My first Sunday back in South Africa (from my US whirl-wind summer trip) was so wonderful and specifically unique for our little church-plant in Capricorn.
Firstly, I was greeted with great smiles, hugs and warm-wishes. My congregation was excited I was back "home" with them and was curious about my visit to the US. It was nice to catch up with families and see my Capricorn children again. It's nice being missed and a huge complement to how much they've embraced me and my mission in South Africa!
Our church service was special! There was no "message" per-se; we had a long music set, and church leaders came up to the front leading the congregation in times of prayer and repentance. This was done with individual prayer, small-group prayers and interactive worship/communion.
Our church service was special! There was no "message" per-se; we had a long music set, and church leaders came up to the front leading the congregation in times of prayer and repentance. This was done with individual prayer, small-group prayers and interactive worship/communion.
We had three stations/booths in the back of the worship room where people could have a quiet time with the Lord at any time during the service. One station was equipped with communion elements and "communion scriptures" laying on a table. Each family could go back and take the reflective-meal together. Another station had blankets and pillows with lots of various scriptures about repentance and God's grace. People literally laid down, face to the ground as they prayed and had an honest moment with God! The third station had blankets, pillows and Bibles, and also paper and pen to write prayer requests and place in a small box ... all set before a large wooden cross. People were encouraged to lay their sin, worries, concerns in front of the cross.
It was so neat to watch families go to these stations together, to literally unite in the Word together. We're continually seeing that our congregation is not a "sit and hear" people-group, but they must experience and take part in worship. "Active-worship" is what I've been calling it. They're semi-forced to participate and not just sit and tune-out a preacher. This is brilliant for our youth-age-group! They're encouraged to engage in fellowship with their neighbors and strangers.
We had some of the ladies take the youngest Sunday School children (4-8 year olds) out of the worship room. They went into the pastor's office/bungalow for another "lesson" and then ran around outside while the adults finished! It was so nice not having the small ones distracting the adults. This is a very rare concept in this South African culture. "Childcare" during worship does NOT happen. Children and babies run around and are allowed to roam when adults are in meetings or in worship. We allowed the older Sunday School children (9-12 year olds) to take part and participate in the entire worship experience! They loved it!
Our church is under-going lots of great change and digging deeper into "walking life" with God. I'm proud to be working under a pastor who has the interest of our community people in mind. He's not afraid to try new things and minister to people where they're at. Good things are ahead. Stay tuned!
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