Back from Synod and Alpha camp

This past few days was hectic, what with Synod being from Thursday to Saturday lunchtime, and then on to the Alpha camp from Saturday afternoon to today. I'm tired, cold, smelling of braai smoke, but generally feeling quite good about life at the moment, because of the following things that have happened these past few days:

1. A Synod resolution dealing with the Supernumerary Fund and proposals for the use / establishment of other finds within the MCSA that I spent a fair amount of time drafting (with the weight of paper nearly breaking my toe when I dropped it!) was accepted virtually verbatim by the Synod, with one or two minor tweaks. It's good to know that despite having moved on from the accountancy profession into ministry, I am still able to disect a set of financial statements. Accounts tend to be like bikinis, in that what they reveal is interesting but what they conceal can drive you insane!

2. Having expressed my anxiety concerning next year, what with the uncertainty around College, wanting to relocate my family, etc. on the floor of Synod, I'm glad that the Bishop has undertaken to address the matter personally before he attends an EMMU meeting in July. There were no concrete answers emanating from Synod, but realistically I couldn't have expected more. I'm however grateful to Bishop Musi Losaba for showing concern and understanding.

3. I met some AMAZING people at Synod - the van der Laars, John Gillmer, Brian Jennings, Peter Woods, and many more - you all spoke such wisdom into my life. Thanks too to John and Debbie van der Laar for allowing me to be part of worship - it was a truly uplifting experience. In fact, this is what makes Synod actually worthwhile.

4. I turned 40 (on Thursday the 28th), and Debbie van der Laar said I looked 35! I KNEW there was something I liked about that lady!

5. I went from Synod straight to our Alpha camp, where I had the privilege of praying for people and seeing the Holy Spirit move in their lives in a mighty and incrediible way. Lives were definitely changed this weekend!

And so, despite the many difficulties and challenges, I truly believe that the call to ministry is stronger than ever. I just cannot imagine doing anything else with my life, and I pray that I can remain God's humble servant. I still find it astounding that God would choose a broken, impervect vessel such as me to carry out this awesome responsibility - I guess that it really IS true that God uses the foolish to confound the wise!

God is good! All the time!

Day off

After an absolutely miserable weekend weather-wise, today has arrived with brilliant blue skies, no "W-word" (old cycling superstition whereby we don't mention that stuff that blows you off your bike), and not too cold, either.

And that's not all - there's more! Unlike in my secular job, where one normally spends beautiful Mondays driving to work, being in the ministry means that Monday is my day off!

God is SO good!

Feeling encouraged

"... But first be concerned about God's kingdom and his righteousness, and all of these things will be provided for you as well" (Matthew 6: 33).

"Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house..." (Malachi 3: 10)

Two of the Societies that I am responsible for have been experiencing severe financial difficulties for some time, and my presence is the result of such Societies no longer being in a financial position to be able to afford an ordained minister.

The departure of their ordained minister last year has caused a degree of trauma; however, they have a history of financial struggle. While poverty does play a role, attitudes towards giving, coupled with cultural practices around giving that are not in line with Scripture, have been largely responsible. A history of conflict has also added to the malaise.

Coming into this situation, I was quite overwhelmed at first - after all, what difference can one make in a year? I therefore took the decision not to try to be a hero, but to reinforce the fact that (a) I am not their "ideal" minister in terms of continuity, since Phase Ones move on after their first year; (b) there is a lingering hurt (and possibly embarrasment as well) concerning the departure of their previous minister, which needs to be recognised; (c) the itinerant nature of ministry within the MCSA means that ministers come and go but the community remains; and (d) God raised up a previous community to establish a work in these areas, and the continued existence of that work is largely in the hands of the present community.

In the first quarter of 2009, I felt that the finances had completely fallen out of bed, particularly since the Circuit has assumed control thereof (which in itself has caused a great deal of unhappiness). But in the last month or two, I have sensed a quiet and gradual change, as though the message of "we must move forward" is finally beginning to hit home.

And so I was extremely encouraged at the vast improvement in the level of giving over the past two weeks. For the first time this year, it looks as though we will not only make our full Circuit assessment for the month, but begin to make inroads into the arrears as well.

It's early days yet, and my Superintendent has warned me that such "spurts" have been experienced before. But with the stewardship campaign only due to get into full swing this coming weekend, the initial signs are very encouraging indeed...

Anger management

I'm not quite sure how to word this post without getting myself into trouble with the "powers that be", but yesterday something happened that made me SO angry I was ready to go and blow up something or punch someone!

Not the sort of healthy emotion one would expect from a minister. And this kind of anger really bothers me - a lot! Especially when I feel this way towards the Church that has provided me with the outlet and space to explore and develop the call that God has placed on my life to full-time ministry.

I would never do anything to malign the institution. At Synod last year, where we were accepted as ministry candidates, we took a vow in the presence of all present not to do so. But I really need to get something off my chest, in the hope that it will (a) bring about healing, and (b) hopefully invite others who have walked this road to provide me with wise counsel.

Allow me to explain.

When I candidated for the ministry, the normal process of probation was that once you were accepted as a probationer, your first year would be spent out in the boondocks somewhere. You would attend lectures two days a week at a Phase One college situated as far away from your home as humanly possible, while those who live within striking range of such Phase One station would in turn be stationed at the Phase One centre that was actually only 15km away from where you lived before the Church decided to send you 1000km away from home.

I understand that the reason for this is to take you out of your "comfort zone" and allow you to experience cross-cultural ministry. Fair enough - in a country that has historically been as fragmented as South Africa (and still is), gaining an understanding of other cultures is important.

Because the first stationing is only for one year, making my son change schools and then change schools again 12 months later seemed to be not such a good idea, especially since (at that stage) I did not know where the Church was planning to send me. This resulted in the heart-wrenching decision to leave my family behind in Johannesburg - a decision made a little easier by the understanding that when one enters the second phase of training - Phase Two - you normally settle down in a Circuit for three years, judging by the experience of Phase Twos that came to my old Circuit. In my mind this meant being reunited with my family from 2010 onwards.

Then came the idea of sending all probationers to the new Seth Mokitimi Methodist Seminary (SMMS), which is being established in Pietermaritzburg. However, at this stage there is no "official" clarity on whether all probationers will go to SMMS or not, and for those who do, whether this will be for one, two, or three years.

This would not be an issue if I was 22 years old, single and carefree (the ideal ministry candidate, if the HR report tabled at last year's Conference is anything to go by. This document is lamenting the fact that the average of candidates is 42). My problem is that I'm actually 40, married, with one wife, one child, one mother, one mother-in-law, one dog, one scooter, three cars, and 20 years' worth of accumulated furniture, garage stuff, and other bits and pieces - all under one roof.

