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AFM Colleague,
1. PENTECOSTAL WEEK AND PENTECOSTAL SUNDAY
We are in between momentous events on the Christian church’s calendar. The first one is Ascension Day which we celebrated yesterday, on 21 May 2020. The second one is Pentecost Sunday which will be celebrated on 31 May 2020. To officially announce the start of Pentecost Week, I have prepared a short message which is available on the AFM’s Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/AFMOFSA/
In Acts 1:4-5 we read “And being assembled together with them, He [Jesus] commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptised with water, but you shall be baptised with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
I would like us to pray, with the following prayer points in mind:
- God’s intervention in the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Holy Baptism.
(According to our 2019 Wellness Survey only 46% of the participants’ local Assemblies prioritize Baptism in the Holy Spirit). - Powerful working of the Holy Spirit in our assemblies.
(According to our 2019 Wellness Survey only 41% of the participants’ assemblies experience powerful working of the Holy Spirit). - Revival.
Let us make use of this period to reflect on:
- The Gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:1-11).
- The Fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
- Equipping Ministries (Ephesians 4:11-13).
Finally let us prepare a message for our congregations on the Outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2) for Pentecostal Sunday, 31 May 2020.
2. PCD (PASTORS CONTINUOUS DEVELOPMENT)
The Covid-19 pandemic created a situation where some national and regional empowerment events have been postponed or cancelled. Whilst we are considering ways to ease the credit expectation for 2020, we cannot bring it down to zero. Therefore, we encourage you to do what you possibly can and even to use the time available now to build up credits for next year (2021).
From the existing PCD credit framework (that can be accessed and/or downloaded from the PCD website at www.pcdafm.co.za), the following is still possible even under lockdown:
1. Book reviews.
2. DVD/Online Teaching sessions.
3. Study Groups: This can be done via WhatsApp groups or ZOOM.
4. Online Study Articles: On the PCD website.
5. Accredited Online Courses: This can be done with proof of registration, one PCD
credit for every hour of input, to a maximum of 20 credits per year.
6. The Personal Development Plan (PDP): Can be done via Cell phone, WhatsApp or
Zoom.
7. Some regions are currently providing training events online or via WhatsApp.
8. Non-AFM Events – Like the GLS (Global Leadership Forum) and Empowered21,
currently provide online workshops. Some of these registrations are for free.
Kind Regards!
Henri Weideman & Irma van Schalkwyk
3. “IN ESSENTIALS UNITY, IN NON-ESSENTIALS LIBERTY, IN ALL THINGS CHARITY” – (St. Augustine 354-430 A.D.)
There are non-negotiable Bible truths which Christian believers wholeheartedly agree on, across all ages and from virtually all church traditions. However, there was a trend over the centuries, and even more so in our days, that non-essential issues, i.e. things that will not make a difference to our salvation and things about which there is a difference of opinion are so accentuated by some, that it causes confusion to ordinary believers and often tear apart and divide the body of Christ.
Read more about this in an article written by Dr. Isak Burger (Former President of the AFM of SA):
https://afm-ags.org/category/media/
Blessings!
MG Mahlobo
