Department of Human Sciences
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Browsing Department of Human Sciences by Author "Mudau, N."
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Item Embargo Digital Pastoral Care: Theological Foundations and Practical Challenges of Providing Spiritual Support in Virtual Environments(2026-05-19) Rambuda, Mashila; Khosa, H. P.; Mudau, N.This study explores the evolution of pastoral care in the digital era, analysing how Christian communities in South Africa's Vhembe District have employed digital platforms, such as WhatsApp, Zoom, and livestreaming, to provide spiritual assistance. The study rigorously examines the theological ramifications of virtual ministry, probing whether digitally-facilitated pastoral care can preserve theological integrity and relational profundity, without physical presence. This study, rooted in qualitative methodology, utilises detailed narratives from pastors, carers, and congregants to examine their experiences with digital pastoral practice. The study focuses on essential theological principles, specifically, the theology of presence and incarnation, while tackling practical issues associated with digital ministry, such as digital fatigue, privacy concerns, and cultural opposition to the technological mediation of spiritual care. The study employs thematic analysis of participant narratives and digital artefacts, adhering to stringent ethical standards and exhibiting cultural sensitivity throughout the research process. The findings elucidate the opportunities and difficulties arising from the intersection of traditional pastoral care and digital transformation, providing nuanced insights into the capacity of virtual platforms to function as valid, yet unique arenas for spiritual care and community development.Item Embargo Virtual Worship in the Full Gospel Church: Examining the Impact of COVID-19 on Sunday Services in the Thohoyandou District(2026-05-19) Mulaudzi, Nkhuliseni Cedrick; Muthivhi, M. E.; Mudau, N.The COVID-19 pandemic introduced profound disruptions to religious practices globally, including within Pentecostal communities. This study will investigate the specific challenges faced by the Full Gospel Church (FGC) in the Thohoyandou District, where Sunday worship shifted from traditional, in-person gatherings to virtual services during the pandemic. The problem to be addressed in this research is the significant impact that this sudden shift has on the church's worship experience, congregational participation, spiritual engagement, and community cohesion. Many congregants, especially those in rural areas with limited technological access, struggled with this transition, raising concerns about inclusivity, spiritual fulfilment, and the long-term sustainability of virtual worship. It explores how popular social networks and digital tools were used to keep the community spirit of the church alive, including spiritual bonds, during the pandemic. This study is important in adding to the literature-in-motion on how COVID-19 has influenced religious life and practice, especially in Pentecostal rural contexts. Such findings would be informative for church leaders and religious communities in terms of virtual worship integration into practice, even beyond times of crisis. This study pursues the dynamics of spiritual expression, communal engagement, and how worship in the digital practice is sustained through qualitative means. The study will be a qualitative approach. Semi-structured interviews with church leaders and congregants will be carried out first to gain insight into experiences and perceptions of virtual worship. The study gives practical recommendations that might be helpful for other religious groups at similar junctures of change in their virtual worship experiences. Thus, this will place the study in the position of hopefully indicating the potentiality of digital platforms for maintaining spiritual communities in the face of unexpected challenges and ensuring continuity in worship.