1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

WELCOME
We are excited to welcome you to GOD BLESS AFRICA: Worship for a Time Like This.
These three days will be inspirational, informational, and transformational. We hope that
you will make the most of this time to learn, to engage in conversation, to meet new
people, and to encounter God in new ways as we worship together.
Presenters from a wide range of theological and cultural backgrounds are coming together
for this Conference, and there is sure to be something here for everyone - clergy, worship
teams, and congregation members.
We take special pleasure in welcoming our guests from the United States. Kathy Smith,
Neal Plantinga, Duane Kelderman, and David Rylaarsdam are all highly respected
scholars from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, and we are privileged to have this
opportunity to learn from them.
Make yourself at home. Join in the conversations. Open your heart. And let our time
together inspire and challenge you as you seek to deepen your experience and practice of
worship!
The Organising Committee
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PROGRAMME
Tuesday 17 March 2015
08:00 - 09:00
Registration
09:00 - 10:15
Opening Worship Service
10:30 - 11:30
Seminars - Session 1
11:30 - 11:45
Tea
11:45 - 12:45
Seminars - Session 2
12:45 - 13:30
Lunch
13:30 - 14:30
Seminars - Session 3
14:45 - 15:45
Seminars - Session 4
15:45 - 16:00
Tea
16:15 - 17:15
Vespers
18:00 - 19:00
Supper
19:00 - 20:00
Open Worship Celebration
Wednesday 18 March 2015
09:00 - 10:15
Worship Service
10:30 - 11:30
Plenary Session 1
11:30 - 11:45
Tea
11:45 - 12:45
Workshops A
12:45 - 13:30
Lunch
13:30 - 14:30
Workshops B
14:45 - 15:45
Workshops C
15:45 - 16:00
Tea
16:15 - 17:15
Vespers
18:00 - 19:00
Supper
19:00 - 20:00
Open Worship and Plenary 2
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Thursday 19 March 2015
09:00 - 10:15
Worship Service
10:30 - 11:30
Plenary Session 3
11:30 - 11:45
Tea
11:45 - 12:45
Workshops A
12:45 - 13:30
Lunch
13:30 - 14:30
Workshops B
14:45 - 15:45
Workshops C
15:45 - 16:00
Tea
16:15 - 17:15
Closing Worship Celebration
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PLENARIES
Plenary 1: Wednesday Morning
WORSHIP IN AFRICA: Renewing the World - Phidian Matsepe
The worship of Africa is diverse, creative, energetic, and transforming. And, it has the potential to
offer a vision of renewal, healing, unity, and transformation to the world. This presentation will
explore the power and diversity in the worship of Africa, and the ways in which the African Church
can help to bring renewal to the world.
Plenary 2: Wednesday Night
NEITHER MALE NOR FEMALE: Worship that Nurtures Us All - Miranda Pillay
Too often the words we use in worship tend to exclude significant sections of the congregation.
The presentation in this plenary will explore a number of issues with regard to the way in which
worship is led in terms of inclusiveness, language and interpretation. It stresses the new vitality
that is possible when all can worship God together as a united community of faith.
Plenary 3: Thursday Morning
GLORIFYING GOD IN WORSHIP: What Audacity and What Wonder! - Neal Plantinga
The Scriptures are full of glory. Israel is told by prophets to "give glory to the Lord." Angels at
Jesus' birth sing "Glory to God in the highest heaven." In John's Gospel the Father and the Son
glorify each other. And in the Psalms and I Chronicles people are told to "ascribe to the Lord glory
and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name." But how would this go in worship today?
What, exactly, does it mean to glorify God in worship? Isn't God already maximally splendid? What
more can mere mortals add? And, yet, Christian Worshipers do have a calling to magnify God’s
name. We will explore just how this might be done.
PREACHERS
Opening Worship
God Bless Africa - Bishop Michel Hansrod
Wednesday Morning
Guard Our Children - Duane Kelderman
Thursday Morning
Guide Our Leaders - Jerry Pillay
Closing Worship
Give Us Peace - Mary-Anne Plaatjies
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SEMINARS
The Seminars run on Day One only. Choose one track and stay with it throughout the day.
Track 1: What We Talk About When We Talk
About Worship (Theology)
Session 1:
What Makes Worship Trinitarian - Neal Plantinga
The doctrine of the Trinity, along with the doctrines of Incarnation and Atonement,
counts as one of the sublime mysteries of the Christian faith. And, yet, provisional
as our understanding of the doctrine may be, it has to shape Christian worship.
Doctrine always shapes worship just as worship always enriches doctrine. In the
case of the doctrine of the Trinity, we pray and baptize in the threefold name. Songs
and hymns address or describe the triune God. But what deeper understanding of
the triune life might shape deeper practices of worship? This seminar will propose
and enlarge a theory of intra-trinitarian hospitality as a fundamental force within
thoughtful Christian worship.
