthority- dispersed 91
5.3.2 Leadership 93
5.3.2.1 Leadership- peopleoriented 93
5.3.2.2 Leadership- structureoriented 94
5.3.3 Power 94
5.3.3.1 Power- vested intop positions 95
5.3.3.2 Power- shared with"grassroots" 96
5.3.4 Transition 98
5.3.4.1 Transition- administration open to change 98
5.3.4.2 Transition- administrationmaintainsstatusquo 99
5.3.5 Organizational structures 100
5.3.5.1 Organizational structure- topdown 100
5.3.5.2 Organizationalstructure- participatory 10I
5.3.6 Congregations views ofthe ConferencesandUnion 102
5.3.6.1 Congregation's viewofthe Conference 102
5.3.6.2 Congregationsview oftheUnion 107
5.4 Pastoralsurveys 112
5.4.1 Pastoral surveys- conferenceadministration accumulative results 113
5.4.1.1 Administrativeauthority 113
5.4.1.2 Leadership 115
5.4.1.3 Power 117
5.4.1.4 Transition 119
5.4.1.5 Organizational structures 121
5.5 Results- individual basis 123
5.5.1 Cape Conference pastors 123
5.5.1.1 Administrativeauthority 124
5.5.1.2 Leadership 124
5.5.1.3 Power 124
5.5.1.4 Transition 124
5.5.1.5 Organizational structures 125
5.5.2 Trans-OrangeConference pastors 125
5.5.2.1 Administrativeauthority 125
5.5.2.2 Leadership 125
5.5.2.3 Power 125
5.5.2.4 Transition 126
5.5.2.5 Organizationalstructures 126
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5.5.3 SouthernHopeConferencepastors 126
5.5.3.1 Administrative authority 126
5.5.3.2 Leadership 127
5.5.3.3 Power 127
5.5.3.4 Transition 127
5.5.3.5 Organizationalstructures 127
5.5.4 Results ofKwazuluNatal Free-StateandTransvaal Conference pastors 128
5.6 Pastoral Surveys- Union level ofadministration .133
5.6.1 Administrativeauthority 133
5.6.2 Leadership 135
5.6.3 Power 136
5.6.4 Transition 138
5.6.5 Organizationalstructures 139
5.7 Pastoral surveys- The average accumulative responses ofpastorsconcerningthe Conference
and Union administration 141
5.8 Contemporary Adventism in South Africa 144
CHAPTER6
THEOLOGICALEVALUATION
6.1 Introduction 149
6.2 Methodology 149
6.3 Churchorganization building 1860- 1863 150
6.3.1 The GeneralConference 150
6.4 Reorganization 190I - 1903 151
6.5 Historicaltheological basisfor organization 152
6.5.1 AFunctionalecclesiology 153
6.5.2 Ecclesiologicaldiscussions 155
6.5.2.1 Conference with World Council ofChurches 155
6.5.2.2 WalterDouglas- natureand function ofthe church 155
6.5.2.3 Richard Rice- "PeopleofGod" and "BodyofChrist" 155
6.5.2.4 Raoul Dederen- nature and scopeofthechurch, its mission and government 156
6.6 Hierarchical church structure 156
6.7 Theologicalevaluationofthe five areas ofadministration 159
6.7.1 Leadership 159
6.7.1.1 TheOld Testamentand servantleadership 161
6.7.1.2 New Testamentand servantleadership- authority and power 163
6.7.1.3 Christexampleofleadership 163
6.7.1.4 Jesus wayto servanthood 164
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