Congregational Chronicle January 2015

Welcome Back!!!

UCCSA President Rev Philip Strydom on Leadership in 2015

What we need now, at all levels of the UCCSA, is change agent leaders. Leaders should be accustomed to leading change; the UCCSA leadership, at local church level, regional and Synodical levels and denominationally are called to lead the change. We have to learn how to lead the change. When local church lead-ers i.e. minister and deacons tell you they are satisfied with their church because they made enough money this year, when a Syn-od leadership tells a meeting we must do things the way it was done30 years ago, you realize how desperate it is for us to pro-duce change BECAUSE change is growth. Growth has to take place if we want to be faithful to God to join Him in His Mission.

Newsletter Date:January 2015 Volume 1, Issue 1

Congregational Chronicle

Inside this issue:

Welcome Back 2

Leadership Mes-

sage

1

Week of Prayer 2

Ministers Con-

vention

3

Mission Council

Conference

3

Keynote Ad-

dress.

New Executive

4

Xenophobia

Reflections

5

Hello Friends! Happy New Year! Welcome to the first issue of the UCCSA Congregational Chronicle for 2015. Our big goal this year is that every member of the UCCSA family who reads the UCCSA Newsletters 2015 will find them insightful, inspiring and engaging. Our content this year is focused “Being a Missional Church” God is a missional God. As the Body of Christ, the church is missional at its very core. The term 'missional church' has received a lot of air time in the last few years. But what is a missional church? What does Missional Church look like? What are some of the most critical capacities that leaders need to learn for the sake

of leading congregations in mission? Is there Missional transformation without Intentional missional leadership? How must theological education be restructured in light of Missional DNA of the

Church? Read this month’s articles and join the conversation. You can e-mail us at ad-

[email protected] or find us on Facebook at Congregationalists (hyperlink).

Wellington Mthobisi Sibanda :UCCSA Communications Officer

UCCSA Bible Studies for Week of Prayer and Commitment 26 -31 January 2015

Jesus said to

her, ‘Give me a

drink’.” (John

4:7) Who

drinks of this

water

Page 2 Congregational Chronicle

One of the aspects of our life together that we have tried to develop and strengthen is the week of Prayer and commitment at the beginning of each year. We have tried to develop resources to assist local churches in making this period of prayer and reflection qualita-tive. This is a special time when we begin the year by focussing on God. This year we chose to focus on the prayers devel-oped by the World Council of Churches

and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, adapted them for our UCCSA con-text, and created additional related materials. The UCCSA theme, “Christ is Calling Us: Par-ticipating in Suffering and Struggle”. We are also mindful of our transnational character as the UCCSA, hence the need to continue to pray for our member countries to strive for jus-tice. The Bible studies were to help us unpack the theme and lead us to the Covenant and Commitment Sunday. It is our hope that more churches used this time for spiritual growth and re- focussing on mission. Introduction: To the theme “Jesus said to her, ‘Give me a drink’.” (John 4:7) Who drinks of this water… The encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman invites us to try water from a dif-ferent well and also to offer a little water of our own. In diversity, we enrich each other. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is a privileged moment for prayer, encounter and dia-logue. It is an opportunity to recognize the richness and value present in the other, and to ask God for the gift of unity. The proposed study and meditation on this text during the Week of Prayer is to help people and communities to realize the dialogical dimension of the project of Jesus, which we call the Kingdom of God. The text reaffirms the importance of a person’s knowing and understanding first her or his own identity so that the identity of the other is not seen as a threat. If we do not feel threat-ened, we will be able to experience the complementarity of the other. The image emerging from the words “give me a drink“ is an image speaking of complementarity: to drink the water of someone else’s well is the first step towards experiencing another’s way of being. This leads to the acceptance of diversity and is an effort to overcome monocultural concep-tions that have caused so much damage to society and churches. In the text of John 4, Jesus is a foreigner who arrives tired and thirsty. He needs help and asks for water. The woman is in her own land; the well belongs to her people, to her tradi-tion. She owns the bucket and she is the one with access to the water. But she is also thirsty herself. They meet – and that encounter offers an unexpected opportunity for both of them. Jesus does not cease to be Jewish because he drank the water offered by the Samaritan woman. The Samaritan remains who she is, while embracing Jesus’ way. When we recognize that we do have reciprocal needs, complementarity takes place in our lives in a more enrich-ing way. “Give me a drink” presupposes that both Jesus and the Samaritan woman ask for what they need from each other. “Give me a drink” compels us to recognize that persons, communities, cultures, religions and ethnicities need each other. Diversity needs to be recognized and presented as our common heritage, with regard to humanity and the whole of creation. “Give me a drink” compels us to change our attitude, to commit ourselves to seek unity in

the midst of our diversity through our openness to a variety of forms of spirituality and religious

expressions.

