LHM-SA Newsletter, JULY 2004

In this Issue...

1. BRING-A-FRIEND-ALONG SUNDAY

Would you like your congregation to grow? Research has shown that 87% of all people who become Christians do so by the grace of God through friends or family members. The concept of a BRING-A-FRIEND-ALONG SUNDAY is based on this research.

A Missions Committee was established at the last annual general meeting of the ELF congregation in Randburg and Eckart Schulz (son of the late Bishop Schulz), Cathy Skopec and Christel Scharlach were elected to serve on the new Missions Committee. The BRING-A-FRIEND-ALONG SUNDAY concept was presented to Pastor Henning and the Elders of ELF, who expressed their full support.

The members of ELF subsequently received guidelines, handouts and information regarding the first BRING-A-FRIEND-ALONG SUNDAY planned for the 11th July. They were encouraged to prayerfully identify family members and/or friends who were not members of other churches and to invite them to worship with them at their church.

The worship service itself was not different in any way to regular Sunday worship services, the choir sang a song and the Brass band played after the service. However, everybody wore name tags and Cathy, with the assistance of Rudi Schwacke, Elder at ELF, handed out "Welcome" packs with information about ELF, the leadership and ministries.

After the worship service everyone was also invited to the hall for special refreshments. This gave the members of the church an opportunity to reach out to the guests and chat to them and to just help them feel comfortable and welcomed.

The last important aspect was that the hosts invited their guests to lunch after church to continue the time of fellowship, and to invite them to come to church again the next week.

Due to the positive feedback, it has been decided to have a BRING-A-FRIEND-ALONG SUNDAY every second month of the year.



2. Engage, Equip, Proclaim Training

James writes: "Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says" (James 1:22).

This is what the EEP training is all about. EEP stands for ENGAGE, EQUIP, PROCLAIM. This is, in a nutshell, the model that Jesus used. He ENGAGED the disciples (Matt. 4:18-22, Mark 1:16-20, 2:14, Luke 4:31-11, 5:27, John 1:35-51), then he EQUIPPED them for ministry (Matt. 5:1+2, Mark 6:6b), and subsequently sent them out to PROCLAIM the Gospel (Matt. 28:19+20, Mark 16:15, Luke 10:1-24, John 20:21).

As the newly converted people received the disciples’ teaching, they in turn were ENGAGED, EQUIPPED and sent out to PROCLAIM the Gospel (Eph. 4:11-16). Even while not all are called to be evangelists or missionaries, every Christian is called to be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have (1. Peter 3:15). Every Christian should live such an exemplary life that people would be moved to ask for such an explanation! If nobody has ever asked us for such a testimony of God’s grace in our lives, we probably don’t let our lights shine brightly enough!

Christians are just as prone to depression, sadness and sin as others, but the difference is that in Jesus we can overcome and lead a victorious life – a life others may be drawn to and want for themselves.

The EEP Training is put together in the following way:

  1. "Overcoming my problems and hang-ups about myself" (ENGAGE) – one weekend
  2. "Growing and maturing as a whole person" (EQUIP) – one weekend/series of four weekday evenings
  3. "How can I fulfil God’s purpose?" (PROCLAIM) – one weekend/series of four weekday evenings

Each person who has worked through the three parts of the EEP Training is then encouraged to identify opportunities in their own congregation and community to serve the Body of Christ under the guidance and authority of the local pastor. It may be personal ministry, or as part of a ministry team in the congregation. Opportunities for short, medium and long-term local and overseas missions will also be discussed.

In conclusion, the EEP Training is geared to mobilize lay people into an active Christian lifestyle, according to the particular gifting given by the Holy Spirit, the talents and abilities, the resources and in relation to the opportunities that are on par with the level each Christian finds him or herself.

Please call Christel Scharlach at (011) 792 8440 if you are interested in EEP Training.



