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Abstract Background Psoroptic mange, caused by Psoroptes ovis mites, is affecting Belgian Blue cattle’s welfare and production potential. The Belgian Blue cattle—known for its high degree of muscling, low feed conversion ratio and high beef quality—is highly susceptible for this disease. Results In this study, we phenotyped 1975 Belgian Blue cattle from more than 100 different groups on commercial beef farms for their psoroptic mange susceptibility. Substantial individual differences were observed within these management groups, with lesion extent differences up to ± 15%. Animal models showed that estimated heritabilities were low for lesion extent and severe lesion extent (0.07 and 0.09, respectively) and 0.12 for the number of mites. A genome wide association study for mange susceptibility revealed signals on BTA6, BTA11, BTA15 and BTA24. In these regions, candidate genes GBA3, RAG2, and TRAF6 were identified. Conclusions Despite the challenges in phenotyping for psoroptic mange due to the timing of screening, the continuous evolution of lesions and different management conditions, we successfully conducted a study on the genetic susceptibility to psoroptic mange in Belgian Blue cattle. Our results clearly indicate that psoroptic mange is under polygenic control and the underlying candidate genes should be studied more thoroughly. This is the first study providing candidate genes for this complex disease. These results are already valuable for Belgian Blue breeding, however, further research is needed to unravel the architecture of this disease and to identify causal mutations.

Abstract Background Previous research showed that deviations in longitudinal data are heritable and can be used as a proxy for pigs’ general resilience. However, only a few studies investigated the relationship between these resilience traits and other traits related to resilience and welfare. Therefore, this study investigated the relationship between resilience traits derived from deviations in longitudinal data and traits related to animal resilience, health and welfare, such as tail and ear biting wounds, lameness and mortality. Results In our experiment, 1919 finishing pigs with known pedigree (133 Piétrain sires and 266 crossbred dams) were weighed every 2 weeks and scored for physical abnormalities, such as lameness and ear and tail biting wounds (17,066 records). Resilience was assessed via deviations in body weight, deviations in weighing order and deviations in observed activity during weighing. The association between these resilience traits and physical abnormality traits was investigated and genetic parameters were estimated. Deviations in body weight had moderate heritability estimates (h2 = 25.2 to 36.3%), whereas deviations in weighing order (h2 = 4.2%) and deviations in activity during weighing (h2 = 12.0%) had low heritability estimates. Moreover, deviations in body weight were positively associated and genetically correlated with tail biting wounds (rg = 0.22 to 0.30), lameness (rg = 0.15 to 0.31) and mortality (rg = 0.19 to 0.33). These results indicate that events of tail biting, lameness and mortality are associated with deviations in pigs’ body weight evolution. This relationship was not found for deviations in weighing order and activity during weighing. Furthermore, individual body weight deviations were positively correlated with uniformity at the pen level, providing evidence that breeding for these resilience traits might increase both pigs’ resilience and within-family uniformity. Conclusions In summary, our findings show that breeding for resilience traits based on deviations in longitudinal weight data can decrease pigs’ tail biting wounds, lameness and mortality while improving uniformity at the pen level. These findings are valuable for pig breeders, as they offer evidence that these resilience traits are an indication of animals’ general health, welfare and resilience. Moreover, these results will stimulate the quantification of resilience via longitudinal body weights in other species.