Session 2:
The Deep Meaning and Purpose of Worship - Kathy Smith
Most of our conversations about worship relate to the mechanics, form or style of
worship. How can we deepen the discussion to consider the meaning and purpose
of biblical worship, and how will that lead to better conversations and understanding
of worship?
Session 3:
What Makes Worship Good? - Dirkie Smit
A reflection on ways in which worship could be regarded, experienced and
evaluated as “good” – from diverse perspectives, according to different expectations
and measured by many criteria.
Session 4:
Understanding How Good Friday and Easter Liturgies Come Alive in
‘Black African’ Churches in South Africa - Xolile Simon
When, where and how do some of the liturgies in 'Black African' Churches come
alive? From Good Friday to Easter Sunday, some of the liturgies intentionally
express and communicate social and cultural experiences of 'Black African'
Christians and communities in South Africa. Liturgies come alive when they enable
'Black African' Christians to make sense of human suffering and death, and produce
hope from the perspective of Good Friday and Easter events. Annual
conversations about the inclusion of certain activities and rituals in the programme
and liturgies also contribute to the coming alive of liturgies in 'Black African'
Churches and communities.
Track 2: A Year of Sundays: Crafting Worship
Session 1:
Ecclesiology and the Christian Year - Kathy Smith
As we plan worship services from week to week, we are guided by the themes of
Scripture and the seasons of the church year. How does our theology and
understanding of the church affect our planning and the choices we make? In this
session we will consider the times and celebrations of the Christian year as
impacted by our ecclesiology.
Session 2:
Preparing for Worship: A shared responsibility for leaders and
congregants - Keith Griffiths
In his book ‘Preparing for Liturgy’, Austin Fleming makes the startling statement, “To
celebrate the liturgy without preparation is a violation of God’s holy presence and a Page !5
crime against those who gather to celebrate that presence.” (Preparing for Liturgy: A
Theology and Spirituality, Liturgy Training Publications 1997) Yet Sunday after
Sunday clergy and laity are involved with reading the scriptures, leading the
services, leading the intercessions, presiding at the sacraments with minimal
preparation. At the same time, members of the congregations come to worship with
little personal preparation, no inkling of the scriptures that will lie at the heart of that
worship and with no awareness that they are engaging with God and with one
another in worship.
This part of the seminar will engage with the Art and the Ministry that is inherent in
the presentation of worship and the responsibility of the leaders and the
congregation to prepare themselves for the essential roles that each is called upon
to play in presenting worship that glorifies God, enlightens the people and provides
the essential gathering of people who care for one another and for the stranger who
joins them.
Session 3:
Presenting and Participating in Worship - André’ Bartlett
“Full and active participation” – one of the key phrases of Vatican II’s Constitution on
Liturgy – captures one of the central aims of much of the liturgical renewal projects
of the past century. In this session various possibilities of working towards this aim
will be explored with a special focus on the full and active participation of the body
of Christ around the table in the body of Christ on the table.
Session 4:
The Nuts and Bolts of Worship Planning - Phidian Matsepe
Sundays come around every week, and every week worship services must be
carefully and prayerfully planned in order to touch and transform God's people. This
session will explore the practical considerations for planning worship each week so
that God's people have the opportunity to encounter God, be inspired, and be
changed to reflect Christ.
Track 3: The Transforming Power of Worship
Session 1:
The History of Spiritual Formation - David Rylaarsdam
This seminar session will examine spiritually formative worship practices from the
early church. As we learn about set hours of prayer, lectio divina, the sacraments,
and almsgiving, we will discuss these practices in our contexts today.
Session 2:
Worship and Faith Formation - David Rylaarsdam
Worship should not simply inform our thinking or worldview; it should form
our affections and habits. We will consider how embodied worship practices
can form us holistically and are crucial for sustaining a faithful way of life.
Session 3:
The Distance Between the Pavement and the Pew - Dion Foster
The role of faith in the public sphere is very complicated, and for that reason a
contested issue. Does our worship have a role to play in shaping the world? If yes,
how do we do this? In what ways can our worship engage with issues of public
concern and make a public contribution towards the transformation of the world?
This session will consider a theology of worship that has a strong public theological
focus. It will share some examples of churches and Christian communities that
engage in worship that is public, or engages public issues theologically in their
worship.
Session 4:
Worship and the Transformation of Life - Nico Koopman
Drawing upon the interdependence of worship (lex orandi), faith (lex
credendi), and life together (lex con-vivendi) the potential of worship for the
transformation and renewal of individuals, churches, and broader society is
discussed. The Holy Spirit is God at work in individuals, in churches, and in Page !6
the world. The Holy Spirit works in and through worship to bring about
transformed and renewed visions, virtues, and practices (choices,
commitments, communal actions).
Track 4: The Arts of Worship
Session 1:
Creativity - Kevin Williams
In the Bible, the first thing we learn about God is that he is creative. His creating
gave Him pleasure, especially because we were made in his image. At times, the
regularity of our worship of our maker can become complacent resulting in a distinct
lack of inventiveness.
By setting our flow of worship into a creative and open framework we can allow
ourselves the freedom to engage the intellect, the senses and the heart providing an
expression of imaginative, heartfelt worship.
