Presiding Bishop's News February 2021
“Ke ekwenzeni okulungileyo masingethi amandla;
kuba sovuna ngexesha elililo, ukuba asityhafi.” (Galatians 6:9)
Greetings Fellow Workers
These many months of COVID related regulations are certainly testing us all. No doubt we are all feeling weary and are even perhaps unaware of how much toll the stress has taken on us mentally and spiritually. We may find ourselves emotionally bouncing between despair and anger, our spiritual disciplines can decline and moral carelessness can set in. In a world of social distance, we must beware of social isolation. Thankfully, our current regulations still allow for legitimate means of staying in contact. Technology and our summer climate present us with helpful options to keep connected. As Paul encouraged the Galatians, so we should also encourage each other. Let us not become weary of doing Kingdom good. These strange times and circumstances do not mean an end to godly conduct, pastoral care and calling the lost to Christ. We just may be doing it a little differently!
Lockdown update
The latest regulations have opened the door for a return to limited public church gatherings of up to 50 people. Home and social gatherings are still not permitted, but the local church building can be used for services, small groups and other ministries through the week. I would also advise churches to take advantage of outdoor allowances for up to 100 people - weather and space permitting. It might also be wise to encourage our members to return to the discipline of Sunday meetings by live streaming the gathered service and uploading the recording at a later time. Obviously, data costs and limitations are a huge factor in many of our communities and that needs to be kept in mind. I also want to commend our REACH churches for their good attention to sanitizing and social distancing protocols. This too is part of your witness.
Life and Death Concerns
News of new COVID infections reach our office on an almost daily basis. We estimate that we are now over 1000 infections and 100 deaths just within our REACH congregations. Our hearts and prayers go out for all those who are mourning the loss of loved ones. I'm also aware that many people have not told us they are ill or that they have lost family or church members. The latest national statistics do point to a downtown in current infections, but 'sensible caution' must still be the order of the day.
Future Scenario
Many leadership forums speculate that South Africa may not revert to a more 'normal' lifestyle before the end of this year, possibly even into 2022. Slow rollout of vaccinations, viral mutations as well as economic and political complications all mean that we will face many more difficult days. The goal for us is to continue to find ways to take the gospel of eternal hope to an increasingly lost and confused world. It is by this gospel that we also strive to wisely and lovingly care for our communities. Ministry models will adapt and change, methodology will need to be tweaked, but the gospel message remains the same. Never compromise on the message of the Cross which will always be 'foolishness to those who are perishing but the power of God to those who are being saved' (1 Cor.1:18). If we adapt the message to entertain the lost, we will all likewise perish!
News
Bishop Martin Morrison will be stepping down as Gauteng Area Bishop and Rector of Christ Church, Midrand at the end of March 2021. Bishop Martin has been a minister in REACH-SA since the mid-1980s and was consecrated bishop in 1993. He has played a valuable role in the leadership and growth of the denomination. Under his oversight, Christ Church Midrand has grown into a large and vibrant church community. Christ Church Preparatory School and College grew out of CCM and has become a highly regarded educational institution. Many other ministries and church plants have also sprung from the ministry hub. We can also add Bishop Martin’s missional network across Southern Africa, the establishment and growth of Love Trust as well as the launch of Gospel Coalition Africa. We are so grateful to God for all the Kingdom gains the Lord has given Bishop Martin and we give God all the glory for using His servant so effectively.
Bishop Martin will continue in his role at Love Trust and the Gospel Coalition Africa as well as maintain his African ministry networks. Many exciting doors also continue to open through Love Trust which has helped to expand our gospel reach through ECDs and other township educational endeavours. Bishop Martin is also willing and available to assist others looking to minister in this field.
REACH-Namibia continues to grow and several new church congregations have been launched in the last year. There are now over 30 congregations and there is even a church plant in southern Angola. We give thanks to God for the ongoing ministry growth even through much adversity.
REACH-Namibia has reached Epyaliwa village in Omusati Region. The Rev Conradie and Mrs Maria Shilomboleni are serving God and his church in that area.
#WhereIsThePB
Bishop Glenn has now resumed limited travel commitments to important meetings and events.
