A Missional Strategy for the Church of the Nazarene to Reach Children in Swaziland
- Johannesburg, South Africa South African Theological Seminary 2015
- 242p PDF A4 Abstract. Table of contents. Works cited. Annexture.
Systems and values have driven society through history; many of these values cannot be deleted from societies and is passed from generation to generation. The church cannot be exempt from being influenced by these values. As a result, there has been a distorted worldview of the Church of the Nazarene in Swaziland toward children and their importance for the church and the Kingdom. Throughout the history of Christianity children have often been overlooked in the life of the Church. As this research has demonstrated the pattern didn’t change in the history of the Swazi Church of the Nazarene; through its history these systems and values have influenced the local culture as well as the mission movement and was later absorbed by the local church and passed on through generations.Much of this behaviour has been demonstrated through the years for several reasons: (1) due to missionaries serving as administrators rather than church planters; (2) the lack of a Wesleyan theology to assist pastors and future leaders of the church in developing a proper holistic ministry to children; (3) the practice of over-emphasizing statistics has contributed to overlooking the importance of children as one of the most vulnerable and fertile populations for the Gospel; (4) hindering childlren’s rights to be included in the full participation and life of the church; (5) finally, the lack of updated guidelines provided to pastors and leaders about church policy. All these issues have negatively impacted the significance of children in the life of the Church. As a result, many children have been denied the proper investment of resources dedicated to their discipleship, mentorship, spiritual growth, and communion of the Church. This research will demonstrate ways the leaders of the Church of the Nazarene in Swaziland may more effectively evangelise children and bring them into full communion with the Church