Die Barmhartigheidsbediening van die NG Kerk van Natal - afhanklik en eksklusief?

Abstract

The ministry of compassion of the Dutch Reformed Church in Natal - dependent and exclusive?This study highlights two major concerns in the history of the Dutch Reformed Church of Natal�s ministry of compassion. The church�s work became financially too dependent on government subsidies. The work originally started off with church finances, but was later financed by government. In principle there is nothing wrong with such a partnership, but the present financial dependency will have to make room for an independent ministry of compassion. The church�s ministry of compassion was also mainly focussed on the Afrikaner nation. In this the church supported the apartheid system of the day and started the perception that services of compassion are for the White community while missionary work is focussed on the Black communities. What history teaches us in this field of compassion and caring can help to rectify the ministry of compassion of the Dutch Reformed Church in KwaZulu/Natal and help the church to avoid the same mistakes in future