In the name of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I welcome you all to this Vestry of 2012. Since our
arrival at St Barnabas, ten months ago from Estcourt St Matthew’s we have been made to feel welcome by the whole parish. This has enabled us to settle very quickly and to get on with the business at hand and that is to evangelise and mission. This is our core business as a church and as parishioners. We are here to proclaim the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. For a day like today (Vestry), I chose the theme; Cast the Net, John 21:6. The sevendisciples were out fishing at the invitation of Peter. After fishing the whole night they caught nothing - no fish. Then Jesus appears to them in the morning and he notices their disappointment. He says to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” The result is a net full of fish. John tells us that the net is not torn despite being full of fish. Jesus invites them to breakfast where he further reveals himself as the risen Lord. Casting the net says to us; that we should not only trust in own skills, expertise and efficiency, but to trust in the sovereign Lord who has called us to this mission of evangelism. Casting the net says to us this morning; take a risk with God. Trust Him. Yes we will have budget lines to meet and to adhere to, but the budget lines are not and must not have the final say, Jesus has the final say, not only in our lives but also in the church. Jesus is the Alpha and Omega. That is why we tithe as believers because we know that Jesus is the final word in all matters. Casting the net says to us; be totally be depended on God’s will. Cast the net says to us; Jesus is the Lord of heaven and earth and the net full of fish demonstrates provision for us as individuals and as a parish. Our God is the God of all so we do not fear the present or future we wait with an expectant faith. He provides for us. As we go through vestry let us continue to remind ourselves of this God that provides. I often recall the story of Elijah and the widow, the widow never ran out of food after the encounter with Elijah . Psalm 121 says, “I lift my eyes to the mountains: where our help comes from? Our help comes from God who made heaven and earth.” The Psalm further says, Our God, does not sleep-he is constantly watching over us. So, as the church warden’s report and finance report are presented, including the budget let us remember that our Lord is sovereign over all, he says to us cast the net. We need to look to the Lord always - in season and out of season. We are a faith community that is not journeying alone but with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. So let us cast the net, and take a risk with God. Amen
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This article marks the end of Growth of a Community.
A community cannot remain static. It has to remember that it is not an end to itself. God has to remain at the centre of the community. For God, through the Holy Spirit, inspires the community to go further. As God remains at the centre of the community, we take risks with God, and in the process the ordinary becomes the extraordinary. The community will continue to grow when young people are encouraged to discover their gifts and to bring them forward. A community that does not nurture its young is sure to die. St Barnabas has many young people, and we need to pray for clarity from God on what youth policy we need to have and to pursue. If we fail to encourage our young people then they will leave the community and find other communities that will allow them to thrive. On the 5th of February 12 young people are being confirmed plus two young adults. How are these going to be nurtured, encouraged and discipled post confirmation classes? This has always been the Achilles heels for the Anglican Church -continued discipleship after confirmation. These who have been confirmed have been anointed by the Holy Spirit and equipped by the Holy Spirit to do the work of God. Our task as a parish is to pray with them to discern the gifts that have been bestowed on them at confirmation. It could be that our youth are being called to go on a mission to the areas devastated by the recent floods in Limpopo and Mpumalanga, and to offer support with the building of shelters! It could be that among them one is being called to be a youth pastor or even to become an ordained minister. The two adults could be called to be involved in parish council, youth ministry, reading in church or side’s people duties. Our task as a congregation is to help them not to be static, but to be on the move and to ultimately discover where God is calling them. We must see this not as a burden but a joy. For to be confirmed is like experiencing the birth of child in a home and what joy and possibilities it brings as we gaze upon this new birth. In five years’time these 12 will be young adults, and what an investment it would have been if we have nurtured them to remain in the Anglican Church as participating members. Think of the possibilities that come with this approach. That is called forward thinking and ultimately Growth. Fr. Barnabas Nqindi |
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September 2024
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