Delegates from three URCSA presbyteries during a workshop presented by the NFCD.
On Saturday, 20 July 2024, the New Faith Community Development (NFCD) had a workshop with the URCSA presbyteries of Ebenezer, SA Gestig, and Wynberg. It was held in Athlone at URCSA Rondebosch.
The workshop was facilitated by Rev. Ronald Noemdoe, and was accompanied by the co-chairman of the NFCD, Rev. Gustav Meyer. Twenty participants were present from different congregations from the respective presbyteries. We took them on a journey of discovery with the theme, Introduction to rediscovering on being a missional church.
Participants from these presbyteries were URCSA Ebenezer (2), URCSA Oosterzicht (2), URCSA Westridge (2), URCSA Rondebosch (2), URCSA Nyanga (2), from the Presbytery of Ebenezer. URCSA SA Gestig (1) and URCSA Woodstock (2) from the Presbytery of SA Gestig, and URCSA Acacia Park (1), URCSA Die Slot (1), URCSA Lavender Hill (2) and URCSA Wynberg (3) from the Presbytery of Wynberg. Ministers from Lavender Hill, Nyanga, and Wynberg also attended the workshop as part of their delegation.
It was certainly an event where the participants’ awareness was deepened, especially their awareness that everything begins with God. Participants were invited to “take back theology”. This was emphasized, because our view of who God is, is reflected in our view of the missionary nature and the mission of the congregation, which determines the congregational culture and how we do ministry.
In conclusion, these were some of the participants’ responses, “Our vision has to change”, “We have to change”, “We have to share this with our congregations and in particular leadership”. “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you,” and also “We need guidance, and we really hope for a follow-up on this journey.”
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You may contact Rev. Stephen Pedro at stephen@kaapkerk.co.za or his office at kga3@kaapkerk.co.za for more information.