Bishop's Post
February March 2022

Bible for the road ...


Those who are making use of the daily Bible reading plan (available at www.nelcsa.net) will have read John 1,1 recently: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”. I am glad that so many people are making a point to daily read from the Bible. At the same time I am sad to see how many Christians don´t.
During my tenure as bishop I regularly made use of this newsletter to encourage people to make daily Bible reading their habit. My main reason for doing this is an observation from church history. Christians who were “at home” in the scriptures, coped much better during crisis and were also less gullible.
Don´t misunderstand me: The Bible is not like a GPS navigation system that gives you detailed instructions on how to cope with every situation in life, what to do, and what not.
There is no instruction-verse for every circumstance. Rather, reading the Bible influences our value system, our attitude, and helps us to make sense of situations, to discern and to find direction.
In John 1,14 we read: The Word became human and dwelled amongst us”. This refers to Jesus living amongst his disciples and many others. Those walking with him learnt from him and were changed by him. Jesus did not offer a crash course, but patiently taught, reprimanded, guided and challenged his disciples. Gradually they were transformed, and continued to be transformed all their lives.
Daily Bible reading has a similar effect - the Word dwells within us and gradually transforms us.
If you are not already doing it, I challenge you to make daily Bible reading a habit. For your own sake! You can make use of the Bible Reading plan from our web page, or follow a different one.
How to go about it?
Become quiet before you read, praying for openness for the Word to dwell in you. After reading take a bit of time to talk to the Lord about what you have read.
You can do it alone, as couple or as family.
John says about the Word that became human in Jesus: “We have seen his glory”. My prayer is that through this healthy daily habit you will also taste some of this glory!
 
Your brother in Christ

Horst Müller

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NELCSA News

1. On 16 October 2021 Käte van Scharrel, widow of Pastor Bernhard van Scharrel, passed away, aged 90. The couple served in various mission stations of the ELCSA Tswana Region from 1955-70 (Emmaus, Ramotswa, Klerksdorp) before moving to Hakboslaagte (Gerdau) where they served until their retirement in 1990. May the Lord bless and comfort the family!
 
2. Elections: The ELCSA Cape Church has elected Bishop Gilbert Filter for another 4 year term. Pastor Hans-Peter von Fintel was elected as deputy.  May the Lord bless them in their serving!
Our member of Church Council, Ann Mokhine, has been elected onto the National Executive Committee of the South African Council of Churches. We congratulate her, and pray that the Lord will bless her and the work of the NEC through her.
On 28 November Bishop NE Mogorosi has been inducted as bishop of the ELCSA Western Diocese. May he be blessed in his serving.
 
3. UELCSA: Ingrid Kassier has been accepted as intern in UELCSA. She completed her MTh degree in Bloemfontein, and will commence her internship in Stellenbosch. Her first Theological Examination is planned for 27 January 2022.
Jessica Schmidt, wife of Pastor Rolf Schmidt (UELC) is completing her second theological examination on 27 January 2022. We are glad that she is taking this step.
Annelise Hofmann was ordained on 1st of Advent, 28 November 2021 in Namibia.
We pray that the Lord will bless them in this new phase of their ministry!
 
4. Dates for 2022
eQuip in Hermannsburg from 2-6 January on “Touched”. More at https://www.nelcsa.net/equip-2022.html
NELCSA Brass Festival 22 May 2022 in Wartburg
NELCSA Synod 14-16 October 2022 in Northrand

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