Idyllic Scene

Here's an idyllic scene. It's the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC, or NGK) in Leipoldtville, just over 200km/120mi north of Cape Town. It was built in 1958. The foundation stone quotes Psalm 22:5: "Op U het ons vertrou en nie beskaamd gestaan nie." You may click on the photo for VGA.

Daft Stories

Something that exercised me recently is the spreading of what I have called "daft stories" in the Church. When I shared some of the stories with our leadership last month, they had a good laugh. However, when I hear people repeating them in worried tones, it troubles me. These are dismal stories, factually incorrect or seriously skewed, not about me, but about the Church or the wider Church. I'll give just one example. Our Church plunged into financial crisis (so it is said) because we squandered our funds on the poor. The fact is, this year so far, we spent 1.2% of budget on the poor. (The finances are now sound). OBSERVATION: I fail to understand this phenomenon, although I have come across it before. Wife M. comments that if you lose your vision for God the Almighty, you lose your hope for the Church. I have yet to decide whether to take any targeted action on this.

Human & Pitt

A standing joke in South Africa is the name of the undertakers Human & Pitt. "Human" is a common Afrikaans name, while "Pitt" is a common English one. Human & Pitt have now been incorporated into AVBOB -- yet they are still around -- called AVBOB Human & Pitt. The Church foundation stone here shown was donated by Human & Pitt, whose name appears in the bottom right-hand corner (click on the image to enlarge).

Still Alive

Wife M. paid a visit to the hospital today. A specialist who has occasionally treated her stopped and said: "Here you are, still alive!" The nice thing about doctors, you see, is that they have such a reassuring way with words. M. said she felt like asking him: "Doctor, what did you expect?" OBSERVATION: The fact is, she has done better than anticipated, which would seem to be supported by the choice words of her own specialist: "It's a miracle!" (M. has bone marrow cancer).

Apartheid In The Church

I was in conversation recently with a village dominee. He said to me: "I hate to say it, but there still is apartheid in the Church. We have traditionalists in the Church, particularly in the rural areas. They are very loyal to the Church, but they don't understand the first thing about the true and glorious gospel. Often they have influence, and often they have money. They sit in the midst of Church Councils, or they threaten to pull their financial support." OBSERVATION: See Church Segregation for an example of what this might mean. I was, however, heartened by my conversation with this dominee.

Obese Lily Weevil

This critter has an unfortunate name: the Obese Lily Weevil. Wife M. says: "But it is obese!" As the name suggests, it is a weevil, only a very big one. I found it in the sand at the Berg River. It destroys various lily species in our coastal region. You may click on the photo for VGA.

Dead-End Church [2]

Our Church was in dire straits (see yesterday's post). We called in a professional consultant. He looked over our books. He looked over our buildings. He jotted everything down on a large notepad. I remember little of what he said now. However, I do remember this. We stood together in the Church garden, looking out to the Main Road – and he had his large notepad in his hands. His final advice to me was: “Sell the Church and distribute the proceeds.” As best I remember, that was 1994.

URC Facade

I am taken by surprise, sometimes, by the posts which prove to be most popular on this blog. A fairly popular post during the past few days has been URC Elands Bay. Inside, as will be seen through the link provided, this Church has little to distinguish it from a warehouse. Outside, it has this facade (pictured), which faces a busy thoroughfare. You may click on the image to enlarge to 220k.

Dead-End Church [1]

When I started in this Church, seventeen years ago, the Church's finances were sinking fast. This had been happening for some time. We were drawing about R6,000 a month from capital, which at the time was, as best I remember, around half of our income – and this despite radical austerity measures and a scramble to redeem the situation. Our Church Treasurer said to me: “The way I see it, in six months' time we'll close our doors.” OBSERVATION: Our (now ex) treasurer is a very old man now, and still with us today – or rather, he is back with us. It's a pleasure to have him.

Tangled Finances

I've been trying to consolidate some of my monies in order to buy a new three-wheel pickup. I told a minister friend how, for the purpose, I was accessing my monies in Brisbane, in Abu Dhabi, possibly in Los Angeles, possibly ... He said: "Tom, I keep my money in ABSA [a local bank]." That hit me smack between the eyes. The sheer elegance of it, the simplicity. OBSERVATION: To further complicate matters, the majority of my funds are in various forms of credit (i.e. people owe me). I have wondered what this might reveal about my personality. Perhaps I was a squirrel in a previous life.

Unimaginative DRC

Here's another unimaginative Dutch Reformed Church (DRC, or NGK). Admittedly, it is a nice piece of work, and well kept. However, it is nothing more and nothing less than the standard DRC formula of a symmetrical building with a spire centrally placed – with the usual customisation. Apart from this, some Dutch Reformed Churches will daringly off-set the spire, or add balconies inside, yet one seldom encounters anything really different. This is the DRC Lambert's Bay, nearly 300km/200mi north of Cape Town. It displays three stones with three dates: 1930, 1985, and 2007. Only the third is explained: it marks the "Halfeeufees" ("Half Century Celebration").

