Desperation Over A Will

I received a call from U. tonight. His wife’s parents bequeathed all that they had to her and her daughter, 50/50. But when her parents were on their deathbeds, she persuaded them to cut her daughter out of the will. With the new will in hand, she delivered it to her attorneys. The daughter, however, quickly discovered this and persuaded her mother’s parents to put her back in the will. She delivered the updated will to the same attorneys. The shock came when the will was read out. I said to U., “What does this have to do with YOU?” He said, “I don’t care about the will. But my name was used throughout all of this to guarantee secrecy. They said, ‘Keep it secret so that it’s not picked up by that reckless bastard.’” He said, “I’m very despondent about this. I’m desperate.” I said, “I really wouldn’t take this to heart. Report it to God. Also, people plot and scheme and think they’re the centre of everything, but God is.”

Church Breakfast

Here’s another photo from our Church breakfast this morning. (For anyone looking out for our intern, you'll find him here). This is the queue for the first course, which was fruit and yoghurt. The second course was scrambled eggs, sausage, tomato, and bread. Then there was coffee and tea. All for R20 ($2 / €1.70). As always, there was strong spiritual content (see the previous post), and a multi-lingual song group.

When You've Lost Hope

M. (see photo) gave her testimony at our annual Church breakfast this morning. She began by saying that the whole Bible is made up of testimonies written for the benefit of others. Then she narrowed it down to the testimony of Queen Esther, who saved her people even after an irrevocable decree had gone out to kill them. Finally she described her own escape from execution at the hands of a “liberation army”. Her message was: “When you’ve lost hope is when God comes and lifts you up. It is always a waiting process.” She requested the hymn, "To God be the glory," and dissolved in tears. See also Tried By Fire.

Rotating Pickups

I placed an order today for a second Bajaj pickup (the photo shows a Bajaj trailer transporting an elephant. Thanks to http://www.vespaforum.be/ for the photo). The vehicle I have ordered is almost new, for a third of the price. The catch is that it was left standing in the open for a few years, so it is covered with surface rust (I am paying more to have it restored). Unlike my present pickup, it has doors. OBSERVATION: The reason for ordering a second pickup is a practical one (or so I claim). These things break down so often, and the service is so tardy, that with a second one I shall be able to rotate them.

Sermon Writing

I hate sermon writing with a passion. I have an aversion to it. It always seems like a mountain too great to climb. In fact, I might prefer the mountain. The only way I can get myself to do it every week is to “bite the bullet” (a method of enduring a surgical procedure without anaesthetic), to make the sacrifice, and to get the whole thing out of the way with a sustained effort. OBSERVATION: And yet -- so it is said -- preaching is one of the strengths of my ministry.

Aspects Of Priesthood

This week, an academic assignment our intern did (I mark/grade them) highlighted the following for me: the priesthood of believers may in itself not be the key to the transformation of a Church. As linguists put it: priesthood1 is not priesthood2. There are aspects of the priesthood of believers which are equally important: how broad is the priesthood of believers, how deep, and how fast does it “turn over”? These aspects are, in my view, all critical to its making a positive impact on a Church. OBSERVATION: One aspect which I think is NOT critical is whether the priesthood of believers is exercised in a structured or an unstructured environment, although I believe that more structure may better facilitate it. The photo sequence shows fairly typical involvement in one of our Sunday services.

Wisdom Of Solomon

Two refugees came to see me, claiming that they were brothers who grew up in the same home. I gave each some money on behalf of the Church, to reach a refuge near Port Elizabeth (a city east of here). They asked the Church to hold the money until their departure. A few days later, one of them returned, claimed the money on behalf of them both, and apparently left for Port Elizabeth. The same day, his brother came to claim his money. Of course, it was gone. What to do? I said to the remaining brother: “What kind of brothers are you? There is fraud in here somewhere. Either your brother is in Port Elizabeth now, or he is still here. If he is in Port Elizabeth, he is guilty of fraud. If he is still here, you are guilty of fraud.” I said that, unless he could put me in a position to decide the matter (and I suggested how), no further help would be forthcoming (for now). OBSERVATION: Not that this was the wisdom of Solomon. Solomon might have had a better idea.

Passing The Ball

I have a small role in Lausanne III, a world congress to be held in Cape Town in 2010 (I liaise between Lausanne III and local Churches). Early this week, in anticipation of an open meeting with the international director, I expressed the concern that Lausanne III does not, at this moment, have support on the ground. A (sympathetic) Lausanne III office-bearer got in touch. He said, “67% of Christians now live in the Global South and the Orient. This thing can’t be controlled from the North. The ball has been passed to the South, and they need to realise that.” OBSERVATION: This is one of the concerns on the ground. Others are: the $22 million (R220 million) expense in the troubled African context, a lack of understanding of the purpose of Lausanne III, and the “closed” character of the congress. Most, if not all, of these points could probably be addressed. The photo shows the 2010 venue (thanks to http://www.whalecottage.com/ for the photo).

Cross or Crescent?

This photo is taken looking up at the apex of our Church roof. A few people have asked me whether this represents the Islamic star and crescent. In fact, it is a weathered Gothic cross. of which one quarter has fallen off.

Bible To The People

Several years ago, our Church purchased the copyright to NavPress’ well known “Design for Discipleship” Bible study series (see photo). The purpose was to translate this for the mission. However, this further opened up the opportunity for us to use it for other purposes. For several reasons, our congregation is mostly unable to attend Bible study groups: most do not have transport, many work irregular hours, and then there is the not insubstantial problem of our unsafe streets (we changed the time of one of our evening groups when a member was raped on her way home). So we decided to take Bible study to the congregation -- the NavPress Bible study, that is. OBSERVATION: However, it was not as easy as we had imagined. Who would type it up for us? Few people in our Church own a computer. Thus we managed to get the first “Design for Discipleship” course typed up -- then there was a long delay to the second. Now our new Canadian intern has stepped in, and we are to re-launch “Bible study for the people” this Sunday. It was popular when we did it for the first time. And it is crucial that the average congregant should know their Bible.

Voluntary Repatriation

I met this morning with an African evangelist. After a few weeks in Cape Town, she had decided to go home. Since it was a long way home, I asked her how she was going to get there. She said, “The government provides a wonderful coach.” She said, “I was an evangelist in the U.K., too, for a while. They offered the same service. They were quite wonderful about it.” At this, she produced a U.K. form which said on it: “Voluntary Repatriation”, with various amounts listed in (thousands of) Pounds. OBSERVATION: It sounds like the next best thing to deportation to me.