UCCSA Communications

The UCCSA held a very successful Minister’s Con-vention at Good news Centre, Muldersdrift, and Johannesburg. The pur-pose of this gathering was to clarify, bring cohesive-ness and make more effi-cient our processes and systems relating to Minis-ters. The Convention was a space that allowed us to listen to how each and engage on “Toward a Mis-sional Ministry”. Objectives where:

Create a common vision and understanding

on building a Missional Church and our role in this process.

Inculcate and strength-

en a Missional Ethos amongst Ministers.

Provide an opportunity

for fellowship, worship, study and recreation for Ministers to cut across di-vides of age, culture, nation-ality, age, gender and theo-logical orientation and oth-ers.

Strengthen fraternal bonds, unity and supportive networks amongst Ministers.

Begin to reflect on “UCCSA @ 50 and beyond Besides the above men-

tioned objectives this was

also an opportunity to share

some of the issues that have

been confronting us as a

denominations. More im-

portant for us is that our

presence here allows us to

have a conversation amongst

ourselves as ministers as to

how we understand our role

as leaders in taking the

Church forwards said Rev

Alistair Arends (UCCSA Gen-

UCCSA Ministers Convention

UCCSA Mission Council Conference Understanding and Embracing the Missional Plan of the UCCSA and being a Missional Church

Understanding

and Embracing

the Missional

Plan of the

UCCSA and

being a

Missional

Church

Page 3 Congregational Chronicle

UCCSA Ministers during a session

UCCSA Mission Council will be having a conference under the theme” Understanding and Embracing the Missional Plan of the UCCSA and being a Missional Church” which will be held on 6-8 February 2015. The meeting will be held at Kuruman Moffat Mission, Ku-ruman South Africa. The mission council members are expected to arrive on Thursday the 5th in the afternoon/evening. The departure date is Sunday 8th soon after breakfast. The objectives of the conference to be held in February 2015 include the following: 1. Create a common vision and understanding on building a Missional Church and our role in the process. 2. Inculcate and strengthen a Missional ethos amongst our Ministries and Units. 3. Provide an opportunity for fellowship, worship, study and recreation within the thrust of the mission council. 4. Develop a strategy for church growth and church planting across all the countries of the UCCSA. 5. Develop the Mission Council Action Plan in line with the UCCSA Capacity Development Plan 6. Developing and Resourcing the Mission Council

A conversation about the UCCSA. The state of affairs in the UCCSA.What are the resources (Asset base) of the Church, and how can we use them as a base for economic transfor-mation? What roles can the Mission Council Play in response to the Missional challenges of the UCCSA? (What are the kinds of actions that we feel called to in order for us to experience transformation?) It is hoped that the conference will create new momentum for the ministries and units within the UCCSA especially in the light that in just 2 years’ time the UCCSA will be celebrat-ing its Golden Anniversary on the 3rd October 2017; Fifty years of Mission and Witness is not a mean achievement and all glory, honour and praise be unto God, the one who has sus-tained us this far.

Keynote address by the Rev Dr Collin I Cowan at the UCCSA Ministers Convention. To be missional is the only task of the Church. It is root-ed in the every essence of our destiny and calling. Jesus ‘definition of church being “light of the world “ and salt of the earth “(Mat 5:13-16) his way of linking identity with vocation. They are inex-tricably intertwined. The call of CWM, therefore is both encouragement to stay the course and an offer of accompaniment as each member lives out its calling

in faithful obedience to God. The Church is Missional in identity and purpose: A bibli-cal perspective. The Church’s witness and relevance is at stake: A per-sonal critique. The Church has a mandate to fulfil: reclaiming its identity and purpose. I call the Church to reclaim

its place as God’s agent of

hope and instrument of sal-

vation in a world that has

lost sight of the meaning and

significance of community;

where we are paralyzed by

greed and

where

selfishness

infest our

hearts and

make cal-

lous our

conscienc-

es. We may have lost our way

but there is an opportunity

available to us right now to

reclaim that place because God

continues to beckon us to come

to the waters and be refreshed.

