Abstract

VAN DER MERWE, Johan (JM). Poverty: A challenge for the Afrikaans reformed churches, 1994-2019. STJ [online]. 2020, vol.6, n.3, pp.301-324. ISSN 2413-9467.  http://dx.doi.org/10.17570/stj.2020.v6n3.a10.

This contribution gives an overview of how four of the important reformed churches in South Africa responded to the challenge of poverty from 1994 to 2019. Following an introduction, the first part of the chapter defines poverty and describes the extent of the crisis. It then gives an overview of how the Dutch Reformed Church responded by imbedding compassion into the missional calling of the church. It also describes how early childhood development became the focus of the church in the struggle against poverty. The chapter then describes how the Uniting Reformed Church of Southern Africa was guided in her action by the Belhar Confession. The church integrated the struggle against poverty with the struggle of justice and reconciliation in a post-apartheid South Africa. The focus of the reformed churches in South Africa in addressing poverty was the role of the deacons in the local church. Education is also an important part of their fight against poverty. The Dutch Reformed Church of Africa rose to the challenge by making important structural changes in the church after 1995. This led to the empowerment of deacons in local churches through which the church addressed the poverty of members. The research shows in conclusion how the four churches used different routes to respond to the challenge of poverty in South Africa over the past 25 years.

Keywords : Armoede; geregtigheid; versoening; onderwys; werkloosheid; maatskaplike ontwikkeling.

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