The presentation will actively encourage those attending to expand their thinking on
varied ways to give honour and praise to the Supreme Being.
Session 2:
The Liturgy as a Work of Art - Elsabé Kloppers
Increasingly it is realised that the 'content' of religious identity and belief is
transmitted by the way it is narrated, imagined, pictured, or sung and that art
therefore is integral to the different ways in which God's presence is experienced.
Art is used in worship, but often as segments, as 'creative' parts of a service, but
remaining 'parts' and not forming a creative whole with the rest of a service.
Sometimes more commonly used forms of art are not recognised as art and are
treated carelessly. In this seminar the possibilities of image, song, sound, symbol,
story, space, music, metaphor and movement will be explored as forms of
expression, incorporating all senses in opening up diverse possibilities for
communicating and experiencing the 'presence of God'. Guidelines with regard to
specific contexts, balance between 'popularity' and 'discernment' and creating
'sound' liturgies, will be explored. Material from ecumenical contexts, more
specifically on the theme of creation and ecology, will be used to demonstrate how
the arts could be employed imaginatively within the encompassing whole of
worship, so worship as a whole could become a 'work of art'.
Session 3:
An Overview of the Use of the Arts in Worship - John De Gruchy
This seminar will (1) introduce theological aesthetics, connecting truth, goodness
and beauty; (2) speak about their importance for faith, mission and worship; (3)
elaborate on aesthetic creativity as the work of the Spirit.
Session 4:
The Role of Music in African Churches - Mlamli Mfenyana
Mlamli Mfenyana has a clear understanding of the way in which the congregations
value the contribution of the music to the worship of the community. This session will
bring together his considerable experience with nurturing high quality music in
congregational settings, and his deep understanding of the role that music plays in
the congregations of Africa. He will be assisted in his presentation by the assistant
from a leading choir in the Anglican parish of St. Cyprian’s, Langa.
Track 5: Thus Says the Lord? (Preaching)
Session 1:
Prophetic Preaching in an African Context - Jerry Pillay
In this presentation we shall explore the role of Prophetic Preaching in Africa whilst
reflecting on the given context. We will look at the basis, purpose and aim of
prophetic preaching as we consider the calling of this type of preaching today. We
will attempt to ask how we can craft prophetic preaching to make it most effective so Page !7
that it is embedded in compassion and courage. How do we preach prophetically?
Do we steer or stir? Are we to be grace-full or overwhelming? These are some of
the questions we will engage interactively. We will also look at some examples of
some great prophetic preachers. You will be inspired to preach the Word!
Session 2:
Preaching Vulnerability - Johan Cilliers
In this paper the many in-between spaces of paradox that characterise the society
of South Africa up to this day, are seen as liminal breeding grounds for what could
be called a vulnerable homiletic. Three key concepts are discussed as being
inherent to such a homiletic, namely seeing, sighing, and signing. These key
concepts are exemplified by reference to sermons by Archbishop Desmond Tutu in
particular. The paper is concluded with a reflection on an art work by South African
artist Marco Cianfanelli.
Session 3:
Preaching as Confluence - Duane Kelderman
An exploration of the thesis that the preaching event, much larger than just the
sermon, is the Spirit-guided, unrepeatable confluence of pastor, text/sermon,
congregation and world, in a particular time and place.
Session 4:
New Developments in Preaching - Martin Laubscher
Against the backdrop of how the practice of preaching was understood by the end of
the 20th century, and based on some of the most recent and authoritative literature
of the past 15 years, this seminar will explore the continuations, developments,
shifts, and breaks that brought us to where we are now. It will explore the kinds of
interests, new questions (research agendas), and discerned problems that have
come to the fore, and more specifically, what “new knowledge” has been generated
as a result. After tracing the developments in the literature, the value and quality of
these “developments” will be contemplated, reflecting critically on the antennas of
our practice, in order to identify what there is to appreciate, and what needs to be
critiqued. Finally, we will ask what we see, and what we miss, in the “developments”
of the past 15 years.
Track 6: Gathering and Going: Congregations that
live their faith
Session 1:
Participating in Missional Communities - Debbie and John van de Laar
Your worship creates your life. Our participation in worship is meant to shape and
inform our participation in life. Our worship services call us to be contributing
members of a community built on the values and priorities of God’s reign and so we
come to worship not as spectators but as participants. Using Jesus’ call to become
like children as a starting point, this session will explore how, in participating in
diverse worship communities, we learn to participate in society as agents of God’s
reign.
Session 2:
When Do People Change? - Duane Kelderman
This presentation explores the dynamics of deep change by describing
five factors that are virtually always present when a person or group undergoes
deep change.
Session 3:
The Social Impact of Liturgy - Thomas Plastow
This presentation will attempt to show how the worship environment and the way
that liturgy is structured will have an inevitable impact in the self-identity of the
worshipping community and its behaviour once the worship service is over.