More info at UCCSA

activity by some people. Xen-ophobia brings us shame as Africans. It is a sign of self-hate .As a church we should teach our members to be proud of their Africanness and celebrate their belong-ing to the continent. The UCCSA as a pan-African church has to reject xeno-phobia in all its forms and should challenge our govern-ments to pride themselves in building relations and ex-tending hospitality to fellow Africans. As church we have

The recurrence of xenopho-bic attacks in South Africa is an indication of some of the deep-seated problems that continue to bubble at the surface of our countries. The attacks against foreign na-tionals from the African con-tinent were and are an indi-cation of serious socio-political problems that con-tinue to grip our continent. Unfortunately some of our governments have simply dismissed these attacks as merely a matter of criminal

an evangelistic responsibility to promote tolerance, ac-ceptance of the stranger among us and the promotion of better living conditions for refugees in our communities. We have to encourage our local churches to go out of their way to be welcoming to the strangers in our neighbourhoods. Extracts from the UCCSA Archives (Reports)

Keynote: On becoming a Missional Church

Xenophobia in Southern Africa

New Executive for the Africa Office.

opportunity to work and

partner with you in God’s

mission in the world” He

officially began his ministry

as the Africa Executive on

Monday, January 5 after be-

ing in Togo for French lan-

guage training.

Rev. Marco Cable is the new

Executive for the Africa Of-

fice. In the letter he sent to

Global Ministries partners he

said “ I am humbled to have

been called to lead this im-

portant work at Global Min-

istries. I am grateful for Ma-

ma Sandra Gourdet and her

faithful service to Africa for

the last 40 plus years. She

has laid a strong foundation

in which I plan to build up-

on. I am excited to have an

The Reverend Marco A.

Cable, M.Div

Executive, Africa Office Global Ministries of the

Christian Church (Disciples

of Christ) and the United

Church of Christ PO Box 1986, Indianapolis,

IN 46206

Page 4 Volume 1, Issue 1

Reflections By the UCCSA President at the UCCSA Ministers Convention

A missional community

listens to and understands the stories of

their neighbors in order to be able to tell the Gospel

Story in ways that are Good

News to those specific

people.

Page 5

FIX YOUR HEART Scripture Reading: Philippians 2:1-5

ᶦINTRODUCTION: The theme for the Convention is "Towards A Missional Ministry". It is

my responsibility to give you a STARTING POINT. The starting point for "Towards a Missional Ministry" is the heart. We are also going to deal

with CARING for: ourselves, families, congregations and communities. And to CARE comes from the heart. Caring is also being missional......

THE SCRIPTURAL BASIS FOR CARING: And so, THE STARTING POINT for being missional

which includes and is also, to care for the other, is found in Philippians 2:2-5. Firstly, we ought to live in harmony; be of the same mind; be one in purpose. These

qualities are in fact a prerequisite for caring in a family and community set-up. Secondly, Paul is saying that we should do nothing from factional motives i.e. out of

selfishness or strife; he is emphasizing the first point. Thirdly, he is also saying to us that there should be no conceit or arrogance amongst them.

Fourthly, we are called to have a true spirit of humility; to regard others better than ourselves. Fifthly, the call comes loud and clear that each of us NOT ONLY look after our own interests but must be concerned about the needs of others.

According to the Amplified Bible: "Let this same attitude, and purpose and mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus” - LET HIM BE YOUR EXAMPLE IN HUMILITY.

HUMILITY FOR THE SAKE OF? The first readers of this letter were a diverse group of

believers. The church was founded during the Second Missionary Journey of Paul. We find the account thereof in Acts 16:11-40. There was the wealthy business woman, Lydia; there was the slave girl; and the jailer and his family.

