Academic literature on the topic 'Church work with the sick – Evangelical Lutheran Church of Saxony'

With the form on ,,Krankensegnung [mit -salbung]'" (blessing the sick [including anointment]) in the book of liturgy on ,,Dienst an Kranken" (ministering to the sick), the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Saxony has put the anointing of the sick back into tocus while still stating some "unfamiliarity" with this topic. Is the anointing of the sick therefore rather a biblical possibility than a practised reality? The ''practised reality" is examined qualitatively using expert interviews with six theoretically sampled ministers of the Church of Saxony. The results obtained show a wide range of practice. They are subsequently compared with theoretical results (history and fundamentals from systematic theology) under the primacy of James 5:14-15. The interpretation shO\vs the observed practice partially corresponding to James 5. From this, conclusions for practice are drawn followed by an evaluation of the survey
Das Thema ,Krankensalbung" wird in der Evangelisch-Lutherischen Kirche durch das Formular Krankensegnung [mit -salbung] in der Agende .. Dienst an Kranken'' liturgisch neu ins Blickfeld geri.ickt, zugleich aber eine gewisse .. Fremdheit'' beztiglich des Themas konstatiert. Deshalb ergibt sich die Frage, ob Krankensalbung eher eine biblische Moglichkeit als eine gelebte Wirklichkeit ist. Die ,gelebte Wirklichkeit" wird mit Hilfe eines qualitativen Forschungsdesigns untersucht. Dabei wird die Praxis der Krankensalbung durch Experteninterviews mit sechs bewusst ausgewahlten Ptarrern der sachsischen Landeskirche erhoben. Die Darstellung der hierbei gewonnenen Ergebnisse Hisst ein breites Praxisspektrum erkennen. In einem weiteren Schritt folgt die Interpretation der Resultate. Der lnterpretationsrahmen besteht aus den Ergebnissen der Theorie (Geschichte und systematisch-theologischen Grundlagen) unter dem Vorrang von Jak 5,14-15. Die Interpretation zeigt, dass die vorgefundene Praxis teilweise Jak 5 entspricht. lnfolgedessen werden Schlussfolgerungen als Hilfen fur die Praxis gezogen. Den Abschluss bildet die Evaluation der Untersuchung.
Practical Theology
M.Th. (Practical Theology)

The title of this research is 'Healing in Selected New Testament Texts and the Implications for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa'. The texts that are looked at in this research are Mark 6:12-13, Luke 10:8-9 and James 5:13-16. The texts are exegeted and appropriated to Bohlabela Circuit of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (B.C. ELCSA). On the basis of these texts, the historical background to healing and my research in some of the parishes of Bohlabela circuit, the researcher states some implications for B.C. ELCSA and makes some suggestions which serve as a way forward for an effective healing ministry in B.C. ELCSA. The researcher argues that B.C ELCSA should adopt an inculturated healing ministry and also maintains that B.C ELCSA should use local elements like water, ash and salt and African methods of healing in its healing ministry. However, the researcher highlights some of the dangers of inculturation. The danger is to adopt some of the symbols or healing practices that are incompatible with the gospel, e.g healing practices like the use of animal sacrifice and symbols like blood. Such need to be 'contested, purified, transformed or rejected in the light of the Bible which members of this circuit (B.C. ELCSA) value as the Word of God. Above all, there is also a need for discernment. The researcher suggests that the two basic ways of discernment described by Bate (2001:32) be adopted by B.C ELCSA. They are the criterion of faith and the criterion of fruits. The research revealed that the most common means of healing in B.C. ELCSA includes prayer with the patients or for patients, and the use of the Word and the Sacraments, specifically Holy Communion.
Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2001.

Despite efforts by the government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), faith-based organizations (FBOs) and churches, the HIV epidemic remains one of the major challenges in Zimbabwe. Its impact cuts across all sectors of life and society. The context of HIV in Zimbabwe reflects that the economic and political decisions and policies have contributed to the spread of HIV. The spread of HIV is also exacerbated by some socio-cultural practices in that context. Among these socio-cultural factors are marriage practices, stigma and discrimination. This study is an investigation of the response of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe (ELCZ) to HIV and AIDS. This is done through analysis of the ELCZ HIV and AIDS policy document (ELCZHAP). The ELCZ HIV and AIDS policy document is analysed by using the “HIV competent framework” (Parry 2008:20) in an attempt to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the response to the HIV epidemic by the ELCZ. From this analysis the policy document shows that the ELCZ has some competence but it needs to be strengthened in order to address socio-cultural and political factors, as well as improve engagement with government policies. The study reveals that the ELCZ lacks a comprehensive theological discourse in responding to HIV. Through this investigation, recommendations are made in order to strengthen the ELCZ HIV and AIDS policy document and indicate areas needing further research.
Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2013.