New Metal Detector

I've never been as popular as I have been dead. Perhaps the recent rumour of my death had something to do with my much reduced electronics output. To mark this occasion, I have designed a new embodiment of the CCO (Coil Coupled Operation) metal detector, a new genre which I invented in 2004. I believe that this is the first IC design to appear on the Internet (there is a transistor design on many websites, and IC designs were published by Elektor and EPE). It took me less than ten minutes to design this -- which illustrates the simplicity of the principle. OBSERVATION: On the surface of it, it may look like an IB (Induction Balance) detector -- but it is not. It works on the principle of the transformer coupled oscillator (TCO), and requires an AM radio to generate a beat frequency in the speaker. This means that it (also) works on the beat frequency operation (BFO) principle. However, it is not a BFO detector either, for the simple reason that it has two coils instead of one -- and it is far more sensitive. With this circuit, I obtained a one-tone shift in an AM radio speaker at 15 cm (6 inches) with a 27mm (1 inch) diameter coin. This is what you should aim for. You can find details of the construction of the (identical) coils L1 and L2 at http://thomasscarborough.blogspot.com/2008/05/bfo-metal-detector-2.html. These should be fixed to a search plate (e.g. hardboard, with cable ties). Note that the orientation of the coils matters: you might need to flip one of them over for best performance. This is an experimental design: experiment with the coils overlap, experiment with the AM radio frequency (you should tune in to a clear whistle, not a hiss, and find the "zero beat" zone), and you might even experiment with C2, or the size and shape of the coils. A screened wire may be taken to the AM radio aerial as shown -- if a connecting wire is required at all. Click on the diagram to enlarge. Click on the "Electronics" category top left to follow the electronics trail on this blog.

NOTE: You may re-publish this design, on condition that you acknowledge the designer (Thomas Scarborough) and this blog (http://thomasscarborough.blogspot.com).

Reviewing The Reviewer

Don Fleming is a well known Christian writer, and his Bible Dictionary is, in my view, the best there is. I review his books -- and he (behind the scenes) reviews my reviews! Without revealing the full ardour of his pen, his comments have ranged from “You must be a voracious reader, and a pretty perceptive one. You have picked up the strengths and weaknesses well...” to “You could have saved yourself trouble by reading the preface. All the things that befuddled you were dealt with there...” (I confess, I didn't read the preface). OBSERVATION: Most recently, I reviewed his book “A Different World”. It’s a good one, and the proceeds go to a good cause. The review is at http://jmm.aaa.net.au/articles/22188.htm. The photo shows Don and Gae Fleming.

"Bad Actors"

There was a large group of “bad actors” near the Church gate tonight -- one or two of whom are under police orders to keep out of the area. I asked them to leave (grace before arrest) -- and received the most impressive, screaming vituperation I have received in years. The whole street stood still. I called the police -- then I entered a Bible study. During the Bible study, I heard a siren. I heard screams. I walked out of the Bible study. The street was clear. OBSERVATION: Another day in urban ministry ... (And grateful thanks to the Sea Point Police).

Clifton Beach Party

You haven’t been to a beach party until you’ve been to a CLIFTON beach party. This is 4th Beach Clifton, situated about 3.5 km (2 miles) south of our Church. I photographed this party from the slopes of Lion’s Head. The sounds of Abba’s “Dancing Queen” were clearly heard at this height. You may click on the photo to enlarge to VGA.

The Politicians Privately

The political debate is welling up. This tends to focus on public personas, public statements, public revelations. I happen to have a glimpse into the personal aspect of politics, and I am amazed by the night-time frenzies, the drunkenness, the fear, the young girls, the backstabbing, the exploitation, the favours, the chaos, the disrespect ... OBSERVATION: It is not (perhaps) corruption, but it is corrupt. In the interests of peace and happiness (mine) I won’t be saying much here! While one forgives human weakness and failure, some things would seem to go well beyond that. Many political leaders wouldn't qualify for leadership of a small-time Church (not to speak of membership).

Rumours Of My Death

It’s amazing what makes a blog bob up and down in the rankings. Mine has been rising and rising the last day or two. I think you’d be interested to know why. It started with a rumour, on a technical forum, that I had died: “I believe Scarborough has died. When he was still in this world I communicated with him several times. As I recall, he was a priest or minister ...” However, someone then posted the good news (if you will) that I was yet alive, with a link to this blog. OBSERVATION: For those who have arrived here through this somewhat circuitous route, you may follow the electronics trail on this blog by clicking on the "Electronics" category top left. If you'd like to see a brief post on my (no longer) doubtful health, see http://thomasscarborough.blogspot.com/2007/08/icu.html.

Postgraduate Idling

I feel a deep and pressing need to get on with my academic “career” (perhaps that equates to “calling”). Yet my postgraduate studies, which began in 2004, have mostly meant WAITING. During two years at Fuller Theological Seminary (Los Angeles), I generally completed my work in half the time -- the rest of it was spent waiting for what happened next. Then, at the University of Cape Town, I ran out of patience when, after half a year, we hadn’t yet got started (I withdrew). Now, during a year-and-a-half at the South African Theological Seminary, I have spent nearly half that time waiting on my supervisor (although I might add that he is worth waiting for). OBSERVATION: This is not how I imagined postgraduate studies to be. I wonder how some people ever manage to blitz a postgraduate degree. The photo shows some of my class at Fuller (I’m in there somewhere -- the one who looks as though he's idling)!

Inadequate Preaching?

The evangelist Alexander Maclaren (see photo) was said to have been “overwhelmed with failure” after preaching a sermon, while people went away blessed and inspired. I not seldom come across this reaction in preachers, in varying degrees -- of defeat, deflation, depression. At the close of a service, one preacher blamed himself aloud to me even before the congregation had left the pews. OBSERVATION: I seldom have even a shade of such feelings (although I did at one time) -- no second thoughts -- and I think the reason is a theological one. God will do a work with a sermon (and already did, in the preparing of it).