Drawing from examples from various periods in the history of the Church, we will
see how the place of the laity has been formed or malformed at various times Page !8
through the clergy’s way of leading worship. The case study of the African
inculturation or indigenization of the liturgy will be explored as a case in point, and
reference will be made to some contemporary problems within Catholic liturgy which
have frustrated some of the hopes arising from the reforms that followed the Second
Vatican Council (1962-1965).
Session 4:
The Lectionary as the Fulcrum for Worship and Life - Coenie Burger and
Bruce Theron
It is a myth that some churches follow a liturgy while others do not. While some may
claim that their church is not liturgical, liturgy is actually the ‘wrapping’ of the entire
act of worship - it is not separate. To address the problems of liturgy that is prepared
with too little thought and planning, the Lectionary is a tool that helps clergy and
congregation to traverse their way through the liturgical year with pastoral rhythm. It
is not only an aid to a disciplined way of preaching, but it also avoids the pitfalls of
preaching on hobby texts.
This session therefore focusses on using the Lectionary as a resource for ordering
all aspects of congregational devotion, life and worship.
WORKSHOPS
The Workshops run on Day Two and Three. Choose one workshop in each block on each
day - making a total of six workshops over the two days.
Block A
01] PREACHING THROUGH THE CHURCH YEAR: Themes and Practices
Presenter: Neal Plantinga
Preachers know what time it is in the church year and preach according to their knowledge.
Concentrating especially, but not exclusively, on Lent, this seminar will explore salient practices
and promising themes for season-sensitive preaching. For example, the seminar will offer
suggestions for preaching the Seven Deadly Sins in Lent to people who find them less deadly
than they should. And it will propose ways to preach Christian virtues in Eastertide to people
who have been “raised with Christ.”
02] A COMMON LECTIONARY FOR SOUTH AFRICA
Presenters: Coenie Burger & Keith Griffiths
This session will look at ways in which our ministry can be strengthened by the use of a
common lectionary. A plea will be made for the lectionary texts of the week to become the
center point around which the congregation’s weekly program can be structured.
At present the SA churches are using the New Revised Common Lectionary drawn up by
churches in the US. Attention will be given to voices asking whether we should not put together
a new Common Lectionary for the Churches in SA.
03] TEN CORE CONVICTIONS OF WORSHIP
Presenter: Kathy Smith
A list of ten core convictions about worship was created on the tenth anniversary of the Calvin
Institute of Christian Worship in 2007. These convictions have been at the heart of our work and
formative for our Institute. We hope our ecumenical partners will find them clear, compelling,
and enriching for their own worship and ministry.
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04] TECHNOLOGY IN WORSHIP
Presenter: John van de Laar
From sound systems to computers and multi-media systems, technology has become an
integral feature of worship in many churches. Technology offers many gifts that have the
potential to enhance and deepen our worship, but it can also become a distraction that draws us
away from our primary purpose of encountering God in worship. This workshop will explore the
various uses of technology in worship, and will explore everything from sound and multi-media,
to websites and social media – all with the goal of ensuring that technology remains a servant of
worship and not its master.
05] VARIATIONS ON A THEME: Music Panel Discussion
Panel Members: Elsabé Kloppers, Kevin Williams, Tim Smith
Each panel member will give a short input on their experience and thinking around the music of
worship, with partciular consideration for questions around traditional and contemporary forms.
Then, the rest of the discussion will take the form of questions and responses.
06] PRAYING THE LITURGY
Presenter: Michiel Strauss
Liturgy is more than form and ritualistic order. Too many people experience liturgy as a boring
ritual in which there is no space for surprise and inspiration. This is especially true when the
person leading the worship, goes into “auto-pilot” mode. It is only when liturgy becomes prayer
that something opens up. Then the people who “came to church” really start worshipping.
It is therefore necessary to discern what are the true theological foundations of liturgy? What is
the essence of prayer? When is liturgy prayer?
Furthermore one should ask: What role does the worship leader play in this regard? Can
someone whose own prayer life is dull and barren, be a good worship leader? These are the
questions that will be discussed and that this workshop will try to answer.
07] THE FUTURE OF LITURGY IN AFRICA
Presenter: Phidian Matsepe
There are many influences that impact worship in Africa, some of which are helpful for the use
of liturgy, and some of which are not so helpful. As we navigate the changing environment, we
need to explore the role of liturgy, whether it can continue to be a meaningful part of our
worship, and, if so, how.
Block B
08] WHAT MAKES PEOPLE LISTEN TO A SERMON?
Presenter: Duane Kelderman
Tension is the dissonance-creating force of a sermon that longs for resolution and keeps people
listening. This presentation explores various ways preachers create and resolve tension in the
form of the sermon.
09] LITURGICAL SPACE AND THE CHRISTIAN YEAR
Presenter: Kathy Smith
The liturgical space is the place for the encounter of God with the faith community. How does
the space we worship in affect our worship, and what meaning does it give to our worship?
How does it reflect and affect what we believe about worship, and how does it shape our
practices of worship? In this session we will consider the liturgical space throughout the
Christian year as a place for encounter and remembrance.
