Information pack - Stellenbosch University. What sets us apart?

Day 3: Hearing the Good News of God.What can we expect from God in thisdispensation? (Biblical and theologicalperspectives) Prof. Piet Naudé (Deputy Vice-Chancellor:Academic at Nelson MandelaMetropolitan University; Former professorin Christian studies and ethics)PROGRAMMEThe conference will consist of plenary and parallel sessions with ample time for discussion. Theplenary presentations will be primarily in English, and the parallel sessions in the speaker’slanguage of preference (Afrikaans or English).Participants will: choose one of the themes for the morning parallel sessions over three days; choose one of the Tuesday afternoon parallel sessions; and choose one of the Wednesday afternoon parallel sessions.MORNING PARALLEL SESSIONS (P)The different morning parallel sessions will focus onP1 ~ The South African context;P2 ~ Ministry;P3 ~ Spirituality, andP4 ~ Global issues and the role of the church.(choose one theme presented over three days)P1 What is going on in South Africa in a time like this?Christians do not live in a vacuum. We believethat God places us in a specific time in a specificcountry. During this session we listen to differentperspectives on what is happening in the SouthAfrican context. These perspectives will help us asa church to understand these times so that wecan make a difference.Presenters: Mr. Henry Jeffreys (Journalist and formereditor of Die Burger and The New Age) Prof. Lungisile Ntsebeza (Department ofSociology, University of Cape Town; holder ofNRF Research Chair in Land Reform andDemocracy)P2 Preaching hope in a time like thisWe believe that the gospel brings hope in difficulttimes. In our churches we still have people whoattend worship services every Sunday. We mayask: Do these worship services make a differencein people’s lives? Do these worship services haveany influence in our times? During this session wecan learn from experts in the field of preachingand liturgy.Presenters: Prof. Johan Cilliers (Practical Theology andMissiology, SU) Dr. Bruce Jenneker (Rector of All SaintsDurbanville; Former lecturer at College of theTransfiguration, seminary of the AnglicanChurch in Southern Africa) Rev. John van de Laar (Methodist ministerFounder of Sacredise, a publishing, resourcingand training ministry)2

P3 Living with the Triune God – believing in the reign of God, the presence of Jesus, andthe guidance of the SpiritThis session will focus on what it means to liveour lives in times like these in communion withthe Triune God. There will be three foci in thepresentations on the different days: Believing in the reign of God;Believing in the presence of Jesus Christ;Believing in the guidance of the HolySpirit.Presenters: Prof. Hendrik Bosman (Old and NewTestament, SU) Prof. Elna Mouton (Old and New Testament,SU) Dr. Marius Nel (Old and New Testament, SU)P4 The Millenium goals and the church – misplaced hope or real progress?The United Nations formulated the followingeight Millenium Development Goals in the year2000:1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger;2. Achieve universal primary education;3. Promote gender equality and empowerwomen;4. Reduce child mortality;5. Improve material health;6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and otherdiseases;7. Ensure environmental sustainability; and8. Develop a global partnership fordevelopment.During this session we discuss the role of thestate and the church in accomplishing thesegoals.Presenters: Mr. Howard Gabriels (Chairperson of SouthAfrican Statistics Council; Consultant atLesoba Consult) Mr. Craig Stewart (Director of TheWarehouse, Cape Town – serving the churchin its response to poverty, injustice anddivision; National Co-ordinator for MicahChallenge South Africa)AFTERNOON PARALLEL SESSIONS (PS)TUESDAY AFTERNOON 4 JUNE 2013 (PS)(choose one session)PS1 Esther for a time like this – festival legend or heroic history?The book of Esther centres round a Jewishheroine but also explains the background andmeaning of the Purim festival. The theme of theWinter School is taken from Esther 4:14 and thequestion is: What does this book say to thechurch for a time like this?Presenters: Prof. Hendrik Bosman (Old and NewTestament, SU) Dr. Funlola Oloyede (Research Fellow, Old andNew Testament, SU; Pastor of the RedeemedChristian Church of God, Stellenbosch)3

PS2 Violence against women – the call to make a difference!We believe that the church, as carrier of thegospel, can make a significant contribution to thesafety and dignity of women. In this session wewill consider the beliefs and practices thatcontribute to gender violence and explorepractical ways towards hopeful and healingresponses.Presenters: Dr. Elize Morkel (Psychologist in privatepractice; PhD in Practical Theology, US) Rev. Michelle Boonzaaier (Process Coordinatorfor Inclusive and AffirmingMinistries (IAM))PS3 How do we handle diversity in congregations?We live in a diverse country, but unfortunatelyour congregations do not reflect this diversity. Inthis session we listen to the story of Sonnekuscongregation in Milnerton which embracesdiversity on different levels. We can learn fromtheir experience and help one another.Presenters: Rev. Riaan Esterhuyse and Ms. Mina McKay(Sonnekus congregation, Milnerton)PS4 Is there validation in the tradition and sacred texts of Islam and the ChristianChurch for inter-faith dialogue and cooperation?In South Africa we live in a multi-religious society.How do we as church respond to this challenge?This session focuses on the tradition and sacredtexts of two prominent religions in South Africa,Christianity and Islam.Presenter: Dr. Christopher Clohessy (Priest of St. BernardCatholic Church, Claremont; PhD in IslamiticStudies, Rome)PS5 Youth ministry for a time like thisHow can we better engage young people in God’sStory in times like these? What is changing andwhat stays the same? In this session we willreflect on some recent research into the spirituallives of teenagers. Andrew will also share somerecent experience with the WordSpace – a cellphone-based Bible messaging project and adesires-centered approach to teaching the Story.Presenter: Mr. Andrew Vaughan (Director of The YouthHub and former Youth Pastor of ChristChurch, Kenilworth)WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON 5 JUNE 2013 (PS)(choose one session)PS6 Interpreting Scripture for a time like this – engagement with recent hermeneuticalideasThe interpretation of Scripture will always be arelevant issue for every Bible reader. This sessionwill try to highlight current hermeneuticalperspectives.Presenter: Dr. Jim Harris (Dean of Studies, TheologicalEducation, Formation, and Training, AnglicanDiocese of Cape Town)4

