Fltr (back row): Rev. Conroy Terblanche, Rev. Fabian Kotzé, Rev. Jacques Jacobs, Rev. Wilden Hector, Rev. Farren Cloete, Rev. Kyle Mendoor, and Rev. Clive Jacobs (co-facilitator). Fltr (front): Rev. Pedro Oktober, Rev. Stephen Pedro (facilitator), and Rev. Sampie Snyders.
Ten ministers of the presbyteries of Amandelboom, Clanwilliam, and Steinkopf gathered around the theme, The Missional Transformation of Congregations, during a training and planning workshop that were held at URCSA Vanrhynsdorp from 9 to 11 April last week.
This workshop was facilitated by Rev. Stephen Pedro, Minister in Synodical Service (MSS) for Congregational Witness and assisted by Rev. Clive Jacobs of URCSA Stellenbosch as co-facilitator.
“These three days were a blessed, uplifting, and energizing experience, which enabled us to have fellowship, and to encourage one another, as well as to build the bonds of friendship and unity,” Rev. Pedro said.
The workshop was attended by Rev. Fabian Kotzé of the Presbytery of Amandelboom, Rev. Farren Cloete, Rev. Wilden Hector, Rev. Kyle Mendoor, and Rev. Pedro Oktober of the Presbytery of Clanwilliam, as well as Rev. Jacques Jacobs, Rev. Sampie Snyders, Rev. Freddie Swart, and Rev. Conroy Terblanche of the Presbytery of Steinkopf.
The workshop in session.
The purpose was to continue with the introduction of a missional transformation process for congregations, which was designed by Rev. Pedro. This will be followed-up with workshops to empower these ministers with the tools to facilitate the transformation process themselves with their congregations, and those congregations without ministers in their respective presbyteries.
This workshop started with a Dwelling in the Word session from Philippians 1:9-11, 27-30, which formed the theological framework for the duration of the workshop: “Discern and focus on the things that really matter in the eyes of God – one in love and in purpose”. Furthermore, they focused on the three phases of the missional transformation process and tools to facilitate each one of these phases. They constantly moved from theory to practice, and vice versa, as the ministers involved gave their input from their lived experiences, as congregational and spiritual guides, as proclaimers, and as facilitators of the Gospel from their different contexts.
The ministers during the prayer walk.
This workshop also incorporated a prayer walk, during which they prayed in front of the local primary school for the school community, children, and teachers, as well as in front of the local clinic for the patients, nurses, doctors, and other medical staff.
During the prayer walk, the ministers prayed in front of the local primary school for the school community, children, and teachers, as well as in front of the local clinic for the patients, nurses, doctors, and other medical staff.
They also joined the prayer service of the local congregation, URCSA Vanrhynsdorp, not only to encourage them, but also to share in the pain and loss of their community, following a recent motor vehicle accident outside Vanrhynsdorp in which eleven people from their community fatally died.
The group joining the prayer service of the local congregation, URCSA Vanrhynsdorp.
Overall, it was really a special, unforgettable, and a transformational experience.
Contact Rev. Stephen Pedro at stephen@kaapkerk.co.za for more information.