Clearly even the most dyed-in-the-wool free spirit can see that some decisions need to be made here! One doesn't simply sell up and relocate this lot in a matter of days, or even weeks - one needs about six months to be able to make all this work smoothly.

And herein lies the rub - the "powers that be" that are talking to us don't have the information, and those that do aren't talking to us! In fact, I'm beginning to get the distinct impression that since the Phase One is likely to be done away with from next year (i.e. probationers will go straight to SMMS), the Phase One Class of 2009 is like an unwanted orphan, a square peg trying to knock the edges off a round hole.

So what made me so angry yesterday? It was the fact that there are certain requirements that are expected of us - reports to Synod by our Superintendent and Learning Partnerships, for instance. And while I'm not for one second suggesting that we need to be spoonfed - after all, we are supposed to be ministers of the Gospel, and we are supposed to be mature adults - one would think that it's only reasonable that if the "powers" expect something from us, they actually TELL us what that something needs to be, when it must be submitted, and to whom it must be submitted.

What actually happened is that a couple of us had to go scratching around for ourselves, trying to find out what is required. After all, there's a whole truck-load of reports that had to be handed in by last year's Phase Ones - the worst thing that could happen is when we get to Synod and are asked, "where's such-and-such a report", we stand there with a mouthful of teeth, shrugging, "what report?"

We are meant to have a Probationer's Handbook, but such Handbook is (apparently) no longer in print. Yet many of the aforementioned requirements, forms, etc. are in the salf-same Handbook! How is one supposed to meet the requirements if we are not informed of them? Surely we shouldn't have to go around scratching for these things?

I'm normally quite an optimist by nature. Yes, I know that it's meant to be tough. I know that "what doesn't kill, fattens". I know that we are meant to stand on our own two feet, and all that good stuff. But I'm getting the feeling that in this transition period between the old and the new systems, there is a group of people that are stuck in the middle that are a bit of a thorn in the Church's side, and as a consequence are numbers to be processed rather than real people. And I'm starting to get just a little bit tired of being treated like a mushroom - kept in a dark corner, and having manure dumped on top!

I'm also getting fed up of being told, "calm down - you're in Phase One - don't rock the boat - keep your head down - just do as you're told - you don't want to become a 'marked man'". It may be good advice to some, but I've had a belly-full of it. I'm a human being, dammit! I have a brain. I have feelings. I already have a 20-year business career and twelve years of post-school education (excluding my current theology studies) under the belt. And so I'm getting just a little bit hot under the collar at the moment!

Trust me, I don't want to just rock the boat for the sake of it. And believe me when I say that I'm not rebelling against the Church's decisions. I want to be singing off the same hymn-sheet. All I'm asking for is to be treated like a human being, not like a number. Things I'd like to know include: What are the Church's plans? Am I going to SMMS or not? If so, I need to know fairly soon in order to sell up in Joburg and find a place to rent for my family in Pietermaritzburg (I can't somehow see me shoehorning my menagerie into College-provided accommodation, however generously-proportioned such accommodation may be). There's also the matter of schooling for James. What about studies - will I be allowed to complete my degree by the end of 2010? If so, what about post-graduate studies - is this something that the Church encourages and can actually make some use of, or is it simply a "nice to have"?

What exactly is the MCSA expecting of me between now and ordination? Is there someone I can sit down and have an open and honest discussion with? To do a bit of "career counselling" with me, for want of a better term? To provide me with some direction so as to allow me to give my family some peace of mind concerning what's going to happen for the next five years? To allow me to lay my cards on the table, and for the Church to do the same with me?

Am I asking too much here? Is this a fair request, or am I being unreasonable?

So yes, I'm a little bit angry at the moment. But God is faithful, and despite everything, I still believe that God has called me to serve Him in full-time ministry. It remains something that I want to do more than anything else on earth.

The Church, in turn, wants ministers who will respond to God's call and will serve Him with zeal, diligence, and integrity. I really want to be such a minister.

Right now, I really need prayer...

First "white" funeral

On Saturday I did my first-ever funeral in a white context, which sounds strange coming from a white minister! However, last year and this year I've been serving the Church in coloured communities, where things are done a bit differently than us "whiteys" are used to.

For instance, when someone dies in a coloured community, services are held in the home from Monday night through to Thursday night. Friday the family is given a "break" (a misnomer, since they normally spend the time preparing the catering for Saturday). On Saturday morning, there is a service in the house, followed by the funeral itself in the church. Then it's the service at the graveside, and then back to the house for lunch. As the minister I normally conduct the church funeral as well as the graveside service, and attend one of the mid-week services in order to meet with the family and to support the local preachers. For this, I am rewarded with pride of place at the house on Saturday, having had a gargantuan plate of food placed in fromt of me. I often feel guilty because (a) the families concerned are often not in a position to afford being able to feed upwards of 250 people, and (b) many of the guests are sitting outside, while I'm being treated like the guest of honour inside. I guess it's a case of "when in Rome, do as the Romans do", but it's not a situation I'm comfortable with.

In a white context, on the other hand, funerals are a far more subdued affair. One meets with the family a ciouple of days beforehand to sort out the arrangements for the service, and the funeral itself is normally not much more than about 40 minutes. At one point, when the coffin was being brought into the foyer of the church, I asked the undertaker whether the family had requested viewing, and he was horrified! "If we open coffins inside the church, we'll get fired!" was his response. How was I to know? In my coloured congregations, the viewing of the body is standard operating procedure. Ah, well ... chalk another one up to the learning curve.

The other thing that struck me as strange was the three envelopes handed to me by the undertaker. Somewhat bemused, I gave them to Jean, our secretary, and asked to be enlightened. Her resopnse was: "One for the church, one for the organist, and one for you" as she thrust the envelope marked "Reverend" into my hand. Now I'm not sure what to make of this, as I'm also not familiar with the customs around funerals. Certainly I never considered receiving payment for the funeral - after all, I am the minister, and I do receive a stipend, so technically I've already been paid for doing the funeral. Still feeling somewhat uncomfortable about the whole thing, seeing as the church said that it's mine and I feel it's the church's, I handed the (still sealed) envelope to Neville for the upcoming Mozambique mission.

Just when I thought I'd seen everything...

One thing I'm fast finding out is that people here in the Rosedale area are a lot tougher than most folks, and the result is that one gets to witness some strange and interesting things!