Abstract Background Show jumping is one of the most popular disciplines in the horse sector, which makes success in show jumping competitions an important breeding goal for many studbooks. Therefore, the genetic evaluation of show jumping performance is of major interest and this is the case for two Belgian Warmblood studbooks: the Belgian Warmblood horse and Zangersheide. In this study, first an improved phenotype for show jumping performance was developed, i.e. adjusted fence height based on a new non-arbitrary method to scale ranking and competition level, which are two major components of success in competitions. Second, we assessed the importance of including a rider effect in genetic models for show jumping performance, this effect being under debate in sport horse breeding. Third, genetic models based on elementary performances and one model based on a summarized performance were compared in terms of model fit, heritabilities and the stability of estimated breeding values to define the most suitable one for the genetic evaluation of show jumping performance. Results In this study, more than 600,000 Belgian competition records and almost 81,000 horses were used. Genetic evaluations were developed based on elementary performances (Blom-transformed ranking and adjusted fence height) and on a summarized performance (highest level achieved). Estimated heritabilities of Blom-transformed ranking, adjusted fence height and highest level achieved were 0.09, 0.12 and 0.39, respectively. Including a rider effect improved the models for genetic evaluations. Estimated genetic correlations between the studied models were moderate to high (rg = 0.60–0.99). With the best fit model, the accuracy of the estimated breeding value (EBV) for adjusted fence height reached 0.70 for a larger number of stallions and for stallions that tended to be younger. Conclusions We recommend breeders to implement this new phenotype ‘adjusted fence height’ in breeding programs. It is moderately to highly correlated with Blom-transformed ranking and highest level achieved, a proxy for lifetime success, and is available for selection candidates from an early age onwards.

Abstract Background Runs of homozygosity (ROH) have become the state-of-the-art method for analysis of inbreeding in animal populations. Moreover, ROH are suited to detect signatures of selection via ROH islands and are used in other applications, such as genomic prediction and genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Currently, a vast amount of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data is available online, but most of these data have never been used for ROH analysis. Therefore, we performed a ROH analysis on large medium-density SNP datasets in eight animal species (cat, cattle, dog, goat, horse, pig, sheep and water buffalo; 442 different populations) and make these results publicly available. Results The results include an overview of ROH islands per population and a comparison of the incidence of these ROH islands among populations from the same species, which can assist researchers when studying other (livestock) populations or when looking for similar signatures of selection. We were able to confirm many known ROH islands, for example signatures of selection for the myostatin (MSTN) gene in sheep and horses. However, our results also included multiple other ROH islands, which are common to many populations and not identified to date (e.g. on chromosomes D4 and E2 in cats and on chromosome 6 in sheep). Conclusions We are confident that our repository of ROH islands is a valuable reference for future studies. The discovered ROH island regions represent a unique starting point for new studies or can be used as a reference for future studies. Furthermore, we encourage authors to add their population-specific ROH findings to our repository.

The COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic is seen as the most severe global disaster in history since the Second World War. How do two similar previously disadvantaged communities respond to the COVID-19 pandemic disaster? In the uMfolozi, community in KwaZulu-Natal, an intensive integral mission project through social enablement has been piloted during the past five years. In the Thembalethu community in Kwamhlanga, Mpumalanga, Social Enablement as Mission was about to be started when COVID-19 and, subsequently, the lockdown struck South Africa. This article summarises the key missiological and sociological principles of integral mission being done through Social Enablement and then compares and reflects on the response of 100 households in each of the communities on how they are handling the COVID-19 disaster. The article evaluates the developing resilience against disasters such as the COVID-19 pandemic that Social Enablement as Integral Mission has had on the uMfolozi community and compares it with the Thembalethu community. Finally, some recommendations are suggested on how to strengthen the resilience of people living in previously disadvantaged and poor communities through Social Development as a vital aspect of Integral Mission.

No abstract available.

Theological debates on the use and meaning of the concept of missio Dei as a term in Reformed theology emphasise the need for more in-depth theological reflection on the Reformed roots of this term. Consideration of the covenant of redemption (pactum salutis) as the point of departure may provide a solid foundation for a biblical theological understanding and the use of missio Dei in Reformed theology. Such an approach will emphasise a kingdom missional vision for Reformed churches. Such an approach may provide valid biblical, theological and doctrinal contours for theological education for the equipping of disciples of Christ, which will be enabled to equip disciples in pastoral training.

