Alpha Christian Community

Senior members in Riverlea...treasure our wealth

2009-12-03T00:23:00.004+02:00

It so special to spend time with older people. They bring a wealth of experience, of social intellegence to you as a person. This is maybe why the outing with our seniors was such a deep reminder to us, of what is important in life.Malin should be thanked for the arrangements and vision, but also sensitivity and care, with Lorna Josephs. Whilst we enjoyed each other, we were also touched and

The ‘gospel’ according to “This is It”

2009-11-10T08:31:00.001+02:00

Some people asked me about last week's sermon about MJ. Unfortunately the recording did not come out right, so we won't post it, as a potcast. Of course, not everyone like my usage of Michael Jackson, in a sermon, and also, I have to admit that maybe I did not hit the notes on the sermon, for all. To err is human.. and all that. What is however important is for me to honour my commitment to those

Danny Titus’ sermon on dealing with diversity

2009-10-25T19:55:00.001+02:00

Read, Scripture: John 4:1-30 The times we are living in Dear sisters and brothers, young people, some children. We live in a time where we have to realize that there are many differences among us. Particularly when it comes to religion. We need to respect and recognize the cultural and religious diversity in our country. And also as we know, within our Christian churches there are differences,

Joseph succeeded because he forgave

2009-09-17T07:56:00.004+02:00

That's so simple, isn't it? Yet, its so difficult. Sunday's word by Malin Fisher, candidate for ministry from our Riverlea community, still keeps us talking. Fisher, reflected on Gen 45, reading the text in context. He focussed on how Joseph, (the Muslims would call him Yusuf) could overcome the odds stacked against him, by forgiving those that hurt him deeply in his life, in particular his own

Pray for Hungary

2009-09-16T00:34:00.003+02:00

Last year I had the priviledge of visting Hungary. In particular I spend some time in Budapest, and at a mission conference on the lake Balaton. It is a beautifull country, with beautifull people. The churches came through a period of struggle and persecution, hence we don't find a lot of the bravado and arrogance, which is to be found in other parts of the world. The churches remain close to

Riverlea's got talent

2009-09-14T00:50:00.005+02:00

Inspired by the initiative from our young people, we may challenge a deeper look into the question, how is talent transformed into produducing champions. What are the relationship between talent and success? A book that is dealing with the question comes from Dr John Maxwell, entitled Talent is never Enough: Discover the Choices that will take you beyond your talent. According to Maxwell, talent

knowledge is compassion

2009-09-10T01:45:00.004+02:00

Somebody made the comment today that knowledge is compassion. We often heard the old adage, 'knowledge is power' and we end up with fights and brutal wars. Often, I am amazed as the brutality of people. Espescially people that you expect to be mature and sophisticated, intelligent people. What do you do in these situations ? Does one succumb to the temptation of simply letting go and give him

a Third of children in South Africa stays with both parents

2009-07-14T15:09:00.003+02:00

We often speak of family values, family-based this and that, or perfect family, etc. A recent study amongst families on South Africa, in 2002 and 2007, found that only about 40% of children stays with their moms, 3% with their fathers and 23% don't stay with any of the mother or father.The Beeld reports that there is a significant difference amongst white, coloured, black and indian families,

Relational Youth Ministry-Andy Root

2009-07-09T23:15:00.005+02:00

I found this link on the Princeton Theological Seminary's Institute for Youth Ministry's website, of a speech/interview by Andy Root on relational ministry. His main arguement seems to be that youth ministry (or any ministry, for that matter) should not see the building relationships as a means to an end. This he calls functional understanding. Relationships, is the end. So click here to listen.

when is winning not enough, for parents ?

2009-07-09T09:27:00.007+02:00

I had a fascinating conversation with a colleague yesterday in the bus, where we talked amongst others, about schoolsport. His children are in it deep and mine are only starting. He is also experienced in family ministry and an expert in education, so, we reflected on the obsession of us as parents and schools to make our children winners. We, as parents often pay the price (literally as well!),

youth ministry: what's the point ?

2009-07-06T18:35:00.006+02:00

Having read a few youth ministry books, the last few weeks have made me wonder what the essence is of youth ministry. Of course, one immediately think adrenaline, fun and lots of lean, athletic stars, leading hundreds, if not thousands of young people 'to the Lord'. I was there, but failed miserably. I simply could not keep up the show. The show couldn't just go on. Upon reflection and again

the soft God- a reading of Jonah ?

2009-07-05T18:48:00.002+02:00

This morning, we listened to Jerome Prince speaking on Jonah 3. He is a Bibleschool student and shared some interesting thoughts on this particular, sometimes controversial story. We then celebrated the holy Communion. Jerome didn't go into the question whether there was an actual 'big fish' or whether the story happened. For him, that was not the issue. I suppose those questions might be of

Spam and blog control

2009-06-04T08:42:00.002+02:00

We've been hit by spam and have decided to review our 'open door policy'. All your comments are still welcome ! However, in order for us to maintain a deep and constructive dialogue, we will moderate comments for the sake of keeping focus, but also, keeping the dignity of the conversation.Thanks'Moderator'

Sharing communion together: URCSA and DRC

2009-06-02T09:54:00.003+02:00

Last Sunday, the two congregations, Vergesig NG Kerk and the Riverlea URCSA, had a joint communion, as a conclusion of the season of Pentecost. In a context where it seems as if churches struggle to find each other, this seems significant. URCSA's General Synod recently called for a moratorium on unity processes and discussions at General Synodical level. This moratorium was qualified, in

Ascending...