Two Fridays ago my family and I were doing the "Sacramental Safari", which involves taking Communion to the elderly folks in our congregation who are no longer able to attend services. Because the majority of them are infirm, and also poor, one cannot expect the normal "niceties" of home visits, such as a cup of tea, and it becomes thirsty work doing what amounts to 10 Communion services in one day! I'm thankful to the Phase One college for providing me with a two-page order of service, because in a "normal" service the Communion part alone takes about an hour. Even so, one normally spends about 40 minutes at each home.

So while I was thinking about how one needs to be tough to be a minister, and admittedly feeling a little bit sorry for myself as I left the last home (due to the fact that by this time I had far less energy than the 99 year-old lady whose house we had just left, who - unlike me - had more energy than the Duracell bunny), I came across this rather large bull standing in the middle of the road. As I came gingerly to a halt, wondering how I was going to maneuvre my nearly two ton double-cab bakkie around this beast, a little boy (who couldn't have been more than about 10 years old) skipped up to the bull and gave it a resounding slap on its rump! Even more astounding - the bull took off like a rocket, scampering off into the bushes in abject terror!

Today's funeral was another eye-opener for me. Technically this is supposed to be my weekend off (we get one per quarter), but since the family concerned had tragically lost their eight-year-old son to meningitis, I felt that the least I could do to comfort them was to conduct the service. Now for those readers who are not familiar with the customs in a coloured community, most funerals start on the Monday, with house services every night until Thursday. The family is given a break on Friday, and then Saturday starts with a service in the house, the procession to the church, the funeral service itself, off to the graveside, the burial, then back to the house for final prayers and a meal. I've often wondered about the burden that this places on families, and have also felt uneasy that the mourners sit outside while "the Reverend" is given the prime seat in the house (at the family's insistence). Then this gargantuan plate of food is put in front of me, and once again I feel that while I have probably committed a grave insult by not clearing my plate, there is just no way that I'll get through that quantity of food! I haven't yet come up with a method to (delicately and graciously) either turn down such offers, or request a smaller portion, so I guess I'll just need to keep at it on my bicycle.

But the eye-opening part came just as I was leaving. In this particular area, there is a bend on a section of dirt road that is notorious for accidents - especially when the car in question has no brakes! So when I was informed that a BMW had left the road, gone down the embankment, and overturned, I feared the worst. However, while I was trying to get hold of the emergency services on my cellphone, the occupants of the vehicle - who were all totally unharmed - had climbed out of the windows, and together with half of the community (who had come out for the "show"), managed to get the car back on its wheels.

I can only but imagine the expression on my face when, as I was hearing "Welcome to Vodacom's Emergency Service" in the one ear, one of my Local Preachers was yelling, "Don't worry, Rev, your prayers have been answered" in the other ear, the BMW (now with a somewhat more "streamlined" appearance due to the roll), was being driven away under its own power (the car had, apparently, started first time). Maybe there's some merit in that laid-back, 45-degree-tilt, head-behind-the-B-pillar stance that many young drivers of E30 and E36 BMWs (and Citi Golfs) adopt as their standard driving position...

Dear Mr Youth Pastor, please may I strangle one of your leaders?

After the morning service at John Street this past Sunday, Annie, one of the Sunday School teachers, came up to me with great enthusiasm, wanting to discuss the possibility of having an all-age worship. Given that I was in the throes of greeting the departing congregants at the door, I asked her to make an appointment with me to discuss it in more detail.

An appointment was duly set for 10:00 this morning.

However, something obviously must have come up, for she sent me an SMS on my 'phone, indicating that she would not be able to make it. No problem with that - in fact, that is good stewardship. But at 04:12 this morning? Annie, Annie, Annie - I commend you greatly if you were up praying at that unearthly hour, but some of us believe, as the Apostle Paul said, that we must "put the flesh under" - in this case under the duvet!

I thought of responding to you there and then, but any response that I would have tried to SMS at 04:15 with only one eye partly open would have stood a good chance of being an inappropriate one. So I'll look at rescheduling our appointment later on today, when (hopefully) I've dislodged the woolly, fuzzy sensation from my brain.

Trial service

This past Sunday I did my trial service in kwaNobuhle, a township just outside Uitenhage. Each probationer minister is required to do one such service as part of the academic requirements to be submitted to Synod.

My message was based on Psalm 133: 1, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity", which was quite apt coming, as it did, three days before South Africa's fourth democratic general election.

I reflected on some of the acts of unity that we as a Methodist Church have demonstrated over the years. For instance, it was as far back as 1958 that the Conference of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa took a landmark decision, in the face of draconian pressure from the apartheid government to segregate its structures, that “… it is the will of God that the Methodist Church remain one and undivided”.

This pledge of unity was reaffirmed at a gathering of Methodists in 1981. In what became known as the Message of Obedience ’81, the delegates stated that “… every Methodist must witness against this disease [referring to apartheid] which infects our people, our church and our country. We have experienced how hard it is to abandon long-held prejudice and long-felt bitterness, but we have seen God work this miracle. It happened because we continued to search for each other even at our times of deepest division. We now declare to all South Africans that there is a third way, where people, who have discovered their love for each other, translate it into justice for all.”

Looking ahead to the upcoming elections, I also reflected on that historic first election just 15 years ago, when the world witnessed the birth of the miracle that is the New South Africa, as for the first time ever in this country’s history, black, white, and every colour in between stood together in line on an equal basis to elect their leaders. I’ll never forget the unbelievable goodwill that was shown, as we stood patiently in line to cast our vote. On that particular day there were no domestic servants or doctors. No women or men. We were not European or African, Xhosa or Afrikaans, ANC or NP. Young or old, it didn’t matter. On that day, the 27th of April 1994, we were all, simply, South Africans.

There were other examples of unity demonstrated over the years - in particular, the outpouring of generosity in response to the brutal attacks on foreigners last year. When Bishop Paul Verryn put out the call to Methodist Churches to provide assistance, little did we realise that we would be working with organisations as diverse as the Red Cross, Doctors Without Frontiers, and the Human Rights Commission, not to mention Christians from every church imaginable from Anglican to Zionist. At one stage I even received a call from the Johannesburg Muslim Charitable Association. Don’t ask me how they got my number, but someone told them that there’s “a guy from the Methodist Church with a bakkie”, and they contacted me to let me know that they could give me as much tinned food as I could carry. A Hindu family filled me up with baby food, disposable nappies, and toilet rolls. Bedfordview Methodist Church had their entire hall piled from floor to ceiling with donated items – clothes, food, you name it – for three weeks solid. Just as fast as we were distributing items to those in need, so more kept coming in.

