Abstracts Category : Other

The BelharConfession and liturgy : a hymnological study

by Mokete Mofokeng

Much study regarding the Belhar Confession has beenconducted already such as: The Belhar Confession in its historicalcontext Plaatjies-van Huffel (2014), Chronicle of ConferenceBarman/ Belhar Consultation 18 and 19 October 2004 Hansen (2005),A gift from heaven-the receptions in the Belhar Confession in theperiod 1982-2000 and its ecumenical significance today Naud(2003) and On violence, the Belhar Confession and human dignityKoopman (2008) to mention but a few. From preliminary observationsand some initial research, it seems that there is still a need todo an indepth study on the liturgical function of the BelharConfession in Music. The working hypothesis of this study is ifthe Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa URCSA uses Belharmore in the liturgy, especially in singing it will have an impacton the congregations and members. In other words the workinghypothesis is that there is a link between liturgy, herespecifically hymn singing, and the formation of worshippers. IfURCSA is expecting others to adopt this confession it is itsresponsibility to embrace it during worship in church and to therest of the society outside church vicinities. The literaturesurvey that will be carried out later in this study confirms thisstate of affairs and that there is thus indeed a huge research gapin this regard. The researcher did a literature study, conductedsemi-structured group interviews, as well as the some empiricalresearch in order to explore the basic researchquestion.Advisors/Committee Members: Wepener, Cas (advisor).