Purpose Of My Blog

While I enjoy blogging, there is more to it than that. I have, by now, nearly thirty years of experience in ministry, and nearly ten years of formal training -- and I have had, by and large, a thriving ministry. It is my hope that, through the things that I share here -- things that typically confront one in ministry from day to day -- others may gain experience at least in theory (if that is not a contradiction)! Other people's comments on this blog, too, contribute to that. I think I would be right in saying that one seldom contemplates the realities of ministry in theological seminary -- in fact, part of the reason I started this blog was because a theological seminary was teaching me things I considered would not work. This is not to say that my way/our way has to be the best way -- I hope that this blog would also reveal our folly to be folly. OBSERVATION: There are other reasons besides, as to why I do this blog -- but "tot so vêr" ("thus far"), as the dominees say.

Favourite Church Bell

This bell (pictured) tops my list of favourite Church bells in South Africa. It is the bell of the Uniting Reformed Church (URC, or VGK) Elands Bay, which I referred to yesterday. An elderly woman, a member of the Church, watched me taking photos. She said: “We are proud of our bell, Sir. It has a strong sound.” OBSERVATION: Note the wear on the bottom right hand side -- it's an old bell. You may click on the image to enlarge to VGA.

Keeping Numbers Up

My ex mentor said to me last week: "The one thing that bothers me about our Church leadership [his Church leadership -- a team of seven] is that they are obsessed with numbers. I tell them that numbers are a product. They say yes absolutely, then they go straight back to obsessing with numbers!" OBSERVATION: He and I share in common a general unconcern about numbers.

URC Elands Bay

I visited this Uniting Reformed Church (URC, or VGK) this morning in Elands Bay, a scattered coastal town 220km/140mi north of Cape Town. There were about fifty people in the service. The singing was joyful, and the message was simple. The circuit dominee was on his monthly visit. He had three points: 1. God regretted that He created humankind. 2. "The core" of human life is to serve and glorify Christ. And 3. we joyfully anticipate a life that is better by far. (See URC Facade for a photo of the Church's exterior).

Inventions Again

Returning to the subject of inventions, I had a few "big ones" which are widely known today. One of them was the wind-up LED torch/flashlight. I sold the copyright in October 2000. Then in March 2006 some cuckoos patented it! (US Patent no. 7 019 492). It is now the LightStorm flashlight. Another "big one" was the disco strobe/flash necklace, which one sees everywhere today, in various forms. I sold the copyright in February 2004. This is now produced by Firefly, among others. A third "big one" was the micropower wart remover, which has gone into production all over the world, and is also advertised for treating cold sores. I sold the copyright in September 2004. This is now produced, among others, by WartAbater. OBSERVATION: I decided to stick to selling copyrights, since the world of patents/trademarks is costly and rapacious (and disturbing). Also, actually, it would have been hard for me to tell which of my many designs would "make it" and be worth the patents/trademarks. So I could have made my fortune ... or could I?

"Reminds Me Of Us"

Wife M. was paging through a National Geographic this week. She pointed to this photo. It shows Amish women walking on a beach in Mississippi. She said: "It reminds me of us." That is, the simplicity, the austerity, the classicism.

Producing Ministers

How many ministers does a Church typically produce? I don't know, but here's a list of the ministers that ours has produced since 1894. When I say "produced", I mean that, before these men went into the ministry, they had a close connection with our Church. Perhaps I should rather say that our Church "helped shape" them. This being granted, our list is as follows:
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. . Terence Blake
. . Basil Brown
. . Duncan Davidson
. . Malcolm de Kock
. . Audrey Greig
. . Brian Heath
. . Cliff Johnson
. . Alan Lindhorst
. . Rae Trew
. . Thomas Scarborough (me)
. . Melt van der Spuy
. . Calvin Lewis
. . Malcolm McRobert
. . Dougie Steyn

Hunting The Hunter

This is what I call hunting the hunter (photographing the photographer). It's our office secretary G. taking photos of our recent Ladies' Lunch. It's in VGA if you click on it.

Violence Like A Badge

I went to visit one of our Church members. I had my hand raised to knock on the front door when I heard her husband scream hysterically inside: "I'll kill you! You think you can ******* contradict me in this house?! I'll kill you!" (accompanied by crashing sounds). I didn't knock. This wasn't a good time! Our member said to me afterwards: "He wears violence like a badge. He's proud of it." OBSERVATION: This happened a few years ago. Soon after this, he died of a heart attack, at a relatively young age.

