Category: Pastoral Letters

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ENG AFM Pastoral Letter 4th Quarter 2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS

– INTRODUCTION
– CONTINUE LABOURING IN GOD’S KINGDOM
– TRUST IN GOD ALWAYS
– APPRECIATE WHAT WE HAVE
– CALLED FOR A TIME SUCH AS THIS
– CONCLUSION

AFM Colleagues,

I am greatly honoured to pen this article down as part of the 4^th Quarter 2021 Pastoral Letter. This is my last Pastoral Letter in my capacity as President of the AFM of SA. For this last edition, I requested my fellow National Office Bearers to join me as we reflect on a last special message and word of encouragement to the AFM church as a whole.

It was a privilege to serve alongside these leaders: Dr J.J. La Poorta (Deputy President), Dr H.J. Weideman (General Secretary) and Past. B. Petersen (General Treasurer). May God bless them and continue to bless our beloved AFM church.

CONTINUE LABOURING IN GOD’S KINGDOM

Past. M.G. Mahlobo (President of the AFM of SA)

I was twenty-five years old when I was ordained as a Pastor of the AFM of SA. Although I had an assurance of God’s calling, I did not have a complete picture of what the Lord wanted me to do. Since my ordination,  as I reflect on my forty-two years in the ministry, I am thankful to God for all that He did for me as part of the AFM fellowship. I am also grateful to all my ministry colleagues and members of this church. When I was young, you provided me with spiritually matured people who mentored and guided me. When the ministry became tough, you gave me motivation and when I was hurting I received comfort. When I celebrated achievements, you celebrated together with me.

The Covid-19 pandemic has been with us for almost 2 years. Many colleagues succumbed to the pandemic. Many of our people lost their livelihoods. Adjustments to the new norm are not easy. We had to embrace new ways of doing ministry and meetings. This is possible through multiple technologies such as WhatsApp, Facebook and Zoom. Loadshedding, bandwidth outages and access to data made connectivity difficult for many of us. We had to find innovative ways regarding the church’s liturgical practices such as the dedication of children, laying on of hands on the sick and serving the Lord’s Communion. Water baptism has been halted in many of our churches. If the pandemic persists the leadership of the church will have to give guidance in this regard.

Allow me to thank our Pastors, Assembly Leaders and members of our church for holding the fort during these difficult times. I pray for God’s protection on you and your families. May the good Lord continue to guide and empower you for the present times and the future. May the Lord add to your congregations those who accept Jesus as their Savior and Lord and are baptised in the power of the Holy Spirit. May the flame of Pentecost continue to burn in your services.

We are coming to terms with the fact that the current pandemic is not a “sprint” but a “marathon”. God expects us to fulfil our calling. The fulfilment of the Great Commission cannot be stopped by the Covid-19 pandemic. Early church persecution and all previous pandemics could not stop the church’s witness. The One who called us is the source of our empowerment and sustenance as we continue to labour in His ministry. In 2 Thessalonians 3:3, we read these encouraging words: “But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one” (NLT). As you continue to labour in God’s field do so with integrity, sound relationships, accountability and excellence. Mobilise our members to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13-16). Embed in their spirits the sense of being sent by God to all creation as transformational agents.

“The fulfilment of the Great Commission cannot be stopped by the Covid-19 pandemic.”

While I will no longer be able to serve you as your leader, I want to assure you that I leave with pleasant memories. It has been a pleasure working together with you, as co-workers in this church. Allow me to also thank all the staff members of the AFM National Office for your dedication to your work.

TRUST IN GOD ALWAYS

Dr J.J. La Poorta (Deputy President of the AFM of SA)

Now that I have virtually come to the end of my active ministry journey within the AFM of SA, it is with thanks and appreciation that I am looking back without regrets. Along the road, I have met many people who positively impacted my life. I encountered many challenges from which I have learned valuable personal lessons and some I could share with others so that they do not make the same painstaking mistakes I made. Through it all, I have seen the Hand of the Lord – the One who called me – manifested in ways beyond my wildest imagination.

I also want to express my heartfelt thanks to my life partner in ministry, Susan, our children and grandchildren for the joy and happiness that they brought into my life and ministry. Some colleagues have been with me in ministry during many struggles, memorable moments and experiences – I want to thank them for their assistance. I do not want to venture into listing names in the fear that I might leave someone out by mistake and that this could cause unnecessary strain on future relationships. When they read this document, they will recognise themselves. I would like to share some final thoughts with you:

Stay Focused & On Course

In ministry, it is significant to stay focused and on course towards your calling. Romans 11:29 declares that: “…since God’s gracious gifts and calling are irrevocable”. When a person is called and have been empowered with certain charismatic gifts, one must always remember (i) the purpose and the calling and (ii) that the charismatic gifts are to build up the Body. It is not to be used as tools or instruments of manipulation or to brag about one’s own ability. It comes from God and will always remain the property of God through His Spirit. Its purpose is to build the church and enhance the mission of God in the world.

The calling and the charismatic gifts bring with it an anointing that opens up doors and breaks down every yoke of resistance. Remember, you are called by God and must stay focused on Him and His interest. Never use the calling, charismatic gifts and anointing for any God-dishonoring purpose.

Trust In God Always

Trust in God with all your strength and lean not on your own understanding, strength and abilities. You have been called to do God’s work with His power and in the strength of the Holy Spirit. Wherever you go, whatever you do always remember to trust in God. He is our protector, provider and sustainer in ministry. Many people will come across your path who think they can take that special place of God and make you dependent on them. Be careful about those seemingly, kind and generous people who support you in ministry with ulterior motives. They will give to you and your ministry to remind you that they are important resourceful persons in your life.

“Trust in God with all your strength and lean not on your own understanding, strength and abilities.”

Be Faithful Till The End

You have been called by God into ministry, who is faithful and just to supply all your needs according to his riches in glory. Your faithfulness and allegiance must under all circumstances be to God and God alone. To the members of the church in Smyrna the Spirit said to be faithful until death. To be faithful is a costly exercise that in many cases may demand the ultimate price. When you uttered the words of Isaiah 6: 8: “Here am I, send me” you declared yourself willing to pay the price for the calling in ministry.

Stay well and be of good courage, God is able to do exceedingly above all your hopes, dreams and expectations.

APPRECIATE WHAT WE HAVE

Dr H.J. Weideman (General Secretary of the AFM of SA)

Looking back over the last 5 years and also looking forward to the future, many things come to mind. In the limited space of this article, I will mention 5 of those closest to my heart:

Our Rich History & Pentecostal DNA

In the National Office, I am often reminded of and appreciate our history and the leaders that played a role in our growth over the years. I realised again the importance of staying true to who we are as a Pentecostal church.  The AFM is certainly not a perfect church, such does not exist, but it is our church and we have been planted in South Africa for a definite and God honouring purpose. As people of the Holy Spirit, living and working on the frontline of a secularising world, we must do everything in our power to strengthen our DNA and give expression to our values of Integrity, Excellence, Relationships and Accountability in our everyday lives.

We are blessed with several seasoned and experienced leaders who remains a rich reservoir of corporate memory and learning capabilities on which developing leaders can and must draw. I firmly believe that no leader “expires” – they only enter another season of ministry.

Unity and Diversity

Our vision statement says: “We see a church accessible to all people, celebrating our unity and God-given diversity, empowering our members for caring and changing communities to the glory of God.” We need to appreciate that our journey towards unity comes a long way. Many leaders, Pastors and members played a crucial role and sacrificed a lot to bring us where we are. The achievement of structural unity in 1996 was a remarkable milestone on this journey that still needs to continue, as we treasure and strengthen our cohesion.

We should celebrate our diversity as an asset in our ongoing development and growth process. This diversity is expressed in a bouquet of cultures, languages, traditions, learning experiences, stories, ways of expression and liturgies. None of which are “better” than the other, just different. We can appreciate and learn so much from each other, as we participate in the multi-faceted existence that the AFM has to offer.

Our Local Assemblies & Members

The church exists on a local level before it exists on a regional and national level. The National Office and Regional Structures of the church exist because local assemblies are planted, developed and grown. Our leaders, Pastors and members are all assets of equal importance and should be treated as such.

When done right, the local assembly is an extremely powerful transformational influence in its community. Every member has a role to play and must be empowered to live their lives as people on a mission. The mission Jesus sent us on when He said: “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you…” (John 20:21). The AFM started out as and should continue to be a missional movement in which every member is an active part of the team and not a spectator.

“The AFM started out as and should continue to be a missional movement in which every member is an active part of the team and not a spectator. “

Developing & Emerging Leaders

I am very excited by the number of developing leaders and emerging young leaders that the AFM has. They must be empowered to grow as leaders who embody the DNA, values and ethos of the AFM. They need to be mentored, embraced and given the space to become all God intended them to be in our church, communities and country. If we can do that effectively our future legacy will be secure.

Future Opportunities 

As I said in the beginning, the AFM was planted in South Africa for a reason. Part of that is to be salt and light, to be a changing influence, not only in our cities but in every community where we find ourselves – be that urban, rural, workplace or social spaces. To be moral influencers. People who live with integrity, doing what we do with excellence and accountability and within the context of loving and caring relationships. That is firstly on a personal and local level.

On a national and organisational level, the AFM should be more visible and fulfil its role as an agent and voice of righteousness, moral influence and promotors of the Good News of Jesus’ Love, Grace and forgiveness. The AFM is not the only expression of the body of Christ on earth, but we are certainly a significant part of it. We should believe in our purpose and calling and fulfil our role with determination and passion.

CALLED FOR A TIME SUCH AS THIS
Past. B. Petersen (General Treasurer of the AFM of SA)

“And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment. From the tribe of Issachar, there were 200 leaders of the tribe with their relatives. All these men understood the signs of the times and knew the best course for Israel to do” Chronicles 12:32 (KJV).

The world is slowly emerging from the catastrophic Covid-19 pandemic which was the greatest threat to global health in more than a century. The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has been devastating as many lives were lost and livelihoods were destroyed. We are slowly lifting our heads and our hearts after a season of pain and uncertainty in a rapidly changing world with a shift from what we were used to, to a place of uncertainty. These challenging days is causing the church to reflect on her influence in and on society.

“The Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa believes that the Spirit of God is given to believers to live dynamic and overcoming lives…”

The Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa believes that the Spirit of God is given to believers to live dynamic and overcoming lives and that believers can demonstrate the character, love and power of their Lord, Jesus Christ, in their daily lives. I’m reminded of the words of Jesus in Matthew 5: 13-16, “…you are the salt of the earth and the light of the world”. In times before modern refrigeration, salt was used to prevent bacteria from poisoning food – salt could literally make the difference between life and death when fresh food was not available. Salt also added flavour to food,  and as such the church should live a life worthy of being emulated by the world. Light gives direction and guidance in a time of darkness. When we shine our light before others by living righteously we are making visible the character of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

God has called and continues to call men and women, as He called Moses, in response to the cries of His people and His creation because God cares for His creation. In Exodus 3: 7- 10 we read: “The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites.  And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them.  So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”

We must understand and appreciate the demands of the times in which we minister. Chronos time refers to minutes and seconds whilst Kairos time refers to the appointed time or a due season. Undoubtedly we are in a Karios period that will determine the trajectory of the world for years to come. The church is called at this moment to rise and meet the weightier demands of our time. Like Moses, we are called with a divine purpose to make a lasting impact in this generation.

“Like Moses, we are called with a divine purpose to make a lasting impact in this generation.”

This time calls for visible Spiritual Authority underpinned by our daily walk with God as Paul commands us in Colossians 2: 6-7: “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,  rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving”. Our understanding of the context in which we minister will enable us to move beyond the pulpit and give direction, like the sons of Issachar, by the grace of God, to lead our communities on how to respond to the situations people find themselves in.

The Gospel brings home a message that is destiny changing – a change from what we are to what we ought to be. The Gospel brings hope as the Psalmist says in Psalm 126: “…when the Lord brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dreamed. … Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”

We have personal experience of the destiny changing impact of the Gospel. Through the ages and all over the world, we have powerful evidence of what can happen when leaders, consumed by a vision from God, relentlessly pursue, and then turn that vision into destiny changing realities. We have witnessed the impact God has made in communities where adults, teenagers and children are wholeheartedly discovering who they are in God and what life is all about.

CONCLUSION

“May God help us to passionately spread the full gospel beyond the walls of the church.”

May God help us to passionately spread the full gospel beyond the walls of the church. We should accelerate the development of competent and skilled leaders with spiritual authority who truly understand the times and who boldly act in anticipation of the demands of tomorrow. I pray that the Lord will continue to use the AFM of SA in an even bigger way to share the life-changing message.

May the Apostolic Faith Mission continue to enjoy infinite blessings!

Blessings!

M.G. Mahlobo

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AFM Pastoral Letter: 3rd Quarter 2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS

– INTRODUCTION
– DIVINE HEALING & THE INCEPTION OF THE AFM
– BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE ON SICKNESS & HEALING
– AFM WELFARE WEEKEND: 26-28 NOVEMBER 2021
– CONCLUSION

AFM Colleagues,

Due to the restrictions on gatherings, the National Office Bearers could not visit all the regions during this year’s NOB Empowerment Visits. We hoped that restrictions would have been relaxed earlier, allowing us to visit those regions that are still outstanding. Unfortunately, this could not happen and for this reason, I am including links to all the NOB Empowerment presentations and videos in this letter.