PS7 Stories of hope – how we can make a difference in the communityCongregations and church members struggle tomake a difference in the broader community.During this session three different stories of hopeare shared to inspire us. The first story focuses ona congregation as a beacon of hope in an entirecommunity, the second on children in a farmingcommunity and the third on the empowermentof unemployed women. We can learn from theirpractical experience, their networking and theempowerment of young and old.Presenters: Past. Colin van Wyk (Bethesda EvangelicalChurch, Broadlands Park) Ms. Susanna Hendriks and Ms. Alta Foster(Pearl Project for Community Development,Winelands Area) Ms. Nomazizi Xhorile and Ms. Elby Meyer(Helderberg Development Centre)PS8 Lay ministry for a time like thisThe picture of the New Testament church is of achurch that recognised the gifts of all thebaptised and encouraged the full use of thesegifts to build up the community. This was notwithout its problems, as seen in the letters to theCorinthians, but the expectation was clear. At atime when too much of the work of the church isbeing delegated to the ordained ministry, it isessential that the laity accept their proper role inthe ministry of the church and be set free toexercise that ministry. The aim of this session isto explore the ways in which different traditions: identify the gifts of the laity; provide training to develop those gifts, and build communities where these gifts arevalued and used for the good of all.Presenter: Rev. Keith Griffiths (General Secretary of theChurch Unity Commission; Retired AnglicanPriest)PS9 The Church and the South African economy in a time like thisSociety struggles with growing economicchallenges. The church has a particularperspective on these issues and can make acontribution to addressing these issues.Presenter: Rev. Pieter Grove (Vice-Moderator of URCSACape Synod; Pastor of Sarepta congregation)PS10: Fresh expressions for a time like thisMainline churches struggle to embrace new waysof being church in a changing environment. Thissession will look at the biblical basis and practicalways for fresh expressions in different contexts.Presenters: Rev. Gordon Crowther (Church of the HolySpirit, Kirstenhof; Leader of “Freshexpressions” team in the Anglican Church) Dr. Philip Botha (The Community Church,Sunningdale: DRC Task Team for New ChurchDevelopment)2

REGISTRATIONThe registration fee for the conference is R300. URCSA and DRC ministers from the Cape/WesternCape Synod will be subsidised by Communitas and will only pay R150. Lunch is not included - thereare, however, many restaurants within walking distance of the faculty.Participants are invited to a spit-braai on Tuesday evening 4 June 2013; the cost is included in theregistration fee.Please complete the attached registration form and return to Wilma le Roux, E-mailwler@sun.ac.za or fax 086 563 7128 before Wednesday 29 May 2013. ACCOMMODATIONDelegates are responsible for their own accommodation arrangements. A list of guest houseswithin walking distance of the faculty is available from Wilma, E-mail wler@sun.ac.zaEnquiriesFaculty of TheologyHelette van der WesthuizenTel: 021 808 3250E-mail: hvdwest@sun.ac.zaCommunitasWilma le RouxTel: 021 808 3624E-mail: wler@sun.ac.zEkklesiaChrisna van der MerweTel: 021 808 4269E-mail: cmer@sun.ac.zaBeyers Naudé Centre forPublic TheologyVeronica SchmidtTel: 021 808 3250E-mail: vs1@sun.ac.za7

Winter School 2013PROGRAMMETuesday 4 June08:00 Registration09:00 Welcoming09:15 Spirituality session: Archbishop Thabo Makgoba09:45 Keynote speaker: Dr Rhoda Kadalie10:45 Tea11:15 Morning parallel sessions (Day 1)12:30 Lunch (delegates’ own responsibility)14:00 Afternoon parallel sessions (tea/coffee will be served)17:00 Spit-braai20:00 DepartureWednesday 5 June09:00 Spirituality session09:30 Keynote speaker: Dr Mvume Dandala10:30 Tea11:00 Morning parallel sessions (Day 2)12:30 Lunch (delegates’ own responsibility)14:00 Afternoon parallel sessions (tea/coffee will be served)16:00 DepartureThursday 6 June09:00 Spirituality session09:30 Morning parallel sessions (Day 3)11:00 Tea11:30 Keynote speaker: Prof Piet Naudé12:30 Evaluation and Closing8