Prayer
Let us endeavour to keep connected in every legal and wise way and to keep upholding each other in prayer.
- Pray for Bishop Martin and his wife Jean as they begin a new chapter of their ministry life.
- Upcoming National Executive and Trustees meetings. That the Lord will unite and guide us as we lead the church forward. Pray that the gospel will always drive our decisions.
- Pray for the many who are recovering from COVID infections:
Rev. Goodenough Mthembu recovering from serious infection.
Rev. Eric Sabela who was recently hospitalized with COVID infection and is now home and recuperating.
May the Lord sustain us through this critical time and open new doors for us proclaim the gospel of grace across Southern Africa and beyond.
Mayibuye iAfrika kuJesu
Glenn Lyons
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. (Ps.28:7)
Presiding Bishop's News January 2021
“Praise be to the name of Godfor ever and ever;
wisdom and power are His.
He changes times and seasons;
He deposes kings and raises up others.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the discerning."
Daniel 2:20-21
Greetings Fellow Workers / Sanibonane Bazalwane
As expected, 2021 begins in just as turbulent and uncertain a vein as 2020 left us. Our world endures changing seasons of leadership, conflict and COVID19 strains. It’s not always possible to interpret or understand the times and many in our world see no plan in all this global confusion. Yet, Daniel, the great interpreter, reminds us, that our God has ordained this season and has raised up (and taken down) rulers to serve according to His will not theirs. May the Lord give us wisdom and discernment to serve God’s people in the times He has placed us.
COVID19 2021
After almost a year of lockdown restrictions, we are still far from a return to ‘normality’. Its estimated that even with the availability of vaccines it will take most of this year to obtain and administer them. In the midst of this second wave, I’m sure we are all feeling moments of frustration, anxiety and even despair as we endure more days of unhappy isolation.
Many have voiced their dismay at the Level 3 blanket ban on church meetings, yet other gatherings (e.g. casinos) are allowed. We agree there are inconsistencies but are also aware of the challenge of containing the virus while also sustaining the fragile economy. Some Christian groups have chosen to take legal steps against the government’s ban, but not all church leaders are convinced this is the best way forward. The reality is that the country is in the grips of a highly infectious second wave and most of our communities are feeling the effects even more directly than the first wave. Within our REACH family alone, we are now at approximately fifty reported deaths and hundreds of infections and hospitalizations. Clearly there are legitimate reasons for the current precautions.
It is with this in mind that our Executive Committee has chosen to abstain from joining a court action. We will, however, continue to engage with Government as we voice our concerns and proposals to the National Command Council. They also need our prayers.
I again appeal to all our local church leaders to be well anchored in the face of a wide number of alarming and often conflicting news sources. The times call for level-headed leadership and prayerful perseverance in wisely applied Gospel ministry. We need leaders who ‘understand the times and know what Israel should do’.
Relief Fund
Our Trustees have agreed to extend our Relief Fund into 2021 as we expect further financial difficulties in several of our church communities. Retrenchments, salary cuts and supplementary income are an increasing reality for local church ministry teams. I invite you to prayerfully commit to making ongoing contributions to this most vital fund.
Gathering
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Heb.10:24,25)
It’s true that the gathered community is at the very heart of the Christian life. It is, however, a stretch to interpret Hebrews 10:25 as an unbreakable command to assemble despite a dangerous pandemic. The context of Hebrews 10 is a word to a church that was increasingly unwilling to meet in the face of ongoing persecution and growing disillusion with the gospel. We are not in those same circumstances. We long to meet together, but at this stage it is unwise (and illegal) to organize large gatherings in the face of such an infectious virus.
We can still, however, ‘consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds’ and we must not give up meeting together even under these current restrictions. But this needs to be through online meetings, households, outdoor opportunities and other ways the changing regulations will allow us. Let us put our minds to finding creative means to connect and to make every effort to encourage each other till the Day of eternal gathering dawns.
Uganda
You will all be aware of the current social and political difficulties in Uganda. For some days we have been unable to communicate with friends and ministry partners in the country. Please keep the situation in your prayers. Remember especially, Archbishop Kazimba, asking the Lord to give him wisdom and courage as he leads God’s people through these difficult days.
