Congregational

Chronicle
Volume 1, Issue 1

Newsletter Date:January 2015

Welcome Back!!!

Hello Friends! Happy New Year!

Inside this issue:

Welcome Back

Leadership Mes- 1
sage

Week of Prayer 2

Ministers Convention

Mission Council 3
Conference
Keynote Address.
New Executive

Xenophobia
Reflections

Welcome to the first issue of the UCCSA Congregational Chronicle for 2015.
Our big goal this year is that every member of the UCCSA family who reads the UCCSA
Newsletters 2015 will find them insightful, inspiring and engaging. Our content this year is
focused Being a Missional Church God is a missional God. As the Body of Christ, the
church is missional at its very core. The term 'missional church' has received a lot of air
time in the last few years.

But what is a missional church?

What does Missional Church look like?

What are some of the most critical capacities that leaders need to learn for the sake
of leading congregations in mission?

Is there Missional transformation without Intentional missional leadership?

How must theological education be restructured in light of Missional DNA of the

Church?
Read this months articles and join the conversation. You can e-mail us at admin@uccsa.co.za or find us on Facebook at Congregationalists (hyperlink).
Wellington Mthobisi Sibanda :UCCSA Communications Officer

UCCSA President Rev Philip Strydom on Leadership in 2015

What we need now, at all levels of the UCCSA, is change agent leaders. Leaders should be
accustomed to leading change; the UCCSA leadership, at local
church level, regional and Synodical levels and denominationally
are called to lead the change.
We have to learn how to lead the change. When local church leaders i.e. minister and deacons tell you they are satisfied with their
church because they made enough money this year, when a Synod leadership tells a meeting we must do things the way it was
done30 years ago, you realize how desperate it is for us to produce change BECAUSE change is growth. Growth has to take
place if we want to be faithful to God to join Him in His Mission.

Congregational Chronicle

Page 2

UCCSA Bible Studies for Week of Prayer and Commitment 26 -31 January 2015
One of the aspects of our life together
that we have tried to develop and
strengthen is the week of Prayer and
commitment at the beginning of each
year. We have tried to develop resources
to assist local churches in making this
period of prayer and reflection qualitative. This is a special time when we begin
the year by focussing on God. This year
we chose to focus on the prayers developed by the World Council of Churches
and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, adapted them for our UCCSA context, and created additional related materials. The UCCSA theme, Christ is Calling Us: Participating in Suffering and Struggle. We are also mindful of our transnational character as
the UCCSA, hence the need to continue to pray for our member countries to strive for justice. The Bible studies were to help us unpack the theme and lead us to the Covenant and
Commitment Sunday. It is our hope that more churches used this time for spiritual growth
and re- focussing on mission.
Introduction: To the theme

Jesus said to
her, Give me a
drink. (John
4:7) Who
drinks of this
water

Jesus said to her, Give me a drink. (John 4:7) Who drinks of this water
The encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman invites us to try water from a different well and also to offer a little water of our own. In diversity, we enrich each other. The
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is a privileged moment for prayer, encounter and dialogue. It is an opportunity to recognize the richness and value present in the other, and to
ask God for the gift of unity.
The proposed study and meditation on this text during the Week of Prayer is to help people
and communities to realize the dialogical dimension of the project of Jesus, which we call
the Kingdom of God.
The text reaffirms the importance of a persons knowing and understanding first her or his
own identity so that the identity of the other is not seen as a threat. If we do not feel threatened, we will be able to experience the complementarity of the other. The image emerging
from the words give me a drink is an image speaking of complementarity: to drink the
water of someone elses well is the first step towards experiencing anothers way of being.
This leads to the acceptance of diversity and is an effort to overcome monocultural conceptions that have caused so much damage to society and churches.
In the text of John 4, Jesus is a foreigner who arrives tired and thirsty. He needs help and
asks for water. The woman is in her own land; the well belongs to her people, to her tradition. She owns the bucket and she is the one with access to the water. But she is also thirsty
herself. They meet and that encounter offers an unexpected opportunity for both of them.
Jesus does not cease to be Jewish because he drank the water offered by the Samaritan
woman. The Samaritan remains who she is, while embracing Jesus way. When we recognize
that we do have reciprocal needs, complementarity takes place in our lives in a more enriching way.
Give me a drink presupposes that both Jesus and the Samaritan woman ask for what they
need from each other. Give me a drink compels us to recognize that persons, communities,
cultures, religions and ethnicities need each other. Diversity needs to be recognized and
presented as our common heritage, with regard to humanity and the whole of creation.
Give me a drink compels us to change our attitude, to commit ourselves to seek unity in
the midst of our diversity through our openness to a variety of forms of spirituality and religious
expressions.
UCCSA Communications

