JAN-ALBERT VAN DEN BERG - University of the Free State

JAN ALBERT VAN DEN BERG
POSTAL ADDRESS: P O Box 100985
BRANDHOF
SOUTH AFRICA
9324
TELEPHONE NUMBER: 051 401 9066
083 297 2619
FAX NUMBER 051 401 3508
E-MAIL
vdbergja@ufs.ac.za
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
SCHOOLS ATTENDED
Volkshoop Primary School (1977-1983).
Afrikaanse Hoër Seunsskool, Pretoria (1984-1988).
TERTIARY EDUCATION
UNIVERSITIES ATTENDED
University of Pretoria (1989-1998); UNISA (2000-2003); University of
Stellenbosch (2008-2010); University of Queensland (2011-Current)
DEGREES OBTAINED
BA Theology (With distinction) – 1991.
BD Theology (With distinction) – 1994.
M Div (Pastoral Family Therapy) (With distinction) – 1996.
PhD (Pastoral Family Therapy) – I obtained the degree with a thesis under
the title: Metaphoric Pastoral Family Therapy - 1999. I focused, in part, on
the use of metaphors within pastoral narrative family therapy. Narrative
therapy is, inter alia, a direct consequence of eco-systemic thought and
functions on a Second and Third Order Cybernetic level.
BA Honours Degree (Psychology) (UNISA) – 2003.
Completed a number of modules in 2003 in Industrial Psychology for nondegree
purposes (UNISA) as well as a module in Community Service
Learning in 2005 as part of Higher Education Studies (UFS).
Completed an Executive Certificate in Positive Psychology Coaching-
University of Technology, Sydney, Australia.
M Phil Futures Studies (With distinction) (Faculty of Economic and
Business Sciences of the University of Stellenbosch)-2010.

I’m currently enrolled for a second Ph D-degree in the School of History,
Philosophy, Religion and Classics, University of Queensland, Brisbane,
Australia. My promoter is Prof Neil Pembroke.
PROFESSIONAL HISTORY
Inducted as clergyman in the Dutch Reformed Congregation, Derdepoort,
on 25 February 1995.
Inducted in the Dutch Reformed Congregation, Humansdorp, after
acceptance of a call. In both these congregations I was responsible for the
full spectrum of pastoral duties in terms of Section 9 of the Church
Ordinance.
Have been running a part-time private pastoral-therapeutic practice with
the consent of the Church Council of the Dutch Reformed Congregation,
Humansdorp. In this practice clients have been recommended to me by,
inter alia, medical practitioners throughout the Kouga area (Humansdorp,
Jeffreysbaai, Hankey, Patensie and Joubertina). As further pursuance of
the congregation’s work, as well as in this practice, I am presenting a
number of marriage enrichment courses and running several parental
guidance groups.
From 1 July 2003 I was appointed as Senior Lecturer, Department of
Practical Theology, Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State. In
this capacity I’m responsible for the Pastoral Therapy Program that is
presented on Masters- and Doctoral level. Promoted to Associate
Professor in December 2007. From the middle of 2008 until the end of
2009 I was also the acting Head of the Department of Practical Theology.
PUBLICATIONS
ARTICLES
Van den Berg, J.A. 2004. A chapter in the (auto)biography of the minister
(pastor). Acta Theologica Supplementum 6: 183-206.
Van den Berg, J.A. & Pienaar, S. 2005. HIV/AIDS, Violence and Children:
A Bottom-Up Practical Theology from Atteridgeville and Katlehong, South
Africa. Practical Theology in South Africa. 20(1): 99-118.
Steyn, J. & Van den Berg, J.A. 2005. A Pastoral Narrative Group
Developmental Model for Volunteers of the Cancer Association Acta
Theologica. 25(2): 120-140.
Steyn, J. & Van den Berg, J.A. 2005. Identifying life-coping skills for cancer
patients by means of a pastoral narrative method. In die Skriflig. 39(4):
733-751.
Van den Berg, J.A. 2006. A change of tongue... The articulation
(picturing) of pastoral theological perspectives. Practical Theology in South
Africa. 21(2):164-181.
