Die bediening van die wil van God aan gelowiges in nood

Abstract

In this article excgetical, pastoral and practical perspectives are given on the church 's ministry to people in distress. The goal of the church's ministry is not to explain the will of god rationally: the church should assist the believer in distress to enter into a personal relationship with God. The pastor should have a true relationship with God and a sincere relationship should exist between pastor and church member. With these relationships as a basis, the believer can be led to accept the will of God in his her life as a loving, caring will. In practice, the ministry of the church should comprise five aspects: christological communication, father-centred integration, pneumatological assistance, eschatological vision and personal growth.