On being the 'salt of the earth' : a case study of the United Church of Christ as a community asset in Chipinge, Zimbabwe.
Loading...
Date
2007
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The research investigates whether it is appropriate, practically and theologically, to think of
the United Church of Christ in Chipinge, Zimbabwe as a community as set in the struggle
against poverty. A number of key questions were asked and explored concerning the context
of poverty in Chipinge, the theological grounds for understanding itself as a community asset
in the struggle against poverty in Chipinge, and whether the 'asset portfolio' can actually
contribute to the eradication of poverty.
The thesis is rooted in a contemporary development approach known as Asset Based
Community Development which argues that sustainable community life is built on what
exists in a community rather than what is lacking. The theory and its relevance are explored
in the thesis. Further, drawing on contemporary thinking about missiology and ecclesiology,
the thesis argues whether the Church should understand itself as a 'community asset'. This
leads to the use of the metaphor taken from Matthew 5: 13, where the people of God are
called to be ' the salt of the earth' who would draw others together into a living relationship
with God. It is argued that being the salt of the earth requires the Church to take faith into
action through utilizing the God given gifts which are available in the Church and Chipinge
community.
Through a key informant survey of the pastors from seventeen UCC Churches in Chipinge.
the thesis demonstrates that the United Church of Christ (UCC) in Chipinge, Zimbabwe, has
a range of assets, or what we could call an "asset portfolio" which can and should contribute
to the struggle against poverty in the region.
Description
Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2007.
Keywords
Theses--Theology., Community development--Zimbabwe., Church work with the poor--Zimbabwe., Zimbabwe--Church history., Zimbabwe--Economic conditions.