Sadly, there are just as many instances where we display our complete lack of unity - even today. Some of my fellow Phase Ones have experienced the most humiating experiences, perpetrated within our very own church! One colleague is stationed in a very remote area - the Superintendent of his Circuit is based about 100km away. The church at which he is stationed is attended by farm workers, the majority of whom happen to be black. Four hundred metres away is another church, attended by the farm owners, all of whom are white. This church does not have a minister, only a lay pastoral assistant. However, my colleague cannot serve the Lord’s Supper in the “white” church, because the congregants refuse to receive Communion from a black minister.

Another colleague - a lady minister - also has a problem when it comes to serving communion. As probationers we are taught the words of institution, where the apostle Paul says that “for I have received from the Lord that which I have given to you”, and it is therefore normal for us to serve by taking the bread or the wafer from the plate and placing it in your outstretched hands. In this poor lady’s case, it’s considered “improper” for a man to receive Communion from a woman, so she is subjected to the humiliation of having to hold out the plate so that Mr. Macho Man can take his own Communion! I wonder to what extent he examined himself, as directed by the Apostle Paul, before presenting himself at the Lord's Table?

Isn't it funny how we can read the passage in Luke 10: 25-27, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind’; and ‘Love your neighbour as you love yourself’.”, yet ignore the true meaning thereof? We don’t have a problem with loving the Lord our God – or at least, we don’t think that we have a problem loving God. But we expose our lack of love for God by the way in which we show a lack of love for one another.

We say the words of the Lord’s Prayer – “forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us”. Yet we don’t forgive. We hold grudges against each other for years – decades, even. And then we have the audacity to expect God’s forgiveness. But we’ve just asked God to forgive us with the same measure that we are prepared to forgive others. Our lack of fellowship with one another is cutting us off from fellowship with God – ironically, exactly in line with what we have prayed! Perhaps we will think a little bit more about what we are saying, next time we pray the Lord’s Prayer?

We need to realise that there’s a hurting world out there that is crying out for love. People need a place where they can belong, and feel loved and accepted. Where they won’t be discriminated against or looked down upon because they are poor, or a different colour, or old, or young, or speak a different language, or are gay, or divorced, or are HIV-positive. Where whatever need they have can never surpass the love of Christ, as shown through His people. Where they can feel “how good, and how pleasant it is, for brethren to dwell together in unity”.

The question is, is that place in our churches?

Why do I want to become a Methodist minister?

Sometimes it is so difficult to put into words just what it means to be called to the ministry - especially when one tries to narrow it down to why I believe I'm called to be a minister in this particular church, at this time, in this way.

So this testimony of Rev Dr Knut Heim, a Methodist minister in the UK, which was delivered shortly before his own ordination as a minister back in 2001, really hit the spot for me. If only we could all be true to this call, as expressed in these wonderful words...

What’s it all about? – It’s all about Jesus. Why do I want to become a minister, and one of the Methodist variety at that? Called to be a fisher of men and women, boys and girls. A royal priest, a saint, a holy man, God’s own, a servant, yes, a slave of God; a bishop, a shepherd, a leader, an overseer, a steward, a servant, a father, a mother, a presbyter, an elder, a vicar, a vicarius Dei, a representative of God, a messenger, an ambassador, a divine postman, a builder in the house of God, a living sacrifice. Why? What’s it all about? – It’s all about Jesus.

When the glory and the honour, the clerical shirt and the collar, the cassock and the alb, the stole and the hood, the power and the prestige are stripped away, and it’s simply me ... it’s all about Jesus. I want to bring something that’s of worth, something that’ll last, something that’ll bring joy to Jesus' heart — a treasure in heaven.

I want to bring more than a sermon, more than a prayer, more than a saved soul, more than a sacrament, more than a house or hospital visit, more than a wedding, more than a funeral, more than an offering, more than a committee meeting, more than a service to the community, for all that in itself is not what he’s required. Don’t get me wrong, I want to bring all that; but I want to bring more than that.

I am rich with many treasures, spiritual and otherwise. We are all rich in so many ways. Yet we have these treasures in jars of clay – yes, we have all, not only feet of clay, but hearts of clay, ambitions of clay, jobs of clay, cars of clay, houses of clay, relationships of clay – all that’s best, we have life’s treasures in clay. How quickly does it fade away ... how quickly do our dreams evaporate in the stark light of reality, how quickly does that job for life drop into the deep abyss of broken promises, how quickly do our cars rust and rot away under the gnawing teeth of time, how quickly does the mortar crumble from the wall, the paint of our facades become faint and shabby. How precariously perched are our closest relationships on the ragged edge of estrangement, the cliff of indifference, the dagger of divorce, knocked about by outside pressures and undermined by the teeth of temptation.

What’s it all about? It’s all about Jesus. I’m coming back to the heart of my calling, and it’s all about him, Jesus. I’m coming back to the heart of our ministry, and I’m sorry for the thing we’ve made it, when it’s all about him, Jesus. How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in my ear: it soothes my sorrows, heals my wounds and drives away my fear. Jesus: he makes my wounded spirit whole, he calms my troubled breast, he feeds my famined soul, gives me, when weary, rest. Jesus! My Shepherd, Brother, Friend, my Prophet, Priest, and King, My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End. Or let me say it with the words of St. Bernard of Clairvaux: "The name of Jesus is both light and nourishment ... As honey to the taste, as melody in the ear, as songs of gladness in the heart, so is the name of Jesus. And medicine it is as well ... Nothing but the name of Jesus can restrain the impulse of anger, repress the swelling of pride, cure the wound of envy, bridle the onslaught of luxury, extinguish the flame of lust – can temper avarice, and put to flight impure thoughts. For when I name the name of Jesus, I call to mind at once a Man meek and lowly of heart, benign, pure, temperate, merciful; a Man conspicuous for every honourable and saintly quality; and also in the same Person the Almighty God – so that He both restores me to health by His example and renders me strong by His assistance."

When I survey the wondrous cross, On which the Prince of Glory died, See from his head, his hands, his feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down; Did e’er such love and sorrow meet, Or thorns compose so rich a crown? Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.

The church believes that "the chief responsibility of the ordained ministry is to assemble and build up the body of Christ by proclaiming and teaching the Word of God, by celebrating the sacraments, and by guiding the life of the community in its worship, its mission and its caring ministry". Yet, we must see the ordained ministry from the perspective of the calling of the whole people of God. We are all called to worship, learning and teaching, service and evangelism.

