Mission calling in a congregation of the Dutch Reform Church of Africa in a transforming society : a case study in South Africa

Abstract

The primary aim of this study is to investigate and analyse the missionary calling of the Molopo congregation in the transforming society of South Africa. The Molopo congregation is struggling to cross the frontiers because of the transforming society within its borders. In order to break down these barriers, solutions have to be solicited to respond to questions such as: What are the circumstances of transformation and what is the Missio Dei and its meaning for the church of today? As the body has many parts each with a specific function, similarly the congregation has different members, each with varying talents that have to be used to advance the gospel and spread the Word of God (Greenway, 1999:171). The members of the Molopo congregation must learn how they can complement one another and work together in advancing the church of Christ. The study indicates the way in which the Molopo congregation should understand and take part in the missio Dei in their context to remain committed in communicating the gospel and transforming society according to the Word of God. As such, when the Molopo church understand and take part in the missio Dei, it will become a missional church that retains and grows its members and nurtures them to be transformed so that the church fulfils God's command to be the salt and light in society.