Kyomo, A. A., & Selvam, S.G. (2004). Marriage and Family in African Christianity. Nairobi: Acton Press.
Christian Families in Africa are in a phase of crisis. The crisis is about how to face change. Christian missionary activities, colonialism, westernization, urbanization, and a score of other contemporary phenomena have taken the African families to a plateau of change. The question is, will African families succumb to changes or emerge with an alternative stronger family structure?
Every crisis is a challenge and an opportunity. This one sure is. It is a challenge because the old models are not feasible in the changing social environment. The pangs of this new birth seem to bring a lot of anxiety. It is an opportunity because something more beautiful may eventually emerge. Our own reflections, discussions, assessments are very vital to contribute to the reconstruction of African Families.
The Tanzanian […]
Author: selvam
Simama Imara
Simama Imara (Youth Workers’ Manual in Swahili), ISBN: 9966-21-813-0; Nairobi: PaulinesAfrica, 2002.
This Youth Workers’ Manual in Swahili has 40 ready to use sessions on various topics suitable for young people in the Swahili speaking context. This book is now out of print.
Contact dbyes<at>donbosco.or.tz for Chuo Cha Maisha – the Swahili version of Scaffoldings. This has now replaced Simara Imara
Fest der Heiligsten Dreifaltigkeit – Lesejahr A
Wie wirklich ist dein Gott?
Fest der Heiligsten Dreifaltigkeit – Lesejahr A
Während einer Schulung in Spiritueller Begleitung, an der ich teilnahm, fragte die Leiterin bei der Supervision – wir befanden uns an einem entscheidenden Punkt unserer Sitzung, und es machte ihr offenbar Spaß, dieses zu fragen: „Wie ist dein Gott eigentlich?“ Und sie erweiterte ihre Frage noch – es war ihr offensichtlich ein Anliegen, dass ich mich um eine tief gehende Antwort bemühte: „Wie fühlt sich Gott für dich an? Wie riecht er? Wie schmeckt er? Wie sieht er aus? Wie klingt er für dich?“
Anfangs schienen mir diese Fragen dumm und sinnlos, schwer zu beantworten. Schließlich aber eröffneten sie mir einen vollständig neuen Weg, Gott zu erfahren. Ich tue das gleiche jetzt auch mit Menschen, die zu mir wegen einer Spirituellen Begleitung kommen. Und ich sehe, wie sich in ihnen ein Prozess ereignet, der sie aus völliger Ratlosigkeit zu einer Form […]
3 ways to suggest discipline among young people (also in school contexts)
1. Use Reason
Believe that they are basically good.
Appeal to their reason.
Make reasonable rules and sanctions, explain them to the youth. Say why it is good for them to follow these rules.
Use: ‘Word in the ear’ – meet individual youth briefly informally and suggest to them very calmly the behaviour you expect from them.
Deal with individual misbehaviour individually; and not punish the whole group.
If you believe that people can reason out just as you do, then there is no need to offer corporal punishment.
2. Use Religion
Realise that human beings are also spiritual.
Appeal to their faith and conscience.
Accompany them towards a higher sense of purpose in their life, and motivate them to dream big.
Help them bring their faith to life – this is spirituality.
3. Use Loving Kindness
Realise that we all want to love and be loved.
Appeal to the heart of young people.
Begin on a note of deep compassion towards people under your […]
Power is nothing without control
(A reflection shared at the Youth Vigil on the Feast of Pentecost 11-12 June 2011. This reflection was delivered from 11.30 pm to 1am. Since Powerpoint was used to illustrate the thoughts, the following notes might seem very sketchy.)
The key text that you have chosen for the Pentecost Vigil this year is:
God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but the Spirit of power and love and self-control (2Tim 1:7).
When I looked up at this theme, I remembered a billboard that I had seen years ago at Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. It was an ad for Pirelli tyres. It had the caption: “Power is nothing without control.” Therefore, I would like to reflect together with you tonight on the meaning of Power and Control.
Let me start with an analogy to clarify what I mean: just imagine that you have this beautiful car with six cylinder engine; it has a […]