June 2, 2011

June 3, 2011

On June 1 in the am we met the theological faculty at LTI and had a good discussion around the topic of congregational mission, especially after the end of apartheid. It is intriguing that they also raised an issue that the government coopted many of the church leaders from the apartheid movement and thus many leaders of the church felt it more important to lead the church. Social issues became the property of the ‘new government’

The evening meeting with students started with a reflection on the history of South Africa by Mongi Zulu an instructor at LTI. The questions raised by students are not any different than the ones raised by American students. They too are concerned about leading increasingly older congregations. They know that their challenge will be to get their college classmates involved with the church, which many of them have placed on a back burner at best. Calls that make sense in a time of economic downturn, lack of emphasis on children’s ministry, continuing education, workload of congregations and stress on family life. Generally all of us were impressed by their openness in sharing.

Thursday we traveled to Durban and spent time in and around the Indian Ocean, but the afternoon was time well spent with the Council of Churches in Durban and their work on Economic, Health and Social Issues, and Environmental issues challenging South Africa. They were especially concerned the lack of American influence as it pertains to Carbon footprint and Global warming, two especially critical issues in South Africa. We were encouraged to contact our legislative bodies to change the USA stance at the COP17 event in Durban this Fall. HIV/AIDS especially in Durban was a focal point in the work of Health and Social Issues, as was the status of Women, especially in the Church.

Preaching at the Ascension Service was a personal highlight, but the worship was an extreme change from my sabbatical time. Bishop Bieyla is the Chaplain and we had a full liturgical event with smells and the bells of a full house of voices singing praises to God in 4 languages. Good sharing the night before with the students made it seem that we were a part of a much larger family. Conversations continued late.

Today was the Msunduzi Museum which explored the role of the Boer Movement, the English control and the Zulu presence and ultimate control of KwaZulu Natal. The history of an area that reflects immigration of Hindus, Moslems, Christians and Independent African religions was reflected along with the mixing of races that goes back to the 18^th century. It’s now down time and I’m posting. TTUL.