Van den Berg, J.A. & Smit, A. 2006. A Travel Journal of Pastoral
Involvement in a South African Multi-Faith Community. Hervormde
Teologiese Studies. 62(3). 1081-1093.
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Van den Berg, J.A. & Van den Berg, J. & Nichol, R. & De Klerk, B. 2006. A
Discourse Analytical View of Two South African Case Studies on the
Effects of HIV/AIDS in Marriage. Verbum et Ecclesia. 27(2):692-708.
Van den Berg, J.A. 2006. Service Learning in Theological Education.
Nederduitse Gereformeerde Teologiese Tydskrif. 47(3-4):697-707.
Van den Berg, J.A. & Pudule, I. 2007. Patriarchal discourses and marriage
conflict: fragments of an african narrative pastoral involvement. Practical
Theology in South Africa.22(1):168-184.
Van den Berg, J.A. & Van den Berg, J. 2007. Mental and Spiritual Health:
Crossroads between Brain and Soul. Practical Theology in South
Africa.22(2);192-208.
Fourie, M. & Van den Berg, J.A. 2007. The development of pastoral
narrative mentorship principles as effective learning approach. Acta
Theologica. 27(2):92-104.
De Beer, B.J.M. & Van den Berg, J.A. 2007. The support of the occultrehabilitated:
A pastoral-theological model for the equipment of facilitators.
Acta Theologica. 27(2):23-43.
Van den Berg, J.A. 2007. An Embodied Soul: Perspectives for a Pastoral
Anthropology. Ned Geref Teologiese Tydskrif. 48(3-4):649-658.
De Wet, R. & Van den Berg, J.A. 2008. Images of a pastorate of narrative
engagement in the Gospel of Luke with special reference to the story of
Zacchaeus. In die Skriflig. 42(1):145-158.
Van den Berg, J.A. 2008. An embodied spirituality: Perspectives for a
bodily pastoral anthropology. Acta Theologica. 28(2):118-132.
Kuyler, D.A. & Van den Berg, J.A. 2008. “Interacting with the river of
violence”. Violence in a maximum security correctional centre in South
Africa. Nederduitse Gereformeerde Teologiese Tydskrif.
De Beer, A. & Van den Berg, J.A. 2008. “Closure” after the loss of a child:
A narrative pastoral study of a mother(s) experience(s). Practical Theology
in South Africa. 23(2):44-61.
Van den Berg, J.A. & Pudule, J. 2009. Negotiating the meaning of film for
inter-cultural pastoral work. Tsotsi and the cry for humanity. Ned Geref
Teologiese Tydskrif. 50(3-4):511-518.
Van den Berg, J.A. & Van den Berg, J. 2009. Mental and Spiritual Health:
Pathways between brain and soul. Caring for the Soul and Life. Essays in
honour of Daniël Louw. Edited by C. Hugo. Pretoria: UNISA. 33-48.
Van den Berg, J.A. 2009. The gospel according to Bono and U2
Worship in the new millennium. In: A faithful witness. Essays in honour of
Malan Nel. Edited by H Pieterse and C. Thesnaar. Wellington: Bible
Media. 197-208.
Van den Berg, J.A. 2009. An embodied soul: Perspectives for a pastoral
anthropology. Treasure in earthen vessels. Intercultural perspectives on
pastoral care facing fragility and destruction. Edited by K. Temme and H
Weiss. Münster: Lit Verlag.147-159.
Van den Berg, J.A. 2010. A preliminary research agenda for the spiritual
recapitalisation of the workplace. A practical theological re-construction.
Acta Theologia. 30(2): 171-191.
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Schoeman, K. & Van den Berg, J.A. 2011. An appreciation for the positive!
Appreciative engagement as congregational- and pastoral lens.
Hervormde Theological Studies: 76(2):
Art. #887, 7 pages.DOI:10.4102/hts.v67i2.887
De Beer, A. & Van den Berg, J.A. 2011. A discourse on eschatology and
promissiotherapy with women after the loss of a husband. In die Skriflig.
45(1):141-159.
