Thu - June 30, 2005

Less formal, more fun!


Check out my all NEW blogger news page . I decided to put another blog together. It is a lot less formal, and a lot more fun!!

It is also a lot easier to update since I can update it from an email account on any computer (or internet connected device). So, I hope that it will get far more regular updates.

This page will still continue to run. Mostly it will be a place where I share research and theological ideas. I will also be moving my podcast the the new page .

You can find it by clicking HERE.

Posted at 11:27 AM     Read More  


Tue - March 1, 2005

Podcast 1 March 2005


Podcasting is a revolution in internet communication. As broadband connections become less expensive, many people are moving from reading text to listening to Audio. So, I thought I would give it a bit of a try. Here is my very first attempt at an audio broadcast on the internet! This podcast introduces a book called "Courageous Leadership" by Bill Hybels (2002, Grand Rapids, Michigan).

I tried my best to get the file size as small as possible without removing too much of the audio quality. If you have any comments, please drop me a line and offer some feedback! I hope to be able to post a few interviews, sermons, and some general theological discussion and news in this format in weeks to come. In particular, I will be taking my Apple Powerbook, Sony Microphone and Garageband Software with me on my trip to Cambridge in the UK and Duke and Garret seminaries in the US!

If you would like to listen to the Podcast please click on the 'Read more' link below.

Posted at 05:32 PM     Read More  


Sun - February 6, 2005

And are we yet alive?


Over the last couple of weeks I have received a few messages asking whether this blog was still being updated, or whether it had been abandoned. Well, here's proof that it is still being updated.

It is good to be back. I have had quite a busy time since October last year when Charmaine and Sidwell finished up on the Education for Ministry and Mission Unit. Victor was also not well for some months, going in and out of hospital. Thanks be to God that he is now almost recovered and that our two new staff members, Phidian Matsepe and Madika Sibeko, have joined the Unit. Their arrival is truly a gift from God and they are already making a significant and worthwhile impact upon ministerial training.

I have included below an informal report that I sent out to Methodist clergy at the end of 2004. There is so much to celebrate!

John Wesley College Report

The year that has passed has presented the staff and students of the College with a great deal to celebrate.

Firstly, we celebrated our 10th Anniversary at Kilnerton this year. The event was marked by a Gala Dinner and Academic conference at the College, held on 9 September 2004. The keynote speaker was Prof B Pityana. A number of electives were presented for delegates and students to attend in the afternoon. In the evening the celebrations were capped off with a gala dinner at which some of the staff were honoured with long time service awards.

At the end of my first year at John Wesley College I thought it might be fitting to share some good news about our Church's seminary, John Wesley College, and the Education Unit. Here are a few things to celebrate!
 
1)  During this year John Wesley College was accredited by the Council for Higher Education (one of only 16 Colleges across South Africa that has managed to complete the arduous accreditation process).  We now have legal standing under Educational law to offer the Diploma in Theology and Ministry on level 6 (Degree level) and on level 5 (Post Matric).
 
2)  The sad news is that Rev Charmaine Morgan and Rev Sidwell Mokgothu have moved on from the Unit (Charmaine has moved into a Circuit appointment in Port Elizabeth.  Sidwell has taken up a post in Government).  We are immensely grateful to them both for their sacrifices, hard work, and dedication in educating laity and clergy in the Church for the last 5 years.  Also, many of you may be aware that our Unit Director, Victor Tshangela, has not been at all well for the last few months.  Please do keep him in your prayers, he is getting better by the day.  The good news is that we were joined by two new staff members in January 2005!  Rev Madika Sibeko will be taking over from Sidwell in co-ordinating lay training.  Rev Phidian Matsepe will be taking over from Charmaine in looking after probationers in circuit.  I will remain as the Dean of Students at John Wesley College.
 
3)  John Wesley College had a pass rate of 84% in 2004!  344 courses were registered for by 70 students.  This is a rise of almost 10% over last year.  Since John Wesley College opened at Kilnerton we have had 168 graduates with the Diploma in Theology (which gives direct access to an Honours Degree), 55 of these graduates have completed Honours Degrees in Theology, 9 have completed Masters Degrees, 4 have either completed, or are busy completing, Doctorates in Theology!  The Council for Higher Education congratulated the Methodist Church for it's high standards in education, excellent external quality control, and our above average pass rate.  Phidian Matsepe, who studied at John Wesley College and is completing a Doctorate in Old Testament, will be the first College Graduate to be appointed to the full time staff.
 
