Holistic theological education in the formation of missional leaders in the Dutch reformed church

Abstract

The Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) has embraced a missional ecclesiology and is in the process of missional transformation. Missional transformation is a comprehensive process that profoundly affects the DRC and requires deep change. The DRC as a denomination is not prepared for this challenge. The DRC’s leadership is not equipped for this challenge. And the changes made to the DRC Church Order and theological education seem to have little effect in addressing this challenge. Leadership plays a pivotal role in the process of transformation and the DRC’s Curatorium is faced with the challenge of implementing a theological education programme that forms leaders with the necessary capacities. This research aimed to develop a prototype to assist in forming missional leaders in the DRC. Missional transformation requires innovation. The research utilised a dynamic research methodology designed for the process of missional transformation to develop a prototype to assist in forming missional leaders in the DRC. The researcher implemented the methodology’s missional research cycle and acknowledged and described the pain of the problem-owner, the DRC Curatorium at the University of Pretoria (phase 1). The researcher then explored the pain further by attempting to discern what is going on ‘underneath the surface’ of the DRC’s theological education and clarified the question (phase 2). After gaining important insights and realising the nature of the challenge, the researcher developed a prototype to address the adaptive challenge facing the DRC’s Curatorium (phase 3). The prototype comprises a new programme for spiritual formation, a new way of life, as part of holistic theological education that will ultimately serve the DRC’s process of missional transformation. Missional transformation is not about knowing or doing, but about being. Fundamental to the formation of missional leaders is thus the formation of a missional spirituality. The research used the Twelve Steps programme of Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) as a model to develop a prototype for spiritual transformation. The Twelve Steps programme is a programme focused on spiritual transformation, a new way of life, and not mere sobriety. The prototype is thus a programme focused on forming a missional spirituality. The programme is a lifelong process of becoming, wholly dependent on the Spirit and focused on creating the right context for transformation to take place. This programme of spiritual transformation, a missional metanoia, can assist in forming missional leaders in the DRC. The programme is grounded in a missional spirituality – formed in community and for the community, formed holistically and shaping all aspects of life and living, formed by embracing vulnerability, and the prerequisite and means of participating in the missio Dei.