Van den Berg, J.A. 2011. Locus theologicus as next-generation
architecture – Annotations to the design of a biographical theologia
habitus in the future workplace. Ned Geref Teologiese Tydskrif. 52 (3-4):
553-564.
Van den Berg, J-A., 2012, ‘Theoretical signposts for tracing spirituality
within the fluid decision-making of a mobile virtual reality’, HTS Teologiese
Studies/Theological Studies 68(2), Art. #1290, 6 pages.
http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/hts.v68i2.1290
De Beer, A., Van den Berg, J.A., 2012, ‘Women’s experience of loneliness
after the loss of a spouse: A description of a narrative pastoral
engagement’ Koers – Bulletin vir Christelike Wetenskap 77(2), Art. #408, 9
pages. http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/koers.v77i2.408
Van den Berg, J.A. 2012. An anthropology of singularity Pastoral
perspectives for an embodied spirituality in the annus virtualis and beyond.
In: Social Sciences and Cultural Studies. Issues of Language, Public
opinion, Education and Welfare. Edited by Asunción López-Varela. Rijeka:
InTech Publishers. 429-440.
Schoeman, K., Laubscher, M., Pali, J., Van den Berg, J.A. 2012. Practical
theology at a public university. The road travelled and the road ahead at
the University of the Free State. In: Transforming theological knowledge.
Essays on theology and the university after apartheid. Edited by Rian
Venter and Francois Tolmie. Bloemfontein: SUN Media: 127-143.
Fourie, M.C. & Van den Berg, J.A., 2013, ‘Middelloopbaanontwikkeling
deur spirituele lewenstylafrigting: Verkennende teoretiese perspektiewe’,
HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies 69(2), Art. #1246, 9 pages.
http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/hts.v69i2.1246
Botha, C. & Van den Berg, J.A., 2013, ‘Living out a calling to teach: A
practical theological engagement’, Verbum et Ecclesia 34(1), Art. #790, 8
pages. http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/ve.v34i1.790
BOOKS
Van den Berg, J.A. 2010. An (auto)biographical theologia habitus -
Futures perspectives for the workplace. Acta Theologia 30
(Supplementum 13).
CONFERENCES-PRESENTATIONS
September 2004 - “Society for Interculture Pastoral Care and Counselling”
in Kecskemét, Hungary. Title: “Hiv/Aids, Children and Violence - A
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Ground-Up Practical Theology from Atteridgeville and Katlehong, South
Africa”.
September 2004 – Workshop at the at the “Society for Interculture
Pastoral Care and Counselling”, Kecskemét, Hungary. Title: “Interacting
With The River of Violence-Violence in a Maximum Security Prison in
South Africa”.
March 2005 - Community Service-learning Conference, University of
Johannesburg, South Africa. Title: “Service-Learning and a doing
theology: Perspectives on participation in a maximum security prison in
South Africa.”
April 2005 - International Conference Marriage, Divorce Remarriage,
Leuven, Belgium: Title: A Discourse Analytical View of Two South African
Case Studies on the Effects of HIV/AIDS in Marriage.
October 2005 -“Society fo Interculture Pastoral Care and Counselling”,
Düsseldorf, Germany. Title: A Travel Journal of Pastoral Involvement in a
South African Multi-faith Community.
January 2007 – Society for Practical Theology in South Africa, Wellington,
South Africa. Title: “Mental and Spiritual Health: Crossroads between
Brain and Soul.”
August 2007 - International Council for Pastoral Care and Counselling
Krzyzowa, Poland. Title: “An Embodied Soul: Crossroads between Body
and Soul. Towards an Enriched Pastoral Anthropology.”
September 2007 – American Association for Pastoral Care and
Counselling, Nashville, Tennessee Title: “Mental and Spiritual Health:
Pathways between Brain and Soul”.
September 2008 -“Society fo Interculture Pastoral Care and Counselling”,
Bratislava, Slowakye. Title: “Tsotsi” and the cry for humanity:
Negotiating the meaning of film for intercultural
pastoral work.”