What Jesus has done for us, what he has given to us and what he has become for us is beyond comparison. It’s all about him, Jesus. Jesus is the light that illumines our dark world, this vale of tears. He is the one who has given us the Holy Spirit, the triune God’s powerful presence within us and among us, enabling us to live life to the full ... if and when we live for him. Jesus has given us freedom to live life the right way round, with a goal and a purpose. We are rich in him. He has given us life’s treasures in abundance.

God has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God shining in the face of Christ — it’s all about Jesus. And when we have Jesus, when we live in the light, then God’s supreme power is at work in us: Even when troubled, we are not crushed; in doubt? Yes, but never in despair; surrounded by enemies, yes: but never without a friend; and though badly hurt at times, we are not destroyed. Jesus has given us a life worth living and dying for. What’s it all about? - It’s all about Jesus. Love so amazing, so divine, demands our soul, our life, our all. And so I want this testimony to be an invitation to you, to give your life to Jesus anew, to join me in the words of Charles Wesley’s great hymn:

"I would the precious time redeem, And longer live for this alone:
To spend, and to be spent, for them who have not yet my Saviour known;
Fully on these my mission prove, and only breathe, to breathe thy love.
My talents, gifts and graces, Lord, into thy blessèd hands receive;
And let me live to preach thy word, And let me to thy glory live;
My every sacred moment spend, In publishing the sinner’s friend."

Amen.

Amen, indeed!

New minister's orientation booklet

It occurred to me recently that 95% of what I know about the workings of “employment” as a minister comes from having been a Circuit Treasurer, not because I was actually told these things when entering the ministry! I have put “employment” in inverted commas, because ministers are not in an employment relationship with the Methodist Church of Southern Africa in the conventional sense, but rather in a covenantal relationship, but we receive certain benefits (e.g. pension, medical aid), and similar “rules” (tax, etc.) apply equally to us as ministers as to those in secular employment.

Whenever I have started employment in the corporate world, the first thing that happens is that we are given a booklet, which outlines all the various “need to know” stuff one needs when becoming part of that organisation. I’m talking about real nuts-and-bolts stuff – how the medical aid works, where to submit claims to, how the process works (for instance, on our scheme we are required to pay up front and then claim – something I’ve never had to do in over 20 years on a medical aid scheme), who pays for removals from one Circuit to another, what the practical implications are of being in a “covenantal” relationship rather than an “employment” relationship are, how the whole tax setup works (particularly when one receives travel allowances, are in a Church-owned manse, etc.), and what sort of benefits are available from the pension fund such as funeral cover, group life, pension benefit, etc.

Yes, I KNOW that all this information is available from various sources (EMMU, the Yearbook, MCO, Conference minutes, etc.). However, firstly you need to know where to find what, and secondly, you don’t necessarily know what you need to know! If all of this information was in a single booklet, it would make entry into the ministry that much easier. Perhaps such a booklet could even be handed to you once you make it through the screening process, so that you know what you’re in for before a truck pitches up to take your furniture off to Timbuktu!

I’m interested in compiling a draft of such a booklet, to be submitted to the Methodist Connexional Office for consideration. Therefore, if you are a Methodist minister, please drop me a comment indicating what sort of things you would like to have seen in such a booklet, had one been available when you candidated for the ministry. Stuff you’d even like to know now!

Support staff hard at work

This picture is of Jean, one of our Church secretaries, slaving away at her work ...

(We love you, Jean, and appreciate the hard work that you do. Trust me to catch you during a rare moment of rest!)

Off to hospital

No, family, please don't panic! It's not me who needs to go to hospital (my cold's not THAT bad!) - I'm "off to hospital" to visit members of our congregation who are currently being cared for there. However, although I've done a number of such visits before, they've all been at private institutions. Today is the first day I'm going to a State facility (the provincial hospital in Uitenhage).

Please pray for me. More importantly, please pray for those who are in hospital at this time.

Money, money, money...

"For the love of money is the root of all evil" (1 Timothy 6: 10, KJV)

Something I'm finding very hard to get to grips with is the attitude of certain church communities towards finances. To me, the whole matter should be fairly straight-forward:

1. We bring our offerings to God, through the local church, in response to God's ultimate gift of love - our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

2. Two people receive the money collected, count it, record it in a collection journal, and bank it.

3. All money must be banked on time, in full. Collection journal = bank deposit slip = bank statement. Funds should be banked within two working days of receipt.

4. Any money spent must be duly authorised, in accordance with a properly-drafted budget. Unbudgeted expenses must be approved by the Leaders' Meeting, subject to funds being available and all bills being up to date.

5. TELL THE CONGREGATION WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE MONEY! It was offered for the work of the ministry through the local church. Is this what it is used for?

6. 90% of the congregants will NEVER look at a financial statement - they just want the assurance that one is available. Of the remaining 10%, 99% will look at the financials and file them. The remaining 1% will ask a question. Answer it truthfully and completely.

Six simple steps - yet churches are torn in two when we don't stick to these. Funds are not managed properly. They are not banked on time. The congregation is kept in the dark. Rumours start concerning financial mismanagement. Often where there's smoke, there's fire. Result: People stop giving.

Having only been involved with urban churches, I cannot say whether the following statement holds true for rural communities as well. But my own experience is this: Show me a financial problem, and I'll show you a spiritual one. I've yet to be proved wrong on this one.

Granted, things are tough out there at the moment, and giving will be impacted. Certain projects may have to be scaled back or postponed. But if the church is spiritually strong, processes are in place, the people involved have integrity, and there's transparency, the likelihood of such a church collapsing completely is probably quite low.

I could write reams on this subject, but this is probably a good "first log" to throw on the fire. Any takers? Comments, anyone?

Let's talk about sex!

Well, I'm back from my state of internetless as I plug into the lifeline that is our Church's ADSL connection. iBurst collected their modem today - good riddance. Hopefully I'll have got my new data package sorted out pretty soon.

The title of this post will probably quadruple this blog's hit rate, but please, no offers for cut-rate Viagra - with my wife being 1000km away, all it's going to do is make it VERY uncomfortable to ride my bicycle!

So why a post about sex? Especially from someone who has felt like a eunuch since mid-January? It was sparked by a post on Pete Grassouw's site, where he talks about a rather, shall we say, "unique" method of sermon preparation. I applaud his bravery, not only in being bold enough to want to address the issue of pornography, but in the manner in which he has researched it. No doubt we fellow bloggers will hear what final form his sermon will take this coming Sunday, but maybe there's someone in Pete's congregation who is waging a battle of note against pornography addiction, and God will use Pete's message to set that person free.

