Bishop's Post
October November 2022

Bible for the road ...


“Isaiah 1,3The ox knows its master, the donkey its owner’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.”
 
Esther 4,14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place... And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?
 
22:13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End"
 
The daily readings for October and November can hardly come from more differing times and books in the Bible.
Esther, the only Biblical book that never mentions God, Isaiah, the prophet speaking God´s truth to a stubborn nation, and Revelation, encouraging persecuted Christians not to give up, since ultimately the victory belongs to Christ, the beginning and the end.
I am writing this as we are approaching our NELCSA Synod, where my successor as bishop is to be elected. As I am nearing retirement, I am busy writing a reflection on my time in our church since my practical year in 1981. In these 41 years my experiences, and that of our country and church, have been just as diverse as with these books. From the deep Apartheid days, through the rainbow nation up to a time of a faltering state. In this time there have been courageous people like Esther who stood up for what is right without mentioning God. Others, like Isaiah, called to repentance in the Name of God. As our government started sliding down the path of corruption and mismanagement, infrastructure crumbled away and load shedding hit the economy hard, many started giving up on our land. Some emigrated, many could not, but are without hope.
It is in this situation where I find the combination of these three books extremely helpful. Isaiah: Where do I need to be admonished, where is God calling me to repent? Esther: Where do I need the to be encouraged to do something? Do I need to realise that God has placed me where I am for a purpose? Revelations: Where do I need to have my eyes opened to recognize that Christ is the Lord, the Alpha and Omega, although I currently don´t see much of this?
As I hand over to my successor, I need to remind myself: I am retiring as bishop and pastor, but not as Christian. My calling as Christian remains as relevant as ever. This is true for every Christian. Because we belong to the one who is the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Whether you are a retiree, at the peak of your career or a young person only just starting - I pray that you will discover that God has plans for you and with you. I pray that Christ will time and again fill you with courage and perseverance. And I pray that our country will see deliverance because of God´s people being willing to hear His call and do His will!
 
Yours in Christ,
 
 

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News from NELCSA
 
“ALIVE” is the theme that guides the NELCSA Synod from 14 to 16 October in the North Rand congregation. On 15 October the new bishop will be elected. During the closing service of synod on 16 October the bishop and others who have been elected into office will be inducted. Please pray for God´s guidance for synod and the elections, and that those elected will be strengthened for their serving.
Parts of synod and the closing service will be live broadcasted.
 
Pastor Em. Helmut Dedekind passed away on 6 June 2022. After his ordination in 1977 he served as pastor in New Hannover, St Pauls Durban and then Kempton Park. This was followed by an exchange programme, where he served in Eisenach, Germany. After this he concluded his service as pastor in the North Rand Congregation. Helmut also served in various church-wide capacities: Youth Pastor, Dean of the Central Circuit and Spiritual Leader of the Brass Band Association. After retirement he and his wife Christa lived in Eisenach, where he then passed away at the age of 78. We are thankful for his service in the Church of Christ. May the Lord comfort his wife and family.
 
On 27 June 2022 Prof. Dr. Klaus Nürnberger passed away in Pretoria, aged 89. As teacher of theology, he taught generations of Lutheran Theologians in South Africa and beyond. He also played a major role in the development of theological training in Southern Africa.  Together with his wife Maxi they continuously tried to build bridges between churches, and for this had to endure criticism from all sides. Despite this criticism they continued to interact with all sides. We thank the Lord for this life of serving!
 
On 16 July Manfred Schütte passed away at the age of 88. From 1993 to 1999 he served as treasurer of ELCSA (N-T). We thank the Lord for this and other tasks that he fulfilled within church and congregation. May the Lord comfort his wife Rona and the whole family.

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