4)  For the first time in 10 years we offered Greek to students at John Wesley College.  Of the 9 students who registered 6 passed (which is not bad at all, as those who have studied and taught Greek will testify!!)  A number of these students are going on to do Honours degrees in New Testament next year.
 
5)  We worked hard in 2004 to build capacity in academic staff.  I am pleased to say that every one of our lecturers now has AT LEAST a Masters Degree.  Also, we have at least one person with a Doctorate teaching a course, or parts thereof, in each of the 5 theological disciplines (Old Testament, New Testament, Church History, Systematic Theology, and Pastoral Theology).  Furthermore 6 of the staff members were trained as Assessors.
 
6)  Sister denominations are sending more and more of their students to study at John Wesley College (over the past few years we have had Presbyterian, Congregational, Anglican, Episcopalian, United Methodist, and Independent Church students graduating form John Wesley College).  We are also developing strong ecumenical relationships with other seminaries and students from other Churches in our area.  We were pleased to host an ecumenical seminary gathering at John Wesley College in September this year.
 
7)  The demand to study at John Wesley College now outweighs our capacity!  We are only able to accommodate 30 or so 'private students' (e.g. persons who are not Methodist probationer ministers, or who are sent from other denominations).  We have a waiting list of almost 20 persons for entry into the Diploma program.
 
8)  The MCSA has never had more persons in training for ministry.  Next year the Education for Ministry and Mission Unit will look after close to 260 probationer ministers (that is almost a 100% increase in 15 years!).
 
So, all in all, with some ups and downs, John Wesley College has had a fantastic year! 
 
As our mission statement says, our desire truly is to "Equip all Methodist to proclaim the Gospel for healing and transformation".
 
Some of our needs are:
 
1)  Circuits, societies, and individuals who are willing to sponsor (or tithe towards) families of students who are at College in 2005.  A married person at College receives only about R300 - R500 per month feed, clothe, and educate, his or her family whilst at College.  Please make any such arrangements for financial support with us through the EMMU office.
 
2)  Donations of books, or monies to buy books, for the John Wesley College library.  Due to budgetary cuts the Education Unit is not able to offer book allowances to ANY probationers in 2005 (so please do consider helping to fund some books for probationers in your area, or the probationers who are at College next year).
 
3)  Sporting and recreational equipment for students and their families at College.  We have 12 families and 36 single students living in residence at John Wesley College.  We would love to offer some recreational comforts for our students and their families (in particular the College pool table needs to be replaced, including snooker sticks and balls.  We also have a soccer team that would love to wear a kit with some Methodist person's company logo or slogan when we play in the Church league!)
 
4)  Encouragement and support for students at College.  Some individuals and Churches in the connexion have taken it upon themselves to pray for the students at College, and write to them from time to time, in order to encourage them as they prepare for Ministry and Mission.
 
5)  Prayer for our staff as we engage in the task of shaping others for ministry.  Please do pray for the staff and volunteers who work in the Unit as we undertake the awesome responsibility of facilitating training of persons for Ministry and Mission.
 
If you would like any information about the College or the Unit please feel free to call or drop me a line.

Yours truly,

Dion Forster
Dean of Students

Posted at 09:01 AM     Read More  


Sat - September 25, 2004

Is it only their problem?


Some thoughts, and a sermon, on the war in Iraq, Michael Moore's movie Fahrenheit 911.

Posted at 10:51 PM     Read More  


Tue - July 20, 2004

A discussion document on the essential elements of good training for the Ministry


As the title says, this is a document that discusses what I believe to be essential and necessary elements for training ministers for service and significance.

Posted at 04:22 PM     Read More  

Challenge and opportunity in Theological Education...


I guess that I could be considered something of an optimist. In most situations I try to find any positive elements that may be present.

Currently we are in a rather difficult place, both personally as a family, and with regards to my ministry at John Wesley College. I do however believe that in the midst of the uncertainty and challenge that lies ahead there is a great deal of possibility and hope. This is the certainty of the faith. God works for the good of those who love God (Romans 8:28). My experience tells me that in life things don't often get worse, they just change. Sometimes our personal perception of a change is negative. However, change almost always benefits someone. I hope and trust that any changes that will take place with be for the greater good, and I hope to contribute towards that in whatever way I can.

I include in the read more link below an open letter that will shed more light on the challenges that lie ahead, and some of the disappointments that have gone before.
__________

Posted at 04:15 PM     Read More  


Mon - April 12, 2004

A blessed Easter, and welcome back


A blessed Easter to all our friends family and colleagues.... Some comment on The Passion of the Christ.

Posted at 07:01 PM     Read More  


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