Having walked that road - even for a short period - Pete will really be able to identify with that person or persons, and minister to them in a way that those of us who have not been as brave probably could not do.

Now I don't for one minute believe that Pete is advocating that we all indulge in vice in order to make our sermons more real. But this particular experiment of his reminds me so much about the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ. I've probably mentioned this before, but one of the things that attracts me to Christianity (and keeps me serving Christ) is the fact that there is not a single thing that Jesus expects us to do where He hasn't shown us the way Himself. I always say that if the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords can get down in the dirt and wash His disciples' stinking feet, what's our excuse for not wanting to be servants to God and to our congregations?

But what also strikes me is that Jesus faced a number of temptations - just like us - and yet did not sin. The amazing part is not so much that Jesus did not sin (although that's pretty amazing in itself), but the fact that, as a human being, He faced all sorts of trials that we as human beings face. In our own strength we cannot overcome a single one, but in Christ's strength we can overcome them all!

So I am praying earnestly that Pete will be used by God in a mighty and powerful way in hiongregation this Sunday. And I'm praying just as fervently that once the sermon has been delivered, he'll be able to "switch off" from his research.

(There's no picture accompanying this post - I'm too scared to Google "picture sex" or "picture porn" because of what I might find!)

Who will be the greatest?

"An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside Him. Then He said to them, 'Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes Me, and whoever welcomes Me welcomes the One Who sent Me. For he who is least among you all - he is the greatest'" (Luke 9: 46-48, NIV)

This morning I conducted the funeral of a one year-old baby, the second of twins of whom the first died late last year. And, as always, one feels so inadequate as a minister, for nothing that one can say will bring their dead child back.

Often at times like this one ponders the justice in a child dying so young. As on the two previous occasions where I was called upon to preside at the funeral of a young child, I felt that it is far easier to do funerals for people whom the Lord has called home at an advanced age - phrases like "a good innings", "long and faithful service", and "a life of witness to God's grace" come to mind. On the other hand, what can one say about a child who lives on this earth a mere 19 months?

But then I realise that, as the above Scripture passage indicates, there IS something that one can celebrate, for young children truly ARE the greatest when it comes to being in Christ. Although we are all born with the same inherent sinful nature, somehow children seem "less defiled", possessing a purer faith than we as adults could ever understand. At the service this morning I related the experience of my own son who, at age 5, climbed up onto the kitchen counter and then yelled, "Daddy, catch me", and as I turned to respond to his call I saw that he had already laubched himself at me, having not a shadow of a doubt that Daddy would catch him. Do WE have that kind of faith, prepared to launch ourselves out into the great unknown, confident that our heavenly Daddy will be there to catch us?

Another aspect that I touched on was the time we were sharing testimonies during a church service, where people were standing up and saying thinks like "I received Jesus as Lord and Saviour on xxx date". In my own case, that glorious day came on 1 February 1987. But my son (who was 7 at the time) was really concerned that he did not have such a date, and thinking I was about to experience the joy of leading my own son to Christ, he responded with this earth-shattering statement: "Dad, I don't have a date like this, because for as long as I can remember, Jesus has ALWAYS been my Lord!"

On the way to the gravesite, I mentioned to a couple of the Local Preachers that I have learned more about faith in God from one child than from 100 preachers. Yet it saddens me that often we still adopt a "children must be seen and not heard" as we quickly hush our children whenever they so much as blink in church! Then we wonder why our young people leave the church as soon as they have been confirmed. Be honest, if all you ever heard for 16 years was "Quiet! Stop! Shush! Don't", wouldn't YOU want to bail out at the earliest opportunity?

Somehow we in the Church have become so "arse-about-face" about who is most important (excuse the terminology, but I can't think of a better description for our confused state at this time). The minister gets put up on this massive pedestal, followed by the local preachers, society stewards, and so forth. What happened to servant leadership? The Gospel passage that I read this morning seems to indicate that the greatest in Jesus' eyes are those whom we regard the least. If our Lord and Saviour has shown His willingness to get down in the dirt to wash the disciples' stinking feet, how much more should we be willing to serve? And it struck me that my attitude should be that each time I move "up the ranks" (for want of a better way of putting it), my desire to serve should increase. That piece of Tupperware that is wrapped around my neck should have the word "Servant" stamped on it, for that is indeed what I am called to be.

The fact that we had the service at the grandparents' house rather than at the church drove this point home even more strongly. Logistically it was not possible for the family to arrange bus transport from the house to the church, then to the cemetary, and then back to the house, so it was easier to have the service at the house. For this reason the stewards were initially reluctant for me to participate in the service as minister, because it was not held at the church. But what is "the church"? Is it bricks and mortar? If so, then what makes a house different? Is is not also built out of bricks and mortar? But if we who are gathered in God's name constitute the Church, then wherever God's people are gathered together becomes a church.

Lots of lessons, from a relatively short service. Little Jolene Maarman, who lived for such a short time and was probably barely walking, was therefore a greater witness to us present this morning than many a person who has walked this earth for 70 years or more. May she rest in peace, together with her twin sister who died last year, and may God bring comfort to her family at this time.

Reflections on abortion

Earlier this week I wrote a post entitled "Should preaching be unbiased", in which I reflected on the services that were conducted this past Sunday, which was designated as a "celebration of the sanctity of life".

Pete Grassouw, one of my fellow MCSA bloggers, whose comments always offer insight and food for thought, posted a comment on this post. In it he questioned my position in light of MCSA doctrinal statements on this manner, stating (quite correctly) that as a Methodist minister I am duty-bound (and in fact made a promise before Synod) to uphold the doctrines of our Church.

However, I am sure that many a minister has experienced tension between their personal views, beliefs, and understanding of Scripture on a particular position on the one hand, and the official position of the church on the other hand. The current doctrinal position of the MCSA concerning marriage as being "between a man and a woman" must be causing great tension for those ministers who sincerely believe that this position is incompatible with showing the love of Christ towards those of same-sex orientation. If this were not the case, the MCSA would not have been debating this issue so extensively over the past few years.

While I hold strong anti-abortion views, I recognise that there may be those who sincerely believe that not only is abortion permissible under certain circumstances, but that they sincerely believe that such a position is not in conflict with the teachings of Scripture. It is not for me to stand in judgement of such persons, but rather to engage with them in order to get a better understanding of "the other side" of the debate (for want of a better word).

Similarly, I believe that it is my role as a minister to extend open arms, just as Jesus would, to any woman who has decided to have an abortion (or who has had one already) and provide sanctuary and an atmosphere where healing can take place.

