Revival, Revolution and Reform in Global Methodism: An Understanding of Christian Perfection as African Christian Humanism in the Methodist Church of Southern Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-39
Author(s):  
Dion A. Forster
Keyword(s):  
Southern Africa ◽  
Methodist Church ◽  
Christian Humanism ◽  
Christian Perfection

Reverend Doctor Sox Leleki and His Role in the Black Methodist Consultation

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonwabile Mancotywa
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Political Influence ◽  
Individual Member ◽  
Methodist Church ◽  
Role Players

The Methodist Church of Southern Africa (MCSA) is one of the mainline Christian denominations with a very good history. However, it was not immune from the larger political influence of South Africa that was polarised by apartheid. This article is intended to look at the formation known as the Black Methodist Consultation (BMC), which at that time had an individual member who played an important role in its development and activities. Sox Leleki was one of the key role players of this movement inside the Methodist Church

scholarly journals DOCTRINAL SANCTION AND THE PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS OF RELIGIOUS ASSOCIATIONS: ECCLESIA DE LANGE v THE PRESIDING BISHOP OF THE METHODIST CHURCH OF SOUTHERN AFRICA (726/13) [2014] ZASCA

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaun De Freitas
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Supreme Court ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Religious Institutions ◽  
Methodist Church ◽  
Religious Doctrine ◽  
The Supreme Court ◽  
Religious Associations ◽  
Sexual Conduct ◽  
Court Of Appeal

Scholarship on the protection of religious rights and freedoms in the context of religious associations in South Africa has gained in momentum since the decision by the Equality Court in Johan Daniel Strydom v Nederduitse Gereformeerde Gemeente Moreleta Park some years ago. Emanating from this were diverse scholarly insights on what the parameters of religious associations should be, with specific focus on sexual conduct, religious doctrine and membership of religious associations. The South African judiciary has not been confronted with a similar challenge since the decision. However, with the advent of the judgment by the Supreme Court of Appeal in Ecclesia De Lange v The Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa in 2014, questions as to the parameters of the rights of religious associations in the context of sexual conduct and religious doctrine again present themselves. This article consequently analyses the mentioned judgment by the Supreme Court of Appeal to further an understanding of the parameters of associational rights of religious institutions against the background of a truly plural and democratic society, as supported by the Constitution of South Africa.

scholarly journals Ordination of Women to the Ministry of Word and Sacraments: A turning point in the history of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ntobeko Dlamini
Keyword(s):  
Southern Africa ◽  
Turning Point ◽  
Methodist Church ◽  
History Of ◽  
Role Of Women ◽  
Ordination Of Women

In 2016, the Methodist Church of Southern Africa (MCSA) celebrated 40 years since the first woman was ordained to the ministry of Word and Sacraments (1976–2016). The MCSA Conference of 1976 ordained the first woman to the ministry of Word and Sacraments, a verdict that was long overdue. This became a turning point in the history of the MCSA. This document seeks to highlight the role of women in the MCSA prior to and after the 1976 Conference resolution. Included herein are key controversies, statements and events in the ministry of women within the MCSA.

scholarly journals Party political chaplaincy? – Methodist ministry to political parties

2018 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ndikho Mtshiselwa ◽  
Simphiwe S. Mthembu
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Political Parties ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Party Politics ◽  
Theological Reflection ◽  
The Political ◽  
Methodist Church ◽  
Political Sphere ◽  
Prophetic Voice ◽  
The Church

The debate on church and party politics is far from being exhausted in South Africa. Although the Methodist Church of Southern Africa discourages the participation of clergy persons in political parties, it is becoming critical that the church offers a prophetic voice in the political sphere. Issues of morality and spirituality within the political parties necessitate a careful involvement of the Church in politics. This article therefore sets out to offer a theological reflection on the (possible) ministry of Methodist clergy persons to political parties in South Africa.

scholarly journals The need for continued decolonisation and Africanisation of ordination in the Methodist Church of Southern Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald M. Williams ◽  
Wessel Bentley
Keyword(s):  
Southern Africa ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Methodist Church ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Church ◽  
Rich History ◽  
The Way

Being the church in Africa requires a continuous self-assessment by Christian denominations, asking whether it is sufficiently contextualised both in its doctrines and practices. This self-critique is essential so as to not perpetuate negative colonial influences in the way churches operate. The Methodist Church of Southern Africa (MCSA) has a rich history of challenging itself to become truly instrumental in working towards ‘A Christ-healed Africa for the healing of the nations’. This article explores the history of the MCSA’s engagement with its doctrine and practices of ordination, its journey of decolonisation and its presentation of an emerging Africanised theology of the presbytery.

scholarly journals A state church? A consideration of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa in the light of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s ‘Theological position paper on state and church’

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dion Forster
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Church And State ◽  
Position Paper ◽  
African National Congress ◽  
Methodist Church ◽  
Thirtieth Anniversary ◽  
African Context ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The Church

This article considers whether South Africa’s largest mainline Christian denomination, the Methodist Church of Southern Africa, is in danger of embodying or propagating a contemporary form of ‘state theology’. The notion of state theology in the South African context gained prominence through the publication of the ‘Kairos Document’ (1985) – which celebrated its thirtieth anniversary in 2015. State theology is deemed inappropriate and harmful to the identity and work of both the Christian church and the nation state. This article presents its consideration of whether the Methodist Church of Southern Africa is in danger of propagating ‘state theology’ in dialogue with Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s important document, <i>Theological Position Paper on State and Church</i>. The article offers some insights into the complex relationship between the state and the church in South Africa in the apartheid and democratic eras. It further problematizes the relationship between the Methodist Church of Southern Africa and the governing African National Congress by citing some concerning examples of complicit behaviour from recent history. The MCSA’s polity and doctrine on church and state relationships are also considered before some critique and warning is offered in the light of Bonhoeffer’s <i>Theological Position Paper on State and Church</i>.

scholarly journals Reverend Linda Mandindi and the Quest for Black Methodist Consultation: Muted Voices Are Enabled to Speak

2018 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Simangaliso Raymond Kumalo
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Black People ◽  
The Political ◽  
White People ◽  
Methodist Church ◽  
Cultural Challenges ◽  
Spirituality And Education ◽  
Religious Landscape ◽  
The Church

This paper reflects on the approach of Reverend Linda Mandindi to ministry in the Methodist Church of Southern Africa (MCSA). Special emphasis is given to the contribution he made as ninth president of the Black Methodist Consultation (BMC). I will highlight Rev. Mandindi’s journey in the ministry, his struggle to candidate for the ministry, and the ways in which he dealt with ethnic and cultural challenges of being a black minister in a church predominantly led by white people. Rev. Mandindi’s narrative demonstrates the liberating work of the church to black people, whom it empowered through gospel spirituality and education. The article presents a truncated biography in the context of the historic evolution of the BMC, its contribution to the transformation of the MCSA, and ultimately to our nation. I have divided this paper into four sections. First, I briefly discuss the founding of the BMC. Second, I look at Rev. Mandindi the man, with specific emphasis on his development as a progressive pastor and leader with a keen understanding of the political and religious landscape of South Africa. Third, I seek to appraise Rev. Mandindi’s work and legacy. I conclude the paper by looking at the challenge that Rev. Mandindi’s legacy presents to the MBC and the MCSA.

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