Rev. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde

This is not the post in which I reveal my dark side. Rather, it is a reflection on the two worlds that an urban minister inhabits -- two worlds which seem utterly contradictory. On the one hand, there is the (I suppose) respectable side of ministry, which includes public worship and pastoral ministry. On the other hand, the minister regularly deals with violence, degradation, fraud, and desperation -- not to speak of various related disorders. In all of this, he or she may well get tough -- even calling on backup from time to time. OBSERVATION: What seems so incongruous is that, within an hour, one might transition from worship to chaos. However, I doubt that a quarter of Church members are aware of that “other” side of ministry. And it may account for, say, a quarter of one's involvements.

Moonrise

As the day began, so it ends ... with a photo. I took this photo of a moonrise on the Great Berg River last month. This is about a ten-second exposure (un-retouched), which I took from a derelict boathouse. You may click on it to view it in VGA resolution. See http://thomasscarborough.blogspot.com/2008/07/moonrise-over-swamp.html for my favourite moonrise, taken at (about) the same spot.

Refugees And Officialdom

I deal regularly with refugees. There are two problems with officialdom which, true or not, are repeatedly reported to me in discussion, and they are current (not news of the past). Refugees are required to pay bribes to obtain the necessary papers, and they are refused medical treatment. Today a refugee, a muscular young man from the Congo DRC, (allegedly) unable to pay a bribe, and (clearly) badly needing medical help, leaned on my vestry desk and wept. He had had enough. OBSERVATION: But how much can the Church do? Our ability to help is way overstretched.

The Choir Is Dead

There are those who say that a failure to plan is a plan to fail. However, I cannot think of one new group in our Church, through the past ten years, which was planned. Here is a magnificent example of what we experience all the time. Before the service today, I learned (it amounted to this) that our choir was dead. A few more performances, and they would close. After the service, I walked in on an impromptu music practice in the Church. The group told me that they saw themselves performing in Church every second Sunday. The choir is dead; long live the choir. The photo shows three members of the new music group in rehearsal. OBSERVATION: We bear witness to the fact that it is possible for a Church to do without planning, at least insofar as it has to do with spiritual ministry. For another magnificent example, see http://thomasscarborough.blogspot.com/2007/11/no-plan.html.

Alpine Sunset

This magnificent photo is real. It is of son M. on a recent visit to the Alps, following his graduation with a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree. You may click on the photo to enlarge it to VGA size.

Appointment By Proxy

I had an appointment last night, but the person concerned arrived an hour-and-a-half late. By that time, I had moved on. He called me, and said, “Why are you not here?” I said, “Do you think a minister has nothing better to do? My programme is full of many things.” He said, “I was on time. I was waiting at your office. It was your responsibility to see that I was waiting.” I said, “I checked. Nobody was there.” He said, “No, not me in person. It was somebody standing PROXY for me! They waited on my BEHALF!” I said, “I checked, and I didn’t see anyone standing proxy for you.” He said, “I am disappointed in you. I MUST see you NOW.” I said, “If you want to see me, here’s when I’m at the office, and I’ll try to fit you in.” OBSERVATION: Ho hum. See also http://thomasscarborough.blogspot.com/2008/11/ethical-compromise.html.

Fifteen Cows

P., who is pictured in the centre here (she is also pictured in the previous post) is worth fifteen cows. That is, her husband-to-be (although there isn’t one yet) will pay a bride price of fifteen cows to his future father-in-law (the system is called lobola). This is a good price, the reason being that P. is quite well educated. I might add that whoever finds her will find a gem. OBSERVATION: Recently I married a young woman for whom her husband paid twelve cows. See http://thomasscarborough.blogspot.com/2007/10/dowry.html.

Dance Steps

I called in at our Youth Group tonight, and snapped one of our Youth helpers teaching this young girl to dance. They are saying, “One, two ... one, two ...” (squeals of laughter when it goes wrong). Click on the photo to enlarge to VGA size.

Racism

I seldom come across racist incidents, but this morning there were two. In the first case, I entered a bank with a Black woman. An assistant made a bee-line for me and gave me advice, while the Black woman was ignored. I said to the Black woman, “She forgot about YOU!” She said, “You notice what I notice.” The second case was more serious. One of our members, a White woman, broke her wrist. She said, “A Black doctor put a cast on my wrist. I said, ‘Doctor, it’s too tight!’ He gave me a fiery look, and said, “Do you think I don’t know what I’m doing?’ and he pulled it tighter! My fingers went white, and numb. I went to an orthopaedic surgeon. He said, 'A few hours longer, and you would have lost the fingers.'” (Even so, there may be permanent damage to the fingers).

Cambodia

I previously posted on a “harebrained” visit to a disaster area (Hurricane Ami). Another such moment was a visit (for much the same reasons) to a Christian mission in Cambodia: Servants. This coincided with the last major assault on the Khmer Rouge. That is, the country was still at war. There were gun-ships wheeling overhead and gung-ho troops in troop carriers, and oppressive heat. I was shocked by what I saw -- mutilation and starvation. Some missionaries invited me to travel with them from Phnom Penh to Kampong Saom. I said that I felt jet-lagged, and would rather give it a miss. On the return journey, the missionaries were ambushed by the Khmer Rouge, and two male missionaries executed. OBSERVATION: I think that visit fundamentally changed my view of the world. Thanks to http://www.richard-seaman.com/ for the photo.

Property Panic

A man called me close to midnight. The bank was putting his flat on auction, to recoup his debts to the bank. He said, “I’m so scared.” I said, “This will bring you a lot closer to normalising your financial situation, and that is positive. What are you scared of?” He said, “There are people who have brought a lot of business to the bank. The bank owes them favours.” OBSERVATION: While I don’t understand the “machinery” of his concern (i.e. how his flat might be undersold to repay favours), he is a well connected person, and his fears might be believable. However, the Christian belief is that no matter how the world works, the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.

Mysterious Ways

A man gave me R200 ($20 / €17) for charity on Tuesday. He works as a carpet-cleaner. On Wednesday, he was working next to a flat which was being painted. The painters dripped some paint on the carpet. They asked him whether he could help. “Yes,” he said, “that’ll be R200.” Not only that, but the painters obtained another job for him, for R600. He said, “God works in mysterious ways.”

The Miracle Of Diversity

Over on the blog Peter Goes to Africa, you will find this observation about our Church: “One of the most important strengths of our church here is the diversity which exists in the congregation, as well as the leadership. The deacons as well as the leadership of other committees is overseen by people from different backgrounds, which seems to be quite the miracle to me.” OBSERVATION: While all that glitters is not gold, it is indeed a miracle of God’s grace, and it is one of the great pleasures of my ministry. Personally, I consider diversity to be a litmus test of spiritual health. It indicates the extent to which a Church has overcome worldly categories, and has appropriated spiritual ones. The photo shows one of our Church groups.

