Die toerustingstaak van die Gereformeerde predikant: ’n praktiese bedieningsmodel
The mininstry of the minister in the Reformed churches in South Africa is strongly influenced by the insitutional model of the Church. The result of this pattern of ministry is that ministry in general is solely dependent on the work of the particular offices of minister. elder and deacon. The community of the saints and the general priesthood of the believers are thus neglected. This article explores ways in which the equipping task of the minister can be effectively rearranged in order to enhance the upbuilding of the church. In conclusion, it is stated that the Reformed minister can equip the believers by simultaneously using two patterns of ministry. On the one hand, the believers can he equipped by way of the ministry of the Word and Sacraments in the worship service and by the ministry of the Word in catechetical instruction and parish visiting. On the other hand, the Reformed minister can equip believers by enabling people with the gift of leadership to lead small groups in the congregation, with the ultimate aim of building up the community of the saints and the general priesthood of the believers.
Die GKSA en sy gereformeerde identiteit: Kan dit behou word in ’n postmoderne gemeenskap?
The RCSA and its reformed identity: Can it be maintained in a postmodern community? This article focuses on the nature of reformed identity within the Reformed Churches in South Africa (RCSA). The central theoretical argument which is to be answered in this article, is how the reformed identity of the RCSA can be preserved in a time when there is little appreciation for absolute values; a time, as a matter of fact, where relativism sets the fashion? How should the RCSA accommodate the paradigm shift from modernism to postmodernism in the process of preserving their reformed identity? Answers to these questions depend on the RCSA’s experience of the paradigm shift in a changed society and their reaction towards this paradigm shift.
Applications of nanocomposite hydrogels for biomedical engineering and environmental protection
Nanocomposite hydrogels are polymeric networks that possess a unique property of hydration. The presence of alcohols, carboxylic acids and amides as hydrophilic moieties in structure of nanocomposite hydrogels enhances their stiffness and water-absorbing capacity. Addition of cross-linker in the synthesis of hydrogels increases their stability under extreme conditions of temperature, pH and pressure. Natural polymer-based nanocomposite hydrogels are biodegradable, highly hydrophilic and possess good mechanical strength. Gelatin, chitin, cellulose, pectin, carrageenan, starch and alginate are natural polymers commonly used to fabricate nanocomposite hydrogels. Nanocomposite hydrogels have special characteristics such as high swelling rate, selectivity and stimuli-sensitive nature. Here we review nanocomposite hydrogels for environmental protection and biomedical engineering. Applications in biomedical engineering include drug delivery agents, wound dressing, tissue engineering and antibacterials. Applications in environmental protection include ion exchangers, adsorption, photocatalysis and soil conditioning. Many nanocomposite hydrogels show excellent adsorption selectivity for heavy metal ions: Cu2+ up to 30.35 mg/g, Pb2+ up to 35.94 mg/g, and Zn2+ and Fe3+ up to 94.34 mg/g. Xanthan gum-based nanocomposite hydrogel has removed 96% dye from industrial effluent as reported. In addition, most of the nanocomposite hydrogels showed better adsorption capacity for pollutants in the pH range from 5 to 7. The nanocomposite hydrogels could also be regenerated and successfully utilized for several times. Nanocomposite hydrogels are therefore good bio-absorbent materials for environmental detoxification.