The theme for this year is “Step up to the Future.” The presentations include: (i) Our Missional Church Strategy (One AFM Game Plan), (ii) Church Discipline, (iii) Good Governance (iv) Technology and the Church and (v) Major Risks Facing the AFM. Kindly use the links below to enjoy access to the mentioned content:

Download Presentations:

https://afm-ags.org/category/media/

Watch Videos:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMguBPJZpLHYtSymo7ubUs2oXGS28rDn3

I trust that these presentations will bless and empower you! In this edition of the Pastoral Letter, I include a special focus on the subject of healing as well as the upcoming AFM Welfare Weekend.

DIVINE HEALING & THE INCEPTION OF THE AFM

Dr Isak Burger (Former President of the AFM of SA) – burgerisak@gmail.com

Divine healing was one of the distinctive characteristics of the early AFM. Just to get an idea of the many healings, these figures give some indication: During the year 1911, there were 2,023 cases of confirmed, supernatural healings in the AFM. The official church magazine (The Comforter and Messenger of Hope) published right from its inception, in every edition, several testimonies by people who were healed. In some editions, lists of people healed were mentioned. This is perhaps the most outstanding feature when paging through those early Comforters.

The early leaders – Thomas Hezmalhalch, John G. Lake and P.L. le Roux – have set the example. It is important to take special note of the healing ministry of John G. Lake. His philosophy about healing was simply that the praying for a sick person must continue until he/she was healed. Near the end of his life, he wrote to P. L. le Roux where he ascribed the high percentage of healings to this sustained praying: “The astounding percentage of those who were healed was, I believe, due to the system we adopted. We insisted that the individual should present himself for prayer and laying on of hands every day until we were satisfied that they were fully healed.”

“His philosophy about healing was simply that the praying for a sick person must continue until he/she was healed.”

Lake was opposed to the modus operandi of some evangelists who only prayed once for the sick person, took no further responsibility for him/her and then told the public that the person was healed. This sort of practice, he said, is harmful:

“We well knew that the great majority of those ministered to once were not fully healed. Some of them were half healed; some of them were quarter healed; some of them received a very slight touch of healing; some were touched of God sufficiently to take away their pain and give them freedom and action temporarily. In many of these cases evangelists had these people testify before great audiences that they were fully healed, only to discover in a few days or weeks that they were not really healed, and many in disappointment went home to die.

Because of the commercialized state of evangelistic work, evangelists felt that they could not afford to take time to pray for the same individual more than once; and in a short time they began to teach that accursed teaching that has devastated the ministry of healing that it was only proper to pray for the sick once, that they should not be ministered unto the second time. This was Dollar Christianity. Wherever it was practised and by whom, it is still Dollar Christianity. If we pray for a sinner repeatedly until he is saved and he knows it, and for the baptism of the Holy Ghost, why not for healing?”

“If we pray for a sinner repeatedly until he is saved and he knows it, and for the baptism of the Holy Ghost, why not for healing?”

Divine healing has always attracted people and this was probably the decisive factor that persuaded people to set aside their objections and prejudices and through which the Lord drew the people to Himself. More people in those early days came to the AFM through the healing ministry than in any other way. It is remarkable how many of the first generation members of the AFM were influenced to join the church after seeing or personally experiencing a healing miracle.

Relating the history of a well-known pastor in the early days of the AFM, a Mrs Z. Rennie wrote: “The late Pastor Charles Heatley came into the church a hopeless cripple, on crutches, and went home saved, and literally leaping for joy, healed by the power of God. He often testified that when he got home, his wife had a big fright when she heard a man running up the stairs – she had been listening for the sound of crutches – but to her joy, it was her husband, healed.”

One could rightly ask today: “What happened to this distinctive characteristic of the early AFM? After all, it is one of the foundational pillars of our church.” More information on this subject is available in the book “The Fire Falls in Africa” and can be obtained from the AFM Head-Office:

Send an e-mail to: france@afm-ags.org 

R100 per book (excluding the courier fee)

BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE ON SICKNESS & HEALING

Past. M.G. Mahlobo (President of the AFM of SA) – mmahlobo@afm-ags.org 

In this article, I would like to look at why we get sick. I would also like to touch on whether God can be the source of our sickness. I would then conclude with what the Bible says about healing, how can I get well and help others get well too. The issue of sickness is broad and complex. In dealing with this question, I want to propose three factors. These are human-, spiritual-, and environmental factors.

Human Factors

In certain instances, we become sick because of human factors. These include:

• Neglect of our bodies. When we neglect our bodies, we expose ourselves to all kinds of ailments.
• Harmful substances. We run a risk of being ill when we indulge in harmful substances, such as drug abuse, alcohol abuse, and tobacco.
• Non-compliance with hygiene and safety measures against diseases exposes us to all kinds of infections.

Spiritual Factors

• God factor. In the Old Testament God inflicted boils on Egyptians (Exodus 9: 8-12). God used ailments to punish Israel when they were disobedient. In 2 Samuel 24:15-17, God sent pestilence that killed 70,000 children of Israel because of the sin of King David. The Psalmist, in Psalm 119:67,71 makes a connection between afflictions and disobedience to God’s statutes (Ref. Exodus 15:26).
• Demons. In the New Testament, we read about people who were sick because of demonic powers (Mark 5:1-20).

Environmental Pollution Factors

• Sometimes sickness is caused by conditions of squalor. In Deuteronomy 23:12-14 we see the importance of hygiene and sanitation.
• In January 2020 the World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus cited the absence of water, toilets, soap, and water management in health care facilities among the most urgent global challenges of this decade (WHO and UNICEF. Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP 2017). 

Is sickness something given to me by God? The response is ‘yes’ and ‘no’. I have already alluded to God using sickness as punishment or corrective measure in one of the previous paragraphs. This is specifically in relation to the Old Testament and not necessarily in the New Testament. One of the consequences of sin in Genesis 3 is death. Sickness is part of the death process. Sin has rendered our bodies vulnerable (1 Corinthians 5:1-2; 15:42-44). Each one of us has a body that is in the process of perishing. In the New Testament, God is healing the multitudes instead of cursing them.

“In John 10:10 Jesus declares that He came to give life in all its fullness.”

How can I get well? There are many views and opinions about healing. Christians need to go to the Bible for direction and guidance:

• Have faith in God. In three Bible passages, Jesus healed people and told them “Your faith has made you well” Mark 5:34, Luke 17:19 & Mark 10:52.
• Confession. In James 5:16 we are instructed to confess our sins to each other as a preparation for our healing. This, however, does not mean that every sick person is ill because of a secret sin that he/she has committed. This was a mistake that Job’s friends made regarding Job’s sickness.
• Accept sufficiency of God’s Grace. In 2 Corinthians 12:8-9, Paul relates his prayer to God for healing from his physical ailments. He prayed three times and in all instances, the response from God was: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul accepted God’s grace above his ailment.
• Consult accredited physicians. Christians should not shy away from undergoing medical processes to establish their condition of wellness. The Bible refers to medical treatment used, such as bandages (Isaiah 1:6), balm (Jeremiah 8:22), leaves (Ezekiel 47:12) and oil and wine (Luke 10:34). References of Doctors are made in the Bible. These include Matthew 9:12; Luke 4:23 and Colossians 4:14.

How can I help others to get well? We can help others get well when we pray for their healing (Mark 16:16-18 & James 5:14-15). We must encourage them not to lose hope. Healing comes from God. Our God, as Jehovah Rapha, can heal us from all diseases (Psalm 103:3). God may not heal us. God said ‘no’ to Moses when he prayed for Miriam (Numbers 12:13-15), and Paul (2 Corinthians 12:8-9). Church leaders have an important part to play. In James 5:14-16 elders or leaders of the church should be informed when members are sick. They are expected to visit and pray for the sick.

AFM WELFARE WEEKEND: 26-28 NOVEMBER 2021

Ashley Theron – Acting CEO of AFM Welfare – ashleyt@afmwelfare.org.za 

In the past 18 months, people all over the world were affected by a situation that we have never experienced before. The devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the loss of lives of family members, colleagues, friends and even Pastors. This is compounded by the loss of jobs and business shutdowns impacting negatively on the income of families – remaining a great concern. The lost time for the education sector might never be recovered. Churches have been greatly impacted by the lockdown regulations limiting the number of people that may attend gatherings. It seems that so much has been lost and that no person, organisation or church is left untouched by this crisis.

“When things are tough and difficult in my own household, does God still expect me to reach out to others in need?”

When things are tough and difficult in my own household, does God still expect me to reach out to others in need? When I am suffering, do I still have a responsibility to serve as the hands and feet of Christ? The image of the three crosses on Calvary immediately comes to mind and specifically Luke 23:32-43. It is one of the most precious moments in the Bible. While Jesus Himself were experiencing agony and excruciating pain on the cross, He still showed compassion to listen to the plea of the thief crucified next to Him. Jesus repressed His own pain in that moment to tend to the needs of another.

The implication for believers is clear. Jesus has set this touching example for us to follow. It is an example that stands in stark contrast with the ways of the world where people in difficult situations might feel that self-preservation is a higher priority than giving, sharing and reaching out to others.   Even when things are difficult and tough in our own households, I believe that through God’s grace we should continue to generously give and reach out to others in need. This is also the proposed theme for the 2021 AFM Welfare Weekend (26-28 November 2021).

The AFM Welfare Weekend is an opportunity for the church to intentionally reflect on one of the drivers of the One AFM Game Plan – Community Involvement. By making it a focused weekend, it does not mean that we should not be involved in our communities throughout the year. It only means that we are taking time to re-evaluate the church’s role in making a difference in the lives of vulnerable persons. It is also a chance for the AFM to have a specific weekend, once a year where all Assemblies are invited to unite as one around the same focus, message and activities. (Download more information about the Community Involvement driver from: https://afm-ags.org/community-involvement/.)

One of the most vulnerable groups in our local communities is older persons. Older persons are somebody’s parents, our parents, our grandparents, they are in our churches – they took care of us when we were growing up, it is our turn to care for them in a dignified manner and to protect them. The care and protection of older persons will be our focus for this year’s AFM Welfare Weekend.

“The care and protection of older persons will be our focus for this year’s AFM Welfare Weekend.”

The rest of this article will focus on a guideline with practical ideas and suggestions to assist AFM Assembles to make the most of the AFM Welfare Weekend. Each AFM Assembly should decide how their AFM Welfare Weekend will be structured.

Guidelines for a successful AFM Welfare Weekend

Effective Preparation 

• To make a success of AFM Welfare Weekend involve, prepare and mobilise the Governing Body, all Departments and all assembly members.
• Prepare spiritually by intentionally reflecting with your leadership and assembly members on one of the drivers of the One AFM Game Plan – Community Involvement.
• If you don’t have a Welfare Committee, you will need to identify, elect/appoint and prepare a team that will be responsible to organise and manage the programme for Welfare Weekend.

Get to know the Community Surrounding the Church 

• To help care for, serve and protect vulnerable persons (including Older Persons) in your community, you need to know who they are and where they live. Take a good look at your town, suburb or community and create a Profile that includes:

• A database of information on all vulnerable persons, including older persons in your Assembly, and others living in communities surrounding your church including their names, phone numbers, physical address and next of kin.
• A list of organisations or structures involved in service provision and protection of older persons. This includes Government Departments, SAPS, NPOs and other organisations, health facilities and institutions that are offering services to older persons. (Get to know these organisations and individuals so that your Assembly can conduct a needs analysis and become aware of opportunities for involvement.)

• For purposes of the 2021 AFM Welfare Weekend the information and services for Older Persons should be prioritised.

Deciding on your AFM Welfare Weekend Programme

You can choose between a two or a three-day programme. The example below is for a three-day programme:

• Friday Evening. Invite families (include grandparents if they are part of the same household) to a short practical “Focus on the Family” session. Should you be interested, I will gladly share two of my tool kits on (i) How to Develop Family Values and (ii) How to combine Family Meetings with Evening Devotions. You or one of the leaders can facilitate a discussion and break into groups of families to apply the teaching.
• Saturday morning. Consider a Community Outreach action.

Example 1: Breakfast and entertainment session for Older Persons

Identify and invite all active Older Persons (60 and above – if there are too many 65 and older) to enjoy breakfast and thereafter participate in a concert with them as the performers. Close the session with a short talk on e.g., self-care or a sermon.

Example 2: Reaching out to and spoiling Older Persons

Identify vulnerable or frail older persons in your assembly and community and arrange a team of youth members and/or children’s ministry staff to clean their houses, do chores and run errands, do their hair and nails, do a health check etc.

• Saturday afternoon. Consider an Empowerment Session where you inform and train your church members and members of your community. I will make a training video available soon to educate the mentioned members on reaching out, caring for and protecting older persons in the community, including a special focus on the different types of elder abuse.
• Sunday morning – A Welfare Service. 

Sunday Sermon:

Community Involvement is key to the fulfilment of the AFM’s missional calling. Empower your members to better understand this driver and calling. Give the consistent message that (1) when things are tough and difficult in my own household, God still expects me to reach out to others and (2) the abuse of older persons is wrong and contrary to Christian teachings. We will also make sermon points for your consideration available soon.

