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Exploring Holistic Transformation Theology in the Anglican Church of Uganda: A Case of Three Dioceses
Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2025.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
2025
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| _version_ | 1867613790380490752 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Ruhama, Denis Onzima |
| author2 | Du Toit, Nadine Francis Bowers |
| author_browse | Du Toit, Nadine Francis Bowers Ruhama, Denis Onzima |
| author_facet | Du Toit, Nadine Francis Bowers Ruhama, Denis Onzima |
| author_sort | Ruhama, Denis Onzima |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | Stellenbosch University |
| description | Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2025. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/132451 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:41:44.687Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| publisherStr | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| spelling | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/132451 Exploring Holistic Transformation Theology in the Anglican Church of Uganda: A Case of Three Dioceses Ruhama, Denis Onzima Du Toit, Nadine Francis Bowers Sugden, Chris Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology. Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2025. Ruhama, D. O. 2025. Exploring Holistic Transformation Theology in the Anglican Church of Uganda: A Case of Three Dioceses. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/27c3e1b2-43ab-40a2-9ff4-1b1be607529c This study examines the notion of Holistic Transformation Theology (HTT), as an important theme in congregational ministry praxis. The study explored HTT in the Anglican Church of Uganda; a case of three dioceses. Six (6) congregations from the Diocese of Kampala, West Ankole and the Diocese of Madi West Nile were involved. The main research question was: “In what ways have the three (3) selected dioceses of the Church of Uganda adopted the HTT in their ministry? Holistic Transformation Theology has developed as a notion within evangelicalism over the last 5 decades with its deeper roots extending to the Lausanne Congress of 1974. The defining concept of HTT is attributed to transformation as echoed at the Church in Response to Human Need in 1983. As a Christian framework, HTT upholds human transformation without separating the human and spiritual needs of the community. In practice, HTT underscores evangelism, responding to immediate human needs and nurturing the sociopolitical transformation of society. In this study, it is argued that HTT has eschatology, soteriology, ecclesiology, anthropology and sociopolitical dimensions. The study argues that Anglican social thought in some ways contributes to the praxis of HTT in the Anglican Communion. The Clapham sect and the Church Missionary Society play a vital role in promoting education, health and industry in the Global South. On the other hand, the work of modern Evangelical Anglicans such as John Stott, Vinay Samuel and Chris Sugden transverse evangelicalism with Anglican Social Thought to bring about the notion of holistic transformation as understood today. The study further forges a dialogue between secular development theories (Modernisation and Dependency) and pragmatic approaches (Sustainable Development Goals, Gender and Development and Asset Based Community Development). The study is in Practical Theology and employs Cowan’s LIM of the practice-theory-practice model as its guiding model. A qualitative research design was adopted for the study, particularly a case study with multi-case particularity. The participants for the study were selected using nonprobabilistic sampling - purposive and quota strategies. The participants included policymakers (members of the three diocesan synods), leaders of congregations and members of the lay leadership (parish priest, Lay Readers and wardens). The data was collected through face-to-face interviews, focus group discussions and document reviews. Several findings accrued from the study, namely that poverty is a challenge to all the dioceses whether metropolitan (Kampala), peri-urban (West Ankole) or rural (Diocese of Madi West Nile). The understanding of HTT in the dioceses is that the ministry of the church should cover the spiritual, social and physical needs of the people. Holistic Transformation Theology praxis in a congregation is expected to yield empowered Christians who meet their needs and have good relationships. Although there is a good understanding of HTT, the congregations mainly focus on the spiritual needs of Christians. In addition to the spiritual activities, the congregations have established learning institutions (pre-primary, primary, secondary and tertiary institutions). The socio-political engagement of the congregations was found to be erratic. The congregations occasionally provide school fees, food items, medical bills and support during weddings and funerals. Some congregations also engage in economic empowerment ventures through village saving groups and SACCOs. However, apart from Jubilee SACCO of the West Ankole Diocese, the saving groups in the other dioceses are not under the management of the congregations. The study concluded that the congregations in the Anglican Church of Uganda have adopted a ministry that focuses on the spiritual needs of people with less involvement in social responsibility. This therefore means there is no authentic HTT in their ministry praxis. Consequently, members of the Anglican Church of Uganda flock to other churches to benefit from their social services. The focus on the spiritual aspect of Christian lives in the congregations has not enhanced transformation as supposed. The study, therefore, made recommendations to the Provincial office, dioceses, congregations and theological institutions that conduct ministerial formation. The Directorate of Household and Community Transformation at the Provincial Office needs to design a holistic transformation strategy that would cascade to the whole province. Dioceses and congregations need to demystify human development and see it as a process and not a one-time thing. Human development initiatives should be funded, resourced and owned by congregations and dioceses rather than by others. Lastly, theological institutions should deliberately include social transformation and holistic transformation training in the ministerial formation curriculum. Doctoral 2025-06-09T07:35:15Z 2025-06-09T07:35:15Z 2025-03 Thesis https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/132451 en Stellenbosch University 351 pages application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| spellingShingle | Ruhama, Denis Onzima Exploring Holistic Transformation Theology in the Anglican Church of Uganda: A Case of Three Dioceses |
| title | Exploring Holistic Transformation Theology in the Anglican Church of Uganda: A Case of Three Dioceses |
| title_full | Exploring Holistic Transformation Theology in the Anglican Church of Uganda: A Case of Three Dioceses |
| title_fullStr | Exploring Holistic Transformation Theology in the Anglican Church of Uganda: A Case of Three Dioceses |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring Holistic Transformation Theology in the Anglican Church of Uganda: A Case of Three Dioceses |
| title_short | Exploring Holistic Transformation Theology in the Anglican Church of Uganda: A Case of Three Dioceses |
| title_sort | exploring holistic transformation theology in the anglican church of uganda a case of three dioceses |
| url | https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/132451 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT ruhamadenisonzima exploringholistictransformationtheologyintheanglicanchurchofugandaacaseofthreedioceses |