In many parts of South Africa, mission work is being done in communities living in desperate poverty. There is a great need for integral mission, bringing word and deed together in the proclamation of the gospel to equip Christians to have hope and engage in the fullness of community life to become responsible Christian stewards in the midst of a broken world. This article evaluates a relatively successful poverty alleviation project as an example of an integral mission project that the researcher initiated in 2016 in Northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. In order to analyse the context, measure, manage and share the progress of the project, an app called ‘The Impact app’ was developed and used to collect data. The empirical research in this article comes from data collected over a period of four years primarily from this app and other sources. The main system structure that the researcher used for this integral project is called ‘Franchising as Mission’. It takes the best attributes of primary and secondary coops yet, enables governance and a fair share in the value chain. Poverty alleviation and gospel proclamation have been integrated in the whole project. Therefore, this entire project was regarded as Evangelical Christian Integral Mission as described in the Lausanne Covenant and elaborated on by Melba Padilla Maggay. It is these three core attributes that have led to a 92% higher uptake to that envisaged (Figure 14). This article hopes to point out what integral mission looks like in practice.

Reformed churches around the world are commemorating the 400th anniversary of the Synod of Dordtrecht in the Netherlands and its global impact. The Canons of Dort, or Canons of Dordtrecht, formally titled The decision of the Synod of Dort on the five main points of doctrine in dispute in the Netherlands, is the judgement of the National Synod about the five points of the Remonstrants held in the Dutch city of Dordtrecht in 1618–1619. Before and after the Synod of Dort the complaint has often been raised that the Reformed doctrines of predestination and election have produced churches and Christians who have very limited passion or no zeal at all for the church’s call to missions. People who hold negative ideas about reformed spirituality often used the derogative of the ‘frozen chosen’ to express the idea that the Reformed faith inevitably suffocates vital spirituality, evangelistic outreach, church planting, and missions. The claim is made that this alleged neglect is caused by the Reformed doctrine of election. A sentiment exists among some missiologists that confessionally Reformed believers are not enthusiastic about sharing the gospel of Christ with those who are strangers to the gospel of Christ and Christianity. But is this true of the Canons of Dort, that was one of the main outcomes of the Synod of Dort? Some researchers even express the opinion that the Canons being produced by this Synod of Dort have the most outspoken mission statements of the three reformed confessions. This article endeavours to open a window on the synod’s deliberations with the Remonstrants to highlight missional perspectives when the background and main emphases of the canons are examined. Special attention on how biblical piety, missional spirituality and its implications for the missio Dei in practice may be observed in the history before after and during the Synod of Dort and in key sections in the Canons of Dort. The practical implications of these perspectives will also be considered.

In the debates about lacunas in Western theological education and the need to decolonise Reformed theological education in South Africa, the necessity of understanding demonology has been pointed out as an important area for more research and contextualisation by several researchers. Witchcraft still causes major social problems in South Africa and Africa. On the other hand, there are Reformed theologians in South Africa who expressed opinions and even Reformed denominations that have made synodical decisions that the Devil does not exist as a person and that the existence of demons are myths. Therefore, it is necessary to reconsider the subject of demonology that deals with Satan and his fallen angels from the perspective of traditional Reformed systematic theology and hermeneutics. This article wants to point out that a Reformed hermeneutical study and interpretation of relevant biblical perspectives may enrich the lives of Christians and bring some balance between current extremes in the understanding and application of biblical data on demonology.

No abstract available.

The Melkites were one of the eastern Christian communities that came under Islamic rule following the Arab conquests. To stay in conversation with their Muslim codebaters and political leaders, the Melkites were the first among the Christian groups in the East to have their theological works appear in Arabic. One of the eras of rich interfaith exchange in the history of Christian-Muslim interaction came from this period. Today, Nigerian Christians exhibit a rising level of Islamophobia due to violent Islamic practices that have gone on in recent times. It is equally true that Muslims may have their levels of suspicion about Christians in the country. In any case, the Melkite-Muslim interfaith history indicates that there could not be a more critical time for differing faith groups to stay in communication than a period of sustained tension. Keeping this in mind, what could Nigerian Christians, in a time of interreligious relational strain, learn from the Melkites about interfaith communication? This article provides an answer to this question by drawing on lessons in the evaluation of the strategic use of the Arabic language by eastern Christian-Muslim communities of late antiquity (7th to the 10th century).