Sunday Donations-in-kind:

Consider a specific activity where your members are mobilised a few weeks before the AFM Welfare Weekend to bring donations that could include gifts, clothes, linen, towels, toiletries and/or non-perishable food for identified older persons. The parcels of food and toiletries should be prepared before the time and handed out during the morning service to active older persons. Where older persons are no longer able to attend the services, it should be taken to them.

Sunday Offering:

Consider taking up a special offering for the AFM Welfare Department. The special offering can be deposited in the AFM Welfare’s account:

Bank Name: ABSA

Account Name: The Executive Welfare Council of the AFM of SA

Branch Code: 632005

Account Number: 01 05529 076 4

Type: Check

Reference: The name of your AFM Assembly

To further assist you in preparing for AFM Welfare Weekend, you might also find the following resources useful:

https://afm-ags.org/pastoral-letter-2nd-quarter-2021/ 

https://afm-ags.org/protecting-older-persons-against-abuse-an-involved-church-community/ 

CONCLUSION

I understand that Covid-19 does have a great influence on the way church actions and projects are planned. There is no doubt that it has become more difficult to reach out and work with the community due to Covid-19 restrictions. I want to encourage you to stand strong and to consider innovative ways to continue carrying out the Great Commission – even when times are difficult and tough. Even when it is painful and hurting. I am praying for each AFM Pastor, and I know that through the grace of God we will be strengthened and receive wisdom.

Blessings!

M.G. Mahlobo

Laai die PDF-weergawe hier af (om maklik per e-pos te stuur of uit te druk):

Pastorale Brief: 3de Kwartaal 2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS

– Introduction
– Significance of the Outpouring of the Holy Spirit
– Caring & Protecting Older Persons: An Involved Church & Community
– Trends Affecting the Church in South Africa: During & Post-Pandemic
– Conclusion

Download this Pastoral Newsletter in PDF format (e-mail and printer-friendly):

Eng PN Updated 2021 – 2nd Qrt WEB

AFM Colleagues,

The Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa (AFM) is part of the classical Pentecostal Churches that emphasises the role of the Holy Spirit in the lives of Christian believers. We recognise the Holy Spirit as part of the divine Trinity. The role of the Holy Spirit, as part of the Trinity, can be traced back to the Biblical creation narrative in Genesis 1:2 where we read: “The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters” (ESV). In Matthew, the Holy Spirit is associated with the birth of Jesus (Matthew 1:18) and with Jesus’ water baptism (Matthew 3:16-17). Regarding the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19, those who become disciples from all nations should be baptised in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Past. George Mahlobo – President of the AFM of SA

Introduction

The Committee for Doctrine, Ethics and Liturgy (DEL) is currently considering the question of whether speaking in tongues is the only initial evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

This is an important discussion because it touches on our Confession of Faith. Paragraph P.3.7 of the church’s Confession of Faith states: “WE BELIEVE in the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues as promised to all believers. We believe in the manifestation of the gifts and fruit of the Spirit in the life of a Christian. We believe that a Christian should be a disciple of Jesus Christ living a consecrated and holy life.” We are looking forward to the recommendation of the DEL and the action by the National Leadership Forum. Whatever decision is taken, I do not believe that it will undermine the significance of baptism in the Holy Spirit.

Balancing the Spiritual Gifts with the Spiritual Fruit

During Pentecost week, AFM International organised a virtual conference with the theme: “Balancing the Gifts of the Spirit with the Fruit of the Spirit”. The Gifts of the Spirit are aimed at competency in ministry whereas the Fruit of the Spirit is aimed at the development of a Christ-like character. The two should always be coupled together.

The Gifts of the Spirit were grouped into three, namely (1) Gifts of Revelation (Word of Knowledge, Word of Wisdom & Discerning of spirits); (2) Gifts of Utterance (Prophecy, Different kinds of Tongues & Interpretation of Tongues) and (3) Gifts of Power (Faith, Gifts of Healing & Workings of Miracles).

The Fruit of the Spirit was also grouped into three. The three groups were (1) Personal relationship with God (Love; Joy & Peace); (2) Personal relationship with Others (Patience; Kindness & Goodness) and (3) Personal development (Faithfulness; Gentleness & Self-control).

On Pentecost Sunday we reflected on the significance of Baptism in the Holy Spirit.

Baptism in the Holy Spirit

It is John the Baptist who spoke about Jesus as the one that would baptise with the Holy Spirit. All four Gospels bear testimony to this, namely Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:7-8, Luke 3:16 and John 1:33. Before He ascended to heaven, Jesus gave His final instruction to His Disciples not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for the baptism with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5). This was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost as stated in Acts 2.

There are three occurrences of Baptism with the Holy Spirit which are associated with speaking in tongues in the book of Acts. These are Acts 2:1-4; Acts 10:44-46 and Acts 19:6. In Acts 8:17 we read about new believers who received the Holy Spirit when Peter laid hands on them. The evidence of them receiving the Holy Spirit is not mentioned as speaking in tongues. However, something extraordinary happened when they received the Holy Spirit. This caught the attention of Simon who offered money to receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:18).

Power for Ministry

According to Acts 1:8, the main purpose of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit was to empower the disciples as witnesses of Jesus. Acts 1:8 (ESV) reads: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

“Baptism in the Holy Spirit empowers us to be effective witnesses of Jesus.”

Baptism in the Holy Spirit empowers us to be effective witnesses of Jesus. Being witnesses of Jesus requires enablement from the Holy Spirit. When writing to the church in Corinth Paul said: “Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” (2 Corinthians 3:5-6 ESV). This power is manifested through the Spiritual Gifts as listed in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11. Through these Gifts, the church receives insight (Gifts of Revelation). The Gifts of Utterance enable the church to hear from God and to speak to the saints. Through Gifts of Power, the church demonstrates God’s power.

Development of the Christ-Like Character

It is expected that God’s children should develop a character that is compatible with Christ’s character. In many instances, this aspect of the Christian life is ignored. The fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 are indicators of the formation of a Christ-like character. We need development in our personal relationship with God (Love; Joy & Peace). We also need to grow in relationship with other people (Patience; Kindness & Goodness) and our personal development (Faithfulness; Gentleness & Self-control). In Luke 2:52 (NLT) we read: “Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all people.”

We must Guard against the Misuse of the Spiritual Gifts

We read about the misuse of Spiritual gifts in Corinth. Paul addresses this issue in 1 Corinthians 12 and 14. We sometimes tend to rate certain Gifts higher than others. Although Paul rated prophecy as a preferred gift in comparison with tongues, this does not mean that the proper use of tongues adds no value (1 Corinthians 14:3-5). Both tongues and prophecy are for edification. When tongues are interpreted, they equate to prophecy.

CARING & PROTECTING OLDER PERSONS: AN INVOLVED CHURCH & COMMUNITY
Ashley Theron (Acting CEO of AFM Welfare) 

The Abuse of Older Persons

Older persons are somebody’s parents, our parents, our grandparents, they are in our churches – they took care of us when we were growing up, now it is our turn to care for them in a dignified manner and to protect them. We should not only say it takes a village to raise a child, we should also say it takes a family, a church and a community to protect and care for older persons. Sadly, the abuse of older persons remains a major challenge in South Africa – it continues in families, communities and even in Facilities for older persons.

“…it takes a family, a church and a community to protect and care for older persons.”

The care and protection of older persons should be one of the focus areas of AFM Assemblies and the practical implementation of the Community Involvement driver (as one of the drivers of the One AFM Game Plan). Some important definitions to consider in this discussion, are:

Older Person – is any person who is 60 years old and above.

Older Person in need of care and protection – means an older person contemplated in section 25(5) of the Older Persons Act (Act No13 of 2006).

Abuse of an Older Person – is when someone with power over an Older Person intentionally harms them or puts them at serious risk of harm, their action, or lack of action.

Forms of Older Persons Abuse

The six types of older person abuse include (1) physical abuse, (2) sexual abuse, (3) emotional or psychological abuse, (4) neglect and self-neglect, (5) abandonment and (6) financial abuse. Each one of these forms of abuse has a definition and specific warning signs that empowers a person to possibly identify when abuse is taking place. Regardless of type, the abuse of older persons can have devastating consequences, including great emotional suffering, serious physical injuries, and even death.

The Role of the Pastor & other Church Leaders

Psalm 141:8-10 states: “My eyes are fixed on you, O God, my Lord; in you I seek refuge; do not leave me defenceless. Keep me from the trap that they have laid for me, and from the snares of evildoers. Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by in safety.” 

“Pastors and other Church Leaders can play an important role in preventing abuse because they are often the first stop for help.”

Pastors and other Church Leaders can play an important role in preventing abuse because they are often the first stop for help. In many cases, the Pastor or Leader of older adult ministries may be the only other person (except the abuser) in the victim’s life. The abuse of older persons is a crime and all responsible leaders working with older persons MUST report cases of older person abuse to the authorities.

Allow me to share ten recommendations for Pastors and other Church Leaders to consider in their management of Older Persons Abuse in their respective churches and communities (note that these recommendations can also be applied to gender-based violence and child abuse):

Pastors and other Church Leaders should:

1. Recognise the signs. Generally, look for any signs of mistreatment: physical and verbal abuse; neglect of personal hygiene, living conditions, or medical needs; and exploitation, such as someone taking advantage of an older person’s finances and property. Some older persons are unable or afraid to talk about these kinds of situations, so Church Leaders need to keep a watchful eye on their care.
2. Give the consistent message (in the form of a sermon) that the abuse of older persons is wrong and contrary to Christian teachings.
3. Increase awareness and discussion of the abuse of older persons within the church (through regular teaching and training). Educate the congregation on the subject of different types of older person abuse – including fraudulent incidents related to elders.
4. Reach out to and work with external agencies, including local older person abuse support services, the police, children’s and family services, health services, social services etc. Tackling abuse and helping those who are abused requires a multi-sectoral approach.
5. Create a safe place for older persons by making your church a place where elderly victims can come for help. Provide confidential (within the boundaries of safeguarding policies), non-judgemental listening and prayer support for anyone who discloses that they have been abused.
6. Contact the proper authorities. In South Africa, the first call you make is to your nearest Department of Social Development office and if they are not available, report the abuse to the South African Police Service. If the person is in immediate danger, call 10111.
7. As part of your Community Profile, create a database of all vulnerable persons including older persons living in the local community you serve – including their names, phone numbers, address, next of kin.
8. Establish a Friendly Visitor Program where members of your congregation regularly visit homebound and elderly members. Also, encourage those with family members in old age homes to visit them often. If a family member is a caregiver, encourage and support the caregiver in getting some time off by arranging with trained church volunteers to offer their help.
9. Start a Parish Nurse Ministry in which a knowledgeable and professional health care worker can help educate the congregation as well as be an observer of the needs of homebound members.
10. Help prevent abuse in your community by teaching older persons and their families how to report abuse and or fraud (especially telemarketing fraud), informing them about the types and signs of older persons’ abuse.

“Create a safe place for older persons by making your church a place where elderly victims can come for help.”

To further support Pastors and Church Leaders in the task of caring for and protecting older persons, I developed a more detailed resource that can be accessed from the AFM website: https://afm-ags.org/category/articles/. Download this article to learn more about:

• The Legal and Policy Framework in South Africa (The Older Persons Act).
• Six types of older person abuse (Learn to Recognise all the Warning Signs).
• Managing older person abuse (Understand the Roles of every Stakeholder).

TRENDS AFFECTING THE CHURCH IN SOUTH AFRICA: DURING & POST-PANDEMIC

Dr Henri Weideman (General Secretary of the AFM of SA)

Somewhere during this year, or early next year we will move into a post-Covid-19 pandemic world. No one can say exactly what the future holds, but we do observe certain trends around the world, some of which are also relevant to South Africa and should be considered as we plan and pray about the future. Some of these are:

Trend 1: The Importance of Ministry in the Digital Realm

I persist with an observation that I made previously, that the church will remain an in-person entity but should not miss out on the opportunity of developing an online presence. Many congregations are developing a permanent online presence and are maximizing the opportunity for digital outreach. In doing so, they reach new people but also retain existing members who currently prefer the safety of online engagement.

Some leaders advocate a “digital-first” strategy while others focus on an “in-person first” approach. Strategies where these two approaches are blended in a complementary fashion are also rising. Cutting-edge church leaders understand that the church must be present on the internet in ways that go beyond streaming Sunday morning worship and facilitating online giving. Options like online Bible study groups, online new member- and pre-marriage courses, and the formation of new faith communities that exist solely online, should also be explored.

Trend 2: A Bigger Focus on Connecting and Fulfilling the Mission, than on Gathering

Historically, the church has done almost everything to gather people in one building. Growing churches are now starting to focus much more on connecting people to each other and to God and less on just gathering them. Connecting people on Sunday mornings will stay important. It will however not necessarily only be in one building anymore. Outward focusing gatherings would consist of micro-churches in people’s homes and other buildings on Sunday mornings, as well as on other days. If you can accept the fact that micro-gatherings, distributed gatherings, and people watching from home are all connecting people to one another, you will be able to mobilise those people in the same way you would the people who are in the church building.

“The size of your vision should be bigger than the capacity of the building you can fill.”

One of the opportunities for connecting people will be accommodating the demographic shifts and increasing cultural diversity in our communities. It is also important to realise that individuals outside the church connect more readily to the impact a local congregation has on its community than to the denominational label of that church.