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10] THE REAL PRESENCE OF CHRIST IN WORSHIP
Presenter: Coenie Burger
One of the reasons why many churches experience difficulties in worship has to do with the
growth of deism (the theory that though there might be a god he is not really present and active
in our lives). If God (Christ) is not really present in our midst, living worship does not make
sense and becomes a kind of remembrance service.
In this presentation a theological plea will be made that we may reckon with the real presence of
the living Christ is our worship services. Attention will be given to the different ways in which
different traditions argue this case and also to ways in which we can liturgically help
congregants to be more aware of Christ’s presence with us.
11] WORKING WITH WHAT YOU HAVE: Finding the Riches in Rural & Underresourced Churches
Presenter: André Allies
What/who is rural/under-resourced? What are the challenges? What are the opportunities?
How do we sustain the rural/under-resourced church?
To answer these questions, this workshop will focus on the following four studies:
Study 1: An effective Christian presence?
Study 2: Remembering our story.
Study 3: A worshipping presence; an ecumenical presence; a community presence.
Study 4: Effective ministry in rural/under-resourced church.
12] CHILDREN IN WORSHIP: Taking back the Sanctuary
Presenter: Debbie van de Laar
As main-line denominations we have so much to offer the children of South Africa and yet those
children don’t know it because they don’t seem to want to come anywhere near our sanctuaries
any more. Are we somehow ‘chasing away’ our children? Do the dwindling numbers of children
in our Sunday schools make God sad? Have we broken our baptismal vows to God and to our
children, to maintain the common life of worship and service that all the children among us
might grow in the love and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ?
Based on the calling of Samuel in 1 Samuel 3, this workshop seeks to empower ministers and
lay people to ‘take back’ the sanctuary for the sake of our children.
13] LAITY LEADING WORSHIP: The Profile and Practice of a Worship Leader
Presenter: James Nicolson
This workshop will explore:
• The body of Christ expressed in worship.
• Responding to the call: First Steps; Testing our calling; Spelling out the commitment;
Accountability.
• Resources for equipping.
• Discipline within the team.
• Dealing with difficult team dynamics.
• Bonding as a team.
• Let there be worship! Creative avenues for lay involvement.
• An inclusive approach to a worship service.
14] WORSHIP IN A MULTI-CULTURAL CONTEXT
Presenter: Natalie van Rooyen
We live in a country that is beautiful, diverse, colourful, and has huge potential. All aspects of a
Creator God who longs to bless and empower. This session is aimed to equip leaders to:
1. put into practise Priestly Listening,
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2. enable them to interpret their unique context (Sagely Wisdom),
3. discern what their Prophetic task is,
4. respond as a Servant Leader in a way that will lead their faith community into a future of
sharing the beauty, diversity, colour, and potential that has been lavished upon them.
Block C
15] READING FOR PREACHING: the Preacher in Conversation with Storytellers,
Biographers, Poets, and Journalists
Presenter: Neal Plantinga
The seminar will explore a single claim: preachers who read fine writing will likely become better
preachers. They will be like children from a thoughtful and articulate family who absorb good
thinking and speaking almost without noticing, except that the preacher’s remarkable family
includes Marilynne Robinson and Nadine Gordimer and Khaled Hosseini and Shusaku Endo
and so many others. In the seminar we will examine particular advantages of the preacher’s
program of general reading, including, especially, that it will tend to make the preacher wise—
which is a good thing, given that foolish preaching is lamentable malpractice.
16] VALUING THE SACRAMENTS
Presenter: Tinus van Zyl
This workshop will be an interactive, participatory think tank on how to elevate the role of the
sacraments within the liturgical practices of your own congregation by integrating and
implementing the knowledge gained by this conference.
17] DIFFERENT TRADITIONS, ONE WORSHIP
Presenter: David Rylaarsdam
Christian traditions share one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. They also offer each
other diversity, a delightful variety of edifying worship practices and theology. We will
reflect on the accents of Christian worship traditions such as the Reformed, Anglican,
Methodist, Lutheran, and Pentecostal.
18] REACHING INTO THE COMMUNITY: The role of worship in mission
Presenter: John van de Laar
It is common to think of the worship life of the Church as inspirational, expressive, and even
formational. But, it is not common to recognise that worship is also missional. In fact, worship is
integral to the Church’s participation in God’s mission. This workshop will explore what it means
for worship to reach out beyond the walls of the sanctuary and into the community in which
each local church is called to participate in God’s saving mission.
19] SINGING OUR FAITH
Presenter: James Nicolson
The words that we sing (and say) during a worship service have a powerful influence on our
faith journey.
This workshop will explore:
• Singing what we mean and meaning what we sing
• Words that paint pictures. Words that create emotions. Words that motivate. Words that
direct response. Words that shape our faith. Words that prepare our hearts. Words that
transform. Choosing the right words for the right moment.
• New lyrics: What are they saying? Watching our theology.
• Old lyrics: Do they still carry the same meaning today?
