Abstract

NELL, Ian. Transforming congregational culture: Suburban leadership perspectives within a circuit of the DRC. Scriptura [online]. 2015, vol.114, pp.1-18. ISSN 2305-445X.

On 27 April 2014 we celebrated twenty years of democracy in South Africa. Celebrating this important day in our history also afforded us the opportunity to reflect on what has transpired in our country during the past two decades. From theories in theology and social sciences we learned that what is happening in the broader context in society directly influences the way we congregate in faith communities. And the way we congregate and structure faith communities once again influence the way leadership is exercised. In this contribution different theoretical constructs are used as interpretive frameworks to view the transformations that occurred in a Circuit of sub-urban congregations of the Dutch Reformed Church during the past twenty years, specifically concentrating on the leadership processes. The results of the data are also interpreted through the lenses of Mary Douglas's 'enclavement theory' and do not only open up a window on the past but also provide some clues for looking at the factors involved in the processes of transformation that is so prevalent in these congregations. The article will conclude with some theological reflection on leadership practices related to these processes of transformation. "The secret of change is to focus your energy, not on fighting the old but on building the new" - Socrates

Keywords : Transformation; Congregational Culture; Congregational Studies; Leadership; Enclavement Theory.

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