2009-05-21T14:05:00.004+02:00

Dirkie Smit tells the story of Chesterton, under the title ‘The Hammer of God’ where Father Brown investigates a murder in a small town. The victim was killed by a hammer crushing his skull. Everyone in town suspected the blacksmith. Its obvious – he has the tools, but moreso he has the motive.At the end, as the plot unravels, the investigator discover that its in fact the brother of the victim,

congregational cell experience are life-enriching

2009-05-20T11:18:00.004+02:00

I had a remarkable cell-experience last night. Our faith community is actually a community of communities, where cells and other smaller interest groups, function as small spaces for interaction, spiritual growth and change. They ( the leaders of the cell) called me to be part of this experience, late in the day(!) yet I managed to move some other appointments to a later slot. I think I made the

S A Council of Churches warn: “You reap what you sow”.

2009-05-14T21:14:00.001+02:00

Statement by SACC on spat amongst political leaders: The S A Council of Churches (SACC) is perplexed by the recently reported statements made by political leaders in the ANC Alliance (Youth League, MK Veterans Association and COSATU) and Democratic Alliance (DA). These statements are in such bad taste that one would not want to repeat them. It is noted that such “politics of disgrace” started

Reading Acts 21-28, from a South African angle with Scott McKnight

2009-05-14T17:22:00.007+02:00

We've been reflecting the last 2 days on the book of Acts with New Testament scholars, Scott McKnight and Gert Steyn, on the question: what does it say for us today here in South Africa. Of course it would be difficult to cover the whole book, so I will briefly reflect on the chapters that our group worked with, namely Acts 21-28. For us, the notion of the journey (difficult as it was) towards

preaching on Mother's day-Quiet Strength

2009-05-10T23:08:00.002+02:00

Preaching on Mother’s day can be a dangerous exercise. On other days you might be forgiven to make a mistake here and there- not on Mother’s day. Therefore I am treading on eggs and would hope and pray for understandning. My only plea is that I love my mother and my wife, who has been a inspirational(and strict )mother for our two daughters. Why is it in our churches, that Mother’s Day is so

Angus Buchan is human, after all- 'beterskap oom' !

2009-04-29T11:04:00.003+02:00

The news of evangelist, Angus Buchan's collapse at the Mighty Men conference has been causing a stir amongst his followers as well as other commentators. Many ask the question: what does it mean? Is there a divine meaning to this ? Many joke oblivious of what is happening amongst us- maybe even trying to hide their own masculine insecurities. The official statement from the organizers is that '

Mighty Men excludes women ?

2009-04-20T10:15:00.009+02:00

The Mighty Men is preparing for their biggest show of strength yet; in fact, they promise a rally of over 200 000 men on the farm in Greytown. Whilst there has been a debate over many things related to the theology of Angus Buchan and the multi-million rand industry that has developed around the once humble potato farmer, it may remain a movement that inspire hope. Buchan is clear that he want to

institutional decline, or new birth ?

2009-03-31T11:30:00.002+02:00

Sarah Britten gives insight in the secularization that engulfs church life in Australia. Whilst she is grappling with a key question, why people leave the mainline church, its seems as if she is maybe missing the point that many people actually leave a particular form of Christiandom behind.Newer expressions of living out Christian spirituality, might not come in the same guise as before, and are

Standing up against the new empire

2009-03-25T01:24:00.003+02:00

Who thought that South Africa, the land with the 'most progressive constitution', would morph into a country which bans religious leaders ? What are we to say of the realisation, that the current South African government would rather follow the dictates of a cruel repressive tyranny, which persecutes Christians and churches.For Rhema and others it might be convenient to parade 'pastor' Zuma on

Whitney Houston with Cece and Bebe Winans holding up the light

2009-03-20T10:23:00.003+02:00

Back in the days Whitney Houston was calling America to hold up the light, at an NAACP awards evening with the Rev Jesse Jackson very prominent. I wonder if they imagined at that stage that 20 years later, some-one, birthed from the African-American church, would become president of the US.You could see Whitney, on fire, but Cece was certainly the best here. The hairstyle of Cece is a classic.

Zuma's mistaken claim that God is on their side

2009-03-19T03:04:00.004+02:00

Churches and faith leaders need to come out stronger to distance themselves from the claim of the ANC president, Jacob Zuma that God is on their side. Apparantly he appeared again at a church service, of sorts, asking for prayer and then, with 'church leaders' on his side, he made this bold claim.We have said it at another post, that we should applaud and welcome polititians, who, in prayer and