Trend 3: Movements, Moments And Mission

Around the world, people seem to have no trouble pouring out onto the streets for political or social protests or gathering for critical moments. The church, at its authentic best, has all the characteristics of a movement on a mission, characterised by some very profound moments. Too often though we miss those critical elements because so much of the current church model has been based on content delivery on a Sunday morning.

Content used to fill a building because it was scarce. You had to attend to hear a message, but in a time where content fills the internet, content alone no longer fills a room. The abundance of content and information needs moments of insight to bring meaning out of the content.

“People do not just want information about God, they are hungry for an experience of God.”

Emphasising moments, movements and mission are more critical than ever. People do not just want to know what is true; they want to know what is real. And what is real is deeper than just an idea – it is an experience. People do not just want information about God, they are hungry for an experience of God. We must include moments in our gatherings that go beyond information and engage people’s senses and heart, especially during worship and times of prayer. Churches that ignore an encounter with God and just hope that a decent message will fill the room, will most likely be shocked by how it no longer does.

Trend 4: Succession is Becoming more Important

We see several older leaders of Assemblies who realise that it is time for them to move on – but they do not know how. We also see younger leaders leaving because older leaders are not moving on when they should. Every year that an Assembly is led by a leader who has lost vision, lost passion and lost focus – the mission of that church suffers. However, the succession crisis is only a crisis if you make it one. Instead of just hanging on, great leadership renews itself.

The drawback is that the older you get, the less likely you are to innovate around methods – and innovation drives growth and connection with emerging generations. Data points to a trend that growing churches tend to be led by younger leaders. Many leaders talk about reaching the next generation, but they seldom include the next generation in their planning. It is becoming increasingly clear that it is going to take the leadership of the next generation to reach the next generation.

Trend 5: New Staffing Patterns

One component of the changing nature of the religious workforce is an increase in part-time and bi-vocational clergy and more “laity” in substantial ministry roles as paid staff or volunteers.

The pandemic has forced some churches to downsize their staff for financial reasons. And it has put a premium on electronic communications skills that are vital to virtually every aspect of the practice of ministry. Some congregations are starting to appoint individuals who have technical knowledge but must be helped toward a better theological grounding. Congregations increasingly look for staff with specific skills in communication, marketing, fundraising, and other needed specialities.

With Acknowledgement to Doug Powe, Ann A. Michel and Thom Rainer.

CONCLUSION

As we emerge into the post-pandemic world, leaders who see opportunities instead of obstacles will thrive. The church is sometimes missing out on spiritual entrepreneurship – something the New Testament calls Apostleship. It is a kind of profound willpower, innovation and intensity shown by the Apostle Paul. Spiritual entrepreneurs are the kind of leaders who will find tomorrow’s solutions when most leaders can only see today’s problems.

“Spiritual entrepreneurs are the kind of leaders who will find tomorrow’s solutions when most leaders can only see today’s problems.”

One of the most important observations regarding the time that we are living in is that it invites all of us to be innovative, flexible and to practice endurance.

Blessings!

Past. M.G. Mahlobo

(President of the AFM of SA)

TABLE OF CONTENTS
______________

– Introduction
– Global Pandemics cannot stop the Great Commission
– Technology: Strengthening the Mission of the Church
– Words of Encouragement
– Conclusion

Download the Pastoral Newsletter in PDF-format
(e-mail and printer-friendly):

AFM Pastoral Letter 1st Quarter 2021

AFM Colleagues,

The Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-19) can not be stopped by global pandemics. I believe that God’s word is not constrained by lockdowns and regulations. We should be able to fulfil God’s mission while adhering to the Covid-19 safety measures.

“…although he is in confinement, God’s Word is not.”

In 2 Timothy 2:8-9 (ESV) Paul had this to say to Timothy: “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound!” Paul was confined in a Roman prison, just before his death in AD 67 when he wrote to Timothy. He wanted Timothy to remember the core message of the Gospel, namely, “Jesus Christ who is risen from the dead.” He then makes this powerful statement that although he is in confinement, God’s Word is not. It needs to be noted that about seven of Paul’s letters were written while he was in prison.

GLOBAL PANDEMICS CANNOT STOP THE GREAT COMMISSION
Past. George Mahlobo – President of the AFM of SA

In this article I would like to address the following issues: technology, the need for the church to adapt, prayer, discipleship and care.

Technology

At the time of the outbreak of Covid-19, the world was in different stages of the 4^th Industrial Revolution. In 2019 during the NOB Regional Empowerment Visits, we reflected on the impact of the 4^th Industrial Revolution (4IR) on the church and society in general. One of the things we said was: “The technologies emerging with the 4IR have great potential to continue to connect billions of more people to the web thereby drastically improving the efficiency and productivity of business and organisations.”

One of the positive impacts of technology is that it connects people across the globe without huge expenses. The fact of the matter is, technology has redefined the public domain in the sense that we can participate in public issues without being physically together. Various virtual platforms make it possible for us to access this new public space. This is where the church needs to be. Of course, this does not mean that in-person gatherings or travelling to other geographic areas are no longer relevant. Indications are that many people still prefer in-person gatherings rather than virtual ones.

“We should be encouraged that we have access to technological tools today that were not available to Paul in his day. “

With the outbreak of Covid-19, we changed the way we socialise, conduct business, mourn and do ministry. Although we were confined in our homes we continued to connect with people and do business on various virtual platforms. The proliferation of live-streamed services is one example of how we continued with ministry during the pandemic. We should be encouraged that we have access to technological tools today that were not available to Paul in his day. These devices and gadgets open doors to share the gospel today. They come in different forms such as mobile phones, computers, portable laptops and social media. Maybe I should ask the question which God posed to Moses in Exodus 4:2: “The LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A staff” (ESV). We have the ‘staff’ in the form of technology.

Adaptation

This ‘staff’ in our hands and on our desks requires that we change our mode of doing things. We must ensure that the message remains the same while we change the way of doing things. When we minister through technology, we will reach beyond our church walls. We may not hear the shouts of “Amen” and “Hallelujah” but our audience will respond with emojis.

The implications, hereof, is that the church needs to change the old ways of doing ministry. Change is no longer an occasional reality. It is the water we are swimming in.

“When we minister through technology, we will reach beyond our church walls.”

Prayer

The great movements of missions and evangelism have often been fuelled by a revival of prayer. While we may need to wait “to go”, we should not wait “to pray”. Prayer is one of the keys to the fulfilment of the Great Commission. In Matthew 9:37-38 (ESV) Jesus said to His disciples: “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few, therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest.” Our missional strategic plan (or One AFM Game Plan) seeks to mobilise our members to be the implementers of God’s mission.

We should pray like the prophet Habakkuk when he said: “I have heard all about you, LORD, I am filled with awe by your amazing works. In this time of our deep need, help us again as you did in years gone by. And in your anger, remember your mercy” – Habakkuk 3:1-2 (NLT). Various digital platforms can be used to connect intercessors nationally and globally. Some of the prayer points in this regard should be:

• Prayer for personal repentance (1 John 1:8-10),
• Prayer for the infilling of the Holy Spirit and Ministry (Ephesians 5:18) &
• Prayer for the redemption of the world (2 Thessalonians 3:1).

Discipleship

One of the key issues when it comes to the Great Commission is discipleship. It is one of the AFM’s missional strategic drivers. Discipleship is more than making converts and church members. It is making people true followers of Jesus Christ through their conduct and word. Technology can be used for discipleship training. Discipleship training should be aimed at our members to make them disciplers of others. Various discipleship-models can be explored. We need to be strategic and focused. We must do whatever helps to move people deeper into a growing relationship with Jesus.

“We must do whatever helps to move people deeper into a growing relationship with Jesus.”

It is a moment also for bold witness to the fullness of life in Christ, a life which embraces one’s neighbour as one’s other-self. This requires that we stay current in the community, environment, and culture in which we operate and minister.

Care for the Destitute and the Hurting

Many people have become destitute and are hurting because of the negative impact of Covid-19. I think we all know someone who has lost loved ones or his/her employment during the pandemic. Some of these people are in our neighbourhoods while others belong to our extended families. We have a social responsibility to lend a helping hand. Community Involvement is also one of our AFM Game Plan Drivers. We need to reach out to these people and share whatever we can. But above all, give them confidence and hope that come through faith in Jesus. We can do this by sharing our testimonies and prayer with them.

TECHNOLOGY: STRENGTHENING THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH
Dr Henri Weideman – General Secretary of the AFM of SA

INHOUDSOPGAWE
______________

– Groete
– Wêreldwye Pandemies kan nie die Groot Opdrag tot Stilstand bring nie
– Tegnologie: As Versterking van die Kerk se Missie
– Woorde van Bemoediging
– Slot

Laai die Pastorale Nuusbrief af in PDF-Formaat:
(om dit as ‘n dokument te e-pos of uit te druk)

AFM Pastorale Brief 1ste Kwartaal 2021

AGS Kollegas,

Die Groot Opdrag (soos in Matteus 28: 18-19) kan nie deur wêreldwye pandemies tot stilstand gebring word nie. Ek glo dat God se Woord nie deur beperkings en regulasies ingeperk kan word nie. Ons moet in staat wees om God se missie te vervul terwyl ons Covid-19 veiligheidsmaatreëls nakom.

“…dat hoewel hy opgesluit is in die tronk, God se Woord nie opgelsuit is nie.”

In 2 Timoteus 2: 8-9 (AFR83) het Paulus dit vir Timoteus gesê: “Onthou altyd dat Jesus Christus, ‘n nakomeling van Dawid, uit die dood opgewek is. Dit is die Evangelie wat ek verkondig. Vir hierdie evangelie ly ek verdrukking, selfs in boeie soos ‘n misdadiger, maar die Woord van God kan nie geboei word nie.” Paulus was in ‘n Romeinse tronk opgesluit, net voor sy dood in 67 NC toe hy aan Timoteus geskryf het. Hy wou hê dat Timoteus die kernboodskap van die Evangelie moes onthou, naamlik: “Jesus Christus wat uit die dood opgestaan ​​het.” Hy maak dan hierdie kragtige stelling dat hoewel hy opgesluit is in die tronk, God se Woord nie opgelsuit is nie. Ongeveer sewe van Paulus se briewe is geskryf terwyl hy ‘n gevangene was.

WÊRELDWYE PANDEMIES KAN NIE DIE GROOT OPDRAG TOT STILSTAND BRING NIE
Past. George Mahlobo – President van die AGS van SA

In hierdie artikel wil ek aandag gee aan die volgende kwessies – tegnologie, die behoefte vir die kerk om aan te pas, gebed, dissipelskap en sorg.

Tegnologie

Met die uitbreek van Covid-19 was die wêreld in verskillende vlakke van die 4de Industriële Revolusie. Reeds in 2019, tydens die Ampsdraers se Bemagtigingsbesoeke aan die streke, het ons besin oor die impak van die 4de Industriële Revolusie (4IR) op die kerk en inderdaad die hele samelewing. Een van die dinge wat ons gesê het, was: “Nuwe tegnologieë wat ontwikkel word saam met die 4IR, het groot potensiaal om biljoene meer mense te verbind aan die Internet, wat die doeltreffendheid en produktiwiteit van besighede en organisasies drasties sal verbeter.”

Een van die positiewe gevolge van tegnologie is dat dit mense wêreldwyd kan verbind sonder groot uitgawes. Die feit van die saak is dat tegnologie die publieke sfeer geherdefinieer het – in die sin dat ons aan openbare aangeleenthede kan deelneem sonder om fisies bymekaar te wees. Verskeie virtuele platforms maak dit vir ons moontlik om toegang tot hierdie nuwe openbare ruimte te kry. Dit is waar die kerk moet wees. Natuurlik beteken dit nie dat persoonlike byeenkomste of om fisies te reis na ander geografiese gebiede nie meer relevant is nie. Aanduidings is dat baie mense steeds persoonlike byeenkomste verkies eerder as virtuele byeenkomste.

“Ons moet aangemoedig word deur die feit dat ons vandag tegnologie het wat Paulus in sy tyd nie tot sy beskikking gehad het nie.”

Met die uitbreek van Covid-19 het ons die manier waarop ons sosialiseer, sake doen, treur en preek verander. Alhoewel ons in ons huise opgesluit was, het ons steeds kontak met mense gehad en op verskillende virtuele platforms sake gedoen. Die vermeerdering van lewendige uitsendings van dienste is een voorbeeld van hoe ons gedurende die pandemie met bediening voortgegaan het. Ons moet aangemoedig word deur die feit dat ons vandag tegnologie het wat Paulus in sy tyd nie tot sy beskikking gehad het nie. Hierdie toestelle en toerusting waartoe ons toegang het, bied vir ons ‘n oop deur om die evangelie te deel. Dit kom in verskillende vorme voor, soos selfone, rekenaars, draagbare skootrekenaars en sosiale media platforms. Miskien moet ek die vraag stel wat God in Eksodus 4: 2 aan Moses gestel het: “Wat het jy in jou hand?” “’n Kierie,” antwoord Moses. Ons het ‘n “kierie” in die vorm van tegnologie.

Aanpasbaarheid

Hierdie “kierie” in ons hande en op ons lessenaars vereis dat ons ons manier/metode van dinge doen verander. Ons moet toesien dat die boodskap altyd dieselfde bly – terwyl ons die manier/metode van doen verander. Wanneer ons tegnologie gebruik, kan ons bediening vêr buite die mure van die kerk strek. Ons hoor miskien nie die uitroepe van “Amen” en “Halleluja” nie, maar ons sien die emoji’s wat ons gehoor gebruik om te reageer. Die implikasies hiervan is dat die kerk ou maniere/metodes van bediening moet aanpas. Verandering is nie meer af en toe ‘n werklikheid nie – maar ‘n konstante realiteit.