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20] WORSHIP AS PASTORAL CARE
Presenter: Keith Griffiths
The Workshop will explore the relationship between Worship and Pastoral Care not just in the
context of the Pastoral Services of Marriage, Funerals, and Healing Services, but also the
important context of Sunday Worship as the primary point of Pastoral Care in the life of the
congregation
21] CALLED TO BE KEEPERS OF GOD’S EARTH: Worship and Care for Creation
Presenter: Rachel Mash
This interactive and stimulating session will look at:
The challenge to the church of Climate change and environmental degradation
The theology that has got us here
Liturgical materials
Sermon themes
PRESENTERS (USA)
in alphabetical order
DUANE KELDERMAN
Duane Kelderman served for twenty-five years as pastor of three congregations in the Christian
Reformed Church in North America and for ten years as Vice-President for Administration and
Associate Professor of Homiletics at Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
CORNELIUS PLANTINGA
Neal Plantinga is President and Charles W. Colson Professor of Theology at Calvin Theological
Seminary (Emeritus), Grand Rapids, MI, and Senior Research Fellow at Calvin Institute of
Christian Worship, Calvin College.
DAVID RYLAARSDAM
David Rylaarsdam teaches history, worship, and faith formation at Calvin Theological Seminary in
Grand Rapids, Michigan. His research interests include the ways in which communities of
disciples in different times and places have been formed for ministry.
KATHY SMITH
Kathy Smith is associate director of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship and manages its
grants programs. She also teaches leadership and church polity at Calvin College and Calvin
Theological Seminary.
PRESENTERS (South Africa)
in alphabetical order
ANDRÉ ALLIES
André serves as Rector of the Parish Church of the Good Shepherd in Kensington, which is part of
the Diocese of Saldanha Bay in the Anglican Church of Southern Africa. He also serves as the
Diocesan Liturgist in the Diocese of Saldanha Bay.
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ANDRÉ BARTLETT
Obtained a Doctorate in Old Testament Studies from the University of Pretoria.
Head of Excelsus (Centre for the Development of Ministry) at the University of Pretoria.
Convenor of the Liturgical Work Group of Communitas and co-editor of “Woord en Fees”.
Member of the NEC of the South African Council of Churches.
COENIE BURGER
Coenie Burger is a Dutch Reformed pastor and theologian who is presently Director of Ekklesia
and also Coordinator of the DRC program for the Continuing Education of Pastors. He served in
two congregations, was moderator of the Western Cape and General Synods of the DRC and
published several books (one of which won the Andrew Murray Prize). He is a fellow of the
Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and the Center of Theological Inquiry in Princeton. He was
and is heavily involved in ecumenical work.
JOHAN CILLIERS
After completing his theological studies at the University of Stellenbosch, Johan Cilliers completed
his doctoral thesis at the University of Heidelberg. After serving in two congregations Cilliers
started teaching at the University of Stellenbosch where he is responsible for Homiletics and
Liturgy in the Department of Practical Theology, as important components within the broader
framework of the communication of the Gospel. On the one hand, he concentrates on the
development of a sound theology for preaching and, on the other, on the empirical research and
the evaluation of sermons. Johan Cilliers is the author of many articles and books. He likes to live
out his artistic talent on canvas—many of his paintings are on display at the chapel of the Faculty
of Theology.
JOHN DE GRUCHY
Emeritus Professor University of Cape Town
Extraordinary Professor Stellenbosch University
Author
Ordained UCCSA Minister
DION FOSTER
Dion A. Forster is a senior lecturer in Systematic Theology and Ethics, focussing on Public
Theology, at the University of Stellenbosch. Dion holds a PhD in Systematic Theology and is
currently completing a second PhD at Radboud University, Holland. He was formerly the Dean of
John Wesley College, the seminary of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa. His most recent
book is entitled Between Capital and Cathedral: Essays on Church and State
relationships. (University of South Africa Press, 2013).
KEITH GRIFFITHS
Retired Anglican Minister, active in National and International Anglican Liturgical bodies. Writer
and Editor of Word and Worship, a South African ecumenical publication providing liturgical and
preaching resources for Sundays following the Revised Common Lectionary. Main area of
research is concerned with the interface between Worship and Pastoral Care and the role of the
whole congregation in both aspects of congregational life. At present the Secretary General of the
Church Unity Commission.
MICHEL HANSROD
Michel Hansrod is an ordained Minister of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa in his 30th year
of Ministry. He trained for Ministry at Fedsem and later at Birmingham University in the United
Kingdom. He presently serves as the Bishop of the Western Cape. Michel is married to Tania, and
is a father to his 8 year old daughter Tamia.
