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• Lent 2007
• Year of Mission launched
• Mission workshop in Humansdorp
• Almost half-way there
Lent 2007
Christian, dost thou feel them,
How they work within,
Striving, tempting, luring,
Goading into sin?
Christian, never tremble;
Never be down-cast;
Smite them by the virtue
Of the Lenten fast.
Year of Mission launched
Over the next three years I hope this diocese will become a mission orientated diocese.
- David Stansbury, the mission portfolio holder for the diocese.
The Bishop of the Diocese of St Mark the Evangelist, Martin
Breytenbach, launched our diocesan "Year of Mission" at Holy Trinity on
Sunday night 28 January.
Bishop Martin had been invited by Bishop Bethlehem to launch the
mission which he did with the service on the Sunday night followed by
workshops in the various areas of the diocese over the next four days.
Clergy and two or three lay representatives from most of the parishes
in Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage, together with those from the Parish of
Alexandria and the Good Shepherd, gathered at Holy Trinity in Central
for the service.
Bishop Bethlehem welcomed everyone saying, In obedience to Matt
28:16-20 the people of the diocese need to ‘Go, make
disciples’. He said we exist for mission and called upon the
diocese to take upon ourselves the seriousness of the challenge, and
the Lord will bless us.
The two Bishops read the Mission Pledge, with the people making a commitment on behalf of the diocese.
A mighty river
Bishop Martin said that Christianity in Africa was growing like a
mighty river, getting wider and wider, but in some places it was only
an inch deep. He said 79% of the population of South Africa said they
are Christians, and yet …! Like so many “Christian”
countries in Africa there is corruption, crime, conflict, stigma for
those living with HIV/AIDS and much more.
Over the past 90 years, since statistics were recorded, the percentage
of Anglicans in South Africa has dropped from 0ver 20% to 5%. However
the Anglican Church of Southern Africa has two very alive dioceses,
those of Niassa and Angola, where the bishops are baptising over 100
adult converts at a time. Meanwhile the African Independent Churches
have grown from nothing in 1921 to over 40% in 2001.
Plan of growth
Church growth does not happen by itself, we need to evangelise, make
disciples and equip Godly leaders. We need to remember the vital
healing ministry, the youth and that we are ministering to the whole
person.
He said, “We need to look at what it means to be an Anglican:
- What are our essential values that may not be changed?
- What changes do we need to make?
and
- What will it cost to become a Church in Mission?”
 He went on to say that the Anglican Church in Southern Africa
has set up a steering committee to look at the church becoming “A
God-centred, vibrant church which is clearly growing spiritually,
numerically and holistically.” He spoke about what the committee
are doing and said that mission will take commitment and hard work.
“Are we ready? How deep will we venture into God’s river of
life? (Ezekiel 47:1-12)”, and will we say “Here am I,
send us.” These were the challenges left with us by Bishop
Martin.
Pic 1: Pledging ourselves - Bp Bethlehem and Bp Martin Breytenbach read the Pledge to Mission.
Pic 2: A time to laugh - Enjoying themselves after the Mission launch were Shane Fraser, Bishop Martin and David Stansbury.
Mission workshop in Humansdorp
Pam Brown reports on the workshop held at Humansdorp.
The Mission team led by Bishop Martin Breytenbach visited the Parish of
the Good Shepherd on Monday 29 January to launch our Diocese’s
first year of mission. In attendance were Bishop Bethlehem and David
Stansbury.
Bishop Martin held two workshops which were well attended by
representatives from all the churches of the parish. ‘What is our
mission?’ and ‘The results of an effective mission’
were some of the topics discussed. We looked at priorities and how to
achieve them.
We were challenged to:
- Plan for Growth,
- Make disciples and
- Equip Godly leaders.
Bishop Martin’s wonderful keyboard playing and some
enjoyable hymns complimented Evensong and a finger supper between
programmes. The parish would like to thank all those who made this
occasion such a success. "Go and make disciples of all nations."
Pic: Getting to know you - Bishop Martin joined Fiona Estherhuizen and Jackie Trollip during a break
Almost half-way there
Rod Greville, rector of the
Parish of Sundays River Valley writes that the new church building for
St Barnabas, Nomathamsanqua, is almost half-way up.
Their Patronal Festival will be celebrated on Sunday 17 June and Rod
has asked parishes to please diarise the date and to come and join them
in their big celebration. Funds are being raised to complete the
building of this 250 seater church building in a rural area. More next
month!
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