National meetings
At present it is too early to decide how we will convene our 2021 Synod, but we will continue to keep an eye on developments. All national meetings in our first quarter will be online only. I am also mindful of the important regional discussions with regards to structural transformation and racism. I do not want to let this slip off the agenda but also trust you will bear with us as we work through these difficult days.
GWC
Our college has successfully managed many challenges as they worked to adjust classes and courses in the light of ongoing COVID19 precautions. This year will surely see more of the same demand for adjustments and creative measures. Please ask the Lord to guide and sustain our faculty and staff and give thanks for a good 2021 student intake.
Prayer
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” (Eph.6:18)
Many have shared what a struggle it has been to spend time with the Lord in these COVID days. It may sound like a strange problem given that we are largely confined to our homes and have plenty of alone time! It is, however, not surprising because the problem is more spiritual than circumstantial. Let us resolve to pursue a more disciplined prayer life, trusting the God who alone changes times and seasons. It may even be good for us to pray for each other - that we may be praying for each other!
There are hundreds of grieving and infected families that need our prayers. Your local church networks will have brought relevant names of members to your attention. Many of our ministers and workers have also contracted the virus over the last year and we are glad to report that most are recovering well. Let us give thanks to God for his daily mercies.
I do want to remind you of a few of our ministers and workers who have been brought to our attention for prayer in recent days (I’m sure there are others we are unaware of and we would appreciate the information for future updates).
Rev. Denys Nande: Bishop Katenda has informed us of “uncle” Denys’ hospitalization in recent days. He has tested negative for COVID but remains in a general ward. Please keep this long serving REACH Namibia minister and his family in your prayers.
Bishop Raj Moodley: Please remember Bishop Raj’s family. His daughter Janine has COVID and son-in-law Sachin has been very ill in hospital with COVID infection.
Rev. Elias Majozi: Pray for Rev Majozi as he recovers from COVID in hospital. Lift up his entire family to the Lord as they grieve the loss of his son Thabanzi Majozi.
Mrs Belinda Mhlongo: Lift up Mrs Mhlongo as she and her family grieve the passing of her husband Bongani Mhlongo (son of the late Rev. Leonard Mhlongo) from COVID19 complications.
Rev. Mike and Gillian Marsland: Please remember the Marsland’s as they recover from COVID infection.
Mrs Sandra Radebe: Please remember Mrs Radebe and her family as they mourn the passing of Rev. Lucas Radebe. A long serving and faithful minister in REACH-SA.
Mrs Sheila du Plooy: Sister-in-law of Rev. Ernie du Plooy. Seriously ill in hospital with COVID / Pneumonia.
Lastly
I express gratitude to our Father for our REACH family and their ongoing prayers and encouragement. I long to meet you all face to face and to gather for worship as we sit under the Word together. It has helped me to remember how the underground church persevered for years without the blessing of open corporate worship. Even though our separation is pandemic rather than persecution related, may the Lord give us that same strength to joyfully endure and creatively connect as God’s family in Christ.
“Kepha iNkosi yokuthula uqobo mayiniphe ukuthula ngezikhathi zonke nangezindlela zonke. INkosi mayibe nani nonke.” (2 Thess.3:16)
Inkosi Sibusise
Glenn
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Prayers for God's Peace
Almighty and everlasting God,
ruler of all things in heaven and earth,
mercifully hear the supplications of your people,
and grant us your peace all the days of our life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Eternal God, who gives all good desires, all good purposes, and all good works: give us that peace which the world cannot give, that our hearts may obey your commandments, and be free from fear, so we can live in trust and quietness; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
...For Children
Eternal God, who gives everything good: give us the peace our world cannot give, so that wecan obediently live for you, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
Praying through Pain and Joy
God of Grace,
we thank you for all your gifts to us:
grant us to accept both pain and joy in faith and hope,
and never to fail in love to you and to our sisters and brothers;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer for Perception and Knowledge
Lord, mercifully receive the prayers of your people who call upon you; and grant that we may perceive and know what things we ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to perform them; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Collect for Epiphany
O God,
by the leading of a star
you manifested your beloved Son to the Gentiles:
mercifully grant, that we, who know you now by faith,
may after this life enjoy the splendour of your glorious Godhead;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.