Page 3

Congregational Chronicle

UCCSA Ministers Convention

UCCSA Ministers during a

session

The UCCSA held a very

successful Ministers Convention at Good news
Centre, Muldersdrift, and
Johannesburg. The purpose of this gathering was
to clarify, bring cohesiveness and make more efficient our processes and
systems relating to Ministers. The Convention was
a space that allowed us to
listen to how each and
engage on Toward a Missional Ministry.
Objectives where:

Create a common
vision and understanding

on building a Missional
Church and our role in this
process.

Inculcate and strengthen a Missional Ethos

amongst Ministers.

Provide an opportunity
for fellowship, worship,
study and recreation for
Ministers to cut across divides of age, culture, nationality, age, gender and theological orientation and others.

Strengthen
fraternal
bonds, unity and supportive
networks amongst Ministers.

Begin to reflect on UCCSA @

50 and beyond
Besides the above mentioned objectives this was
also an opportunity to share
some of the issues that have
been confronting us as a
denominations. More important for us is that our
presence here allows us to
have a conversation amongst
ourselves as ministers as to
how we understand our role
as leaders in taking the
Church forwards said Rev
Alistair Arends (UCCSA Gen-

UCCSA Mission Council Conference

Understanding
and Embracing
the Missional
Plan of the
UCCSA and
being a
Missional
Church

Understanding and Embracing the Missional Plan of the UCCSA and being a Missional Church

UCCSA Mission Council will be having a conference under the theme Understanding and
Embracing the Missional Plan of the UCCSA and being a Missional Church which will
be held on 6-8 February 2015. The meeting will be held at Kuruman Moffat Mission, Kuruman South Africa. The mission council members are expected to arrive on Thursday the
5th in the afternoon/evening. The departure date is Sunday 8th soon after breakfast. The
objectives of the conference to be held in February 2015 include the following:
1. Create a common vision and understanding on building a Missional Church and our role
in the process.
2. Inculcate and strengthen a Missional ethos amongst our Ministries and Units.
3. Provide an opportunity for fellowship, worship, study and recreation within the thrust of
the mission council.
4. Develop a strategy for church growth and church planting across all the countries of the
UCCSA.
5. Develop the Mission Council Action Plan in line with the UCCSA Capacity Development
Plan
6. Developing and Resourcing the Mission Council
A conversation about the UCCSA. The state of affairs in the UCCSA.What are the resources
(Asset base) of the Church, and how can we use them as a base for economic transformation? What roles can the Mission Council Play in response to the Missional challenges of
the UCCSA? (What are the kinds of actions that we feel called to in order for us to
experience transformation?)
It is hoped that the conference will create new momentum for the ministries and units
within the UCCSA especially in the light that in just 2 years time the UCCSA will be celebrating its Golden Anniversary on the 3rd October 2017; Fifty years of Mission and Witness is
not a mean achievement and all glory, honour and praise be unto God, the one who has sustained us this far.

Volume 1, Issue 1

Page 4

Keynote: On becoming a Missional Church

Keynote address by the Rev
Dr Collin I Cowan at the
UCCSA Ministers Convention.
To be missional is the only
task of the Church. It is rooted in the every essence of
our destiny and calling. Jesus
definition of church being
light of the world and salt
of the earth (Mat 5:13-16)
his way of linking identity
with vocation. They are inextricably intertwined.
The call of CWM, therefore is
both encouragement to stay
the course and an offer of
accompaniment as each
member lives out its calling

in faithful obedience to God.