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ELSABÉ KLOPPERS
Prof Elsabé Kloppers holds Doctorates in Theology and Musicology and teaches Practical
Theology (worship, homiletics, hymnology) at UNISA. She serves on the Executive Committee of
the British Hymn Society and often is invited for lectures at international universities and
conferences. She led the Institute for Music Research at the NRF, was Editor of the journal of the
Church Organists Society and played a leading role in the production of the hymnal, Liedboek van
die Kerk
NICO KOOPMAN
Nico Koopman is Dean of the faculty of theology, Director of the Beyers Naudé Centre for Public
Theology and professor of Systematic Theology and Public Theology at the University of
Stellenbosch. He is an ordained pastor of the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa. Since
2008 he is a member of the Council of the University of Stellenbosch. His research focuses on the
meaning of religious faith for public life. He has published widely on themes in the field of Public
Theology. He is chairperson of the Global Network for Public Theology. During the academic year
of September 2007 to June 2008 he was public theologian-in-residence at the Center of
Theological Inquiry in Princeton. As academic, public speaker and writer he plays a leading role in
public theological discourses in the academy, churches and broader society, both locally and
internationally.
MARTIN LAUBSCHER
Martin Laubscher was a minister for six years of the Dutch Reformed Congregation Heuwelsig in
Bloemfontein. He is, since 2012, a full time lecturer in the Department of Practical Theology,
University of the Free State, teaching mainly homiletics and liturgy for both under- and
postgraduate students. He is currently enrolled for a PhD (Critical investigation of the prophetic
office in Barth’s theology) in Systematic Theology at Stellenbosch University.
RACHEL MASH
Rachel is the Environmental Coordinator for the Anglican Church of Southern Africa. She
previously worked in Khayelitsha and for the Fikelela AIDS Project. She is passionate about social
justice and God’s heart for the most vulnerable. She sees the impact of climate change and
environmental degradation and the important role of Faith communities. Worship plays a key role
in challenging and inspiring people of faith. She has been involved in the last three years in
developing Season of Creation, (one, two and three), as well as materials for Word and Worship
for the Season of Creation.
PHIDIAN MATSEPE
Phidian Mantso Smadz Matsepe, 55, was born and bred in Diepkloof, Soweto on 12 December
1959. He is married to Hloni, they are blessed with two sons Baks and Taks, and two daughters
Karabo and Lehakoe. Phidian taught at Orlando High School and Diepdale Secondary School for
13 years. He candidated for the ministry in 1998, and has served in Benoni, Pietermaritzburg and,
currently, Springs Circuits. His interest and passion is worship in a township context. This covers
traditional and contemporary worship. He has an interest in the history of worship in African
communities prior to the arrival of missionaries on our shores.
MLAMLI MFENYANA
Mlamli Mfenyana is a retired Anglican minister who served for many years in the Diocese of Cape
Town. He has been Rector of a number of parishes and in each of these he has ensured that the
music of the choir and congregation was of a high quality.
JAMES NICOLSON
James Nicolson is an ordained Methodist Minister who loves to worship God. He seeks to draw on
resources old and new and has led worship and worship teams at local churches, synods and
conferences both within his denomination as well as at ecumenical events. He has written the Page !15
Worship and Celebration Course for Theological Education by Extension College (TEEC), also
serving as Course Advisor.
JERRY PILLAY
The Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay was elected as the first President of the newly formed World
Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) in 2010 and he is currently professor of Church
History and Church Polity at the University of Pretoria. He served as General Secretary of the
Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa (UPCSA) from 2008-2014. During 2004-2006 he
held the office of Moderator of the UPCSA. Rev. Dr. Pillay has a wide knowledge of the Church
having served, and continuing to serve, as convener and member of numerous General Assembly
Committees and Ecumenical organisations. Jerry is married to Sandra and they are blessed with
three children.
MIRANDA PILLAY
Miranda Pillay is a senior lecturer in Ethics and New Testament Studies in the Department of
Religion and Theology at the University of the Western Cape and also convenor for the Western
Cape Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians. Her research focus is primarily in the field
of feminist biblical hermeneutics with a special focus on gender power-relations and HIV/AIDS.
These three areas of research are encapsulated in her doctoral studies thesis: Re-visioning
Stigma: A Socio-rhetorical Reading of Luke10:25-37 in the context of HIV/AIDS in South Africa.
MARY-ANNE PLAATJIES VAN HUFFEL
Prof. Mary Anne Plaatjies van Huffel is teaching Ecclesiology and Church Polity at the University
of Stellenbosch. She serves currently as the moderator of General Synod of the Uniting Reformed
Church in Southern Africa and was chosen in 2013 as the Africa President of the World Council of
Churches. She is the holder of two doctorates, namely in Systematic Theology (UNISA) and in
Church Polity (University of Pretoria). Amongst Dr. MA Plaatjies’ major publications are the
following: About the empowerment of women in post-apartheid South Africa : A post-structural
approach; Control, secede, vested rights and ecclesiastical property; The Institutionalization of
Christian women’s organizations: from docile recipients to agents of change; Dirk Smith – An
Apologist for confession; Patriarchy as empire: a theological reflection; The relevance of Reformed
church polity principles: Revisiting the concept.