January 2010 - Society for Practical Theology in South Africa, Pretoria,
South Africa. Title: An appreciation for the positive! Appreciative
engagement as congregational- and pastoral lens (Presentation with Prof
Kobus Schoeman).
July 2011 – International Academy of Practical Theology, Amsterdam, The
Netherlands. Title: Locus theologicus as next-generation architecture –
Annotations to the design of a biographical theologia habitus in the future
workplace.
June 2012 - Second Joint Conference of Academic Societies in the Field
of Religion and Theology, held at the University of KwaZulu- Natal,
Pietermaritzburg Campus, South Africa. Title: Theoretical signposts for
tracing spirituality within the fluid decision-making of a mobile virtual
reality.
January 2013 - Society for Practical Theology in South Africa,
Potchefstroom, South Africa. Title: A Mobinomic-world Profiles of
spirituality, ethical decision making and service delivery in a mobile
internet-economy.
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April 2013 - International Academy of Practical Theology, Toronto,
Canada. Title: Faster decision-making habits in a mobinomic world: A
practical theological tracing of spirituality.
August 2013 - Symposium on poverty, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
Title: Fast, faster, poorest decisions A practical theological exploration of
the role of a speedy mobinomic world in decision-making.
January 2014 - Society for Practical Theology in South Africa, Pretoria,
South Africa. Title: Tweeting #humanwaste: A practical theological tracing
of #humanwaste as a trend on Twitter.
DOCTORAL STUDENTS SUPERVISED – COMPLETED THESES
Jerry Fourie - Public Pastoral Care to persons infected with and affected by
HIV and/or AIDS within the Brown community of Oudtshoorn (2009).
Annamarie de Beer - Promissiotherapy with women after the loss of a
husband: A pastoral narrative study (2010).
Roelf de Wet - Pastoral therapy to the person older than eighty years
(2010).
Madelein Fourie - Middle career development through spiritual lifestyle
Coaching (2011).
Leon Foot – Living beyond apartheid: narratives of church members from
a longitudinal (2013).
Hester Fourie - A narrative pastoral involvement with adolescent girls
who experienced sexual abuse (2013).
Carolina Botha - High school teachers as agents of hope: a practical
theological engagement (2013).
Pieter Roos - A public pastoral care home-based programme supporting
orphans infected and/or affected by HIV/AIDS in the SANDF: a practical
theological engagement (2013).
ORGANIZING CONFERENCES/SEMINARS
In my capacity as Senior Lecturer I was responsible for organizing the following
workshops for students and the public at the University of the Free State:
Imaginative Pastoral Counselling by Prof JC Müller and L Human (Pretoria)
August 2004.
Caring for the Caregiver by Dr G Roux (Cape Town); August 2004.
Mechanics of the Soul by Prof DJ Louw (Stellenbosch); October 2006.
Theology and Sexuality by Prof RR Ganzevoort (Netherlands); July 2007.
Reconciliation and Theology by Dr CH Thesnaar (Stellenbosch), May 2011.
Trauma and Theology by Prof RR Ganzevoort (Netherlands); August 2011.
Theology and popular culture by Prof RR Ganzevoort (Netherlands); August
2013.
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PUBLIC APPEARANCES
Leading Sermons and Workshops in some 80 plus congregations of the
Dutch Reformed Church and other denominations/organizations
nationwide from 2003-2007.
Various Radio-interviews on RSG and Radio Rosestad.
EXTERN EVALUATION AND REVIEWING
Responsible for extern evaluation of Master Dissertations and Doctoral
theses for the Universities of South Africa (UNISA), Pretoria, Northwest
and Stellenbosch.
Acted as external reviewer for the Masters program in Futures studies,
Business School, University of Stellenbosch (2012-2013).
Reviewing of scientific articles for the following journals: Acta Theologica; In
die Skriflig; Praktiese Teologie in Suid-Afrika; Verbum et Ecclesia;
Nederduitse Gereformeerde Teologiese Tydskrif; Tydskrif vir Christelike
Wetenskap.
EDITORIAL COMMITTEES
Member Editorial Committee - Practical Theology in South Africa.
Member Editorial Committee – Ned Geref Teologiese Tydskrif.
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