Attempted Murder [2]

The man who ended up in a coma outside our Church in December (it was attempted murder) was in Church on Sunday. But just two days later (yesterday), he collapsed outside our office -- as a result of one of his injuries. It was déjà vu as I stood next to his still form again. I said to him on Sunday, “Next time, you might really be dead. Then you’ll stand before God, and what will you tell Him?” He said, “I’ve decided to leave this place. I’m going home to my family.” OBSERVATION: The original story is at http://thomasscarborough.blogspot.com/2008/12/attempted-murder.html.

"Pointless" Ministry

A large amount of ministry would seem to be “pointless”. At least, it can’t obviously be justified in terms of any returns. The dying patient one visits in hospital, the refugees one sets on a bus, the money one gives to a haven ... The list is a long one. OBSERVATION: Generally speaking, the Church doesn’t think in terms of investment and return. However, perhaps such “pointless” ministry belongs to the “engine room” of the Church. It belongs to its “heart”. Take that “heart” away, and it would surely shrivel up.

Definition "Sacrament"?

Our members struggle to name the sacraments, and may not even know what the word "sacrament" means. This is the finding of our intern, through one of the weekly academic assignments I give him. (He's finding out some interesting things). OBSERVATION: Historically, we acknowledge two sacraments: Baptism and Communion. However, I would think that they might be more, if sacraments are, according to Louis Berkhof, “objective channels which Christ has instituted in the Church, and to which He ordinarily binds Himself in the communication of His grace”. In my M.Th. thesis, I suggest that leadership may be a sacrament. The photo shows a section of a painting in my vestry, by Arthur O’Mant.

It's Like Rain ...

It gets worse than rain, on your wedding day. I married a couple at a picturesque little chapel here (Kirstenbosch). Just as the bride arrived, there was an impressive cloudburst. She stepped out of the luxury sedan in which she was delivered, and her train dropped into the mud. Not only that, but she stepped onto the train, and tripped and fell, with her hands in the mud. At the same time, she was no longer covered from the pouring rain. She entered the chapel thoroughly muddied and soaked. Fortunately there was a small wash-room in the chapel where she could clean up -- after a fashion. OBSERVATION: But she laughed, and it turned out to be a joyful occasion. So it may not matter if there’s rain on your wedding day!

Sleepless In Sea Point

I haven’t slept too well lately. Some nights, five hours. So what keeps me awake? Or rather, what is it that wakes me up at night? Here are some actual examples. I wake up with the face of a dying person before me. I wake up wondering how, come the morning, I will ever arrange the various demands upon me. I wake up thinking about some deep trauma I dealt with that could not be resolved. OBSERVATION: I cannot "distance" myself from situations. At the same time, I do know how to cut off the world to preserve my ministry. Thanks to http://www.dinkycow.com/ for the picture.

Teenage Refugees

My assistant (our intern) and I met tonight with two teenagers who fled from Zimbabwe last week. They arrived just yesterday in Cape Town. Our caretaker saw them looking aimless outside the Church, and directed them to me. As usual, I gave them the third degree (though kindly) to find out if their story was true. It surely was. They said that they had been in Cape Town for only a day, and already everything they had had been stolen. “And my mother’s death certificate,” said one. They said, “They told us that South Africa is full of tsotsis [street thugs].” I said, “It’s true. Be very vigilant.” One of them had a swollen cheek. He said, "The doctor refused to treat me today." I said, "Find me his name and number. I'll contact him." So I set some priorities with them, and gave them information on where to turn. I also gave them money on behalf of the Church -- but they asked that the Church should hold it for them, since they didn’t feel safe. OBSERVATION: Our Church is in "refugee heartland". Frequently, refugees turn first to the Church. We do what we can.

Mennonite [2]

Perhaps this one’s a bit risqué, but here it is, trusting in the spirit of concord and good humour! This is my own (slightly perverse) interpretation of our intern’s presentation on Mennonitism last week (the original post is at http://thomasscarborough.blogspot.com/2009/02/mennonite.html). OBSERVATION: You’ll need to click on the “film strip” on the right to blow it up. This “film sequence” was much enjoyed privately, so I thought I’d put it on my blog.

Lunatic Proposal

I did it. I put in a formal proposal today to purchase a second three-wheel Bajaj pickup. My pickup broke down again today, just three days after having spent ten days in the workshop. So I decided that now is the time to rotate two such vehicles. The thought of the alternative is unbearable: to trade in my pickup and drive a car, so joining the millions of people who lead a numbing existence on four wheels. I proposed a colour scheme similar to that shown. OBSERVATION: I have had a love for microcars since I was small. I was born at that time that the grand microcar era was just coming to a close. The vehicle I am after costs R12 000 “as is” ($1,200 / €1,000), and I have requested restoration to “as new”.

Euthanasia In Practice

There’s always been a lively debate surrounding euthanasia. In practice, though, I suspect that it quietly happens all the time. I am personally aware of a few cases which I would think were euthanasia. Here’s an example. An elderly member, J., slipped into unconsciousness, but even in unconsciousness she was struggling. The nursing sister said that she did not expect her to live beyond the next evening (20-30 hours). A doctor then entered the room and gave J. a large injection of morphine. She died within minutes. At that moment, I arrived. Her family were clearly astonished. They said, “She was dead the moment he gave her the injection. It was huge.” OBSERVATION: And then there’s “assisted suicide”, and a “living will”. The latter may mean the termination of treatment, and even nourishment.

Church Signs

One of our younger members recently visited the U.K. He said, “It’s amazing what a difference Church signs make. ALPHA COURSE: Hmmm, OK maybe. OUR CHURCH WISHES TO AFFIRM ITS LONG AND DISTINGUISHED HERITAGE: OK next?” OBSERVATION: Our own Church sign says: "This is the Evangelical Congregational Church".

Broken Buttons

Here’s an example of what I not seldom encounter in urban visitation. This is a block of flats with ten occupied apartments. The entrance to the block is secured with a heavy steel gate. Outside the gate, buttons 1 to 4 do not work -- and I need hardly suggest that buttons 5 to 10 do not! In this case, I was visiting No. 2. I alerted the occupants by telephone that I was on the way. They use a cheap video transmitter to see if anyone is at the gate -- so they switched on their TV to await my arrival, then one of them came down to open up. OBSERVATION: There are many situations which are worse than this. In general, urban visitation is very awkward.

