‘In step’ with the living God: Rhythms and habits for churches faithful to their calling
This article reflected on the development of a congregational prototype called In pas met die lewende God [‘In step’ with the Living God], that aids congregations in the process of missional transformation. Although this prototype was developed and implemented by a diverse team, the influence of Nel...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | Afrikaans |
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AOSIS
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Verbum et Ecclesia |
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| Online Access: | https://verbumetecclesia.org.za/index.php/ve/article/view/3514 |
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| author | Thomas J. Smith |
| author_facet | Thomas J. Smith |
| author_sort | Thomas J. Smith |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This article reflected on the development of a congregational prototype called In pas met die lewende God [‘In step’ with the Living God], that aids congregations in the process of missional transformation. Although this prototype was developed and implemented by a diverse team, the influence of Nelus Niemandt in shifting the denominational culture towards a participation in the missio Dei was significant and was a precursor to the development. My own journey with this process has been deeply shaped by Niemandt’s theological imagination and mentorship, which continue to echo through the practices and movements described here.
Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The article outlined the origin of ‘In step’ and then described the structure of the instrument, with particular attention to its emphasis on cultivating rhythms and practices that embody the missional theology as well as the holding environment for ‘In step’. Finally, the article reflected on lessons learned in partnering with local congregations as they engage with the habits and rhythms proposed in the In step process. These lessons can be used for further research for missional ecclesiology and transformation. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9377194467c346a39bae1ddbc8121dfb |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1609-9982 2074-7705 |
| language | Afrikaans |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Verbum et Ecclesia |
| spelling | doaj-art-9377194467c346a39bae1ddbc8121dfb2025-08-20T03:42:44ZafrAOSISVerbum et Ecclesia1609-99822074-77052025-07-01464e1e810.4102/ve.v46i4.35142090‘In step’ with the living God: Rhythms and habits for churches faithful to their callingThomas J. Smith0Department of Practical Theology and Mission Studies, Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of Pretoria, PretoriaThis article reflected on the development of a congregational prototype called In pas met die lewende God [‘In step’ with the Living God], that aids congregations in the process of missional transformation. Although this prototype was developed and implemented by a diverse team, the influence of Nelus Niemandt in shifting the denominational culture towards a participation in the missio Dei was significant and was a precursor to the development. My own journey with this process has been deeply shaped by Niemandt’s theological imagination and mentorship, which continue to echo through the practices and movements described here. Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The article outlined the origin of ‘In step’ and then described the structure of the instrument, with particular attention to its emphasis on cultivating rhythms and practices that embody the missional theology as well as the holding environment for ‘In step’. Finally, the article reflected on lessons learned in partnering with local congregations as they engage with the habits and rhythms proposed in the In step process. These lessons can be used for further research for missional ecclesiology and transformation.https://verbumetecclesia.org.za/index.php/ve/article/view/3514missional ecclesiology‘in pas‘in step’missional transformationmissio deicongregational changediscipleship formationrule of life. |
| spellingShingle | Thomas J. Smith ‘In step’ with the living God: Rhythms and habits for churches faithful to their calling Verbum et Ecclesia missional ecclesiology ‘in pas ‘in step’ missional transformation missio dei congregational change discipleship formation rule of life. |
| title | ‘In step’ with the living God: Rhythms and habits for churches faithful to their calling |
| title_full | ‘In step’ with the living God: Rhythms and habits for churches faithful to their calling |
| title_fullStr | ‘In step’ with the living God: Rhythms and habits for churches faithful to their calling |
| title_full_unstemmed | ‘In step’ with the living God: Rhythms and habits for churches faithful to their calling |
| title_short | ‘In step’ with the living God: Rhythms and habits for churches faithful to their calling |
| title_sort | in step with the living god rhythms and habits for churches faithful to their calling |
| topic | missional ecclesiology ‘in pas ‘in step’ missional transformation missio dei congregational change discipleship formation rule of life. |
| url | https://verbumetecclesia.org.za/index.php/ve/article/view/3514 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT thomasjsmith instepwiththelivinggodrhythmsandhabitsforchurchesfaithfultotheircalling |