Developing an inclusive missional church beyond interracial conflicts and cultural divisions. A practical theological approach

Abstract

The researcher’s sample is crises in the city of Tshwane, Republic of South Africa. It comprised of white, black, and coloured congregants, at the time when the author embarked on this academic reflection for the circuit in 2016. At the time of writing (2019), this circuit experienced interracial conflicts and cultural divisions. Therefore, this study attempts to respond to the question of interracial conflicts and cultural divisions. The thesis emanates from Osmer’s four-fold questions into the task of practical theology: What is going on? Why is it going on? What ought to be going on? And how are we responding? The academic chapters border on: 1. In what ways does interracial conflicts and cultural divisions effected the Methodist church at Moreleta circuit? 2. What are the causes of these interracial conflicts and cultural divisions? 3. A theoretical chapter which focuses on the extent of these interracial conflicts and cultural divisions on the Moreleta circuit of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa (MCSA). Hence, the causes and effects of these interracial conflicts and cultural divisions in developing an inclusive missional congregation. cultural divisions on the Moreleta circuit of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa (MCSA). Hence, the causes and effects of these interracial conflicts and cultural divisions in developing an inclusive missional congregation. The author noted that racial categorisation, cultural differences, class, and language disparities are the main contributing factors of interracial conflicts and cultural divisions at this circuit. Based on chapter one, two, three, four and five interviews with respondents clearly indicated that the members in this circuit might have to change their perception: nevermore only understanding and valuing their racial, ethnical, class and language character, but more critically in their symbiotic relationship with Jesus Christ. The requirement for change is a vital in accordance with the circuit’s identification with Christ and not merely in their awareness of their difference in race, culture, class, and language. The great emphasis must be placed on collaboration; that if, working together, having a meaningful relation in which a multiparty strategically chose to get together to achieve shared goals.