Been There, Done That

An advantage of long ministry is that one has "been there, done that". I have the good fortune of being able to say: "We tried that. Here's what happened ..." Vestry hours? open prayers? midnight services? been there. Bigamous men? blackmailing officials? public disruption? done that. OBSERVATION: Regrettably, however, reality always turns up something that is not only beyond what one has experienced in person, but beyond what anyone else has! Anyway, a great blessing of experience is that one may be helpful to others who find themselves in a strait.

On The Farm

I'm on "the farm" this week, on the Berg River, but will leave a post here each day. I took this photo on the farm. In the background is the famous Sishen-Saldanha railway line. One sees trains up to 4km/2.5mi long on this line -- the world record for production trains. Click on the photo for VGA.

Not To Be Ensnared

It was not a felicitous week, this week. It happened thus. A young, single member had fallen pregnant, and our leadership stood at the beginning of the process of addressing this matter. I referred to a Bible passage, namely, what should be done should a young, single woman among the people of God fall pregnant. I said that both my experience in counselling and the statistics indicated that Exodus 22 was the ideal direction in which this could or should move. I might not have put it all as excellently as I might have, but this was the thrust of it. At this point, I was, I considered, sideswiped with various accusations that derailed me. I have not been as upset in a long time. I immediately called an elders' meeting -- and in that meeting I received an apology. Then I asked for another meeting of our full leadership. I said that this had not been acceptable, and that I had been diverted in what I had really been about. OBSERVATION: I would make two observations here: 1. I do not react passively to attack, if I think it is ill-considered (many ministers do react passively), and 2. speaking more generally, such an approach usually enables me not to use up more energy on such things than is necessary, and sets my heart free to get on with ministry.

Research Assistant

For the past several months, son M. has been working for this doctoral student in Switzerland. Amazingly, she has up to seven (paid) assistants doing her scientific research for her at any given time. I said to M. that if she has that much help, this must be driven from a very high level. In South Africa, doctoral students are generally expected to do their own research.

Catering For Children

One of the best things we did in our Church -- yet so simple -- was to cater for parents with babies or children. First we created a "cry room" with an inexpensive video transmission to an adjacent foyer. Then we created a changing room with budget modifications to a nearby bathroom. Finally we created a cosy Sunday School / Children's Church room (pictured) by building a partition on an unused section of stage. OBSERVATION: We would be at a significant disadvantage, I think, if parents came to Church and there were no such provision.

Location And Loyalty

I went for coffee this morning with our associate pastor, G. (on the left of the photo). He noted that South Africans commit to the local Church. Central Africans commit to the local Church. But people from neighbouring countries may have left their hearts at home. This affects their commitment to the Church.

Faith For Ministry

Faith is of great importance to ministry. Ted Engstrom described it as the leader's vital breath. I do not mean faith in outcomes, but faith in God's sovereignty. However, faith has much to do with experience. It grows as one's experience of God grows. It would seem to be a rare minister who has much faith from "the get-go". Yet if one doesn't have much faith from the get-go, where does one obtain this vital breath? Since it has much to do with experience, I consider that one may obtain it from other people's experience. Here, meaningful fellowship and personal pastoring (pastoring the pastor) may be of great importance.

A Lament

This post is rather a lament. A minister has the duty to uphold the Church Constitution, and he/she has the obligation to present Scriptural principle where this is plain and applies to a given situation. But for this, he/she comes under fire, and under threat, and under the buzz of strange opinions, as has happened to me this week. Not seldom, there is zero support. He/she says that marriage is holy, or that slander is execrable, or that bribes are beneath the Christian (real examples all), yet he/she receives only blank stares. I sometimes wonder whether people would praise me if I burned the Constitution and announced that we were abandoning the Scriptures for good. On the other hand, if I were to take fire at people as they do at me, or throw around threats, advance obscure ideas, or give people blank stares when they speak of important things, I can't see that that would be accepted at all.

Technology Authority

Interestingly, Technorati has me down about equally as a Technology Authority and a Religion Authority. With this in mind, Everyday Practical Electronics (EPE) magazine is to publish a new design of mine next month (October). It's an all-band regenerative radio. These are very interesting radios. They have an extra knob (regeneration) that other radios don't have -- like manual cars/autos that have the clutch pedal where automatics don't. That's a glimpse of my design above right. This particular design is "idiot proof".

Co-Operative Discipline [2]

With regard to changing one's membership over an issue of Church discipline, secondly: Churches may co-operate in bringing the matter to a satisfactory resolution. As an example, our Church leadership once summoned a woman on an issue of Church discipline. She refused to oblige, and changed her membership. Together with her new Church, we dealt with the matter co-operatively, even though the other Church fell under another denomination (in this case, Methodist).

