Original Research - Special Collection: Practical Theology

(Gender) partnership as a transforming paradigm for development in the Church and society

Ester Onwunta, Karel T. August
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies | Vol 68, No 2 | a1065 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v68i2.1065 | © 2012 Ester Onwunta, Karel T. August | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 18 April 2011 | Published: 18 April 2012

About the author(s)

Ester Onwunta, Department of Practical Theology and Missiology, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa
Karel T. August, Department of Practical Theology and Missiology, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa

Abstract

This research article made the case for (gender) partnership as an integral part of effective people-centred participatory development theory. Over the years, development has been taught and practiced in different ways. In the contemporary African context, it is a term that is frequently used and even misused by many people and organisations that are involved in development programmes, which truncate rather than transform the people and communities they claim to develop. This article presented a brief survey of some definitions and views on development and argued for a holistic approach to development, one which is anchored on partnership as an essential element in God’s mission; that is, the missio Dei. It highlighted the reasons for, ideals of and obstacles to true partnership in development.

Keywords

accountability; community change; development; fostering peace; gender; love and dignity; missio Dei; partnership; transparency

Metrics

Total abstract views: 4130
Total article views: 7669

 

Crossref Citations

1. THE PLACE OF WOMEN MINISTERS IN THE MISSION OF THE METHODIST CHURCH OF SOUTHERN AFRICA
F S Mkhwanazi, Thias Kgatla
Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae  vol: 41  issue: 2  first page: 180  year: 2015  
doi: 10.25159/2412-4265/130