Church And English [2]

I previously commented on the worldwide Church’s contribution, through its extraordinary “amalgamation” of class and culture, to a simplified English. Here’s another way that I think the Church may be changing English. The linguist S.I. Hayakawa notes that, where the hearers of a language are familiar with a common “history, literature, people, or events”, there are “extremely subtle and efficient affective communications”. Yet in our pot-pourri Churches of today, this is no longer true -- at least, the history, literature, people, and events are no longer SHARED. I sense that this very much affects the use of various figures of speech, such as metaphor, irony, sarcasm, hyperbole, simile, allusion, and euphemism -- and it very much affects humour. OBSERVATION: Perhaps the use of irony and allusion are most deeply affected. An example of irony: “That’s as clear as mud.” An example of allusion: “He’s facing his Waterloo.” Such figures of speech tend to lead only to bafflement in a mixed cultural setting, thus tend to be eradicated from speech.

After The Graveyard

Church was full this morning -- and very chaotic. They even carried somebody out today -- she complained that she didn't have air. An English couple commented after the service that we are a “vibrant” Church. A member said to me, “It’s nice to be called a vibrant Church -- after the graveyard we had.” OBSERVATION: It’s hard to say what brings about such a change, but I’ll try to guess: the exaltation of Christ, the priesthood of believers, strong Biblical content, sound organisation, Church discipline -- and patience to wait (and wait) for the results to “kick in”.

Thinking On "Intern"

It has surprised some people, I think, that a Reformed Church in Southern Africa (ourselves) have welcomed an Anabaptist intern from North America. But having said this, this is an internship. It would be different if it were a staff appointment. We made the deliberate decision, early on, that we would not expect our intern to subscribe to our views -- also, that we would not seek to “form” him. He would be here to gain experience (including much active involvement) following his graduation, and the Holy Spirit would do the rest. We did, however, seek the assurance that he would defer to our beliefs and practices. OBSERVATION: The photo shows our intern in his role as “ladies’ man” (poor light caused a slightly distorted image here).

Spiked Drink

It’s not only the women who get their drinks spiked (the headline is from today’s paper). A husband in our congregation went out with “the lads” to celebrate a special business deal. Someone spiked his drink (or so he says), and he was “out for the count”. He said, “I don’t remember a thing! And I certainly wasn’t with another woman!” OBSERVATION: However, try telling that to the wife. She was furious. This required a counselling session.

More Personal

I conducted a memorial service this morning (see photo). I made the decision to depart from a more “generic” service to say some more deeply personal things about H., the deceased. One reason for doing this was that spiritual truth, embedded in a story, may have greater value for people. Among other things, I said that H. had felt “enormous guilt”. She had wanted to forgive herself, but though she had tried very hard, she could not. I had told her that sin is against God, and that if she asked God to forgive her, her problem would be solved. OBSERVATION: Someone came to me after the service and said, “That was such a nice service. You did that so well.” I said, “It was more personal. I made a delicate decision.” (The photo was taken at a distance with a cheap "handycam", hence the poor quality).

Ministerial Dignity?

At our last leadership meeting, there was a concern that the minister should be protected from anything which might impair his dignity (see http://thomasscarborough.blogspot.com/2009/01/dealing-with-slander.html). I commented: “The intention is good, and it may go so far. But I’m concerned that we’re being starry-eyed here. If you are a minister, your dignity WILL be impaired, and no special measures and no forethought will finally prevent it. Just think of the apostle Paul.” OBSERVATION: I feel that the desire to preserve dignity in ministry may be an albatross for a minister. That is not how it works. Only God is the guarantee of continuing and effective ministry.

Blog Blues [Again]

From time to time, I have struggled with issues surrounding blogging and ministry. This week, I was cautioned (privately) by a judge that an aspect of my blog (a fairly common one -- though it surely wouldn't be clever to state which one) could have me in serious trouble. I asked two trusted minister friends to take a look and give me their assessment. One wrote: “I think [this aspect is] fine.” The other wrote: “It has never crossed my mind.” OBSERVATION: So I continue my blog somewhat “chastened”, and a little off my stride. I almost went into seclusion. For a previous dilemma, see http://thomasscarborough.blogspot.com/2007/10/ill-be-back.html.

Capetonian Repairs

Here’s another story of local repairs. Ten days ago, I took my vehicle in to the garage. The starter button had failed (at the top of the photo on the right). The carburettor needed attention, too, since the same garage had introduced a fault the last time it was there (the engine kept cutting out when idling). They wrote on the job card: “Be done by Friday” (in three days’ time). Three days dragged on to five, seven, nine ... After ten days, they called: “Your vehicle is ready, Sir, and it’s taking up space now. It’s an inconvenience, Sir.” I said, “Where does the inconvenience lie? It’s my only transport, and you’ve had it for ten days!” When I picked it up, I looked at the job card, and said: “It doesn’t say WHICH Friday.” The workshop manager laughed heartily and said, “That’s very funny, Sir.” Then I went to start it up. After about seven failed attempts, the manager said: “Maybe it’s out of fuel, Sir.” But it wasn’t out of fuel. When it was finally running, I decided to take it home first, in the hopes of coaxing it back to health -- rather than leave it a day longer in their clutches.

Funeral Short-Cut

The demand for creative output in ministry is great. However, there are various short-cuts which can ease the load. A short-cut that I often use at funerals and memorial services is to ask family or friends to give a tribute to the deceased (see photo), while I stick mostly to the liturgy. OBSERVATION: If no one feels able to stand up to give a tribute, I ask for a written tribute that I can read out.

Darwin And Us

My earlier posts might raise the question (not least in Southern Africa) what a minister should wish to have to do with Darwin. My primary interest is the fascinating (pre-) history of our suburb. In general, I would consider that the Church over here has simply bypassed Darwin -- much as Pentecostalism simply bypassed liberal theology. In the evangelical (ministerial) circles I move in, I have not encountered either antagonism or devotion to Darwin. Darwin is simply a non-issue. OBSERVATION: For another perspective, see http://thomasscarborough.blogspot.com/2007/08/evolution.html.

