Conflicts between the Church Associations of the UPCSA, with special reference to the Presbytery of Tshwane : a narrative approach

Abstract

This research study is based on investigating the conflicts between the Church Associations (also called This research study is based on investigating the conflicts between the Church Associations (also called iimanyano) of the UPCSA. These associations are essentially a group of people who gather together to achieve certain aims and objectives in serving God within the Church.anyano) of the UPCSA. These associations are essentially a group of people who gather together to achieve certain aims and objectives in serving God within the Church. The iimanyano are normally identified by means of a specific uniform, even though the UPCSA (as with the reformed Church tradition) does not generally wear a uniform. The uniform of the iimanyano therefore does not have any specific origin. However, Chapter One of this study traces the purpose of the iimanyano in that it was formed to evangelise and reach out to black people within a cultural ethos. The research embarks on narrative, qualitative interviews and follows a participatory approach in discovering the problems that led to the iimanyano deviating from their original focus. In Chapter Two, the amalgamation of The Presbyterian Church of Southern Africa with the Reformed Presbyterian Church of South Africa in 1999 is discussed. (The emerging of these two Churches formed the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa.) The process of joining the iimanyano of the two former (PCSA and RPCSA) Churches resulted in dissatisfaction and caused several grievances. These tensions of the iiimanyano are a threat to the union of the UPCSA. The study investigates through narrative research why the problems still persist. In Chapter Three, the narratives of the co-researchers in the context of the Presbytery of Tshwane are presented. These helped to identify certain experiences that the remaining iimanyano in the UPCSA denomination still encounter. It is further indicated that some underlining issues may have been rushed or underestimated by the Special Commission on Union. An interesting observation is that the tension is mostly referred to by the black members of the former two churches. Furthermore, some members are suspicious of any outside influence perpetuating the problem. In Chapter Four the struggles within the body of Christ whereby the uniform issue among the women is discussed. In Chapter Five, a narrative reflection on the research findings and recommendations to the associations of the UPCSA are given.