Co-Operative Discipline [1]

Church members who change their membership over an issue of Church discipline may live happily ever after. However, there are at least two things that may happen besides. Firstly, they may be asked to resolve outstanding issues first. Some Churches place a premium on this. As an example, a past member of ours told me of her membership interview with a new Church. They asked her: "1. Your name? 2. Date of birth? 3. Are you under discipline in any other Church?" We have a similar approach. Secondly ... see the next post.

Hout Bay Harbour

I met this morning with my old academic mentor, in Hout Bay Harbour, for lunch. The harbour authority has been accused of cluttering up the harbour with unseaworthy boats. OBSERVATION: People can be so unkind. (The photo shows a typical Hout Bay Harbour scene -- it's in VGA if you click on it).

Route Of The Exodus

A young man waited for me for hours, this week, at the Church gate. His concern made a refreshing change to the usual requests for alms. He wanted to know whether Moses' route through the wilderness was certain. I copied a map for him, titled: "Traditional Route of the Exodus". I said: "You know what 'Traditional' means?" "Yes," he said. It was something that had been handed down through the elders. I said: "But a lot of the places on that map, we don't know any more where they really were." OBSERVATION: I fail to understand why this was so important to him. I also gave him a balanced discussion of the problem.

Positive Mindset

I was discussing, yesterday, the characteristics of "catalytic ministers" with a minister friend -- for whom I have a high regard. I think there was broad agreement -- however, we didn't agree on the need for a "positive mindset" as a minister. I said: "No, not the way that this is stated." That is, I don't see that a positive mindset is enough to sustain one in ministry. There is too much in ministry that, on the surface of it, would discourage even the most positive mindset. Having said this, however, if one has hope in what God is doing, this grounds a positive approach to everything. God Himself never disappoints.

Church Steeple

It's been a while since I published a Church photo. This is the steeple of the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC, or NGK) Aurora. The entrance to the Church is directly below. The two rounded walls enclose two circular staircases to two balconies inside. There's a view from the balconies at Aurora DRC. You may click on the photo to view this in VGA resolution.

Chances Of Survival Under My Ministry

Here's an interesting statistic. Comparing new members (116) with members lost through death (31), combined with local life expectancy (49), one would have had a 28% chance of death under my 17-year ministry. This might seem a little disconcerting. However, if one had stayed out of membership, one would have had a 35% chance of death (the general public). That's 12 years longer life for members. Admittedly my calculations are primitive, and my sample small. However, this tends to agree with statistics of a similar sort (see for example the Washington Times).

Keep Going

We have an unwritten policy in our Church: keep groups going -- particularly the "fundamental" ones. So, for instance, in the past, we have kept our Youth group going with only one youngster, and our Sunday School / Children's Church with only one child. But also, God called special people at the time, who had not the slightest concern about numbers. OBSERVATION: I can now say from experience that this was the right way to go. With our Youth group and Sunday School in particular, our Church was seeing a trend that several Churches were seeing at the time. Several Churches closed their Youth groups and Sunday Schools -- and as best I know, most remain closed today. Our Youth rebounded to become one of the strongest in the area, and our Sunday School, though small, is now well established. See also Regularity And Continuity.

Postliberalism By Example

Weekly, if not daily, I encounter postliberal theology. There are various ways that one can describe it. I recently tried a kind of "dictionary definition" on this blog (see Postliberalism Simplified). Here's another angle -- by way of example. The Bible says, for example, that Elijah brought down fire from heaven on Mt. Carmel. A conservative would say that it's a fact (the story happened "out there"). A liberal would say that it's symbolic (the story does something "in me"). A postliberal would say: God really intervened on Mt. Carmel, we'll accept that -- yet as best we know, there can't have been fire from heaven. So leave out the fire. But supposing (says the postliberal) that the Biblical writer had described only the facts that are left. Then we'd have nothing but facts -- and that's "not it". Or supposing that, like the liberal, we took it all to be symbolism. Then we'd only be talking about what goes on in our own heads -- also "not it". So the Biblical writers needed to use special language (the fire from heaven) to reveal that there was divine intervention in this story. According to postliberalism, therefore, the fire from heaven is a (valid) literary device, which loses its "power", one might say, when one analyses it in terms of other categories (examining it as evidence, or as symbol). It is possible, therefore, that a postliberal minister would preach without qualification: "Elijah brought down fire from heaven on Mt. Carmel." And the same for reciting the creeds. OBSERVATION: The literary device is technically called a "speech act", and I'm drawing on postliberal theory as described by Nancey Murphy. (My own theology is not postliberal -- however, I have studied at a postliberal seminary).

Hotter In Egypt

Two months ago, I noted that my blog was Hot in Egypt. It has been even hotter lately, with one-quarter of my readers now being in Egypt (see image). OBSERVATION: Curiously, my US-based stats do not pick up Egypt -- nor do they pick up readers in the rest of Africa (the graph shows local stats).