Hunting the Hunter

This photo is just “for nutting”. It's a press photographer (I'm photographing the photographer -- hunting the hunter). The man on the far right is Councillor J.P. Smith. The man he is speaking to is (I think) Dr. John Rogers, geologist and academic. The man in the background looks strangely like a bodyguard -- which he might well be.

Darwin Event

Tonight I attended one of the “premier” Africa events on the occasion of Darwin’s 200th birthday (see photo): the unveiling of a commemorative plaque at Sea Point. There was live classical music, and waiters served up delicacies. Prof. David Reid presented a very interesting history. He focused mainly on geology, and the crucial importance of Sea Point (our suburb) in “exploding the myth of the Neptunous earth.” He began with an apology: “Sorry I have to bring in that word ‘evolution’.” OBSERVATION: The event was modestly attended. There was merriment when I noted (unthinkingly) that we have more people in Church on a Sunday. (See last Monday's posts for more).

Royalties

I met today with an electronics proprietor, to collect royalties on eight designs that I did for his company. We took the opportunity to talk in his high-tech office about the world of electronics -- I really enjoy discussions with people who are in the forefront of their fields. My most popular design at the moment is a “Random Doorbell” (its PCB layout is shown top right). This plays any one of 500 million tunes (randomly created) when someone presses your doorbell. OBSERVATION: Ministers must, I think, have a passion or two outside of ministry. This is important.

Last Wishes

H. died this morning. Before she died, she dictated her last wishes to me. Besides the more usual instructions, I have in my notes: "If anyone tries to harvest my organs, I'll sit up and slap them," and, "I have ten years of diaries. Hold them back." I also jotted down, as though it was part of the dictation: "I'm not ready to meet God." OBSERVATION: Note, however, that notes which a minister has jotted down are not the last word, and may be set aside by others -- although usually they would be seriously considered. See http://thomasscarborough.blogspot.com/2007/08/quit-and-die.html as to how the story began.

Counselling To Make You Blush

A man came to see me recently in my vestry: “Reverend, my wife is insanely jealous! You see, I have diabetes, so I can't [intimate detail].” He said, “I know an old man, he has cancer, and he can't [intimate detail]. So it’s a fact of life you see.” I said, “Are you sure that this is where the problem lies? Do you give your wife any special attention? Her jealousy might point to a sense of neglect.” He said with conviction, “She shouldn’t NEED any special attention! I MARRIED her, didn’t I? She should KNOW I love her!” OBSERVATION: Hmmm ... One would think, too, that people might be discreet in pastoral counselling, but they aren’t -- nor are the women (see also http://thomasscarborough.blogspot.com/2008/11/in-decorum.html).

Mennonite

Our new intern is a Mennonite. Tonight he explained to my Minister’s Bible Study group what Mennonitism is: its history, its theology, and its present “shape”. Mennonitism, he said, emphasises adult baptism, pacifism and peacemaking, separation from the world, and simple and just living. OBSERVATION: In discussion, questions zoomed in on what it means that Mennonites separate themselves from the state, and on the notion that some need to be born again rather than all. The photos show our intern in action tonight (I used a cheap time-lapse camera). Click on the photos to enlarge.

Slice of Ministry

Here’s a "slice" of urban ministry this morning: The morning began with preparation for engagements later in the day. My first meeting was with a tearful young woman wearing a baseball cap, who wanted out of her way of life, then I met with an ardent evangelist in a suit, who wanted to use our premises, then a deeply depressed woman, ashen-faced, who wanted to know a way forward, then a woman evangelist, dressed in a black clerical shirt, who requested assistance -- and finally I visited a woman who is close to death with cancer and unable to speak, though she tried. I spoke briefly with several more people, and made a few telephone calls -- and then it was time for lunch. OBSERVATION: The quality of ministry suffered this morning -- I wish there had been much more time -- but this is often the situation where one needs to deal with more people than one comfortably can. (Our intern was with me this morning, as is often the case now).

Inactive Members

An awkward issue I needed to negotiate at the beginning of this year was how much attention to give to inactive members (prior to their membership being revoked after a statutory period). I estimated that we had previously followed up one or two hundred inactive members. I asked our leadership, “How many of them ever responded, except to put in courtesy visits? I don’t know of a single one.” I said that, while we wish to show people the courtesy of not simply “terminating” them, it’s a waste of time and energy to follow up inactive members. The time and energy can be far more positively and productively invested. The point was taken, and it was agreed merely to send them a cordial circular. OBSERVATION: There is a deeper issue, too. We are a “believer’s Church”, and where there would seem not to be the slightest spark of life, one needs to question whether one is dealing with a believer.

Xenolith Zone

For good measure (see the previous post), here is a photo of the “xenolith zone”, situated about 50 metres/yards south of the photo in the previous post. OBSERVATION: You may enlarge this, too, by clicking on it. The mountain in the background is Lion’s Head -- an easy climb with spectacular views.

NOTE: Feel free to “borrow” this and the previous photo, with acknowledgement to the photographer (Thomas Scarborough).

Darwin And My Parish

In 1836, Charles Darwin visited some rocks on the coast about 1.5km (1 mile) south of where our Church stands today. These are mixed igneous and sedimentary rocks which were “influential in understanding the geology of the earth”. OBSERVATION: I took this photo today in the “migmatite zone”. If one were to zoom out, one would see pure sedimentary rock 300 metres/yards to the north of here (towards our Church), and pure igneous rock 100 metres/yards to the south. Click on the photo to enlarge it to VGA resolution. (See also my next post Xenolith Zone).

Modulated Singing

I took this photo yesterday of a group in Church singing “Who Will Save Our Land And People?” P. and P. on the right yielded a steady performance, while E. on the left reinvented the heptatonic scale. OBSERVATION: There is a kind of modulated singing over here, where one momentarily (all being well) wanders from a note.

Dearth Of Praxis

I confess that I am irked by those blogs which are filled with ministry wisdom, yet fail to give a scrap of information about how this is applied -- alternatively ask one to type in a password to obtain the inside story. This is not merely an isolated phenomenon -- it is common. For the sake of avoiding instant notoriety, I shall not list said blogs in this post. OBSERVATION: This is how this post came about. I had an exchange with a ministry blogger about the appointment of office-bearers in the Church. This raised some questions for me, so I looked for praxis on his blog. It wasn’t there. There wasn’t any praxis there at all. This is an interesting phenomenon.