This study represents an unconventional qualitative research genre, autoethnography, which is not commonly found in qualitative research circles, and is rarely used by researchers in South African and Brazilian social science. The main question behind this research is: Why were some Presbyterian churches in Brazil challenged by a significant loss of members while others were experiencing ‘times of refreshing’ (Ac 3:20)? There are even statistics of extraordinary increase in the participation, interest in and outreach to their communities of some churches. The question why some churches belonging to the same denomination, in the same city and presbytery and with some liturgical likeness, for some reason, were growing while others were shrinking, became a driving question leading to this research. Four growing Presbyterian churches were chosen because all four were using small group ministries. They were situated in four different cities, one in the northern part of Brazil, three in the southwest, and they were using the same method, with their own adaptations. Each of them experienced gracious growth within their own context. Through their ministries, ordinary people were doing ordinary things with extraordinary results of radiating the universal priesthood of all believers, exercising a missional witness and reaching out to a world in need. This article aims to consider their motivation, the challenges they experienced during the implementation of small group ministries, the positive and negative aspects of the process, the lessons learnt and possible application for the revitalisation of Igreja Presbiteriana do Brasil (IPB) today.

The Christian history of the Nanticoke-Lenape people who live in three American Indian tribal communities of ‘first contact’ around the Delaware Bay (USA), is over three centuries old and continues in the contemporary tribal community congregations. The modern era of tribal cultural reprisal and rise of Pan-Indian neo-traditionalism has heightened an awareness of, and cast a critical eye on the absence of contextualisation in the regular worship of the tribal community churches. This article is a study in ethno-doxology and seeks to determine the need for contextualised worship, to analyse the challenges of contextualisation, and provide guidance for an approach to contextualisation of worship amongst the Nanticoke-Lenape Christian congregations.

Postmodernism and urbanisation pose significant challenges and opportunities to Christian witness in the West. In South Africa, Reformed Baptists as well as the Reformed Churches in South Africa (RCSA) seem to be battling to engage with and reach new generations in the cities with the gospel. While the reasons for this may be many and varied, one reason for our faltering and seemingly ineffective witness can be traced back to inadequate and unbiblical views of contextualisation. While South African Reformed Baptists are passionately committed to biblical truth and orthodoxy, they appear to be negligent in the matter of faithful biblical contextualisation. Reformed Baptist pastors appear to be slow to take cognisance of and adjust to the unique challenges and opportunities that Postmodernism and urbanisation presents to gospel ministry in South Africa. Some conservative Baptists are suspicious of, or even critical of contextualisation, considering it a compromise with liberal theology. This article provides an overview of the findings of an empirical research that was done among a selected group of Reformed Baptist pastors as well as a selected group of ministers of the RCSA concerning their views on and practice of contextualisation. The article also provides some critical reflection on the findings and some proposals for more effective outreach to postmodern urban people. Keywords: Contextualisation, Reformed, Baptists Reformed Churches in South Africa Church, growth, Postmodernism