Google Ads!

Google Ads may be no more than a little tedious to some. However, in Southern Africa, they may present a serious problem. A local village Internet connection may be delayed five or ten minutes while it downloads one Google ad (such as the one shown). Or if e.g. an undersea cable fails, local websites will seek to access inaccessible Google ads, fouling up much of the local Internet. OBSERVATION: They should build some Africa-friendliness into these ads.

Suffer The Children

Two years ago, we introduced a special item in our Sunday services each month, whereby a member briefly encourages the congregation in Christian basics: Bible reading, prayer, fellowship, and so on. This is arranged each month by an elder, who gives the member concerned some material to work with (not simply to read off). But this month, our elder was stuck. She couldn't find anyone to do it. She said: "I've tried everyone." I said: "Have you tried the children?" She then approached the Sunday School -- and soon found a volunteer. OBSERVATION: How will this work? We shall see!

Flower Market

I passed the famed Cape Town Flower Market this morning. Here's a photo. It's a wide-angle shot with a Retinex filter applied. Surprisingly, few photos on the Internet capture the Flower Market this well. You may click on it to enlarge to VGA.

BMW Motorbike

I went to see a Church member. He showed me a classic BMW motorbike, standing in the sun in his yard. Oh, what a beauty. He said: "If it doesn't start first time, you can have it!" He pressed the starter button. It started first time. OBSERVATION: Not my lucky day!

Wanting To Be Helped (Or Not)

One of our members was putting other members under pressure for financial help. In my estimation, and that of our elders, she was living beyond her means. I took various steps to seek to resolve the situation. One of them was to ask a financial adviser to help her review her personal budget. But she said to him: "I'm not interested in the bloody budget!" He commented: "I love to help people who want to be helped." OBSERVATION: How to take this forward? It won't be with quite the sympathy as before.

Urban Instability: Example

Here's an "itemised example" of the instability of an urban Church. This morning, even before I stepped into the pulpit, a Youth leader told me that four Youth leaders/helpers were currently "out of commission". Also, five members approached me, saying that either they or their employers were (likely) moving away. And three of our Church leaders told me that they'd be away during the coming weeks. OBSERVATION: In a suburban Church, just one or two such pieces of information might cause ripples. This is a dozen people in doubt either over the coming weeks or forever (and these are the ones that I know of). Wife M.'s comment was: "The Church was full this morning." That is, it is amazing how little impact the turmoil has on the Church.

Milling Around

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Here is a typical scene. When our Church service is over, people mill around in the pews. Sometimes they wouldn’t seem to want to go home. Others go forward for personal prayer (which we offer every Sunday). The photo shows the Church today, after the congregation has left -- so to speak!

"Awkward"

Son M. planned a holiday/ vacation in the south of England prior to his arrival at the University of Durham in two weeks' time. He informed Durham that he would skip the ritual, and just turn up for class. Durham e-mailed him that there would be "some awkward consequences" (one needs to hear this with an upper-class English accent). I said to M.: "This is an ancient English institution! I would understand the e-mail as an order." OBSERVATION: In fact in South Africa, one might not even turn up for class -- depending whether a) the surf is good, b) the country is still on strike, or c) one needs to fix one's car/auto first. The photo shows graduation at Durham.

Finger Symbolism

We have in our Church a stained glass window which depicts Christ with His right hand raised like this. The thumb and two raised fingers symbolise the Trinity -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The folded ring finger and little finger symbolise the dual nature of Christ -- God and man. Notice also the close proximity of the two raised fingers -- Son and Holy Spirit. OBSERVATION: In the different traditions -- Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant -- Christ's fingers may be portrayed differently, with different symbolism. It has been said that the Catholic-Orthodox split was over fingers.

Changes

I went out for coffee this morning with a past deacon. We discussed the changes that have taken place during my ministry here. Without thinking too hard on the statistics, the average age of the congregation may have dropped 30 years (if one counts the children), what was an 80% majority language at the start (namely English) has probably dropped below 40% (as a mother tongue), an affluent congregation has turned into a thoroughly mixed-income melange. And so on. OBSERVATION: The demographics alone indicate huge shifts. I don't think I am aware of any politician who survived such a trick!

I Want It

Here's my Christmas wish list 2010 (none of which may come to fruition)! 1. A Mahindra Alfa 3-wheel diesel pickup. I need new wheels, and, while few may understand it, I can't imagine a vehicle more desirable. 2. A Leica V-Lux 20 pocket camera. I use a camera every day (an older Leica at the moment), and the V-Lux 20 is stunning. And 3. a Ten-Tec 1253 regenerative receiver (pictured). These are very interesting radios, and elegant in their simplicity (like the Mahindra) -- all the more interesting as I designed one myself once (called the EPE All-Band Radio).

