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Missional worship and social capital formation amid the challenges and opportunities afforded by the Fourth Industrial Revolution : a practical-theological study in the Dutch Reformed Church
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_ | 1867613998702133248 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | La Grange, Marco |
| author2 | Wepener, Cas |
| author_browse | La Grange, Marco Wepener, Cas |
| author_facet | Wepener, Cas La Grange, Marco |
| author_sort | La Grange, Marco |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | Stellenbosch University |
| description | Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2025. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/134666 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:45:01.662Z |
| 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:10019.1/134666 Missional worship and social capital formation amid the challenges and opportunities afforded by the Fourth Industrial Revolution : a practical-theological study in the Dutch Reformed Church La Grange, Marco Wepener, Cas Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology & Missiology. Missional church movement Worship -- Christianity Public worship -- Christianity Technological innovations -- Religious aspects -- Christianity Information technology -- Religious aspects Practical theology UCTD Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2025. La Grange, M. 2025. Missional worship and social capital formation amid the challenges and opportunities afforded by the Fourth Industrial Revolution: A practical-theological study in the Dutch Reformed Church. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/aad0e015-0138-4c3e-8275-e6debac3e88a ENGLISH SUMMARY: The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is characterised by rapid technological change and digital transformation, presenting both challenges and opportunities for faith communities seeking to remain relevant in a rapidly evolving world. This dissertation explores the interplay between missional worship and social capital formation in the context of the 4IR, arguing that connections at bonding, bridging, and linking levels are critical for worship practices and the missio Dei amid technological change. Drawing on insights from fields such as liturgy, missiology, worship, social capital, and the 4IR, the research addresses the central question: what are the challenges and opportunities for missional worship and social capital afforded by the 4IR? Given the scale of these developments, online worship services were examined through a qualitative case study involving three similar Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) congregations in Pretoria-East. Data from participatory observations of both in-person and online worship services, focus group discussions with congregants, and personal interviews with pastors generated twelve main themes, highlighting the need for social interaction, embodiment, and engagement in liturgy. Findings revealed emerging models of digital missional worship that foster inclusivity, yet may also risk disengagement or isolation. This research contributes to the field of Practical Theology by proposing a praxis theory for the implementation of new technologies in the church, impacting both the way people connect and worship. To remain relevant, congregations must intentionally invest in relational networks for both in-person and online worship. Insights into the importance of relationships and networks may also prove applicable to other technologies afforded by the 4IR, which can be explored through similar research methodologies and praxis theory. Doctoral 2025-12-22T12:54:12Z 2025-12-22T12:54:12Z 2025-12 Thesis https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/134666 en Stellenbosch University xii, 327 pages : illustrations, includes annexures application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| spellingShingle | Missional church movement Worship -- Christianity Public worship -- Christianity Technological innovations -- Religious aspects -- Christianity Information technology -- Religious aspects Practical theology UCTD La Grange, Marco Missional worship and social capital formation amid the challenges and opportunities afforded by the Fourth Industrial Revolution : a practical-theological study in the Dutch Reformed Church |
| title | Missional worship and social capital formation amid the challenges and opportunities afforded by the Fourth Industrial Revolution : a practical-theological study in the Dutch Reformed Church |
| title_full | Missional worship and social capital formation amid the challenges and opportunities afforded by the Fourth Industrial Revolution : a practical-theological study in the Dutch Reformed Church |
| title_fullStr | Missional worship and social capital formation amid the challenges and opportunities afforded by the Fourth Industrial Revolution : a practical-theological study in the Dutch Reformed Church |
| title_full_unstemmed | Missional worship and social capital formation amid the challenges and opportunities afforded by the Fourth Industrial Revolution : a practical-theological study in the Dutch Reformed Church |
| title_short | Missional worship and social capital formation amid the challenges and opportunities afforded by the Fourth Industrial Revolution : a practical-theological study in the Dutch Reformed Church |
| title_sort | missional worship and social capital formation amid the challenges and opportunities afforded by the fourth industrial revolution a practical theological study in the dutch reformed church |
| topic | Missional church movement Worship -- Christianity Public worship -- Christianity Technological innovations -- Religious aspects -- Christianity Information technology -- Religious aspects Practical theology UCTD |
| url | https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/134666 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT lagrangemarco missionalworshipandsocialcapitalformationamidthechallengesandopportunitiesaffordedbythefourthindustrialrevolutionapracticaltheologicalstudyinthedutchreformedchurch |