2009-11-232009-11-231998Pieterse, HJC 1998, 'Die rol van rituele en simbole in die identiteitsvorming van 'n geloofsgemeenskap - 'n Gereformeerde perspektief', Skrif en Kerk, vol. 19, no. 2, pp. 342-348.0257-8891http://hdl.handle.net/2263/11992Continued 2001 as 'Verbum et Ecclesia'The political dispensation in South Africa since 1994 marginalised Afrikaansspeaking Dutch Reformed church members in the new South African society. Their identity is under pressure in a dominant culture that differs from their own. Anxiety and feelings of insecurity about their existence in the future are rife among many people in this church. In this context a new need for religious experiences of identity, belonging and safety opened up new experiments in the liturgy of the church. A new interest in rituals and symbols in the worship service came to the fore. This article discusses a Reformed perspective on the function and meaning of rituals and symbols in liturgy with a view to support the communicative discourse in seeking mutual understanding of the identity of their community of faith in a dominant, different culture.AfrikaansFaculty of Theology, University of PretoriaDutch Reformed Church (South Africa)Faith communitiesSymbolism -- South AfricaRites and ceremonies -- South AfricaNederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk -- LiturgyGroup identity -- South AfricaReligion and politicsChristian communities -- South AfricaReligion and sociologyArticle