Seclusion Ward

I went to see a congregant today who was admitted to the “Seclusion Ward” at a government hospital. The photo shows the dark ward, with a large padlock, and a security guard’s chair in the foreground. She was suffering anxiety attacks. She says she was admitted to Casualty and put on a stretcher at 6 p.m., then they needed the stretcher ("blood everywhere", she said), so they shouted at her to get off. She lay on the floor -- apparently suffering sinusitis as a result. She was moved to the Seclusion Ward at 3.30 a.m. (9½ hours after arrival), and was first attended to at 4.30 a.m. At 6 p.m. the following evening (tonight), when I saw her, she said she wished that they would medicate her again, because she was in trouble. She said, "I suppose I'll have to wait till morning." OBSERVATION: Wife M. says that I don't reveal my emotions on my blog. Well, such situations grieve me somewhat (there are worse ones), and surely this grieved our Canadian intern, who was with me on this visit. This situation would seem fairly typical. See http://thomasscarborough.blogspot.com/2008/07/deadly-delays.html.

Confederate Flag

One finds some strange things in our Church. Today I found a Confederate flag (see photo), in a very old cupboard. OBSERVATION: This is a puzzle. We are, after all, a Church in Africa. My strangest find to date -- instructions for the assembly of hand grenades -- may be seen at http://thomasscarborough.blogspot.com/2007/10/armed-struggle.html.

Postponing Suicide

I dealt with two threatened suicides this past week. However, there’s only so much that a minister can deal with when under pressure. I told one of the persons concerned that I’d see her in three days’ time. She said, “I won’t be here in three days’ time.” I said, “I don’t have the power to stop you anyway, but the Lord does. I’ll pray for you.” The next morning, the undertakers called. It turned out that the African National Congress (ANC) wanted me to conduct a memorial service for them (clarification: not for the party, but for party members)! Phew. When I finally met with the woman concerned, she said, “You did pray for me, didn’t you. God removed the intention of suicide from me the moment I put down the phone.” OBSERVATION: Should one ever postpone “suicide counselling”? You decide.

Poking Fun

My mentor (see photo) has a new website. I left a message: “Dear Pastor, Your service times is about two hours too early. Anything, like, before noon is expecting way too much of us late sleepers.” He replied: “Sorry you is so tired that you has to sleeps so late. If you were to try more reliable transport ...” OBSERVATION: His comment about my transport leaves me speechless. Do you thinks he might be poking fun at my English, too?

Corrupted Conscience

I met today with a well known public figure who is in deep crisis. He spent nearly an hour detailing how he had reached rock bottom. I said, “I don’t need to make judgements on what other people have said about you, or what you have just said about them. You have said it all yourself." I said, "The Bible teaches us that our will is corrupted, our emotions are corrupted, even our conscience is corrupted [I expanded on what this means]. You have just described some fifty actions to me which reveal a failure of conscience. Your conscience is gone.” At the end he cried, and thanked me profusely for my counsel. OBSERVATION: I’m sometimes surprised that I get away with such “straight talk”. 99% of the time, it is not taken as insult or offence.

Photos Of Our Intern

Over on our Canadian intern’s blog (http://petergoestoafrica.blogspot.com/), people are clamouring for more photos of his visit to Africa. For all fans, admirers, supporters, and devotees, you don't need to wait on this blog! Here’s the latest photo of our intern -- taken last night at our Youth group. Click on it to blow it up to VGA resolution. OBSERVATION: Our Youth group is now a regular fixture in his life.

Poor Churches

Many Churches here are desperately poor. This is not necessarily due to dwindling numbers, but because congregations simply are poor. I attended a service at a very poor Church recently. The Church was full. I turned my camera to the ceiling and took this photo. OBSERVATION: Our own Church is, I would consider, half-poor, if the “poor” are low-income earners -- but by some standards we would be rich.

Love For The Youth

I recently noted that one of the strengths of our Youth is that the leaders, I think, truly love the children. I snapped this photo tonight, of a new kid receiving special attention (one of the youngest children in the group). OBSERVATION: We matched last week's record attendance tonight.

No Justice

Justice in the West, in my view, frequently appeals to a “background” of justice. That is, in the end one finds some place to turn for justice. But where that “background” doesn’t exist, as is the case in many parts of the world in many ways, the scenario changes radically. Here are some of the problems, from my experience, in seeking justice: 1. Injustice may be all-pervasive, so that there is no place to turn at all: “justice never prevails”. 2. Overall conditions may make injustice inevitable -- e.g. the shattered nurse who leaves a patient to die in the passage. 3. In many cases, resistance to evil merely heaps evil upon evil, e.g. a ruthless cover-up if anyone points a finger. 4. The quest for justice may paralyse the person who seeks it, e.g. false charges and general terror. 5. Similarly, the quest for justice may seriously divert a person from far more fruitful work. And 6. The confrontation of evil would seldom seem to bring about a change of heart, or repentance. OBSERVATION: Admittedly, this is a "dark side" of seeking justice. However, it is something I have not seldom encountered in urban ministry.

Aesthetic Indulgence

What's a blog without some aesthetic indulgence (my pickup, naturally). It's parked here at the Berg River marsh / swamp / wetland. OBSERVATION: For this little machine, it's a four-hour drive from Cape Town to the Berg River.

Explosive? Then Defer

I have a policy that, if we are facing a particularly difficult, even explosive issue, then if there is no pressing need to resolve it immediately, defer it. Tonight I sensed that I was facing a powder-keg issue over how to set future Church discipline in place. I said that, generally speaking, we need to take account of Biblical commandment, Biblical example, and Church tradition and precedent. We shouldn’t go re-inventing the wheel. There was partial consensus, but I could see we weren’t going to reach decisions easily. Deferment saved the day. In fact, this “released” our meeting and set it on a good track. OBSERVATION: I prefer to defer anything where there is not “generous consensus” -- where there is the space to defer, that is. I don’t like to press decisions in the Church. Next time, we’ll all have thought about what was said tonight.

Leadership Jokes

Our Church leadership come up with some good jokes sometimes. I might have filled a book by now. We had a preacher while I was away, who went half an hour over time. One of the deacons said, “They even ticketed cars outside while he was preaching” (which is true). Another joked, “They ticketed them for expired licenses!”