This article investigates key biblical principles in handling disputable music matters from Romans 14:1–15:13 and their implications for a missional church. It becomes clear that the principles uncovered in this biblical passage are synecdochically and analogically applicable to many varied disputable matters, which could confront the church anywhere at any given time. These matters include disputes on worship music and songs. The multicultural context in which the church find herself in cities, continues to pose a challenge to individual Christians and the church as a body. Hence, it exposes both Christians and the church to more and more inevitable need for clear biblical principles in handling disputable matters including liturgical music wars. The goal of this article is not only to reduce time and energy used in arguing over disputable matters, but also to turn the disagreements into redeeming encounters, which will strengthen the missional witness of the church by enriching diversity in unity. Die ontsluiting van bybelse sleutelbeginsels vir die hantering van strydvrae oor liturgiesemusiek vanuit ’n missio Dei perspektief – ’n basiese teoriese studie. Hierdie artikel ondersoekbybelse sleutelbeginsels vir die hantering van strydvrae oor liturgiese sang en musiek vanuit Romeine 14:1–15:13 en die implikasies daarvan vir ’n missionale kerk. Die beginsels wat vanuit hierdie Skrifgedeelte ontsluit word, kan sinvol toegepas word op ’n verskeidenheid van sake wat nie-essensieel van aard is, maar waaroor daar oral en altyd skerp standpuntverskille in kerke voorkom. Dit sluit debatte oor musiek en sang in die erediens in. Die multikulturele konteks waarin kerke hulle bevind vra na duidelike beginsels wat as uitgangspunte in debatte oor liturgiese musiek kan dien. Die doel van hierdie artikel is nie net om baie tyd en energie wat dikwels aan sulke debatte bestee word, te verminder nie, maar ook om strydvrae om te keer in positiewe opbouende en verrykende ontmoetings, en die kerk se missionale getuienis oor eenheid en verskeidenheid te versterk.

Moulding of a man of God: an evaluation of international debates on pastoral training in the light of perspectives from 1 and 2 Timothy During the past 50 years a wide variety of discussions, re-flections and debates on theological education has been pu-blished. These debates and reflections were stimulated by the following factors: On the one hand there is an explosion of church growth in developing countries. On the other hand there is an alarming decline in church growth in developed countries. There is also deep concern about the lack of impact of church-es on the transformation of communities. Church leaders are often not succeeding in stimulating and equipping believers to be effective witnesses in the world. These factors have given rise to the question: How should theological education be re-structured to become a vital factor that leads to spiritual growth as well as growth in numbers of churches? Serious questions about the godliness and spirituality of church leaders, of pastors and seminary students are raised. This article evaluates inter-national tendencies in the light of principles and perspectives from Paul’s epistles to Timothy.

Die Sendingwetenskap, kerke en sendingorganisasies dink wêreldwyd opnuut na oor die bybelse fundering vir die integrasie van Woord en daad in die verkondiging van die evangelie. Die Lausanne-beweging het ’n kongres in Kaapstad gehou, waar 4200 kerkleiers van 198 lande vanaf 16 tot 25 Oktober 2010 vergader het. Die program het besinnings ingesluit oor hoe om kwessies soos armoede, ongeregtigheid en die voorspoed-teologie skrifgetrou te hanteer. Die Miga-netwerk is ’n groeiende wêreldwye koalisie van kerke en organisasies wat hulle in die lig van Miga 6:8 tot die uitbou van integrale sending verbind. Die Gospel Coalition is ’n netwerk van teoloë wat hulle daartoe verbind het om gelowiges te stimuleer sodat hulle geloof in die evangelie van Christus verdiep. Die doel is ook dat bedieningspraktyke ’n teosentriese en Christosentriese fokus vertoon. Hierdie koalisie het verskeie debatte oor aspekte van integrale sending in hulle mondstuk, Themelios, gepubliseer. Die World Reformed Fellowship het in hulle geloofsverklaring duidelik gestel dat gelowiges uit gehoorsaamheid aan die opdrag van God met twee hande na alle mense moet uitreik, naamlik die hand wat hulle roep om hulle sonde te bely, om te glo en só die ewige versoening met God deur Christus te ontvang, en tweedens die hand wat deur dade van dankbaarheid en deernis die goedheid van God se koninkryk in die naam van Christus na vore bring.Verskeie missiologiese publikasies het onlangs verskyn wat uitdruklik oor integrale en dus die behoefte aan holistiese sending handel. Missiological reflection indicates that mission organisations and churches worldwide, are reconsidering the biblical foundations of the integration of Word and deed when proclaiming the Gospel. The Lausanne Movement held its global congress in Cape Town, where 4200 church leaders of 198 countries gathered from 16 to 25 October in 2010. The program also included in-depth discussions on dealing in a valid biblical way with issues such as poverty, social justice and prosperity gospel theology. The Micah Network is a growing global coalition consisting of churches and organisations that committed themselves in the light of Micah 6:8 to promote integral mission. The Gospel Coalition is a network of theologians who are committed to stimulate Christian believers in order to deepen their faith in die gospel of Christ. Their aim is that ministry and missionary practice should reflect a Theocentricand Christ-centred vision. This coalition also published several debates in their mouthpiece,Themelios, on aspects of integral mission. The World Reformed Fellowship made it clear in its statement of faith that Christians, in obedience to the commission of our God, have to present two hands to all people, namely the hand calling them to repentance, faith and eternal reconciliation with God through Christ, and secondly, the hand manifesting deeds of mercy and compassion, extending the goodness of God’s kingdom on earth in the name of Christ. Several missiological publications have recently been published that explicitly deals with the integration of Word and deeds and the need for holistic missions. Forum discussions and blogs on the Internet are debating whether to embrace, or to reject the concept of integralmissions on biblical grounds. This article attempts to make a contribution to the debates by analysing a few key biblical terms in which God reveals himself through the integration of Word and deeds. Thus this calls for a holistic approach in missions, in which people’s words and deeds should not be separated when proclaiming the gospel.

