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The evolution of pastoral care in the Seventh-Day Adventist Church of South Africa post COVID-19
Dissertation (MTh (Practical Theology))--University of Pretoria, 2025.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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University of Pretoria
2026
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| _version_ | 1867613669052907520 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | Botha, Annelie |
| author_browse | Botha, Annelie |
| author_facet | Botha, Annelie |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | © 2024 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. |
| description | Dissertation (MTh (Practical Theology))--University of Pretoria, 2025. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/107903 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:39:48.717Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| publisher | University of Pretoria |
| publisherStr | University of Pretoria |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| spelling | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/107903 The evolution of pastoral care in the Seventh-Day Adventist Church of South Africa post COVID-19 Botha, Annelie tmoyo7@gmail.com Moyo, Talent UCTD Sustainable development goals (SDGs) Seventh-Day Adventist Church (SDA) Southern Africa Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (SAU) Gender-based violence (GBV) World Health Organization (WHO) South Africa (SA) Dissertation (MTh (Practical Theology))--University of Pretoria, 2025. This study investigates how South Africa's Seventh-day Adventist pastoral ministry responded to the COVID-19 pandemic's unprecedented challenges. The study focused on the Southern Africa Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (SAU), and traced the evolution of pastoral care over time, analysed the pandemic’s disruptions and challenges, and highlighted the creative ways pastors responded, especially through the use of digital platforms and heightened awareness of mental health. The study investigates the swift transition from conventional, face-to face ministry to digital and hybrid models of worship, care, and community involvement through qualitative interviews with pastors in both rural and urban settings. Study findings revealed that technology has made it possible for people to connect spiritually through new channels like WhatsApp devotionals, live-streamed sermons, and virtual small groups, but it has also revealed significant disparities in access to digital infrastructure. Low-tech alternatives were frequently used by pastors in under-resourced areas, illustrating the growing digital divide in ministry experiences. In addition to technological adaptation, the study found that pastors are becoming more willing to incorporate emotional support and mental health awareness into their theological framework. This change reflects a trend towards more psychospiritual, holistic care models that address the intricate realities of trauma, grief, and loneliness. According to the study, one characteristic of effective ministry during the crisis was the ability to be flexible while remaining faithful. In the end, the results add to more general discussions about how religious communities can adapt to the spiritual and emotional demands of a changing world while maintaining their theological foundation. Practical Theology MTh (Practical Theology) Unrestricted Faculty of Theology and Religion SDG-03: Good health and well-being 2026-02-05T13:32:38Z 2026-02-05T13:32:38Z 2025 2025 Dissertation * S2025 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/107903 en © 2024 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria |
| spellingShingle | UCTD Sustainable development goals (SDGs) Seventh-Day Adventist Church (SDA) Southern Africa Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (SAU) Gender-based violence (GBV) World Health Organization (WHO) South Africa (SA) The evolution of pastoral care in the Seventh-Day Adventist Church of South Africa post COVID-19 |
| title | The evolution of pastoral care in the Seventh-Day Adventist Church of South Africa post COVID-19 |
| title_full | The evolution of pastoral care in the Seventh-Day Adventist Church of South Africa post COVID-19 |
| title_fullStr | The evolution of pastoral care in the Seventh-Day Adventist Church of South Africa post COVID-19 |
| title_full_unstemmed | The evolution of pastoral care in the Seventh-Day Adventist Church of South Africa post COVID-19 |
| title_short | The evolution of pastoral care in the Seventh-Day Adventist Church of South Africa post COVID-19 |
| title_sort | evolution of pastoral care in the seventh day adventist church of south africa post covid 19 |
| topic | UCTD Sustainable development goals (SDGs) Seventh-Day Adventist Church (SDA) Southern Africa Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (SAU) Gender-based violence (GBV) World Health Organization (WHO) South Africa (SA) |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/107903 |