The Congregational Life Survey in the Dutch Reformed Church: Identifying strong and weak connections

Abstract

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: For the first time in a South African church, a Church Life Survey was done. A pilot study was done in the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) during August 2006. The aim of this empirical description is to identify the strengths and stronger connections of DRC congregations and help congregations identify their own religious role and identity. This will help congregations positioning themselves within the DRC and the wider context of other Church Life Surveys.**********AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die “Church Life Survey” (CLS) is vir die eerste maal in ʼn Suid-Afrikaanse kerk gedoen. Dit is gedurende Augustus 2006 as ʼn loodsstudie gedoen in die NG Kerk. Die doel van die empiriese, beskrywende ondersoek was om sterkpunte en sterkter konneksies in gemeentes van die NG Kerk te identifiseer. Dit behoort gemeentes te help om oor hulle rol en identiteit na te dink. Die CLS maak dit ook moontlik om dit in ʼn breër konteks te plaas en met ander soortgelyke studies te vergelyk.