Catastrophic Overestimation

There is something I have failed to learn in some thirty years of ministry. I overestimate my ability, and underestimate the task. It is not as though I modestly overestimate my ability, or modestly underestimate the task. It may be said to be catastrophic. And it not only happens on occasion. It happens every day. OBSERVATION: It's hard to understand how this happens. This doesn't have to mean, though, that I do too much -- although often it does. It is now second nature to me to re-prioritise each day.

Name: Qaqamba

I met a young woman this week with a name that really appealed to me: Qaqamba. It has an "explosive" sound, and to hear it spoken is a joy. It means "Shine". Someone comments on the Internet: "People still think twice about giving names like 'Qaqamba' to their children." The reason is that, for many people, they are so hard to speak, and the willingness may not be there to try. OBSERVATION: The "Q" is called a "palatal click", but is more like a loud pop.

Budding Spirit

Early this year, I sat with a deaconess to consider her calling. I asked her: "Where do you see a bud in your life already beginning to open? Is that of the Holy Spirit? Take that, and develop it." We could see eight or ten things, and we weighed them up -- and that, then, was where my part in the discernment ended. Not long after, she chose a combination of gifts and interests that had looked the most difficult to us -- and enrolled for seminary. OBSERVATION: It is a method of discernment, I think, that may work very well.

Dark Workplace

In my counselling experience, the workplace in South Africa, particularly among the labouring classes, is filled with intense jealousies and rivalries, convoluted plots and sinister threats, the casting of spells, and the wearing of talismans. It may be a dark, tumultuous, suspicious, even dangerous world. OBSERVATION: My perceptions may be skewed, I realise, in that I am someone one confides in when such problems arise.

End Of Ramadan

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Every year, thousands of Muslims gather in our suburb for the sighting of the new moon at the end of Ramadan. It was a drizzly, cool event tonight -- attended among others by the Premier and the Mayor. Muslims come from outlying areas. I asked these young men for a photo -- and jazzed it up a bit with false colour.

Solving Things (Or Not) Together

A Church needs office-bearers: an Honorary Secretary, an Honorary Treasurer, and so on. At the moment, our Church is in great need of a Property Steward, as we have sprawling properties which are "way out of hand" (so say our minutes). A year ago, I proposed seven people for the position -- after spending most of an hour sifting through names. Our leadership turned down all seven. I suggested another seven. Also turned down. The minutes record: "Consensus not reached." One year later, it seems that all eyes are on me. But what options do I still have? Prayer! OBSERVATION: Fortunately, the whole burden doesn't fall on me, as we are a Congregational Church. Ultimately we solve things together.

The Organ

Our Church organ (put on order in 1896) is a magnificent old beast. It is no wonder that children crawl in there to admire it (see Organ And Children). I took these two photos yesterday, with 15-second exposures (it's dark in there). You may click on them to enlarge to 250k.

Cut Off

I received a call tonight like many before it. Someone wanted money. I didn't recognise the name. I said: "What happened to your own Church? Where do you attend?" He said: "Your Church." Then he modified this: "The last city I was in, I attended your Church." And click -- he summarily cut off the phone. OBSERVATION: Not seldom, such alms seekers immediately cut off the phone when a) they consider that their prospects for money are not good, or not good enough, or b) they have secured an appointment. For example, it comes to a point in the conversation where I say: "I can see you briefly on Saturday at 10 a.m." Click. I'm instantly cut off. They have what they want. No "Thank you." No "See you then."

Academic Responses

I have been exploring the world of academic writing, with three papers of mine now being "in the works" (one back with me for revision). First responses from academic publishers may be very different. There may be a brief, personable acknowledgement -- or there may be this (pictured), received yesterday. This journal, within minutes of the receipt of my paper, pitilessly targeted my bibliography (click to enlarge).

Introducing ...

This one's a picture of our Church caretaker D. and his wife C., taken by our office secretary. They live on the premises. I'll focus on C. in this post -- who is a "character", as the photo might suggest. She is a fantastic help, even though she is not obliged to do a thing for the Church. Her use of language is most interesting: on the surface of it, she seems to speak in complete riddles. I think that she found peace in her life, coming to our Church. For a little more about D., see Congratulations. He is an ordained minister.

Financial Leap

Mid-July, I reported that our Church's finances had seen a 12% decline (see Talking Tithing). This may not seem much, but it meant that our bank balance dropped like a stone. Our leadership and I felt that the problem was a spiritual one, and they asked me to address it accordingly. This morning, for the first time since then, I scanned our income and expenditure sheets. The top bar (shown) represents our August income. The bars below it represent our March-July income. The yellow arrow shows where our income should be in order to meet budget. The improvement is due mostly to income from members. I wrote to our accounts clerk this morning that I felt this was a work of the Holy Spirit among us. I predict that only some of it will be a "flash in the pan". OBSERVATION: Interestingly, we first addressed the problem from a practical point of view, in April (the bar second from the bottom).

