Urban Movement

Someone was late for an appointment once, in 2011 -- so I picked up an old Church address list in my vestry. I was amazed to see that, since 1997 (in 14 years), only 34 out of 220 surnames -- 15 percent -- remained on the list. That was rather stunning -- although for an urban congregation, really quite normal -- and this is one of the big things a minister must get used to when moving to urban ministry. OBSERVATION: The number of names joining us was, however, far greater than the number of names leaving. God Himself sustains His Church. 

Making Donations Work

Yesterday I sought to make a donation to a theological seminary -- not in fact to make the donation, but to see how this worked -- which is, TWINT. The seminary promised that it would be "very easy". Instead, TWINT took me through to Baseplay MAX games. Ah, yes, they said, they'd had a lot of trouble with TWINT. OBSERVATION: Now, if you're going to open a channel for donations, be sure that it works!

POSTSCRIPT: They found the problem. I used the QR app instead of the TWINT app. I myself have no access to the TWINT app. Enough said!

Administrative Assistant

It's been a while since I shared any news of son M. He has now lived for many years in Switzerland -- having Swiss citizenship through my late wife Mirjam. His interests revolve very much around the Church -- and this very week he is to begin a job as a Church's Administrative Assistant -- a thriving Church in Zürich. OBSERVATION: The job involves, very broadly, Administration, Communications, Event Coordination, and Data Management.

Useless Books

It's a photo of the library at the seminary where I work. What strikes me as I walk these aisles is how many useless books people have created -- perhaps one should say, comparatively useless. It depends, of course, what one means by "useless". Perhaps some books were useful insofar as they brought in some royalties for their authors. OBSERVATION: The Bible says, "Of making many books there is no end."

The Perfect Fix

For this kerbstone fix, one has to give our city a perfect 10. Firstly, this job was clearly optimised for speed and efficiency. 10/10. Secondly, the fix is obviously a strong one that has held. 10/10. And all in all, this must have saved the taxpayer a lot of money. 10/10.

POSTSCRIPT: It brings to mind my post New Broom.

In Conversation

I took this photo earlier in the week, of a final-year student (left) in discussion with a lecturer (right). This would be a good one for some captions! I obtained such a "roomy" shot with a wide-angle 18 mm prime lens. OBSERVATION: One can buy a similar shirt as the final-year student is wearing on Amazon*.

*This is an Amazon affiliate link. I earn a commission, at no cost to the buyer. 

What a Minister Does

What does a minister really do? In an average Church -- say, with a Sunday congregation of about 100 -- the minister will be deeply involved in (not necessarily in charge of):

• Church administration
• governance meetings
• Church finances
• Church properties
• pastoral counselling
• crisis call-outs
• Church charity
• Sunday services
• weddings and funerals
• music ministry
• social events
• damage control
• staff matters
• membership classes
• Church newsletters
• Church reports
• correspondence
• inter-Church relations
• community issues
• Bible studies
• mentoring, and
• groups oversight 

In fact, considerably more. OBSERVATION: Under the best of circumstances, it may seem too much -- yet with faith in God it can be done, and one has the privilege of seeing God wonderfully at work.

Rousing the DSD

Here's an interesting one. On 25 February 2025, I submitted a formal complaint, in terms of §18 of the Manual of Faith and Order, to the Uniting Presbyterian Church (UPCSA). They ignored it, repeatedly. I put this to the Department of Social Development (DSD), with whom the UPCSA are registered. I said that the UPCSA's reporting channels were out of order. The DSD said that I should come on over, and we would talk. I exercised my right to refuse a verbal discussion, and insisted on written communications. Among other things, this was too important for a verbal discussion. But the DSD refused a written response. Therefore I referred them to the Public Protector (PP). The Public Protector called me today (a public holiday)! The DSD were "not co-operating", they said, and they were now considering a subpoena. Could I help them with a last attempt to rouse the DSD? OBSERVATION: And the UPCSA's reporting channels, to this day, remain inert. But we may be getting somewhere ...

Seminary Provost

I took this photo earlier this week of our Seminary provost, or principal, CEO. I obtained such a "roomy" shot with a wide-angle 18 mm prime lens. You may click on the photo to enlarge. 

POSTCRIPT: You can buy a similar shirt on Amazon*.

*This is an Amazon affiliate link. I earn a commission, at no cost to the buyer. 

First Year Student

I took this photo last night of a first-year student in class. In the late 1800's, Xhosa King Sarili introduced imported German roller-printed cotton fabric to the kingdom. Women began adopting these brightly patterned fabrics, eventually creating the iconic umbaco—a heavy cotton fabric traditionally featuring black geometric braids and patterns, paired with vibrant beadwork. OBSERVATION: Women's clothes evolved, too, to signify their age, social standing, and marital status. You may click on the photo to enlarge.