It is to this congregation Paul writes. It is if he is telling them, IF YOU, AS A CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY WANT TO BE obedient as missional individuals, missional families, leaders and church effective in mission have missional impact ,be able to discern the Word God is giving them, FIX YOUR HEART.WHEN YOUR HEART IS FIXED and you are on Mission with God, God is about bringing glory to His name and establishing His kingdom and reign in the world. It is what He is always been up to throughout redemptive history of the world.WHEN YOUR HEART IS FIXED you can now “demonstrate the Gospel tangibly”. Just as Jesus came demonstrating the kingdom through selfless acts of service, we actively look for opportunities to meet the felt and real needs of our neighbors. We look at ways to serve our spouses, to serve our children BUT also to serve our neighbour. WHEN OUR HEARTS ARE FIXED, we can pattern our communities after Jesus’ life, and we “declare the Gospel creatively”. A missional community listens to and understands the stories of their neighbors in order to be able to tell the Gospel Story in ways that are Good News to those specific people. A REASON WHY I WAS ATTRACTED TO BY THIS SCRIPTURE PASSAGE IN PHILIPPIANS. Paul deals here with the Incarnation, God with and amongst us through Jesus Christ. This is the Missio Dei, God at work. Do we remember what WWJD stands for? What Would Jesus Do. Do we still ask ourselves this question? Or is it all about me.I came across this tweet by Alan Hirsch: “It is not so much that the church has a mission, it is that the mission of God has a church.” (I want to suggest that we make this our slogan in the UCCSA.)

CONCLUSION: A man fell into a pit and could not get himself out. A Christian Scientist came along and said,

"You only think that you are in a pit." A Pharisee said, "Only bad people fall into a pit." A compassionless Fundamentalist said, "You deserve your pit." A Charismatic said, "Just confess that you are not in a pit." A Methodist came by and said, "We brought you some food and clothing while you are in the pit." A Presbyterian said, "This was no accident, you know." An Optimist said, "Things could be worse." A pessimist said, "Things will get worse!" Jesus, seeing the man, took him by the hand and lifted him outof the pit.That is the essence of Christ and of His compassion and caring. That is the spirit we need operating within and through us. This is what caring is all about; this is what missional is all about. Lifting out those who fell into the pit of sickness, shame, hopelessness, poverty or injustice.

We want to here more stories from our local churches,Regions and Synods on the

next issue.As we look back over the years together in the UCCSA, we are profoundly

thankful to God for the way in which he has led us and for his power enabling us to

walk with him and with one another “according to all that he has made known to us

or will make known to us. We are so grateful to those who have led the UCCSA at

Denominational, Synodical, Regional and local levels. Their vision, enthusiasm, cour-

age, faith and hard work have made it possible for us to celebrate this union with joy

and forward-looking hope. Together we are THE people of God, his worshippers, His

workers and His witnesses in the Church and in the world. We are dependent on

Christ and on one another and it is that INTERDEPENDENCE which has character-

ised our life together in the UCCSA.

The UCCSA Theme says: “Christ is Calling Us: Participating in Suffering and

Struggle.” This is a call to action, a call to discipleship, a call to be a Justice Church

and a Church that endeavours to live up to the expectations of being a Loving and

Caring Church, a Church which participates in the sufferings and struggles of God‘s

people by doing something to change their lives. It continues to emphasize the jus-

tice ethos of the UCCSA. In a world where people continue to suffer marginalization,

betrayal by the post-liberation reality and rampant corruption the church is called

more than ever to present the face of the God of the oppressed. This prophetic min-

istry has to be at the heart of the self-understanding of the local church. This is why

the key priority of this Programme is to enable the local church to be more faithful in

its vocation of being a Missional Church. As Congregationalists we believe that the

Local Church is the primary place where mission is practiced. The local church is at

the frontline of mission practice.

Wellington

Rev Alistair Arends The General Secretary Email:[email protected] a Rev Kudzani Ndebele Media Liason Officer Mr Wellington Mthobisi Sibanda Communications Officer Email: [email protected] Tel: +27 11 837 9997 Fax: +27 11 837 2570 Email: [email protected] Website: www.uccsa.co.za

Business Tagline or Motto

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February 2015 UCCSA Events Covenant and Commitment Sunday IMB/WF Consultation (Johannesburg) UCCSA Mission Council (Kuruman) Ash Wednesday UCCSA Investments Committee 1st Sunday in Lent