Abstract:
In this paper, the researcher aims to reflect on the role of the church and local
congregations in changing the congregational culture to contribute towards a missional
ecclesiology focussed on the public space with the aim to establish a social
contract between congregation and context (in the City of Tshwane in this case). The
paper utilises a case study of the Valleisig congregation in Tshwane to reimagine its
relationship with the city as the first step towards establishing a new social contract
between the congregation and the city.
The paper will attend to: 1) the importance of reimagining congregational culture
with a focus on being faithfully present in its context and a faithful presence in the
commons; 2) a brief overview of the Valleisig congregation and the challenge to
change the congregational culture from inward and attractional to outward and missional;
and 3) action in hope – the dream of a congregation that contributes towards
a new social contract for a new Tshwane.
