What happened? I had the privilege to spend this weak with 9 individuals from different parts of the world. Two of us from South Africa(Devon is from Soweto), one from Egypt, one from Ethiopia, one from Nigeria, one from Tanzania. Two from the USA, one from Thailand and one form Germany. What a challenging group? Each one of us from a different denomination and cultural background. But most of all what a amazing spiritual experience! We came together at Mabalingwe, a Game Reserve in the Limpopo to talk and think about the relevancy of church and what is happening in the world. What a glorious experience!
To the horror of the guys from Africa, Germany and Thailand we started talking about everything happening at our churches. One cannot help but to boast a little bit about everything happening at our church even if this boasting is neatly cloaked in holiness. To our disdain they reacted in horror and not in the awe we expected. Instead of praising us they have asked the following questions which I would like to cover the next few weeks.
1. How many of your congregation is really active? – My whacked out idea of congregation!
1.1 What is your understanding of active members?
1.2 Where is the focus of your congregation?
1.3 How do we help our people to be “not relevant?”
1.4 What can we do to make a difference?2. How do we demonstrate our faith in the community? – My whacked out idea of ministry!
2.1 What do we call ministry?3. How do we worship? – My whacked out idea of worship!
2.2 How do we as leaders demonstrate this ministry?
2.3 How do we help our people to be “not relevant?”
2.4 What can we do to make a difference?
3.1 What is our aim in worship?I will try to convey something of the conversations during the following weeks. Feel free to comment and partake in the discussions.
3.2 How much of worship takes place at church?
3.3 How do we help our people to be “not relevant?”
3.4 What can we do to make a difference?