“Wanneer ons tegnologie gebruik, kan ons bediening vêr buite die mure van die kerk strek.”

Gebed

Groot sending en evangelisasie bewegings word dikwels aangevuur deur ‘n herlewing van gebed. Alhoewel ons miskien moet wag om “te gaan”, moet ons nie wag om “te bid” nie. Gebed is een van die sleutels tot die vervulling van die Groot Opdrag. In Matteus 9: 37-38 (AFR83) het Jesus vir sy dissipels gesê: “Die oes is groot, maar die arbeiders min. Bid dan die Here aan wie die oes behoort, om arbeiders uit te stuur vir sy oes.” Ons missionale strategiese plan (of te wel One AFM Game Plan) poog om ons lidmate te mobiliseer om die implementeerders van God se missie te wees.

Ons moet bid soos die profeet Habakuk toe hy sê: “Here, ek het gehoor wat van U vertel is en ek is vervul met ontsag vir wat U gedoen het. Doen dit tog ook in ons tyd, laat U dade ook in ons tyd ervaar word, ontferm U selfs in U toorn.” – Habakuk 3: 2 (AFR83). Verskeie digitale platforms kan gebruik word om voorbidders nasionaal en wêreldwyd te verbind. Sommige van die gebedspunte in hierdie verband moet wees:

• Gebed vir persoonlike berou (1 Johannes 1: 8-10),
• Gebed vir die vervulling van die Heilige Gees (Efesiërs 5:18) &
• Gebed vir die verlossing van die wêreld (2 Tessalonisense 3: 1).

Dissipelskap

Wat die Groot Opdrag betref, is dissipelskap een van die belangrikste kwessies. Dit is een van die drywers van ons kerk se missionale strategie en plan. Dissipelskap is baie meer as om net bekeerlinge en lidmate van gemeentes te kweek. Dissipelskap kweek ware volgelinge van Jesus Christus deur hul aksies en woorde. Tegnologie kan gebruik word vir dissipelskap opleiding – om sodoende ons lidmate op te lei om van ander mense dissipels te maak. Verskeie dissipelskap-modelle kan ondersoek word. Ons moet strategies en gefokus wees. Ons moet alles doen wat mense help om dieper in ‘n groeiende verhouding met Jesus te beweeg.

“Ons moet alles doen wat mense help om dieper in ‘n groeiende verhouding met Jesus te beweeg.”

Dit is ook ‘n oomblik om moedig te getuig van die volheid van die lewe in Christus, ‘n lewe wat jou naaste omhels as jouself. Dit vereis dat ons op hoogte bly van die gemeenskap, omgewing en kultuur waarin ons werk en bedien.

Sorg vir die Behoeftiges en die Gebrokenes

Die negatiewe impak van Covid-19 op mense kan nie onderskat word nie – baie is nou meer fisies en emosioneel behoeftig as te vore. Ek dink ons ​​ken almal iemand wat geliefdes verloor het of selfs haar/sy werk verloor het tydens die pandemie. Sommige van hierdie mense is in ons woonbuurte, terwyl ander aan ons uitgebreide families behoort. Ons het ‘n sosiale verantwoordelikheid om te help. Gemeenskapsbetrokkenheid is inderdaad ook een van die drywers van ons missionale strategiese plan. Ons moet na hierdie mense uitreik en alles deel wat ons kan. Ons moet hulle vertroue en hoop gee deur geloof in Jesus. Ons kan dit doen deur ons getuienisse en gebede met hulle te deel.

“Ons moet hulle vertroue en hoop gee deur geloof in Jesus.”

TEGNOLOGIE: AS VERSTERKING VAN DIE KERK SE MISSIE
Dr Henri Weideman – Algemene Sekretaris van die AGS van SA

Die term “tegnologie” beskryf basies die masjinerie, toerusting en gebruiksartikels wat ontwikkel word vanuit die praktiese toepassing van wetenskaplike kennis. Een van die vroegste voorbeelde hiervan is die padnetwerk wat die Romeinse Ryk gebou het om die beweging van soldate, amptenare en burgers te vergemaklik. Die kerk het ook van hierdie tegnologie gebruik gemaak; die paaie het dit makliker gemaak om die Evangelie te versprei. ‘n Ander voorbeeld is die Gutenberg drukpers. Dit het die grootskaalse druk van dokumente moontlik gemaak en die wêreld dramaties verander. Dit het die leiers van die Protestantse Reformasie gehelp om hulle leerstellings te versprei en ook om die Bybel in grootmaat te druk.

Daar bestaan vele ander voorbeelde van tegnologie wat die kerk tot voordeel gebruik. Dink maar aan motorvoertuie, klanksisteme, kopieermasjiene, radio’s, rekenaars, televisie, video en ook die internet. Die gebruik van tegnologie beteken nie noodwendig dat Bybelse waarhede ingeboet word nie. Die Hervormers het gedoen wat hulle gedoen het om mense terug na Bybelse waarhede te lei. Hulle het    gepoog om die Bybel in alledaagse taal vir mense beskikbaar te stel – sodat mense kon verstaan, volgelinge van Jesus word en dissipels van ander maak. Ons taak is niks minder as dit nie.

“Tegnologie sal nie wat kerke doen verander nie.”

Tegnologie sal nie wat kerke doen verander nie. Ons sal steeds mense bymekaar bring vir aanbidding, hulle in betekenisvolle verhoudings met mekaar bring, hulle oplei as dissipels, toerus vir bediening en hulle uitstuur om die wêreld te impakteer vir Jesus. Tegnologie sal heelwaarskynlik ‘n effek hê op hoe ons dit doen. Nuwe tegnologiese ontwikkelings maak dit vir kerkgangers moontlik om regdeur die week met die kerk in interaksie te wees. Met behulp van ‘n mobiele toep (of te wel ‘n sagteware applikasie vir ‘n slimfoon, tabletrekenaar of slimhorlosie) kan lidmate hulle Bybels lees, kerkdienste volg, op preke reageer en selfs finansiële bydraes maak. Kerke sal voortgaan om as ‘n fisiese liggaam bymekaar te kom, maar behoort nie die geleenthede te mis wat deur ‘n aanlyn teenwoordigheid gebied word nie.

“Tegnologie sal heelwaarskynlik ‘n effek hê op hoe ons dit doen.”

Direkte Video-Stroming (“Live Streaming”)

Een van die beskikbare opsies is regstreekse of direkte video-stroming (live streaming), wat beteken dat ‘n geleentheid op die internet uitgesaai word terwyl dit plaasvind. Die drie grootste platvorms hiervoor is tans: Facebook, YouTube en Zoom. Met Facebook kan ‘n mens jou navolgers (of te wel “followers”) bereik deur ‘n “going live” kennisgewing. Daar is ook ’n betaalopsie om meer mense te bereik. Om YouTube te gebruik, moet mens ‘n YouTube kanaal wat verbind is aan ‘n Google-rekening opstel. YouTube promoveer graag inhoud, want dit bevorder die kanaal se inkomste.  Dit is die primêre aanlyn verbruikerspunt vir jongmense (die Millennials en Gen-Z’s).

Zoom is ‘n betroubare opsie vir kleiner en meer intieme groepe, soos Bybelstudies, personeel byeenkomste en preek besprekings. Dit is gratis vir byeenkomste met minder as 100 mense en korter as 40 minute. Nog ‘n opsie is om ‘n aanlyn bespreking na ‘n preek te hou. Besprekings van die aard kan in lyn wees met die week se preek/tema en help om gesprekvoering te bevorder. Gratis en gebruikersvriendelike hulpbronne soos www.churchonlineplatform.com kan help om aanlyn-besprekings meer toeganklik te maak.

Video Opnames

Dit lyk altyd beter wanneer die kameralens op oogvlak met die spreker is. ‘n Kamerahoek van onder die spreker, lyk onvleiend. Sprekers moet direk vir die kamera kyk om sodoende oogkontak met die kykers te maak. Eenvoudige beligting soos ‘n ringlig of klein spreiligte, kan ‘n groot verskil aan die kwaliteit van die eindproduk maak. Die meeste selfone het goeie kameras wat vir opnames gebruik kan word. Produksiekwaliteit kameras met eksterne mikrofone en ander meer professionele toerusting kan later aangekoop word. Dit is goed om klein te begin en te groei. Eksperimenteer en vra advies.

Inhoud op Aanvraag 

Gemeentes wat alreeds ‘n digitale teenwoordigheid ontwikkel het, behoort dit nou uit te brei. Baie gemeentes bied hulle Sondagdiens en Mid-week byeenkomste aan as lewende geleenthede, en  veronderstel dat dit vir almal wat wil kyk toeganklik is. Die suksesvolste aanlyn platvorms bied hulle inhoud op aanvraag (of te wel “on demand”) aan. Gemeentes moet oorweeg om elke in-persoon Sondagdiens aanlyn toeganklik te maak vir wanneer dit vir verbruikers, in hul eie tyd, moontlik is om te kyk of te luister.

Kopiereg Inhoud

Tensy ‘n mens slegs van selfgeskrewe liedere en sang gebruik maak, moet jy kennis neem van organisasies soos SAMRO (Die Suid Afrikaanse Musiek Regte Organisasie) wat musiek met ‘n kopiereg lisensie beskikbaar stel.

Aanlyn Vergaderings

Byeenkomste van Bestuursrade, Komitees, Bybelstudie-/Gebeds-/Kleingroepe kan met groot sukses aanlyn gehou word – solank as wat almal betrokke voorsien is van die datum, tyd en skakel van die byeenkoms. Maatreëls om effektiewe interaksie te verseker kan insluit dat alle deelnemers hulle mikrofone afgeskakel hou wanneer hulle nie praat nie en gebruik maak van elektroniese maniere om te stem, aan te dui dat hulle wil praat of saamstem met besluite. Indien ‘n byeenkoms langer as 1.5 ure is, is dit wys om pouses/breuke in te bou in die program.

Sosiale Media

Sosiale media kan ‘n effektiewe instrument wees om die Groot Opdrag uit te voer. Die meeste sosiale media platvorms is gebruikersvriendelik en stel kerke in staat om hulle aktiwiteite te skeduleer en in interaksie met hulle gemeenskap te wees. Dit is ‘n effektiewe, bekende en toeganklike kanaal om jongmense mee te bereik. Millennial Christene (gebore 1981-1996) gebruik eerstens aanlyn bronne (veral selfoon bronne) vir Geestelike interaksie. Volgens George Barna, soek bykans 60% van Millennial Christene aanlyn na Geestelike inhoud, en 70% lees die Bybel op hulle selfone.

Wees toeganklik deur die alledaagse taal van mense te praat, in plaas daarvan om “kerktaal” te gebruik wat min mense verstaan. Sosiale media platvorms skep geleenthede om elke dag van die week in mense se lewens teenwoordig te wees, nie net op Sondae nie, en behoort meer doelgerig deur kerke gebruik te word.

Met erkenning aan:

• Technologies That Have Changed The Church Throughout History – Steve Perky
• Strategies for Streaming Worship Service Video – Steve Perky 
• 3 Ways Technology is Changing Worship – CM Select: The Greater Good Blog
• “How COVID-19 is Shaping The Future of The Church.” – Carey Nieuwhof
• “Moving Forward: Future Church Trends.” – Anthony Hilder
• How to Livestream Your Church Service: A Practical Guide – Phil Thompson
• Planning an Online Worship Service – Back to God Ministries 

WOORDE VAN BEMOEDIGING
Past. Barend Petersen – Algemene Tesourier van die AGS van SA

Vandag voel ek in my gees om net uit te reik en my hartlike dankbaarheid en meegevoel te betuig aan elke Pastoor, Mede-Pastoor, Lede van die Beheerliggaam, Lidmate en gesinne van ons geliefde AGS.  Ek skryf aan jou in ‘n tyd wat ek diep geraak is, want ek onthou diegene wat ‘n goeie stryd gevoer het en onder hierdie pandemie geswig het. Baie van ons het die afgelope jaar geliefdes verloor en die pyn is nog vars in ons geheue. Om afskeid te neem van ons geliefdes was soveel moeiliker, want ons kon nie rou soos ons gewoonlik gerou het nie en ons was sonder die ondersteuning wat ons gewoonlik deur ‘n tyd van hartseer sou gedra het.

Alhoewel die roeping van Pastore bonatuurlik is, bedien en leef ons ons lewens verweef in die lewensiklusse en die ervaringe van ons lidmate wat ons in hierdie gebroke wêreld bedien. Toewyding aan ons roeping as Pastoor verhinder nie ons en ons gesinne om blootgestel te word aan die beproewinge van die lewe nie, insluitend verlies, pyn, lyding, moedeloosheid, teleurstellings en dood. Ons ervaar ook die uitdagings van die lewe soos alle ander mense: as ouers, in ons huwelike, ons finansies, ons gesondheid en verbroke verhoudings. Soms is ons sprakeloos wanneer ons God desperaat vertrou vir ‘n wonderwerk en ons geloof beantwoord word met ‘n koue stilte vanaf God.

