A theological examination of the non-directive approach to church and community development with a special reference to the nature of evangelism

Abstract

.A thesis submitted for the degree of Master of Arts in Theology in the Theology Department, Faculty of Arts, University of Durham 1990.This thesis is an examination of the nature and value of the non-directive approach to church and community work. Special attention is paid to the suitability of the approach in the context of evangelical ministry. The thesis originates out of my seven years of pastoral ministry in Addiscombe Croydon. For many years I had been committed to an evangelistic ministry; this thesis describes the process of adopting a non-directive approach to that ministry, first of all intuitively and then systematically. The thesis charts the origins and rise of community development and the non- directive approach. It appropriates more recent discussion of the relationship between community work and community development. It then shows the adoption of community development ideas by a number of Christians and considers the nature of the directive and non-directive approaches and their application. Evangelistic ministry is analyzed by noting the characteristics common to all evangelicals and then constructing in some detail a typology of evangelicals against which to test the applicability of the non-directive approach. The thesis then sets out and critically reviews the theology of church and community development It tests out the non-directive against the biblical narrative, considering Jesus use of parable; the exercise of authority, and use of charismatic gifts within the church. It then examines three areas which seem predisposed to show dissonance between evangelistic ministry and the non-directive approach; decision-making, theology of evangelical conversion, and proclamation of the evangel. The thesis finds the biblical teaching supports the non-directive, whilst also recognizing certain aspects as non-negotiable. The thesis concludes that only one type of evangelical, fundamentalist evangelical, is incompatible with the non-directive approach. All the other types of evangelicals are capable of adopting this approach. It further concludes that the non-directive approach is not only consonant with evangelistic ministry but could be a vital partner to such a ministry and increase its effectiveness.