Referring People

A newcomer to our Church called me this morning. He was looking for a small group, he said. But I wasn't sure whether we did or did not have what would benefit him most. I called him back and referred him to another minister, for inquiries. The reaction, if I gauged it rightly, was one of astonishment. It might have seemed that I was trying to get rid of him. Yet the motive was to see him built up, not to benefit our own Church. OBSERVATION: This is how we operate in general, and I don't think it has harmed us.

3-D Movies

For those who live in Australasia, in the latest (September) edition of Silicon Chip magazine, I describe how one may create one's own 3D movies. It's easy actually, if one knows how, and has the patience. The magazine previously ran some articles on state-of-the-art 3D movie-making. The 3D photo (click on it to enlarge) shows the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Cape Town. One needs to squint to see the 3D here, which is not the case with 3D movies.

Peace In The Home

We have been facing a severe crisis in our home -- wife M. having been diagnosed with advanced bone marrow cancer in December. And yet several people, on entering our home, have said: "There is such peace here." As a minister, I have entered many like situations where this has not been the case, and I consider myself -- and us -- to be greatly privileged to have reached this time and place and to have peace.

Experimenter Lives

Several years ago, I invented a medical device, which several companies subsequently put into production (there's a brief description at Medical Device). It is a micropower device which pulses a vanishingly small amount of power through the skin. This morning, I happened to apply it to my head. Instantly there was a flash and sparks, as though lightning had hit the room -- but no sound. I said to myself: "Phew, what happened? Did I blow out the mains?" But of course, impossible, this is a micropower device, and no connection with the mains. Then it dawned on me -- ah, I'd just applied it to my head! OBSERVATION: In fact I ignored a caution that appears in my own original instructions. It's a little unsettling to see that manufacturers have stripped out that caution -- no doubt to preserve the appearance of safety.

Computer Emulators

For the first time, last night, I tried a computer system emulator. Some examples of emulators are: Mac on a PC, DOS on an Atari, iPhone on a Commodore. I was driven to emulation, as one of ministry's "essentials" is written for Windows (the program Christian Jokes -- see image) -- but I use Linux. So I tried a Windows emulator (or "compatibility layer"). It worked beautifully. OBSERVATION: (Eventually it crashed, too, which completed the Windows feel).

Sunday Distractions!

As for pre-Sunday-service disruptions, this morning was quite a classic (ideally, one prepares for the service in heavenly peace). It started when I got badgered for alms at the gate. Then I saw that the video system wasn't connected, and a microphone missing. Then I discovered that the amp had been sabotaged (again). Then handouts for the service were nowhere to be found. Then the City Council arrived with heavy digging equipment (negotiations ensued -- see the previous post), and the police arrived to intervene. Then a worried member pressed me for counsel. Then another. Then the musical item for the service dropped out. Add to that several significant distractions besides -- and I stepped into the pulpit (I hope!) with serenity and poise.

Hand Tools Only

About fifteen minutes before we were to start our service this morning, a crowd of City Council workers turned up with heavy equipment, saying they were going to (quote) "break the road" -- on two sides of the Church. No sooner had I negotiated a "hand tools only" agreement with them than the police arrived and ordered them not to use the heavy equipment. OBSERVATION: We've had this before, except the previous time, they refused to shut it down (see Sunday Disruption). Anyone would think they plan major road works to coincide with Sunday services.

Camp Swampy

Here's another photo of the wetland/swamp at the Berg River estuary, where I often go for a break -- some 150km/100mi north of Cape Town. You may click on it for VGA resolution. A 3-D Photo of the swamp has been my second most popular post during the past month.

I, The Technician

This morning, I was setting up an amplifier for our Ladies' Lunch, when one of our special guests walked in looking lost. I said: "Good morning. I'm the technician. Please make yourself at home." Not long after, a deaconess approached me with the same special guest. She said to her: "Have you met our minister?" OBSERVATION: Trust someone to go blow my cover. I was perfectly happy as the technician.

Women's Lunch

Once a year, we have a Ladies' Lunch. It is very popular -- booked out. This year, for the first time, wife M. did not have a major role in the planning -- yet a new team was impressive. The event begins at 9:30 and closes at 1:00, and costs R35 ($5 / €4). It includes a testimony, crafts, an informative talk, and lunch -- with musical items interspersed. Six or seven people do "continuity". The photo (taken this morning) shows three special guests.