Ons weet dat God ons deur Sy Gees vertroos in pyn en siekte en dat hy ons siele kan genees. Pastore, ek is bewus daarvan dat ons byeenkomste diep geraak is deur die Covid-19 pandemie. Ons is nie in staat om te vergader vir dienste of gebedsbyeenkomste in ons kerke nie. Daar is geen uitreike, opelug konferensies, huisbesoeke of ander byeenkomste soos wat ons gewoond was nie. Ons sien ‘n vinnig veranderende wêreld – ‘n verskuiwing van dit waaraan ons gewoond is, na ‘n plek van onsekerheid. Die Covid-19 pandemie en selfs die houding van ons regering veroorsaak dat die kerk nadink oor haar invloed in die samelewing.

Ek het nagedink oor die profeet Habakuk wat in Hoofstuk 1:1-4 aan ons voorgestel word as ‘n wanhopige profeet – ‘n profeet wat God betwyfel. Hy is oorweldig deur die omstandighede rondom hom en dit lyk asof God Hom van die aardbol verwyder het. God is nêrens te vinde nie. Sy wanhoop is tasbaar, die pyn is werklik, die twyfel is verterend, die toekoms lyk bleek, en alle hoop het verdwyn. Te midde van die pyn en onsekerheid, te midde van die hopeloosheid en duisternis, ervaar Habakuk ‘n visioen van God se herstellingskrag wat deur Dawid so lewendig verkondig is, in Psalm 121″Ek kyk op na die berge: waarvandaan sal daar vir my hulp kom? My hulp kom van die Here wat hemel en aarde gemaak het.”

“Hy word nie meer oorweldig deur wat hy om hom sien nie, maar deur wat hy glo.”

Die profeet word nie meer beheer deur of selfs bekommerd oor sy omstandighede nie, sy oë is op God gerig. Hy word nie meer oorweldig deur wat hy om hom sien nie, maar deur wat hy glo. Hy verkondig hierdie woorde wat verewig is en wat vandag nog geld in Hoofstuk 3:

“17 Al sou die vyeboom nie bot nie en daar geen druiwe aan die wingerde wees nie, al sou die olyfoes misluk en die lande geen oes lewer nie, al sou daar geen kleinvee in die kampe meer wees nie en die beeskrale sonder beeste wees, 18 nogtans sal ek in die Here jubel, sal ek juig in God, my Redder. 19 Die Here my God gee vir my krag. Hy maak my voete soos dié van ‘n ribbok, op hoë plekke laat Hy my veilig loop.”

2020 was een van die moeilikste jare vir ons almal en dit wil voorkom asof hierdie pandemie die wêreld langer gaan affekteer as wat ooit verwag is. Ek het al die herstellingskrag van God ervaar gedurende die moeilikste tye van my lewe. Gedurende die afgelope vier jaar het ek dit weer beleef en ek kan getuig van sy onfeilbare genade. My broers en susters, ek wil hê dat julle moet weet dat ons saam hierin is. As ‘n gesin van die AGS van SA bedank ons jou vir jou getrouheid en jou standvastigheid in geloof en dat jy nie opgee nie.

Vandag bid ek vir ons Pastore, hul eggenote en ook hul kinders wat deur moeilike tye gaan – veral die wat ‘n intense konflik of stryd ervaar tussen geloof en ons menslike ervarings. Ek bid dat jy en jou gesin die teenwoordigheid van God sal ervaar, soos Habakuk. Dat jou vertroue en hoop gestel is op dit wat hoër is as dit wat jy besig is om menslik te ervaar.

SLOT

Geen pandemie kan die Groot Opdrag verhinder nie! Deur die gebruik van beskikbare tegnologie kan ons die missie van die kerk versterk. Laat ons nie oorweldig word deur wat ons ervaar en rondom ons sien nie, maar eerder deur dit wat ons glo. Ek vertrou dat hierdie brief ‘n tydige aanmoediging en seën vir jou is. Ek bid dat God ons sal dra in hierdie moeilike tye wanneer ons almal ‘n behoefte het aan sy teenwoordigheid – aan die Een wat ons tot sy diens geroep het om sy heerlikheid te verkondig.

Seën!

M.G. Mahlobo

Download the PDF-version here (print and e-mail friendly):

AFM Pastoral Letter 4th Qrt 2020 ENG

INTRODUCTION

AFM Colleague,

I count it a single honor for me to be able to oversee the writing of this letter, which is my last 4^th Quarter Pastoral Letter. In this Special Edition, I will be sharing reflections on my ministry journey in the AFM of SA. I have invited Dr Japie La Poorta (Deputy President of the AFM of SA) to do the same.

World Pentecostal Fellowship Conference in Kuala Lumpur. 

A JOURNEY INTO MINISTRY: HIGHLIGHTS & CHALLENGES
Past. M.G. Mahlobo (President of the AFM of SA) – mmahlobo@afm-ags.org

Let me start by expressing my appreciation and thanks, first to my fellow AFM National Office Bearers, National Leadership Forum (NLF), my fellow-AFMI (AFM International) Office Bearers, AFM National Office Staff and last but not least my soulmate and my spouse, Jacobeth who walked beside me and lent me whatever support she could.

Graduation – George & Jacobeth. 

Call to Ministry 

I received a call into the ministry towards the end of 1974. In 1975 I sought confirmation of this call from the Lord because of the reluctance on my part to become a Pastor. I had plans to equip myself as a lawyer. Indeed, I received confirmation from the Lord in the same year. Having received the confirmation, I applied for a B.Th. Degree at the University of Zululand. My application was approved – however, I changed my mind towards the end of 1975 and decided to go and study at the AFM Central Bible College in Soshanguve. After the completion of my studies and internship, I was ordained as an AFM Pastor on 31 March 1979. I completed my B.Th. Degree with the University of South Africa in 1984. I had an opportunity of doing other short courses on leadership and administration after my junior degree.

Pastoral Ministry In Local Assemblies 

I ministered in the following AFM Assemblies as Presiding Pastor; Machadodorp (1978-1980); Mabopane (1980-1985); Phuthaditjhaba (1985-1999) and Soshanguve Hilltop Restoration Centre since 2004 to date. From 2000 to 2004 I was part of the Ministry Team of the Doxa Deo Tshwane Inner City Campus. Several members from these local assemblies accepted God’s call to become Pastors. There were two from Machadodorp, nine in Mabopane, four in Phuthaditjhaba and one from the current Assembly. While most of them became AFM Pastors, others are involved in other ministries. I continue to pray for those who are still alive that God’s hand would continue to be upon them.

Administrative And Leadership Roles In Other Church Structures 

Besides serving in local assemblies, I had the privilege of serving the in other AFM structures. I would like to thank the AFM members and leaders for the confidence they bestowed on me by allowing me to serve them in this way. There are several structures in which I served but for the sake of brevity, I would like to mention just a few.

“I was a young person when I got ordained. I was active in the church’s youth ministry.”

I served as the Chairperson of the Students Christian Movement during my high school days. I chaired the Eastern Transvaal, Pretoria and Northern Free State District Youth Departments. From 1980 to 1988, I served as the National Youth Chairperson. The National Youth Department used to convene huge National Conferences. In one instance we had over 7,000 young people in attendance. Many of our peers ended up in leadership positions in various sectors of society, including the church. It was this department that raised questions around the racial divisions in the AFM.

“Those were the years of robust debates and phenomenal spiritual growth.”

I served as the General Secretary in the former Black AFM Church (1988-1990), Composite Division (1990-1996) and in the AFM of SA post its unification (1996-2016). Serving as National Secretary was not an easy task, especially in an organization as diverse as the AFM. Beside skills in filing, recording, and conveying of decisions taken, it also required a cool head. The General Secretary’s responsibilities include being the church’s Spokesperson. Although I did not have someone to coach and groom me in secretarial responsibilities, the Lord granted me strength and guidance. Fortunately, certain systems were already in place. This position allowed me to participate in the development of several policy documents and constitutional adjustments.

One of the most difficult responsibilities as National Secretary was when I had to inform Pastors who were not ready for retirement and when I had to write about the suspension or termination of Pastoral Status. In many instances’ recipients thought I was the originator of messages and would not accept that I was a mere messenger.

For a short time, I served as Principal of the AFM of SA Theological Institute (AFMSATI). This was from the end of 1994 to 1996. At the time of my principalship, the three Bible Colleges of the Composite Division, namely Central Bible College (Soshanguve), Covenant Bible College (Durban) and Sarepta (Cape Town) had merged into one college, namely AFMSATI. Unfortunately, this milestone achievement was for a short time. The retrogression after 1996 was due to financial incentives. The struggle for one AFM College, post-church unity, has proven to be an arduous journey.

I served as President of the AFM of SA from 2016 to date. I would have taken retirement by now had it not been the lockdown restrictions on huge in-person gatherings. I would like to thank God and the church at large for the support and motivation I received during my stint as President.

GBM 2018 – Celebration 110 Years.

Involvement In Other Organizations 

By God’s grace and the support from the church, I also served and continue to serve in other structures outside of the AFM of SA. I served as the Chairperson of the Security Services Christian Advisory Board from 2006 to 2015, after which I continued to serve as a member of this organisation until July 2020. I am serving on the Board of Directors at the Impact Community Radio Station since 2007 to date, the Board of Directors of the People Upliftment Project (POPUP) since 2004 to date and AFM representative at the Bible Society Johannesburg Region from 1997 to 2016. It has been a great honor for me to be part of these organisations.

I have been privileged to serve as Secretary-General (2013-2019) and as President of the AFM International (2019 to date). AFM International is the fellowship of AFM churches in more than twenty-four (24) countries. It has since expanded to include Associate Member churches through signed memoranda of cooperation.

Highlights And Challenges 

Some of the significant points in my involvement with the AFM include its unification under one constitution in 1996. As l am laying down the reigns, I have presented a Cohesion Framework document to the National Leadership Forum (NLF). This framework seeks to deepen the church’s unity by engendering a sense of belonging to all members and leaders. I have done so because I cherish Psalm 133, John 17:20-21, Acts 4:32 and Galatians 3:28.

AFM of SA Office Bearers in Parliament

The second highlight for me was the presentation that the AFM leadership made before the Truth & Reconciliation Commission in East London on 19 November 1997. It was not an easy task, but the leadership of the AFM was moved by a sense of social justice to do it. The church began to be vocal on social ills. It is my prayer that the AFM will be able to live up to its collective dream of becoming an agent of transformation through its community involvement.

The third highlight is the church’s involvement in ecumenical organisations. The AFM is a member of the Pentecostal World Fellowship (PWF) since 1992. Dr Isak Burger served as Vice-President before his retirement as President of the AFM of SA in 2016. I am serving as a member of the PWF Advisory Committee since 2016. The AFM is part of the Evangelical Alliance of South Africa (TEASA). We are also part of the South African Council of Churches (SACC). We also participate in the Global Christian Forum. I was honored to represent the AFM on this Forum in Bogota (Columbia) in 2018. Prospects are good that the AFM’s application for acceptance as a member church of the World Council of Churches will be approved. I am thankful to God for these developments. I have always believed, even as I do now, that AFM has a contribution to offer in these organisations.

When it comes to challenges, Leadership development remains a challenge ahead for the church. At the recent National Leadership Forum (NLF) meeting I presented a Leadership Development Framework.

Another challenge for the church is Patriarchy. AFM leadership can no longer afford to turn a blind eye to Patriarchy. Since the inception of the AFM, women have always formed an important part of its ministry. In many instances, the deployment of women in the church’s ministry has led to its growth. For many years women’s role in ministry has been confined to local assemblies – mainly in a supportive role. This pattern has not changed for many years. Up to this year, only two ordained women Pastors were elected as Regional Leaders. There is still a patriarchal resistance towards enabling and allowing women to take positions at a leadership level. We need to find mechanisms to disarm patriarchy and be deliberate and intentional about seeing women in leadership. My prayer is that the AFM will have a woman President before the Lord comes.

AN EXPERIENCE IN MINISTRY: LESSONS LEARNED

Dr J.J. La Poorta – Deputy President of the AFM of SA – jlapoorta@afm-ags.org 

Call To Ministry

In 1976 I entered the ministry in Kakamas, where for two years and six months I was the Presiding Pastor (1976-1978). From there, I moved to the Upington Assembly, where we served from 1978 – 1985. While in Upington, I received a call to lecture at the Sarepta Theological College where I served from 1985-1994.

Pastoral Ministry In Local Assemblies 

Residing in the Western Cape, we pastored various AFM Assemblies including Macassar, Eersteriver and Bellville-South. Through my pastoral ministry, I received opportunities to exercise leadership (especially on socio-economic involvement), teach, and become a leader in the communities I ministered.

Unity Committee of the former Composite Church.

Leadership Roles In Other Church Structures 

In addition to my local ministry, I became involved in the higher structures of the AFM of SA. These structures were when I was elected as Regional-, Youth-, and Children’s Ministry Leader. My involvement on this level as Secretary and later Regional Leader gave me access to the then Executive Council of the Former Coloured Section, Composite Division, and United AFM of SA. During this period, I also served on various commissions, committees, and boards within the church.

Involvement In Other Organizations 

This involvement led to my exposure to the broader Body of Christ, as Secretary of the National Organisation of Pentecostal Churches, a delegate to the: Global Pentecostal – Roman Catholic Dialogue, the Joint Consultative Group of Pentecostals, the World Council of Churches and the Global Christian Forum. Further exposure was when I served as AFM representative on the National Executive Council of the South African Council of Churches and serving as the Chairperson of The Evangelical Alliance of South Africa.

