n e w c h u r c h l i f e : j u ly / au g u s t 2 0 1 4
education is alive and well in Kainon.
Buccleuch: The second half of our trip took place in Johannesburg. There
are three General Church congregations in the area: Buccleuch, Alexandra
and Diepkloof; and a group in Balfour, some distance away. The three local
congregations attended a two-day mini-Assembly at Buccleuch, which consisted
of Saturday presentations and workshops, and a large Sunday worship service.
I did one of the presentations on “Essentials of the New Church,” and Pastor
Mark Allais, together with Heather Allais, led a series of workshops on church
growth. The Assembly included a barbecue on Saturday, and a big picnic after
church on Sunday, allowing for all the personal interactions that keep the groups
connected.
The Buccleuch congregation did a fantastic job of hosting this event. It is
a growing congregation with an inspiring vision around racial integration. Not
only that, but it stands as a locus of energy for the region, given that Alexandra is
without a pastor, and the Diepkloof congregation is displaced from their church
building. Hats off to the entire congregation, and to Mark and Karen Allais in
particular, for what they are creating together.
Clergy: An important reason for this trip was to establish healthy working
relationships with the clergy in South Africa. While in Westville, eight ministers
got together for a day and a half of clergy meetings. This was a chance for me
to hear from them about their work, to explore some doctrinal subjects, and to
discuss country-wide issues before them.
It turned out that many of the retired ministers were not able to make it. While
greatly missed, the outcome was that a younger generation of pastors is stepping
up to provide leadership to the Church in South Africa.
Outside of the clergy meetings, I had the opportunity to visit with two retired
ministers: the Rev. Alfred Mbatha and the Rev. Reuben Tshabalala, both of whom
have given many years of dedicated service to the Church.
I also visited with two ministers-in-training: Patrick Mbali, and Mandla Stole.
They are engaged in distance learning courses with the Rev. Dr. Andy Dibb at the
Bryn Athyn College Theological School, and also receive guidance on preaching
and teaching from the Rev. Mark Allais.
The visit to the Church in South Africa provided Teresa and me with a number
of great memories, and more importantly, with a set of relationships on which to
build in the years to come. We greatly appreciate the work that is happening there,
and the graciousness with which we were hosted. We look
forward to visiting again!
The Rt. Rev. Peter M. Buss Jr. is Assistant to the Bishop of the
General Church, Vice President of General Church International,
Incorporated, and Head of General Church Education. Prior to his
ordination into the third degree he was Pastor of the Glenview New
Church. He and Teresa (Farrington) live in Bryn Athyn with their
family. Contact: [email protected]
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