The Church is Missional in
identity and purpose: A biblical perspective.
The Churchs witness and
relevance is at stake: A personal critique.
The Church has a mandate to
fulfil: reclaiming its identity
and purpose.
I call the Church to reclaim
its place as Gods agent of
hope and instrument of salvation in a world that has
lost sight of the meaning and
significance of community;
where we are paralyzed by

greed and
where
selfishness
infest our
hearts and
make callous our
consciences. We may have lost our way
but there is an opportunity
available to us right now to
reclaim that place because God
continues to beckon us to come
to the waters and be refreshed.
More info at UCCSA

New Executive for the Africa Office.

Rev. Marco Cable is the new
Executive for the Africa Office. In the letter he sent to
Global Ministries partners he
said I am humbled to have
been called to lead this important work at Global Ministries. I am grateful for Mama Sandra Gourdet and her
faithful service to Africa for
the last 40 plus years. She
has laid a strong foundation
in which I plan to build upon. I am excited to have an

opportunity to work and

partner with you in Gods
mission in the world He
officially began his ministry
as the Africa Executive on
Monday, January 5 after being in Togo for French language training.
The Reverend Marco A.
Cable, M.Div
Executive, Africa Office
Global Ministries of the
Christian Church (Disciples
of Christ) and the United
Church of Christ
PO Box 1986, Indianapolis,
IN 46206

Xenophobia in Southern Africa

The recurrence of xenophobic attacks in South Africa is
an indication of some of the
deep-seated problems that
continue to bubble at the
surface of our countries. The
attacks against foreign nationals from the African continent were and are an indication of serious sociopolitical problems that continue to grip our continent.
Unfortunately some of our
governments have simply
dismissed these attacks as
merely a matter of criminal

activity by some people. Xenophobia brings us shame as

Africans. It is a sign of selfhate .As a church we should
teach our members to be
proud of their Africanness
and celebrate their belonging to the continent. The
UCCSA as a pan-African
church has to reject xenophobia in all its forms and
should challenge our governments to pride themselves in
building relations and extending hospitality to fellow
Africans. As church we have

an evangelistic responsibility
to promote tolerance, acceptance of the stranger
among us and the promotion
of better living conditions for
refugees in our communities.
We have to encourage our
local churches to go out of
their
way
to
be
welcoming to the strangers
in our neighbourhoods.
Extracts from the UCCSA
Archives (Reports)

Page 5

Reflections By the UCCSA President at the UCCSA Ministers Convention

FIX YOUR HEART
Scripture Reading: Philippians 2:1-5
INTRODUCTION: The theme for the Convention is "Towards A Missional Ministry". It is
my responsibility to give you a STARTING POINT.
The starting point for "Towards a Missional Ministry" is the heart. We are also going to deal
with CARING for: ourselves, families, congregations and communities. And to CARE
comes from the heart. Caring is also being missional......
THE SCRIPTURAL BASIS FOR CARING: And so, THE STARTING POINT for being missional
which includes and is also, to care for the other, is found in Philippians 2:2-5.
Firstly, we ought to live in harmony; be of the same mind; be one in purpose. These
qualities are in fact a prerequisite for caring in a family and community set-up.
Secondly, Paul is saying that we should do nothing from factional motives i.e. out of
selfishness or strife; he is emphasizing the first point. Thirdly, he is also saying to us
that there should be no conceit or arrogance amongst them.
Fourthly, we are called to have a true spirit of humility; to regard others better than
ourselves. Fifthly, the call comes loud and clear that each of us NOT ONLY look after
our own interests but must be concerned about the needs of others.
According to the Amplified Bible: "Let this same attitude, and purpose and mind be in
you which was in Christ Jesus - LET HIM BE YOUR EXAMPLE IN HUMILITY.