The spread of HIV/AIDS in South Africa has evoked many responses from the national government, Non-Governmental Organizations and the church. There are many reasons why the church should respond to this challenge of HIV/AIDS and join hands with the worldwide effort to provide care and support for people living with HIV/AIDS in our society. As the epidemic increases, many people in South Africa are falling sick, suffering physically, emotionally and spiritually and many are abandoned and desolate. Men, women, young people and children are dying; families and communities are severely affected socially and economically. This thesis examines the response of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (ELCSA) to AIDS and suggests a more adequate strategy to deal with HIV/AIDS. First, it examines the incidence and· impact of HIV/AIDS, noting the emotional, physical and socio-economic impact of HIV/AIDS. Secondly, this thesis develops a theological response to AIDS. The involvement of ELCSA is examined via research into six parishes in the Umgeni circuit of the South Eastern Diocese (Kwa-Zulu Natal). It argues that a seven-fold framework best describes the sort of strategy needed to fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS. This seven-fold framework includes the following: AIDS education, AIDS counseling, Livelihood support for people living with HIV/AIDS, Advocacy for the people living with HIV/AIDS,Pastoral and practical care for people living with HIV/AIDS, Helping the bereaved families during funeral arrangements and providing grief counseling, and Support systems for AIDS orphans.
Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2001.

The onset and rapid spread of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Sub-Saharan Africa has challenged and continues to challenge the church in its doctrine as well as its practical ministries. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia has been no exception. The disease challenges the theological and pastoral disciplines, especially in the area of contextuality. This thesis is developed at the very site of the struggle to care for the infected and affected individuals and families in the ten Evangelical Lutheran Church parishes in the Oshana Region, Namibia. Healing and caring for the sick is the primary mission of this church. Therefore, the quest of this study is to investigate how ELCIN through pastoral care and counselling helps HIV/AIDS infected and affected family members cope with their situation. The study concentrated mainly on ten ELCIN parishes in the Oshana Region, Namibia. Chapter one is an introduction to the whole thesis. Included is the statement of the problem, the methodology used to collect data and the literature review. Chapter two deals with pastoral care and counselling of HIV/AIDS infected and affected families. The African understanding of heath and illness is also considered as well. Chapter three is about the Church and HIV/AIDS in the Oshana Region, Namibia. This chapter investigates the responses of ELCIN's pastors towards HIV/AIDS affected families in the Oshana Region, and how they understand HIV/AIDS biblically. Chapter four deals with the impact of HIV/AIDS on affected families in Oshana Region, Namibia. This chapter discusses how HIV/AIDS affects the family members, nurses, and community ministers and how pastoral care and counselling help the widowers, widows, orphans, caregivers of orphans and nurses to take care of orphans. This is the main chapter of this thesis. Chapter five is about data analysis, recommendations and research findings using the Christian theoretical framework of Mwaura, van Dyk, Msomi, Snidle and Welsh, and Dube. Chapter six is the conclusion of the whole thesis.
Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.

This study investigated the attitudes of church leaders towards their perceived leadership roles in HIV prevention, using a sample of 85 clergy and lay leaders. Working from the premise that churches concentrate on care and support instead of HIV prevention, data were collected from Lutheran church leaders in Zimbabwe, using a questionnaire based on the constructs of the theory of reasoned action. The findings of this study suggest that the church is a potential source for HIV prevention. However, the capability to lead in HIV prevention was limited by barriers due to self-efficacy and cultural constraints, differences between communicator and audience, experiences and perceptions of the communicator and to some extent, institutional constraints. Programmers should focus on removing the barriers faced by the church leaders to improve their ability to lead in HIV prevention and strengthen prevention efforts.
Sociology
M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)