Thursday, July 23, 2009

Quaint Traditions


Some of the rural Churches in South Africa still exhibit quaint traces of the traditions of a bygone era. I snapped this deaconess in a Verenigende Gereformeerde Kerk (Uniting Reformed Church) in the Central Bokkeveld. OBSERVATION: I admire this old deaconess. Coming from a strait-jacketed past, she now gives her blessing to what I described (and showed) two posts ago. That is true spirituality.

Uniting Reformed Church

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I twice attended this Verenigende Gereformeerde Kerk (Uniting Reformed Church) in the village of Nieuwoudtville. The photo shows their Youth Group performing an item. Some things that stood out for me: 1. they were so pleased to see me, with the elders even inviting me to join them in the konsistorie (vestry), 2. there was a strong emphasis on a wonderful God and the power of the Holy Spirit, 3. the “priesthood of believers” was active in the Church, and 4. the sermons revealed an implicit trust in God. OBSERVATION: I was deeply moved by the services in this Church. If I lived in that village, I might consider making this Church my home.

Dutch Reformed Church

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I twice attended this Nederduits Gereformeerde Kerk (Dutch Reformed Church) in the village of Nieuwoudtville. The panoramic shot shows virtually the entire congregation. Some things that stood out for me: 1. the dominee (minister) conducted the whole service himself – no other person spoke a single word (I'd be afraid to do that), 2. he had a strong emphasis on the human response to God, yet little emphasis on God Himself, and 3. in the midst of a multicultural village, the congregation was monocultural. OBSERVATION: I used my hymnbook as a “tripod”, swivelling the camera on the cover to obtain this panoramic shot. Not perfect, but ... not bad.