Negativity Incarnate

In my old Church -- a Church in suburbia -- we had a treasurer who was negativity incarnate. One day, someone put large stacks of R100 banknotes (the highest denomination at that time) in the collection plate. I really wondered what our treasurer would say. He looked at the collection plate with a look of mild shock on his face and said: "Oh no! Not all that to count!" OBSERVATION: S'true! as we say in South Africa.

Leadership "Obedience"

There is something in Christian leadership theory called "obedience". It is typical of the USA. It has been described as "total obedience to the God-inspired vision" (that the leader has). One Christian leadership author has said that "no amount of animosity" will change such obedience. Another has said that it is "non-negotiable". OBSERVATION: Phew. This is far from the organic thing that I see Church to be. And consider what this looks like in reality. I have seen it. A minister with only one thing on his/her mind. Actually, he or she is not immovable either -- rather, just human.

Linguistics Paper

I spent some time at the University of Cape Town today (UCT) with a linguistics lecturer/student who helped me with a paper. She commented: "Wow. I like your paper." She said it helped explain some unsolved problems. In fact that is the intention, with my next step being to apply this to theology. OBSERVATION: Wife M. asked: "Are you happy now?" I said: "I am never satisfied with my work." Besides, one person's critique cannot be regarded as definitive. Actually, two. Another linguist commented: "I found it very convincing." The photo shows UCT's Jameson Hall today.

Ministerial Insomnia

Looking over my e-mails, there is something that stands out about ministers in particular that doesn't apply to other correspondents. One minister writes to me at 01:02 am, responding to a request for advice. Another writes to me at 04:02 am, wishing me a blessed Sunday. Another writes to me at 01:12 am, acknowledging some information. Another writes to me at 02:57 am, about computer software. Another writes to me at 00:31 am, about Church youth. While I try to give the appearance of normality myself, I see that three of my e-mails during the past week were sent during the "small hours". OBSERVATION: I would think that this reveals two things: ministry disturbs one's sleep, and ministers are not bound by a "normal" schedule.

Not "Downtime"

My father before me was a minister. He said that birthdays and special occasions (which in ministry can fill a whole day) were not "downtime", but belonged to ministry as a special way of communing with the congregation. Such days should happily be written off. The photo shows wife M. with one of her groups on her birthday yesterday.

State Secrets

This is South African organisation at its sparkling best. It was wife M.'s birthday yesterday. In error, the florist delivered a message intended for a cabinet minister (see photo). It was "panic stations" when they realised what they'd done.

Green And Blue

A young member asked in a group last night: "Why does one gospel say purple and another scarlet?" I said to a Zulu member: "How do you say green and blue in Zulu?" She said: "We have no word for blue." I said: "What if you really, really need to say blue?" She said: "Then we say: 'Green like the sky.'" OBSERVATION: Does this answer the purple/scarlet question? I haven't checked. See also Colour Terms.

Disturbing Facebook

I received what I consider to be a disturbing e-mail today, addressed to me personally, from Facebook (which I don't use, and don't have access to). The e-mail contained the message (shown): "Other people you may know on Facebook:" But how does Facebook know that I may know these people? In four cases, the contact is long "dead" (in one case, fifteen years) -- however, I recently Googled these names. In another two cases, I privately e-mailed the persons concerned -- and Googled them. This suggests that Facebook personally links me to my Google searches. Someone should run an experiment to find out.

Another Masters?

This week, I have been exploring the possibility of a second Master's at a "big name" US seminary. I calculated that, in a best case, they would grant me an 11-course head start out of 18. But then they informed me that, in a best case, they would grant me an 18-course head start out of 18. However, that would mean that I'd finish before I began, and they'd never do that. Even so, it's possible that a second Master's could be doable. OBSERVATION: I say "doable" because a single course at the "big name" seminary costs more than a whole degree at this side. I would also need to consider my life's priorities. Watch this space.

What Is Linux?

A reader asked me: "What is Linux?" Linux is an operating system, as Windows is an operating system. According to my blog stats, 27% of my readers use Linux. Both Windows and Linux have a) "machinery" underneath, and b) a screen to interact with. With Windows, the machinery and the screen are "welded together". Therefore Windows always looks like Windows. Linux, on the other hand, has the same machinery, yet one may choose different screens to interact with. So there are different versions of Linux, called distros. Linux is free, and so is the software (there are tens of thousands of free packages to choose from). Windows of course costs. In my view, Linux is much slicker and much more reliable than Windows. I estimate that Linux has saved me a full day each month since (on my desktop) I quit Windows early this year. OBSERVATION: But it needs to be borne in mind that not all versions of Linux are as "nice" as the next one. The image shows the latest Linux Fedora, which I tried on my netbook computer this week (you may click on it to enlarge). I thought that this was too difficult for the average computer user.