Our church is at an exciting place in its life. Over the past several months we have seen a growing anticipation within our Body to become all that Christ has laid out for us. While not having a full complement of pastors we have been inspired at the growth and dedication our Body has had in extending His Kingdom. While we realize we are in a process of calling another pastor we have see this period become an exciting time in our church life as new ministries begin to develop and people begin to seek opportunities to serve in the gifting God has called them to at Kloof Baptist Church. We believe that this time should not be seasonal but should become a continual focus; to seek His heart and His work for our church Body and community. Part of this process has been that of an evaluation of our current church ministries; formalizing the informal ministries and initiating new ones. Our aim has been that of getting the 'house in order' so that we as a Body can be used to His purposes here in Kloof.
   
Growing the Eldership
Part of this process has developed the need to expand the Eldership. Previously the Eldership consisted of four members, namely the two pastors, Dawie Erasmus and Norman Freeman. This year also saw Stan Hardman joined the Eldership for a 'trial' year. With the diversities of church ministries and the need for greater accountability we co-opted an additional two elders into the group namely Richard Strauss and Dave Lynn.

Re-look at Church Leadership Structure
As a church we have only recently, and for a short period of time, had two pastors employed at the same time. With this dynamic we needed to re-look at how our church functions in regards to leadership. This meant coming back to Scripture to get a Biblical perspective of church governance and leadership. What we discovered was that of the teaching of a broad based leadership team according to the call and gifting by the Holy Spirit. This church leadership model is made up of elders and pastors, with the role of spiritual oversight i.e. pressing into God's heart for His will and direction for our Body and bringing oversight to Gods leading of our church as a whole. An equal part to the Biblical understanding is that of the Deaconate; Spirit filled men and women called and gifted by God to accomplish the more practical and administrative ministries of our Body. Alone the Eldership are not the church leadership and alone the Deaconate is not the church leadership. The two together, with different emphasis, take the responsibility of leading God's Body in His will.
After much prayer and debate, the current Call Committee has taken cognizance of the need to ensure, that the person called to the pastorate at KBC, is someone who believes in and practices the concept of plurality of elders, according to New Testament teaching.


DEVELOPMENT OF NEW MINISTRIES
Preaching Ministry
Within our Body there are a number of gifted preachers. This ministry was formalized so as to see that in His Body the gifts He has given can be used to His glory. The establishment of this new ministry has been very encouraging as it has been evident that we have a number who are greatly gifted in this area. This ministry team, being led by Stan Hardman, has aimed to meet together every quarter to establish a common theme for the following preaching roster and to receive training in preaching. For example, the theme for the third quarter is "The Power of Christ Within."

Visitation Ministry
The need for visitation has become a growing ministry here at KBC, not only for the sick but also the visitation of newcomers to our church and for prayer. Within the Eldership we have tried to address some of the visitation needs however the need can be very overwhelming at times. Dawie Erasmus has taken on the oversight of this ministry, calling the Elders together to pray and anoint with oil those who are sick and need prayer.

Worship Ministry
Through the year the Elders had felt the need for the worship ministry to be given a more formal functional role within our Body. The need was to see worship lead all generations into worship of our King and to bring those who are gifted in worship to actively be involved in their gifting. To this end Mike and Liz Saunders were brought into leading this ministry as a complimenting couple; to bring structure, direction and training of this ministry. For more information please read the worship report submitted.

Prayer Ministry
Prayer changes things for His glory not ours! As an Eldership we emphasis the need for prayer so as to be able to seek His will for us. While our pre-service prayer meetings have grown our wish is that the entire Body would draw together before the services to set our hearts on Him. With the establishment of the call committee there has been a call to prayer on the first Wednesday of every month. We have also felt the call to have a time of prayer/ministry after every service. During these times we ask people to come forward, not only in response to God's word, but also for prayer and the laying on of hands for various reasons.


FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
Equipping the Saints
Part of our hearts desire has been to see the saints equipped for His service. What this will entail we are not quite sure yet. Our aim is that every person will be involved in one ministry according to their gifting.

Reaching the Lost
In urgency we are trying to bring functional structure and spiritual direction to our church ministries. We realize that while the Body needs to become biblically healthy the aim is not for our benefit but because there is a greater need outside our physical premises. It is the health and life that exists within our 'living 'church' that will better help us reach into our community and see it changed. The reason for our 'getting the house in order' is so that we can begin to reach the lost for Him. So our urgency is hastened by the need of redemptive life in the community in which we live.

CONCLUSION
So it is with great expectancy that we look forward to this New Year and all the blessings, struggles, hopes and developments that may enfold it. But our constant hope is that He who began a good work will complete it!        Amen.