World Pentecostal Fellowship Conference in Canada, 2019.

International Exposure

My teaching ministry allowed me to access various Theological Conferences in the USA, Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Africa. Through this endeavor, I was able to write articles in various theological journals and produced researched papers. Through these engagements, I met numerous renowned Theologians.  Theologians such as Jurgen Moltmann, Veli-Matti Karkainen, Miroslav Volf, Ronald Sider, James Cone, Leonard Lovett, Miquel Alvarez, Juan Sepulveda, Fredrick Ware, Walter Hollenweger, Jean-Daniel Pluss, Mel Robeck, Harold Hunter and David Daniel to mention just a few. Together with Dr Isak Burger and Pastor George Mahlobo we were fortunate to meet numerous leaders of the Pentecostal Movement in the USA and Europe at their Head Offices.

Socio-Economic Involvement

Concerning my socio-economic involvement, I was afforded opportunities to meet with various political leaders and social justice proponents in South Africa and abroad. These engagements included meetings with Presidents Mandela, Mbeki, and Zuma. I have seen and encountered extreme poverty, inequality, and distress among people from all walks of life. In these situations, we must get involved and lend a helping hand in alleviating the pain and suffering resulting from these situations.

The La Poorta Family in 1999

Calling And Ministry In Our Lives

With the birth of our eldest daughter, Althea we were living together in Upington and we had to adjust like all other couples. We were fortunate because Susan’s parents and other relatives were staying in Upington and we had that support system, that assisted us. These support systems made it possible for us to continue with the ministry and for Susan to keep the fires burning with food on the table.

“I just want to salute Susan and all other Pastors wives within and outside the AFM of SA, for keeping their husbands in ministry.”

Life in Upington became very comfortable with the birth of our other two daughters, Susan and Jacqueline – because of these support systems that were in place around us. The situation in the assembly and later the District was going well. We were able to secure church properties in Upington and the regions around Upington like “Wegdraai”, “Grootdrink”, Prieska, Danielskuil, Postmasburg, and Port Nolloth. Life turned out to be so good to us because we were living comfortably in our own house and we were able to secure some goat farming activity. We were well accepted and respected in the community.

We did not enter the ministry for money or to get rich. We entered the ministry because we firmly believed that we have been called by God and that He will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory. That was the attitude by which most of us were governed. That was and still is our approach to ministry today.

In fact, the AFM of SA did not invite me to apply for a job. It was I who came to the realisation of what my calling is – and that was why I went to the Sarepta Theological College. That was the reason why I had no objections when the Curatorium placed me in Kakamas. I regarded the placement as an opportunity to exercise my calling and learn how to trust the One who I believed and confessed, called me into ministry.

That is why it pains my heart today when people come to the church, and in writing confirm on the application forms for theological training, that they believe they are called by God. In some cases, married persons with spouses and children quit their jobs in obedience to God – who they say have called them. Then when they encounter hurdles in the ministry, that that seem to be too great to overcome with the grace of God, they resign from the ministry for whatever reason.

Answering to the call into ministry is a matter of choice to be obedient, or to be like Gideon in the Bible. Gideon asked for more and more signs to deal with his calling. Only after much confirmation did he answer to the call. It is important for all of us who believe we are called or who will be called in the future, to wrestle with God to get certainty about your call in your innermost being. When you make the call to be obedient, it is your decision. If you have heard correctly, it is your choice. If you have heard wrong or misunderstood the call, it is your responsibility to make sure. When you say you are called and you are right, you can only take credit for yourself through God’s grace. If you have missed the call or misunderstood the call you can only blame yourself and nobody else.

“Romans 11: 29 says the calling and gifts of God are irrevocable. You are either called or not, there are no two ways about being called.”

Lessons Learned

We have learned some vital lessons through these experiences. There is a saying that goes: “It is better to learn from the mistakes of others than to form your own.” By doing what the notion alludes to, those who employ it will spare themselves much pain, anxiety, and stress.

Doctoral graduation at the University of the Western Cape, 1996.

The first lesson we learned is that God is faithful no matter the feeling or experience in which you find yourself. He will always be true to his Word and promises. When He says I will never leave you nor forsake you, He means what He says.

Secondly, it is significant to note that only God calls people into ministry and no other person in the church. If God calls you, he will provide for you in ministry until the end. However, if you are not called, you are the author of your demise. God will not take responsibility for those whom he did not call or even send on specific missions.

Thirdly, the gracious gifts and calling of God are irrevocable. God’s calling into ministry may demand sacrifices that the called ones are required to meet. These demands do not include reckless or ill-advised decisions that may bring severe sacrifices encountered by the innocent people who were not part of the original choices.

CONCLUSION

We are almost at the end of 2020. This year will be remembered in world history as the Covid-19 year, where a global pandemic brought the world to a standstill. As we reflect on the past year and many other challenges let us not give up hope. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:13). Allow me to wish you a peaceful and blessed Christmas.

May 2021 renew your vigour and passion to continue to serve our Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ with sincerity.

Blessings!

MG Mahlobo

Laai die Pastorale Brief af in PDF-formaat (om maklik te e-pos of uit te druk):

AGS Pastorale Brief 4de Kwartaal AFR

INLEIDING

AGS Kollega,

Ek beskou dit as ‘n eer om hierdie Pastorale Brief aan jou te skryf – wat heel moontlik my laaste Pastorale Brief vir ‘n vierde kwartaal gaan wees. In hierdie spesiale uitgawe besin ek oor my bedieningsreis in die AGS van SA. Ek het Dr. Japie La Poorta (Adjunkpresident van die AGS van SA) genooi om dieselfde te doen.

“World Pentecostal Fellowship Conference” in Kuala Lumpur. 

‘N BEDIENINGSREIS: HOOGTEPUNTE & UITDAGINGS
Past. M.G. Mahlobo (President van die AGS van SA) – mmahlobo@afm-ags.org

Laat ek eers my waardering en dank betuig aan my mede-AGS Nasionale Ampsdraers, die Nasionale Leierskap Forum (NLF), my mede-AFMI (AFM International) Ampsdraers, die AGS Nasionale Kantoor personeel en laaste, maar nie die minste nie, my sielsgenoot en my eggenoot Jacobeth, wat langs my geloop het en my ondersteun het op elke moontlike wyse.

Gradeplegtigheid – George & Jacobeth.

Geroep vir die Bediening 

Teen die einde van 1974 het ek ervaar dat ek geroep word na die bediening. In 1975 het ek God gevra om dit vir my te bevestig omdat ek onwillig was om ‘n predikant te word. Ek het beplan om myself as ‘n prokureur te kwalifiseer. Ek het inderdaad in dieselfde jaar bevestiging van die Here ontvang en aansoek gedoen by die Universiteit van Zoeloeland om ‘n B.Th. graad te studeer – my aansoek was suksesvol. Ek het egter teen die einde van 1975 van plan verander en besluit om verder te studeer by die AFM Central Bible College in Soshanguve. Nadat ek my studies en internskap voltooi het, was ek op 31 Maart 1979 georden as AGS Pastoor. Daarna het ek in 1984 het my B.Th. graad aan die Universiteit van Suid-Afrika voltooi. Ek het na my junior graad die geleentheid gehad om ander kort kursusse oor leierskap en administrasie te volg.

Pastorale Bediening in Plaaslike Gemeentes

Ek het die volgende AGS Gemeentes in die rol van Presiderende Pastoor bedien: Machadodorp (1978-1980), Mabopane (1980-1985), Phuthaditjhaba (1985-1999) en Soshanguve Hilltop Restoration Centre (sedert 2004 tot op hede). Van 2000 tot 2004 was ek deel van die bedieningspan van Doxa Deo Tshwane-middestadkampus. Verskeie lidmate van hierdie plaaslike gemeentes het God se roeping tot die bediening aanvaar en Pastore geword. Daar was twee uit Machadodorp, nege van Mabopane, vier van Phuthaditjhaba en een uit die huidige Gemeente. Terwyl die meeste van hulle AGS Pastore geword het, is ander ook by ander bedieninge betrokke. Ek bid steeds vir diegene wat nog lewe, dat God se hand op hulle sal bly.

Administratiewe en Leierskapsrolle in ander Kerkstrukture

Behalwe dat ek in plaaslike Gemeentes gedien het, het ek ook die voorreg gehad om in ander AGS-strukture te dien. Ek wil AGS-lidmate en leiers bedank vir die vertroue wat hulle in my gestel het om hulle ook op hierdie manier te dien. Daar is verskeie strukture waarop ek gedien, maar ter wille van beskikbare spasie wil ek net ‘n paar noem.

“Ek was ‘n jong persoon toe ek georden was. Ek was aktief in die kerk se jeugbediening.”

Gedurende my hoërskooldae het ek as Voorsitter gedien op die Studente Christelike Beweging. Ek was voorsitter van die Oos-Transvaal, Pretoria en Noord-Vrystaat se distriksjeugdepartemente. Van 1980 tot 1988 was ek die Nasionale Jeugvoorsitter. Die Nasionale Jeugdepartement het gewoonlik groot nasionale konferensies byeengeroep. In een geval het ons meer as 7,000 jongmense gehad wat die konferensie bygewoon het. Baie van ons eweknieë het hulself in leiersposisies in verskillende sektore van die samelewing bevind, insluitende die kerk sektor. Dit was hierdie departement wat vrae laat ontstaan ​​het oor die rasse-verdeeldheid in die AGS.

“Dit was die jare van sterk debatte en fenomenale geestelike groei.”

Ek het gedien as die Algemene Sekretaris van die voormalige Swart AGS Kerk (1988-1990), Composite Division (1990-1996) en van die AGS van SA na die eenwording (1996-2016). Om as Nasionale Sekretaris te dien was nie ‘n maklike taak nie, veral in ‘n organisasie so uiteenlopend soos die AGS. Behalwe vir vaardighede soos liasseerwerk, opnames en die weergee van besluite wat geneem is, was dit ook nodig om ‘n koelkop te kan hou.  Die verantwoordelikhede van die Algemene Sekretaris sluit ook die rol as Woordvoerder van die kerk in. Alhoewel ek nie iemand gehad het om my in sekretariële verantwoordelikhede touwys te maak nie, het die Here my krag en leiding gegee. Gelukkig was sekere stelsels reeds in plek. Hierdie posisie het my die geleentheid gebied om deel te neem aan die ontwikkeling van verskeie beleidsdokumente en grondwetlike aanpassings.

Een van die moeilikste verantwoordelikhede as Nasionale Sekretaris was toe ek aan Pastore moes kommunikeer wat nie gereed was vir aftrede nie. Ek moes toe skryf oor die opskorting of beëindiging van hul pastorale status. In baie gevalle het die Pastore gedink dat ek die boodskap uitgedink het en wou nie aanvaar dat ek ‘n blote boodskapper was nie.

Vir ‘n kort rukkie het ek gedien as die Prinsipaal van die AFM of SA Theological Institute (AFMSATI). Dit was vanaf die einde van 1994 tot 1996. Ten tyde van my betrokkenheid hier het die drie Bybelkolleges van die Composite Division, naamlik die Central Bible College (Soshanguve), Covenant Bible College (Durban) en Sarepta (Kaapstad) saamgesmelt tot een kollege, naamlik AFMSATI. Ongelukkig was hierdie mylpaal-prestasie van korte duur. Die agteruitgang na 1996 was te danke aan finansiële aansporings. Die stryd vir een ​​AGS kollege, post-kerkeenheid, is ‘n moeilike taak.

Ek was van 2016 tot op hede President van die AGS van SA. Ek sou nou afgetree het as dit nie was vir die beperkings op groot byeenkomste nie. Ek wil God en die kerk in die algemeen bedank vir die ondersteuning en motivering wat ek tydens my tydperk as President ontvang het.

GBM 2018 – Feesvieringe 110 Jaar. 

Betrokkenheid by ander Organisasies

Deur God se genade en die ondersteuning van die kerk, het ek gedien en dien ek nog steeds in ander strukture buite die AGS van SA. Ek was van 2006 tot 2015 die Voorsitter van die Christelike Adviesraad vir Veiligheidsdienste, waarna ek as lid van hierdie organisasie gedien het tot Julie 2020. Ek dien sedert 2007 op die Raad van Direkteure van Impact Community Radio Station, sedert 2004 tot op hede op die Raad van Direkteure van die People Upliftment Project (POPUP) en van 1997-2016 as AGS-verteenwoordiger op die   Bybelgenootskap Johannesburg-streek. Dit was vir my ‘n groot eer om deel te kon wees van hierdie organisasies.

Ek was bevoorregd om as Sekretaris-generaal (2013-2019) en as President van AFM International te dien (2019 tot op hede). AFM International is ‘n versameling van AGS-kerke in meer as vier-en-twintig (24) lande. Dit het sedertdien uitgebrei om Geassosieerde Lidmaat-kerke in te sluit deur middel van ondertekende memorandums van samewerking.