Theory And Practice

Every week, I’m to give our intern an academic assignment. The first one he handed in had some interesting observations. He needed to compare our Church’s statement of purpose (a reformulation of the Great Commission) with what congregants actually say. Many Churches, he noted, have in-fighting or disagreement about their purpose, while our people had “no difficulty” coming up with answers which agreed with our statement, even though they seemed “unaware of the relation” between what they were saying and the statement. OBSERVATION: How so? Our intern thought the reasons might be larger than the local Church. I think it would further have to do with our “members are believers” principle, and that our statement is continually reinforced in implicit ways.

Antiquated Choir?

Here’s a photo of young congregants with our new intern P. (left) “jamming” together. They were running through an item in several languages. Our deaconess with responsibility for worship (with head bowed) suggested that our antiquated choir should be replaced with something like this. I said, “Hold on, our choir is very much loved.” She said, “The last time they sang, one of our oldest members said, ‘I remember that one from my youth.’”

Non-Counselling

Counselling can be a hit and miss affair. I spent more than two hours during the course of the past ten days waiting for a counselee who twice didn’t turn up, then the third time was three-quarters of an hour late (by that time, I had left for my next call). This past Monday (I’m incommunicado on Mondays) our secretary sent me an SMS through son M. -- the counselee was “desperate”. Someone commented: “He turns up three-quarters of an hour late on the third attempt and still wants you to see him? He’s crazy.” OBSERVATION: While I’m not shy to say “no” to people, I’m also reluctant to “call it a day”. I remember a bride-to-be who only turned up for our fifth appointment (the usual “nerves”). Now she’s contentedly married, and I'm happy I was patient.

Congregational Prayers

I frequently hand over the prayers in Church to others. For the first time, on Sunday, I asked S. to pray (on the right of the photo, with her husband V.). OBSERVATION: Her prayer was packed with content, and filled with love for God. She has been through severe trial, and this, I thought, gave her prayer a special quality. (I myself lead the prayers about one out of every two Sundays, so that there is a pattern and a model for others. The prayers that others do are entirely their own).

Joy? No Thanks

On Sunday I preached on joy, which someone has described as “more than simply a feeling of happiness when all is going well. ... The joy that Christ gives is something that no circumstances can take away.” The subject came up again at my Minister’s Bible Study group tonight. Someone began: “I work at the [state] hospital, and when I see those children, how can I have joy?” Another said, apparently referring to the evils of our society: “I certainly won’t have joy!” OBSERVATION: Well, so much for joy. I wasn't prepared for this. I wouldn't have dreamed that joy would fall out of favour. I said I thought that joy was quite possible: it is a fruit of the Spirit, and it has a lot to do with our focus on God's person and deeds, which one may always have joy over. I said that I would look for material that might help us to understand it more fully.

Devotions Or Else?

I addressed our Women’s Association this morning, then wife M. led discussion of the year’s programme (see photo). This included discussion of the group’s regular devotions. M. said, “So, who offers to do devotions? I mean, you don’t have a choice! Who offers to do devotions FIRST?” Several members of the group offered then and there. OBSERVATION: Perhaps this is what one calls the Priesthood of All Conscripts?

Electronics Ideas

My other persona (or one of them) is an electronics designer. So people contact me from time to time with conceptual or design problems, which are usually quite interesting. The most recent request came from Rossland in Canada. The concern was the increasing number of people being buried by avalanches. Was there a “passive” electronic solution, to locate victims? I wrote that you need an “active” solution here: a small device on the skier that guides rescuers, or even something more radical, that frees up the skier’s movement when buried. OBSERVATION: Many of my ideas have gone into production -- mostly without benefit to me (see, as an example, http://thomasscarborough.blogspot.com/2007/09/disco-craze.html).

First Communion

Our intern P. is to conduct his first Holy Communion tomorrow. The photo shows his reflection in a brass plaque in the sanctuary as I run him through his paces today. OBSERVATION: It was his day off today -- and mine, too -- but there was an error on the Church programme which failed to show our involvement tomorrow. We needed to fast forward.

Mean Time Between Failure

I believe I discovered today why my vehicle has a crank start, in addition to its starter motor. After 6200 kilometres (3,900 miles) the starter motor died. This means an average distance of 3100 kilometres (1,900 miles) between significant failures (last time, it was the gear-change that failed). OBSERVATION: This is a vast improvement over the previous model I owned, which suffered a significant failure every 400 km (250 miles). I have considered buying a second such vehicle second-hand, to drive them in alternation as they break down (seriously)!

Method of Intervention

I have discovered over the years that there are various hazards involved in pressing authorities -- whether over inefficiency, corruption, discrimination, or anything at all. So I have developed this method: I call up the official concerned, and introduce myself. I say: “I’m calling in connection with so-and-so. He/she is really precious to us ...” And I hesitate. The reply tends to run like this: “Yes, I'm familiar with this matter. Well, ah, you see ...” (the official may then spin his/her wheels, become annoyed, be apologetic, and so on). I then thank them warmly for their time and attention -- after having said next to nothing at all. OBSERVATION: There have been some significant successes using this method. See e.g. http://thomasscarborough.blogspot.com/2008/11/putting-in-word.html. Sometime I hope to touch on the "hazards" on this blog.

What One Doesn't See

There are many things one may not see through first appearances when one looks at photos of congregants this side. One of the more significant “unseens” is the depth of cultural background. There may frequently be a living link between congregants and so-called “primitive”/"noble" society -- or they may have been born into such society. One congregant told me that he grew up in a kraal, while another told me he was raised as a bedouin. This means that some have bridged a huge cultural divide. Sometimes they seem to hold two worlds within them -- one of those worlds concealed until special circumstances reveal it. Also, many congregants still have a localised, indigenous language as their home language -- unlike the West, where people mostly have adopted one of the major European languages some generations ago.

Soaring Youth

Our Youth group last week reached its highest attendance in a generation. OBSERVATION: I’ll try to guess what the Youth leaders have done right: 1. they have truly loved the children, 2. they have heavily staffed the Youth to curb the ruinous element among them, 3. they have been sensitive to the temperaments of the Youth, 4. they have noted what the Youth enjoy, 5. they have brushed off collateral damage, and 6. they have offered meaningful Christian input each week.

"Out of Control"

Our Sunday worship team is, as it were, running out of control. I count eleven people in this photo, taken this morning -- and there are others not visible in the photo. Our original rule (which everybody seems to have forgotten) was to have a worship leader + five at the front. OBSERVATION: I described our non-policy a few days ago. One of the good things about what you see here is that it gives a good number of people the opportunity to feel they were involved on a Sunday.