Jacobus Albertus van Rooy is op 25 Julie 1932 te Ventersburg gebore as die seun van ds. en mev. Jacs van Rooy. Sy moeder is oorlede toe hy nog ’n jong seun was. Hy het skoolgegaan op Brits en Pietersburg en later aan die PU vir CHO sy tersiêre opleiding ondergaan, terwyl hy hom voorberei het om predikant te word.

Oor ’n wye front word besorgdheid uitgespreek oor die stagnering en kwynende getallegroei van hoofstroom-reformatoriese kerke in Suid-Afrika. Die besorgdheid word egter ook uitgespreek dat predikante en kerke in hulle ywer om kerklike vernuwing teweeg te bring, soveel kompromieë maak dat die kerk sy eie aard as heilge volk van God in die wêreld verloor. Daar is ’n internasionale tendens te bespeur by reformatoriese kerke, in Suid-Afrika, Noord Amerika, Australië, Nederland, Duitsland en die Verenige Koninkryk om die na-binne-gerigtheid van kerke om te draai om werklik missionêre kerke te kan wees. Daar is ook tekens van ’n groeiende ontwakende passie om die onbereikte taalgroepe tot by die uithoeke van die aarde te bereik met die evangelie. Daar is oor ’n wye front lewendige debatte aan die gang wat vra vir ’n herevaluering van oorgeërfde ekklesiologiese tradisies en gebruike en ’n herbesinning oor Bybelse beginsels. In die lig van hierdie ontwikkelings is die doel van hierdie artikel om Nuwe-Testamentiese beginsels op te som en te onderstreep en as boustene aan te bied om die profiel van ’n missionêre kerk te skets. Grave concerns are expressed about the decline of mainline reformed churches in South Africa, especially the Reformed Churches in South Africa. At the same time fears are expressed that efforts to facilitate renewal in churches in order to become healthy and more effective missional churches, are making too many compromises with the gospel, so that the church is in danger of losing its very character as God’s holy people in the world. There is also an international phenomenon of reformed and evangelical type churches in North America, the Netherlands, Germany, the UK and Australia endeavouring to outgrow their ingrown vision and become part of God’s mission to reach unreached people groups in every corner of the world. There are lively debates on reviewing and rethinking inherited ecclesiological theological traditions and practices in churches. This article endeavours to gather basic building bricks by summarising and emphasising the most basic New Testament principles for outlining the profile of a missional church.

In this article the problem of assimilating new members into congregational structures is addressed. A further aim of the article is to offer a possible contribution to the role of ministry structures in local churches - structures which may promote effective assimilation of new members in such a way that these new members will spontaneously apply and minister their gifts to other people. The object of this ministering involves existing members of the congregation as well as individuals not yet evangelized or assimilated into existing local churches.