However, I believe that each of us are also entitled to our personal convictions, and mine have been shaped largely by the experience of seeing my unborn son's heartbeat on the ultra-sound when my wife was only 3 weeks pregnant. The fact that this same son (who is now nearly 11) is living 1000 km away from me (as a result of me being in Phase One) makes the bond between us even stronger. I cannot begin to imagine the guilt I would have felt, had we decided to abort him for whatever reason.

I cannot begin to believe that I have the right to take the life of another human being. This is the reason why when I was called up to do National Service in 1988 (South Africa still had conscription then), I presented myself before the SADF Board for Religious Objection requesting that I be confined to a non-combatant role. It is for this same reason that I am opposed to the death penalty.

Readers of this post can be forgiven for thinking that it is inappropriate for me as a male to have any views whatsoever concerning abortion. And you would be right insofar as I would be highly unlikely to find myself pregnant! For this reason this is a subject that my wife and I have discussed at length at various points during the 17 years of our marriage. As a husband, I believe that one of the worst things that could possibly happen would be for my wife to be raped, and if (God forbid) something like this were to happen, there is the possibility that conception could result. However, my wife is firmly of the belief that she would not abort under such circumstances, believing strongly that in the same way that the rape would be no fault of hers, it would be no fault of the unborn baby, either.

Having said that, until one walks down that path, it's impossible to tell what one's decision would be. I accept that. I also accept that my views, as expressed in this post, are by no means the last word on this matter.

Since I would like to invite discussion on this issue, I have reproduced my reply to Pete's comment below.

Dear Pete

This reply may seem a bit rambling, but please indulge me as it is more reflective of my thoughts rather than the way I would write if, for instance, I were to prepare a research paper.

When I was preparing for this service, I went quite extensively through the booklet on abortion published by the MCSA, bearing in mind that the objective of this particular Sunday was to address the question of "Sanctity of Life" and in particular the issue around abortion.

The starting point was the 1995 Conference statement that it affirms “the sacredness and value of human life”, and it expresses the belief “that abortion at any stage of pregnancy is undesirable and not in harmony with the perfect will of God”. The DEWCOM document clarifying the MCSA's position on abortion also refers to two schools of thought concerning when human life is said to commence: "Those who believe human life begins at or soon after fertilisation are, naturally, concerned for the rights of the foetus and tend to be anti-abortion. Those who see personhood beginning only once the foetus can survive outside the womb are more inclined to favour the rights of the pregnant woman and to be open to the idea of abortion. The statement acknowledges that no direct guidance is forthcoming from Scripture to help decide which of these positions is 'Biblically correct', and grants that there are sincere Christians are to be found on both sides of the debate."

Given that "Experience" is one of the elements of the Wesleyan Quadrilateral, my own experience is one of having been present with my wife when it was confirmed that she was pregnant with my son, and seeing the flashing light on the ultrasound at 3 weeks of pregnancy, which her gynaecologist confirmed to be our unborn son's heartbeat. While I cannot purport to speak on behalf of my Superintendent and the process that has shaped his view on abortion (which is quite similar to the one I hold), this experience has strongly influenced me against considering abortion as an option - a view that has strengthened over the past 11 years as I have watched my son grow and develop.

Having said that, I also recognise that a woman or young girl may find herself in a situation whereby she finds herself pregnant under trying circumstances (e.g. rape, poor socio-economic conditions, potential deformity, etc.) whereby a number of options may be considered, including possible abortion. Should she decide to go the abortion route, the role of the church (which I represent as a minister) is to offer counsel in a non-judgemental accepting, loving, and pastoral manner. Such acceptance, I believe, is in line with the MCSA's position.

However, I also believe that while a minister is expected to uphold the doctrinal position of their church, one should also not be "robotic" about it. I'm not sure if there are many ministers of any denomination that accept their particular church's doctrinal positions 100% to the letter. The ongoing debate concerning same-sex relationships within the MCSA is a case in point.

With this in mind, when presenting the message, I put forward my view points in a manner that I believe is not in conflict with the current position of the MCSA. I also included a time for discussion during the service, where the young people (it was a youth service) broke into groups to discuss certain issues raised in the DVD and the message. I specifically said that they were not to come up with a dogmatic "yes" or "no", instead thinking about their answers.

My Superintendent and I both watched the DVD beforehand as part of the preparation process for our respective services, and he endorsed the showing thereof at the morning services (which he conducted), as well as the evening service (which I conducted). We both believed that the content thereof was not in stark conflict with the doctrinal position of the MCSA, or (I believe) we would not have shown it in our services.

Another thing that I may need to consider comes out of the counselling skills course that we are currently doing at the Phase One college. The facilitator of this course has indicated that there may be situations whereby the counselor may need to withdraw from the particular engagement, whether based on Biblical beliefs, prior experiences, personal prejudices, or a combination thereof. For example, she indicated that she would not be able to counsel paedophiles, since the thought of someone molesting a child brings about such feelings of anger in her that her judgement would be clouded. We were taught that we need to recognise our own "blind spots", and possibly the abortion issue is one of mine. I can comfortably see myself offering Christian counsel to a woman who has had an abortion, and I believe that I could do this in a non-judgemental manner. However, I cannot see myself looking at abortion as an option before the fact.

I guess that experiences such as these are part of the formation of one's ministry, and I trust those who have journeyed along this road for far longer than me would not be too harsh on someone who is at as early a stage of one's ministry journey as myself.

I would be interested to hear your views (as well as from others) as to exactly what the doctrinal position of the MCSA is, since to my mind the DEWCOM document leaves a great deal open to interpretation. I also trust that this discourse has not been so wayward as to warrant me a serious "slap" at Synod concerning my adherence to the doctrines of our Church.

Death by administration

I arrived at the Church office this morning to find my desk looking like a bomb had hit it. It seems that Bill (my Superintendent) has a ruthlessly efficient "clear desk policy", and in the execution of his personal war on paper, some of the shrapnel flew my way.

Then we had a Circuit staff meeting, which was very good in that Bill opened with devotions and prayer, followed by a personal "conversation on the work of God" which included an enquiry concerning our personal spiritual state, adherence to a discipline of personal devotion and prayer, etc. before we got to the business of the Circuit. I am so grateful that I have a Superintendent that has his priorities right, in that our spirituality needs to be right for us to be effective ministers in the Circuit.

But then we got into the business, and a morning in which I thought I could catch up on the tasks given to me last week turned into an orgy of new tasks to be completed!