Hoogtepunte en Uitdagings

Van die belangrikste hoogtepunte in my betrokkenheid by die AGS is onder meer die eenwording van die kerk onder een grondwet in 1996. Soos ek nou die leisels van my leierskap neerlê, het ek ‘n raamwerk rondom kohesie aan die Nasionale Leierskap Forum voorgelê. Hierdie raamwerk poog om die eenheid van die kerk te verdiep deur ‘n klimaat te skep waar elke leier en lidmaat voel dat hulle behoort in die AGS van SA. Ek het dit gedoen omdat ek Psalm 133, Johannes 17: 20-21, Handelinge 4:32 en Galasiërs 3:28 koester.

AGS van SA leiers in Parlement

Die tweede hoogtepunt vir my was die aanbieding wat die AGS-leierskap voor die Waarheids- en Versoeningskommissie in Oos-Londen gedoen het op 19 November 1997. Dit was nie ‘n maklike taak nie, maar die leierskap van die AGS is aangespoor om dit te doen deur ‘n gevoel van sosiale geregtigheid. Die kerk het begin praat oor sosiale kwale. Dit is my gebed dat die AGS in staat sal wees om sy kollektiewe droom om ‘n agent vir transformasie te word, te kan nakom.

Die derde hoogtepunt is die kerk se betrokkenheid by ekumeniese organisasies. Die AGS is ‘n lid van die Pentecostal World Fellowship (PWF) vanaf 1992. Dr. Isak Burger het gedien as Vise-president voor sy uittrede as President van die AGS van SA in 2016. Ek dien sedert 2016 as lid van die PWF Advieskomitee. Die AGS is deel van die Evangeliese Alliansie van Suid-Afrika (TEASA). Ons is ook deel van die Suid-Afrikaanse Raad van Kerke (SARK). Ons neem ook deel aan die Wêreld Christelike Forum (Global Christian Forum). Ek was geëerd om die AGS in 2018 in Bogota (Columbia) op hierdie Forum te verteenwoordig. Die vooruitsigte is goed dat die AGS se aansoek as ‘n lidmaat by die Wêreld Raad van Kerke, goedgekeur sal word. Ek is God dankbaar vir hierdie verwikkelinge. Ek het nog altyd geglo, soos nou, dat die AGS ‘n bydrae in hierdie organisasies bied.

As dit kom by uitdagings, is Leierskapsontwikkeling nog ‘n uitdaging wat vir die kerk voorlê. Tydens die onlangse Nasionale Leierskap Forum (NLF) het ek ‘n raamwerk vir leierskapsontwikkeling aangebied.

Nog ‘n uitdaging vir die kerk is die patriargie. AGS-leierskap kan nie meer bekostig om ‘n blinde oog te draai na Patriargie nie. Sedert die stigting van die AGS was vroue nog altyd ‘n belangrike deel van die bediening. In baie gevalle het die ontplooiing van vroue in die kerk tot die groei daarvan gelei. Vir baie jare is die rol van vroue in die bediening beperk tot plaaslike Gemeentes – hoofsaaklik in ‘n ondersteunende rol. Hierdie patroon, oor baie jare, verander nie. Tot en met hierdie jaar was daar slegs twee geordende vroulike Pastore wat verkies was tot Streeksleiers. Daar is steeds ‘n patriargale weerstand daarteen om vroue die geleentheid te bied en toe te laat om posisies op leierskapsvlak in te neem. Ons moet meganismes vind om patriargie te ontwapen. Ons moet doelgerig wees om vroue in leierskap posisies te sien. My gebed is dat die AGS ‘n vroulike President sal hê voordat die Here kom.

ONDERVINDING IN DIE BEDIENING: LESSE WAT EK GELEER HET  

Dr. J.J. La Poorta – Adjunkpresident van die AGS van SA – jlapoorta@afm-ags.org 

In 1976 betree ek die bediening in Kakamas, waar ek vir twee jaar en ses maande die Presiderende  Pastoor was (1976-1978). Van daar af verhuis ek na die Upington-gemeente, waar ons van 1978-1985 gedien het. Terwyl ek in Upington was, het ek ‘n beroep ontvang om te lektor by die Sarepta Teologiese Kollege – waar ek van 1985-1994 gedien het.

Pastorale Bediening in Plaaslike Gemeentes

Terwyl ons in die Wes-Kaap gewoon het, was ons betrokke by die volgende AGS Gemeentes:  Macassar, Eersteriver en Bellville-Suid. Deur my pastorale bediening het ek geleenthede gekry om my leierskap uit te oefen (veral op sosio-ekonomiese gebied), onderrig te gee en ‘n leier te word in die gemeenskappe wat ek bedien het.

Die “Unity Committee” van die voormalige “Composite Church”. 

Leierskapsrolle in ander Kerkstrukture

Benewens my plaaslike bediening, het ek by die hoër strukture van die AGS van SA betrokke geraak. Hierdie strukture was toe ek verkies is as streeks-, jeug- en kinderbedieningsleier. My betrokkenheid op hierdie vlak as Sekretaris en later Streeksleier het my toegang gegee tot die destydse Uitvoerende Raad van die voormalige Kleurlingafdeling, die Composite Division en die Verenigde AGS van SA. Gedurende hierdie tydperk het ek ook op verskillende kommissies, komitees en direksies van die kerk gedien.

Betrokkenheid by ander Organisasies

Hierdie betrokkenheid het gelei tot my blootstelling aan die breër Liggaam van Christus, as Sekretaris van die Nasionale Organisasie van Pinksterkerke en as ‘n afgevaardigde vir die: Wêreldwye Pinkster – Rooms-Katolieke Dialoog, die Joint Consultative Group of Pentecostals, die Wêreld Raad van Kerke en die Wêreld Christelike Forum. Verdere blootstelling was toe ek as AGS-verteenwoordiger op die Nasionale Uitvoerende Raad van die Suid-Afrikaanse Raad van Kerke (SARK) gedien het en as Voorsitter van die Evangeliese Alliansie van Suid-Afrika.

“World Pentecostal Fellowship Conference” in Kanada, 2019.

Internasionale Blootstelling

My onderwysbediening het my toegelaat om toegang te verkry tot verskillende teologiese konferensies in die VSA, Europa, Latyns-Amerika, Asië en Afrika. Ek kon artikels in verskillende teologiese tydskrifte skryf en nagevorsde artikels lewer. Deur hierdie geleenthede het ek talle bekende teoloë ontmoet. Teoloë soos Jurgen Moltmann, Veli-Matti Karkainen, Miroslav Volf, Ronald Sider, James Cone, Leonard Lovett, Miquel Alvarez, Juan Sepulveda, Fredrick Ware, Walter Hollenweger, Jean-Daniel Pluss, Mel Robeck, Harold Hunter en David Daniel om net ‘n paar te noem. Saam met Dr. Isak Burger en Past. George Mahlobo was ons gelukkig om talle leiers van die Pinksterbeweging in die VSA en Europa by hul hoofkantore te ontmoet.

Sosio-ekonomiese Betrokkenheid

Wat my sosio-ekonomiese betrokkenheid betref, het ek geleenthede gekry om met verskillende politieke leiers en voorstanders van sosiale geregtigheid (social justice) in Suid-Afrika en in die buiteland te vergader. Hierdie samesprekings het vergaderings met presidente Mandela, Mbeki en Zuma ingesluit. Ek het ekstreme armoede, ongelykheid en nood onder mense van alle tipe groeperings gesien en teëgekom. In hierdie situasies moet ons betrokke raak en help om die pyn en lyding te verlig.

Die La Poorta Familie in 1999

Roeping en Bediening in ons Lewens

Met die geboorte van ons oudste dogter, Althea, het ons in Upington gewoon en moes ons soos alle ander paartjies aanpas. Ons was gelukkig omdat my vrou – Susan – se ouers en ander familielede in Upington gebly het en ons die ondersteuningstelsel gehad het wat ons gehelp het. Hierdie ondersteuningstelsel het dit vir ons moontlik gemaak om met die bediening voort te gaan en vir Susan om te sorg vir die bestuur van die huishouding.

“Ek wil vir Susan en alle ander Pastoors-vrouens, binne en buite die AGS van SA, salueer omdat hulle hul mans in die bediening hou.”

Na die geboorte van ons ander twee dogters, Susan en Jacqueline, het die lewe in Upington baie gemaklik geraak as gevolg van die ondersteuningstelsels rondom ons. Die situasie in die Gemeente en later in die distrik was gunstig. Ons kon kerkeiendomme in Upington en die streke rondom Upington bekom soos Wegdraai, Grootdrink, Prieska, Danielskuil, Postmasburg en Port Nolloth. Dit het goed gegaan met ons omdat ons gemaklik in ons eie huis gewoon het en ook ‘n bietjie boerderybedrywighede kon beoefen. Ons is goed aanvaar en was gerespekteer in die gemeenskap.

Ons het nie die bediening betree vir geld of om ryk te word nie. Ons het die bediening betree omdat ons vas geglo het dat ons deur God geroep is en dat Hy in al ons behoeftes sal voorsien volgens Sy rykdom in heerlikheid. Dit was die benadering wat die meeste van ons ingeneem was. Dit was, en is vandag nog steeds ons benadering tot die bediening.

Trouens, die AGS van SA het my nie genooi om aansoek te doen nie. Dit was ek wat besef het wat my roeping is – en daarom het ek na die Sarepta Teologiese Kollege gegaan. Dit was die rede waarom ek geen besware gehad het toe die Kuratorium my in Kakamas geplaas het nie. Ek het die plasing gesien as ‘n geleentheid om my roeping uit te oefen en te leer hoe om die Een te vertrou waarin ek glo en wie ek bely my tot die bediening geroep het.

Dit is hoekom dit my so ongelukkig maak as mense kerk toe kom en skriftelik op die aansoekvorms vir teologiese opleiding aandui dat hulle glo dat hulle deur God geroep word. In sommige gevalle het getroude persone met eggenote en kinders hul werk beëindig in gehoorsaamheid aan God – omdat, volgens hulle, God hulle geroep het tot die bediening. Wanneer hulle dan hindernisse in die bediening teëkom wat lyk asof dit te groot is om met die genade van God te oorkom, bedank hulle om watter rede ook al uit die bediening.

Om te reageer op die roeping tot bediening is ‘n keuse om gehoorsaam te wees, of om soos Gideon in die Bybel te wees. Gideon het meer en meer tekens gevra om sy roeping te bevestig. Eers na baie bevestigings aanvaar hy die roeping. Dit is belangrik vir ons almal wat glo dat ons geroep is, of wat in die toekoms geroep sal word, om met God te worstel en sekerheid te kry in ons innerlike wese. Wanneer jy dan die roeping aanvaar om gehoorsaam te wees, is dit jou besluit. As jy reg gehoor het, is dit jou keuse. As jy die oproep verkeerd gehoor het of verkeerd verstaan ​​het, is dit jou verantwoordelikheid om seker te maak. As jy sê dat jy geroep is en dat jy reg was, kan jy slegs krediet vir jouself neem deur God se genade. As jy die roeping misgeloop het, of die roeping verkeerd verstaan ​​het, kan jy net jouself en niemand anders die skuld gee nie.

“Romeine 11: 29 sê dat die roeping en gawes van God onherroeplik is. Jy word geroep of nie, daar is nie twee maniere om geroep te word nie. ”

Lesse Wat Ek Geleer Het

Ons het ‘n paar belangrike lesse geleer deur hierdie ervarings. Daar is ‘n gesegde wat lui: “Dit is beter om uit ander se foute te leer, eerder as om jou eie foute te maak.” Dus om deur ander se foute te leer sal diegene wat dit gebruik hulsef baie pyn, angs en spanning spaar.

Doktorale gradeplegtigheid by die Universiteit van die Wes Kaap, 1996.

Die eerste les wat ons geleer het, is dat God getrou is, ongeag die gevoel of ervaring waarin jy jouself bevind. Hy sal altyd aan Sy Woord en beloftes getrou bly. As Hy sê dat Hy jou nooit sal verlaat nie, bedoel Hy wat Hy sê.

Tweedens is dit belangrik om daarop te let dat slegs God mense tot die bediening roep en geen ander persoon in die kerk nie. As God jou roep, sal Hy voorsien vir jou tot die einde van jou bediening. As jy egter nie geroep is nie, is jy die outeur van jou eie ondergang. God sal nie verantwoordelikheid aanvaar vir diegene vir wie hy nie geroep het nie of selfs op spesifieke sendings nie gestuur het nie.

Derdens is die genade gawes en roeping van God onherroeplik. God se roeping tot die bediening vra miskien opofferings wat deur geroepenes gemaak moet word. Hierdie eise sluit nie roekelose of oningeligte besluite in nie – veral waar dit ernstige gevolge kan meebring vir onskuldige mense wat nie deel van die oorspronklike keuses was nie.

SLOT

Ons is amper aan die einde van 2020. Hierdie jaar sal in die wêreldgeskiedenis onthou word as die Covid-19-jaar, waar ‘n wêreldwye pandemie alles tot stilstand geruk het. Laat ons nie moed verloor terwyl ons nadink oor die afgelope jaar en vele ander uitdagings nie. Mag die God van hoop jou vul met alle vreugde en vrede soos jy op Hom vertrou, sodat jy deur die krag van die Heilige Gees kan oorloop van HOOP (Romeine 5:13). Laat my toe om jou ‘n vreedsame en geseënde Kersfees toe te wens.

Mag 2021 jou ywer en passie vernuwe, om ten spyte van uitdagende tye, voort te gaan om met opregtheid ons Verlosser Jesus Christus te dien. 

Seën!

MG Mahlobo