A missional
HUMILITY FOR THE SAKE OF? The first readers of this letter were a diverse group of
community
believers. The church was founded during the Second Missionary Journey of Paul. We
find the account thereof in Acts 16:11-40. There was the wealthy business woman,
listens to and
Lydia; there was the slave girl; and the jailer and his family.
understands
It
is
to this congregation Paul writes. It is if he is telling them, IF YOU, AS A CHRISTIAN
the stories of
COMMUNITY
WANT TO BE obedient as missional individuals, missional families,
their
leaders and church effective in mission have missional impact ,be able to discern the
neighbors in
Word God is giving them, FIX YOUR HEART.WHEN YOUR HEART IS FIXED and you are
order to be
on Mission with God, God is about bringing glory to His name and establishing His
able to tell
kingdom and reign in the world. It is what He is always been up to throughout
the Gospel
redemptive history of the world.WHEN YOUR HEART IS FIXED you can now
Story in ways
demonstrate the Gospel tangibly. Just as Jesus came demonstrating the kingdom
that are Good
through selfless acts of service, we actively look for opportunities to meet the felt and
real needs of our neighbors. We look at ways to serve our spouses, to serve our
News to
children BUT also to serve our neighbour. WHEN OUR HEARTS ARE FIXED, we can
those specific
pattern our communities after Jesus life, and we declare the Gospel creatively. A
people.
missional community listens to and understands the stories of their neighbors in order
to be able to tell the Gospel Story in ways that are Good News to those specific people.
A REASON WHY I WAS ATTRACTED TO BY THIS SCRIPTURE PASSAGE IN
PHILIPPIANS. Paul deals here with the Incarnation, God with and amongst us through
Jesus Christ. This is the Missio Dei, God at work. Do we remember what WWJD stands
for? What Would Jesus Do. Do we still ask ourselves this question? Or is it all about
me.I came across this tweet by Alan Hirsch: It is not so much that the church has a
mission, it is that the mission of God has a church. (I want to suggest that we make
this our slogan in the UCCSA.)
CONCLUSION:
A man fell into a pit and could not get himself out. A Christian Scientist came along and said,
"You only think that you are in a pit." A Pharisee said, "Only bad people fall into a pit."
A compassionless Fundamentalist said, "You deserve your pit." A Charismatic said,
"Just confess that you are not in a pit." A Methodist came by and said, "We brought you
some food and clothing while you are in the pit." A Presbyterian said, "This was no
accident, you know." An Optimist said, "Things could be worse." A pessimist said,
"Things will get worse!" Jesus, seeing the man, took him by the hand and lifted him
outof the pit.That is the essence of Christ and of His compassion and caring. That is the
spirit we need operating within and through us. This is what caring is all about; this is
what missional is all about. Lifting out those who fell into the pit of sickness, shame,
hopelessness, poverty or injustice.

Business Tagline or Motto

Rev Alistair Arends

The General Secretary
Email:gensec@uccsa.co.z a
Rev Kudzani Ndebele
Media Liason Officer
Mr Wellington Mthobisi
Sibanda
Communications Officer
Email: wellosacha@yahoo.com
Tel: +27 11 837 9997
Fax: +27 11 837 2570
Email: tellus.uccsa@gmail.com
Website: www.uccsa.co.za

We want to here more stories from our local churches,Regions and Synods on the
next issue.As we look back over the years together in the UCCSA, we are profoundly
thankful to God for the way in which he has led us and for his power enabling us to
walk with him and with one another according to all that he has made known to us
or will make known to us. We are so grateful to those who have led the UCCSA at
Denominational, Synodical, Regional and local levels. Their vision, enthusiasm, courage, faith and hard work have made it possible for us to celebrate this union with joy
and forward-looking hope. Together we are THE people of God, his worshippers, His
workers and His witnesses in the Church and in the world. We are dependent on
Christ and on one another and it is that INTERDEPENDENCE which has characterised our life together in the UCCSA.
The UCCSA Theme says: Christ is Calling Us: Participating in Suffering and
Struggle. This is a call to action, a call to discipleship, a call to be a Justice Church
and a Church that endeavours to live up to the expectations of being a Loving and
Caring Church, a Church which participates in the sufferings and struggles of Gods
people by doing something to change their lives. It continues to emphasize the justice ethos of the UCCSA. In a world where people continue to suffer marginalization,
betrayal by the post-liberation reality and rampant corruption the church is called
more than ever to present the face of the God of the oppressed. This prophetic ministry has to be at the heart of the self-understanding of the local church. This is why
the key priority of this Programme is to enable the local church to be more faithful in
its vocation of being a Missional Church. As Congregationalists we believe that the
Local Church is the primary place where mission is practiced. The local church is at
the frontline of mission practice.

Wellington

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February 2015 UCCSA Events

Covenant and Commitment Sunday
IMB/WF Consultation (Johannesburg)
UCCSA Mission Council (Kuruman)
Ash Wednesday
UCCSA Investments Committee
1st Sunday in Lent