I have managed to wade through most of it, including getting my diary up to date with all the new stuff (meetings, visits, etc.). My secretary is however NOT going to be happy with the wad of filing I've sent her way, though...

Learning about the "Organisations" of the MCSA

I've often said that putting a piece of Tupperware into my shirt does not automatically confer the right to respect - such respect has to be earned. These words came home to me rather forcibly today as I attended my first meeting with the Emmanuel branch of the Young Men's Guild (YMG).

For those not familiar with South African Methodist Church structures, the YMG is one of a number of separately-constituted organisations within the MCSA, and its members are characterised by their black jackets and ties, white shirts, grey trousers, and bright red waistcoats.

The "Young" part is however somewhat of a misnomer, since even the most generous among us would not regard some of the members as being "young". Still, with Wesley Guilds struggling to restrict membership to those under 35, I guess that one would have a hard time trying to place an age limit on membership of the YMG.

Sadly, such organisations still remind us of the racially-divisive history of our country, notwithstanding the MCSA's commitment to being a "one and undivided Church", with the uniformed organisations (of which the YMG is one) being seen largely as a "black thing". In fact, as a "whitey" I had no exposure to the culture of being part of such an organisation until I joined the Local Preachers' Association (LPA) at the beginning of 2007. I was the only white member in our Circuit at the time, and although I was warmly welcomed, I was seen very much as a novelty (although the advantage was that I was VERY easy to find at Conventions!). In fact, since I left my previous Circuit, white membership of the Circuit LPA has dropped from one to zero.

Naturally, although I am now a probationer minister, I wanted to retain my ties with the LPA in my new Circuit, and was very encouraged to see that this particular organisation was very active in what is largely a coloured community. Unfortunately white membership in this Circuit is also zero (well, one, now that I have arrived) - it seems that the whole uniform "thing" doesn't appeal to white folks here in Uitenhage either!

However, a source of great concern is the fact that there are two separate LPA conventions in the Grahamstown District - the "coloured" convention, held later this month, and the "black" convention which takes place in May. Of course, they are not officially designated as such, but it seems that this time language has become the divisive factor with Xhosa being a language that a large percentage of the coloured folk do not understand.

The other thing that I am trying to get to grips with is that meetings of certain organisations are closed to non-members - at least, that is the impression that I gained from my time in the LPA as well as at today's YMG meeting. In my old Circuit, the fact that I was a candidate for the ordained ministry meant little - my status in the LPA at the time was that of on-trial Local Preacher, and certain members of the LPA felt that while I was permitted to attend, my on-trial status meant that, strictly speaking, I was not entitled to speak in meetings.

Similarly, at today's meeting I got the distinct impression that if I was not a minister, I would definitely not have been permitted to address the meeting, and may have possibly even been asked to leave. However, towards the end of the meeting attitudes towards me had softened to the point where I was invited to become a YMG member!

Now here's the part that I am struggling with. As a minister for the two Northern Societies (as well as the John Street congregation of the Uitenhage Society), I am already going to be hard-stretched to manage my time between Leaders' Meetings, Circuit Quarterly Meetings, Circuit Local Preachers' Meetings, hospital visits, funerals, counselling, and all the other bits and pieces that form part of a minister's "day job" (and to think that many have the impression that we only work for an hour on Sundays!).\

On top of that, this is a community where all of the MCSA organisations are active - Women's Auxiliary, Women's Association, Women's Manyano, Young Women's Manyano, Young Men's Guild, Men's League, Wesley Guild, and Local Preachers' Association. To fully understand what makes this local church community "tick", I need to get around to as many of those meetings as possible.

Now throw into the mix the fact that as a Phase One probationer, I spend two days a week in Port Elizabeth at College, plus I also need to study, and you'll understand that my time is quite limited. So joining the YMG is a difficult decision, not because I am against organisations per se, but because my time will not permit me to do much more in the organisation than attend the occasional meeting.

They have assured me that this will be okay, but I'd imagine that it would be difficult for the YMG Executive to demand a level of commitment from their members that their only clergy member is unable to comply with.

I want to keep the doors open so that I am able to minister to the YMG, but I know that time will not allow me to exhibit the same sort of commitment expected of the lay members. I know of at least one probationer who has recently been discontinued (MCSA-speak for "being fired") due to unsatisfactory academic progress, caused largely because of his over-involvement with the organisations. On the other hand, I will always be seen as an "outsider" if I do not join, and ministry to YMG members will be somewhat difficult from outside the organisations.

(At this point I thank God for making me male - imagine having to decide which one of the ladies' organisations to join?!)

However, other probationers have joined the YMG during their Phase One - Michael Bishop is one who comes to mind - and have managed to keep a balance. I'd be interested to hear from them to find out just what their level of involvement was, and if fairly low, whether this was acceptable to the other members. Only then will I be in a position to consider whether or not to join.

I really need to seek the Lord on this one.

Injury on duty!

These pictures are of some of our crazy, wonderful, radical, on-fire-for-Jesus youngsters at Uitenhage Methodist Church.

Today I joined them in a scary game called "chut" (I think I have the spelling right?), which is a form of Action Cricket played in a VERY confined space (such as a church hall). Anything goes, and no prisoners are taken. When it was my turn to bat, the first ball was a screamer that belted me right on my ear, while during fielding I caught a missile courtesy of the Youth Pastor's bat in a spot that raised my voice a few octaves.

Holiday Club - practicing "the moves"


















"Back To The Future" the theme of Holiday Club 2009


















Dont ask!

Inducted!

Last night I was formally inducted, or commissioned for my work in the Winterhoek (Uitenhage) Circuit. Having taken part in this service on the same day as the covenant service, the morning service was fresh in my mind.

And just as we shared in the covenant of Holy Communion, so it was brought to mind our covenant as ministers with the Church. Unlike many of the independent churches, ministers are not "employed" by the MCSA - our relationship is one of covenant. We believe that we are called by God to the ministry of Word and Sacrament, and the Church provides the space for us to discover, develop, and exercise that call.

To facilitate this call in my case, the Winterhoek Circuit has provided me with congregations to minister to, a Superintendent to train and oversee me, a flat to reside in, and a stipend to enable me to live. The wider MCSA has provided me with the means to continue my studies, and a Phase One programme to enable me to receive instruction.

All this ultimately is made possible by the generosity of God's people, who have responded to God's love by sowing of their finances into their local churches. God forbid that I should ever abuse this generosity.

No siree - the Church doesn't owe me a thing. In short, the Church has fulfilled its part of the covenant. Now it's up to me to fulfil my part.