3. LHM-SA Announcements

  1. Mr Reuben Dlamini, LHM-SA Board Chairman, resigned from the Board, effective 1st July, due to an increased workload. He served on the Board for more than five years, since its inception in March 1999, and as the Chairman for the past four years. We are thankful that Mr Dlamini has indicated his full support for the work of LHM-SA and has offered to be of ad hoc assistance where his expertise is needed. Mr Dlamini, we want to express our heartfelt appreciation for providing excellent leadership and guidance over the years. We request prayers from all our readers that Mr Dlamini’s position on the Board may be filled before the end of the year and for guidance as the Board elects a new Chairperson at the next meeting.
  2. Lucas Baloyi, LHM-SA Drama Co-ordinator is currently in St Louis, Missouri, USA, attending the 62nd LCMS Convention. He will also attend the LHM Workshop at our Head Office, as well as the upcoming ILLL Convention in Rapid City, South Dakota. It was requested of him to do various Drama performances as an example of how Drama can be used in the mission field. Lucas is expected back on the 28th July.




4. Urgent Request for BIBLES and BLANKETS

Last year the Westrand Lutheran Congregation of Rev Jochen Volker (ELKSA-NT) made R 6,000 available for Bibles to be distributed in the Johannesburg Correctional Services, Medium A1. All of these Bibles have now been distributed and many, many more are still needed.

The current price for one Bible from the Bible Society is R 44, a price subsidized by donors who support the Bible Society. Another way to locate Bibles for donations is to purchase them from second-hand bookstores!

According to Lucas Baloyi, involved in the LHM-SA Prison Ministry, the inmates have enormous expanses of time during which they are not kept busy and have nothing to do. Lucas and Ralf Meysel are able to minister to them only for a few hours each week. But they are encouraged to spend all the time they have available in Bible study. However, very few inmates have Bibles, because they are in the trial-awaiting section. They were arrested without having the opportunity to pack any belongings.

Another request is for blankets, which are always in very short supply, because of the severe overcrowding. The prison cells are extremely cold in winter. There are people who say, "It serves them right!" But is this the Christian response that Jesus taught? Maybe this is just the time when the inmates need to receive Christian caring. Would Jesus have walked away from these people while they were hurting and in need of love and understanding?

Should you or your congregation want to become involved in supplying either Bibles or blankets, please call Marilda at (011) 791 1661. Please use the same telephone number for more information on how to actively participate in Prison Ministry or about training opportunities.

"Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoner." Heb. 13:3



5. SERMONS and CONFIRMATION CLASSES

Copies of the prayer book RAPELANG, BOMORWA-RRE! have been made available for distribution free of charge (excl. postage and packaging). The prayer book is a translation of the "Orate Fratres" and includes prayers for each day of the year, as well as other resources.

Sermons in Zulu and Tswana for each Sunday from the 1st August to the 12th December are available free of charge. These materials are sponsored by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation. This offer is available to all interested, not only lay preachers or Pastors. The person coordinating this project is Dr EAW Weber from the Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (LCSA).

For more information on how to obtain the prayer book and/or the Sermons, please call the LHM-SA office at (011) 791 1661/ 792 8440, office hours.



6. Ministry Statistics

Drama Ministry - 237 responses were received from inmates for the "Real Life" Bible Correspondence Course, the "Jesus Christ" and/or the "Break Free" booklets. 66 Inmates requested prayer support and/or counseling.

Radio Ministry – 349 booklets were sent out to "Spotlight" listeners on Radio Pulpit. Booklets offered were "No need to Fear", "Money Talks" and "Break Free".

BCC – 312 people are currently enrolled in the "Real Life" Bible Correspondence Course and 36 graduated. It is our constant prayer that the students may grow tremendously as they work through the eight lessons.

Web site Ministry – 50 responses to our web site were received and the follow up on previous e-mails were sent out this month.

Volunteers – 15 people have assisted us in our ministry in the past month, be it by answering the telephones, folding newsletters and putting them into envelopes, or praying with people and counseling them.

Donors – 19 people have supported LHM-SA financially, with donations ranging from R20 to R20,000. May our Father bless the givers and the gifts! We thank the FELSiSA Church Growth Fund for the R 20,000 donation in support of the Prison Ministry. It is through support and gifts like these that we are able to proclaim the Word of God to hurting and suffering people in South Africa. Thank you for your continued prayers and support.










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