THOMAS PLASTOW
Thomas Plastow is a Catholic priest and a member of the Jesuit Order. He grew up in Cape Town,
attending UCT before entering the Jesuits. He holds Masters degrees in both philosophy and
theology. He has lectured in liturgy and sacramental theology, has been a parish priest in Soweto,
and is a trained retreat director. He is currently rector of St. Francis Xavier Seminary in Athlone,
Cape Town.
XOLILE SIMON
Xolile Simon is Associate Professor in Missiology and Science of Religions in the Department of
Practical Theology and Missiology, Faculty of Theology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa.
His research interest is in 'grass-roots' intercultural theology and ecumenical missiology, and the
contribution of Christian witness and service to reconciliation and unity in multi-cultural and multireligious contexts of Africa. Currently, he collaborates with church and community leaders to
generate and incorporate local experiences and stories into practices and activities to assist with
and facilitate the integration of groups in faith-based and other communities in urban and rural
contexts.
Two cases from South Africa are relevant to the conference: opportunities and challenges of (1)
"Black African'' Christians from different confessional backgrounds in a rural context, and (2) 'Black
African' and 'Coloured African' Christians in an urban context gathering, participating and
interacting in the same liturgical spaces.
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DIRKIE SMIT
Dirkie Smit lectures in Systematic Theology in the Faculty of Theology, Stellenbosch University,
after having been in the congregational ministry and then having taught Systematic Theology at the
University of the Western Cape. He preaches regularly and co-edited a series of sermon guidelines
together with Bethel Müller and Coenie Burger.
TIM SMITH
Tim is the worship pastor at Christ Church Kenilworth, an Anglican congregation in Cape Town. He
has served on the church staff team for ten years, planning and leading worship with a wonderful
team of musical and technical volunteers. Since early childhood, Tim has loved church music, both
traditional and contemporary, although his skills and approach lean more toward the latter. Tim
longs to see worship in the church growing in depth, creativity, authenticity, and unity. He and his
wife, Nikki, have been married 12 years and they have 2 daughters.
MICHIEL STRAUSS
Michiel is currently pastor of the DRC Parow-Welgelegen in Cape Town. He is married to Bettie
and father of 4 married children and 7 grandsons. He studied at the University of the Free State
and the University of Pretoria and completed a D Th in Liturgy in 1994. The dissertation touched on
the conducting of a worship service in mega churches.
BRUCE THERON
Minister of the United Congregational Church serving a congregation in Kuilsriver. Moderator Elect
of the International Congregation Federation. Program Director of Ekklesia.
DEBBIE VAN DE LAAR
Debbie is a Methodist Minister currently serving three diverse, inner-city congregations: a very
diverse English speaking congregation, a mono-cultural Xhosa congregation, and a congregation
mostly made up of foreign nationals! She is passionate about the inclusion of children into the life
and worship of congregations. She has been married to John (also a Methodist Minister) for nearly
30 years and wouldn’t manage in the life of the church without the support of their two sons: Bryce
and Kieron.
JOHN VAN DE LAAR
John is a Methodist minister and the founding director of Sacredise.com, a liturgical training and
publishing ministry. He holds a Masters degree in Theology and is the author of three books,
including The Hour That Changes Everything: How worship forms us into the people God wants us
to be. John is on the staff of Ekklesia, is a member of the Liturgy Commission of the Methodist
Church of Southern Africa, is the Convenor of the Spirituality Commission of the Cape of Good
Hope District, and is currently working on his PhD through Radboud University, The Netherlands.
John lives in Cape Town with his wife Debbie (also a minister) and they have two sons.
NATALIE VAN ROOYEN
Areas of Ministry:
Local congregation: St Kiaran's Presbyterian Church Fish Hoek and St Andrew's Presbyterian
Church in Cape Town.
Regional Presbytery: Transforming missions Church and Society
Regional Presbytery: Prison Chaplain and Hospital Chaplaincy. Interim Moderator at Camps Bay
United Church (Christian Life Camps Bay). Convenor of Fellowship of Vocation (discernment
process for those who called into the ministry). Clerk of Presbytery.
National Assembly: Convenor for Alcohol and Drug Concerns, Worship Committee and Service
Book Task Team.
International: Council for World Mission. Mentoring young ministers from the Presbyterian Church
in USA (first parish experience).
Ministry experience: Cross Cultural outreach since 1992. Building bridges towards partnership and
contextualising the Gospel.
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TINUS VAN ZYL
Minister for 10 ten years at the Dutch Reformed Church of Durbanville.
PhD on the centrality of prayer in faith and obedience in the theology of Karl Barth (2013).
Married with two daughters.
KEVIN WILLIAMS
Dr Kevin Williams, Fellow of Trinity College, London, served in the Department of Defence for 30
years, retiring as a Colonel in 2010 as Director Ceremonial and Military Music. His awards include
the Southern Cross decoration.
In 2013 he was invested by Queen Elizabeth II as a Knight within the Order of St John of which he
is the South African Director of Ceremonies.
Kevin was the South African President of the Royal School of Church Music.
He has been Director of Music for the Bedfordview Methodist Church since 1975.
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