Calvyn se standpunte oor die verhouding tussen kerk en staat kom na vore, nie net uit die laaste hoofstuk van die vierde boek van sy Institusie nie, maar lê verspreid oor al sy vele publikasies. In verskeie van sy kommentare, traktate en briewe is die saak aan die orde. Om al die relevante bronne binne die bestek van hierdie enkele artikel te reflekteer, sou ’n onbegonne taak wees. Nie alleen is die onderwerp geweldig omvangryk nie, maar strome literatuur wat reeds daaroor gepubliseer is en navorsing wat gedoen is en nog steeds gedoen word, sou dit enigsins makliker maak om ’n proefskrif oor die onderwerp te skryf as om ’n oorsigtelike artikel te skryf!

Daar is nie ’n sendingwetenskaplike rigting in die wêreld wat groter en invloedryker is as die “Church Growth Movement” nie. Die U.S. Center for World Mission, onder leiding van Ralph Winter, wat in 1976 uit die “Church Growth Movement” ontstaan het, en wat die beskouings van die “Church Growth Movement” die sterkste wêreldwyd propageer, is ingerig op ’n voormalige universiteitskampus in Pasadena. Kalifornie. Dit beslaan ’n grondgebied van 35 akkers, en is die grootste instelling in die wêreld wat hom beywer vir sendingwetenskaplike navorsing en ondersteuning van sendingprojekte. Kantoorruimte, klaskamers, rekenaarfasiliteite, ’n biblioteek, slaapsale en ander bates is reeds meer as 25 miljoen dollar werd. Sendelinge van sewentig verskillende denominasies en genootskappe werk reeds daar saam in navorsingsprojekte en gevorderde opleiding en mobilisering van sendelinge. Die oorheersende doel is om teen die jaar 2000 die sendingtaak van die kerk voltooi te sien in dié opsig dat daar Christelike kerke onder al die 17 000 onbereikte volksgroepe van die wereld tot stand gekom het, (Vgl The U.S. Center for World Mission. 198?).

Ek is dankbaar dat ds. H. Dijkstra in sy artikel: Die aard van Persoonlike toespitsing van die heil in die Heidelbergse Kategismus, die probleemstelling van ’n skynbare teenstrydigheid tussen die persoonlik soteriologiese en die soewereine Koningsheerskappy van die Drie-enige God aan die orde stel. Myns insiens heers daar by baie mense groot verwarring oor hierdie saak en sou verdere besinning daaroor ons almal ten goede kom.

Die homofilievraagstuk het onlangs heelwat prominensie in die pers geniet na aanleiding van die Rapport oor Homofilie wat op die Nasionale Sinode van die Gereformeerde Kerk in Suid-Afrika gedien het. Die Deputate vir Korrespondensie van die Gereformeerde Kerk in Suid-Afrika het die Rapport in studie geneem en daaroor aan die Nasionale Sinode gerapporteer.

In die Gereformeerde teologiese besinning sedert die reformasie, het beide die verbond en die koninkryk ’n belangrike plek ingeneem. Reeds Calvyn het baie sterk met die verbondsgedagte geopereer – sodanig so dat hy die band van die verbond as die eenheidsband tussen die Ou en Nuwe Testament gesien het.

This is the second article resulting from a doctoral study on the phenomenon of stress. In the first article, the focus was specifically on stress amongst employees at a tertiary training institution. In this second article the researchers reflect on the effectiveness of the current Stress Management Programme (SMP) at this tertiary institution and illustrate that participation in this specific programme contributes to a more positive experience of quality of work life amongst employees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article intends to determine the presence of stressors, which lead to high stress levels and subsequently contributing to the employees 'perspective of quality of work life (QWL) at a tertiary institution. Quality of work life refers to the extent in which employees are empowered to satisfy their own needs through their experiences in the work place in order to enhance productivity within organizations. Employers have the responsibility to establish a healthy workplace by placing a curb on stress and its resulting negative effects and to enable employees to accept ownership of their own lives in reaching optimum health and well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]