Thursday 9th February 2012: Rural Realities- Church Challenges

After a hot day in Ikageng township yesterday, today was a little cooler and started with some pretty heavy rain, with lightning to go with it.  Today involved a visit to one of the more rural areas of this central section of the Diocese of Matlosane.  I was picked up by Edward Sithole (Dean of the Cathedral) and a female Deacon, Nontozanele.  We drove for about 45km (it took us about 40 minutes) in some impressive African rain, which didn’t seem to be a problem for Edward as he drove.  It was strange having, being already hot in the car, but needing to blow hot air on the window to clear the mist. Phew!

Father Dennis Lukaleni in St Fracis Ventersdorp

We arrived at the town of Ventersdorp, (maybe about the same size as eg. Penkridge?) and headed for the township of Tsing, which was unusually close to the town centre.  We were met by Father Dennis Lukuleni, who is a young and vibrant man – with an earnest and keen approach to all that was going on in the church as we arrived.  His shirt was spectacular, depicting an image of he scared heart of Jesus flowing life to the world.  With his style, and easy manner, he could well have been mistaken for a top DJ.

The "outstation" church building at Motlatla

After being shown around the church 

(St Francis) we headed off for a further 6Okm drive (40miles) to one of his 18 “outstations”  (These are places where there is a congregation, but no separate parish – with worship usually led by a lay minister on most Sundays- sometimes there is no building). We might call these mission churches, or church plants. We arrived at the village of Motlatla a small farming community, with a range of simple houses, widely spread out.  The church building was impressive to me… it had been built with hand made bricks made by the local people.  They must really want to worship the Lord together!  Typically 50-60 people meet there every Sunday, and Dennis will get to them once a month to lead a Holy Communion service after he has completed the service in Ventersdorp.  He asks the outstation churches to come togther in 3-4 outstations for Holy Communion.  But when he does get there, then the baptisms also have to happen, so it can be a busy time for him… at each visit.

The "outstation" building at Goedeconde

We drove some more (maybe 20 minutes) and came to another outstation, Goedeconde – this time the building was walls only, again from local hand made bricks.  Dennis said that, with God’s help they would complete the building this year.

Over lunch back in Ventersdorp we talked about the challenges that this kind of rural ministry presents- the distances are big!  But there are opportunities too. Certainly for most weeks, the people in the outstations do not rely on the priest being present- and this is healthy.  The thought crossed my mind that, with large numbers of Lichfield Diocese clergy retiring in the coming years, we may need some kind of “outstation” approach.  No doubt ministers and congregations in rural parts of the UK are already used to this kind of balancing- but it may be applied in suburban/urban settings too- this is part of what Lichfield Diocese’ “Plain Speaking” discussion is about I believe.  It would certainly be different to what many people have been used to, but the evidence from Ventersdorp and Motlatla, is that it can work well, and people can grow without an unhealthy dependence on a priest… in fact, people may discover and use the gifts that they have been given by God in a healthy way.

The lunch conversation also turned to young people and the church, and Dennis displayed his enthusiasm for reaching those who don’t yet come to the church.  I shared some of the challenges facing the church in the UK in this area, and we agreed that in both our countries, there is a cultural gap between a formal style of service and the world in which young people are immersed.  We talked about new kinds of service and giving people (young and old) more input into the services.  We also agreed that clergy expecting respect because of their “status” was unhelpful in bridging the gap.  Dennis was keen to reach out to the upcoming generation by supporting them with what they needed – assistance with job & education application… a kind of drop in health centre, in addition to the youth group of the church.

Dennis impressed me with his energy and vision- his commitment and compassion were wonderful to see.  The cost of offering himself to God’s service was real, to him and his family, but it seemed like Dennis knew it was worth it.

As I returned back to the roads of Primosa township (which I am beginning to recognise) I had plenty to think about.  With Sydney and Trudi my hosts, we watched Jacob Zuma (President of South Africa) on TV give the annual “State of the Nation Address” – 75 minutes of policy review and announcements, in a range of languages.  South Africa has 23% unemployment (down from last year) and many of the social problems that go with it and the ongoing rebalancing of equality after apartheid.

It seems that communities in South Africa need a church which is prepared to do what people like Dennis are doing- giving of self, serving and sharing in imaginative ways, offering the good news where people are,  in a language they can understand.  And then I realise it’s not just South Africa that needs a church like this!

Richard