1. Introduction

One of the greatest periods in the life of global Christianity, bar the New Testament, was that of the Reformation. We often speak of the reformation as a defined period in which great changes happen within religion to give us the freedom we can have today. The problem is that the reformation was never meant to be static, for centuries the church had become indoctrinated with its own thinking and philosophy which eventually led to the reformation-a need to change. People within the Reformation spoke of a continual reformation; always relooking at how we view and respond to God through His word to make sure His will and purpose is our first priority. While not all change is good, no change is no good. This past year has seen many changes within the life of Kloof Baptist Church; staff changes, changes in worship, structural changes to our sound system, changes in preaching style as we include a complementing group of preachers etc. Some of these changes have been easy to follow and others have been a growing process. As we have managed these changes so we learn and still learn, but ultimately the changes are not changes for changes sake. The changes within KBC over the past year have been carefully, purposefully, and prayerfully considered as we seek to hear His voice and do His will within the area He has given to us. While change can at times be uncomfortable our aim and purpose is to see His will here at KBC.

Some of the changes over the past year have included the following:

2. Office needs

This past year has seen the need for a greater office staff. With Patsy Kerr holding the fort, a part time position was first pioneered by Heidi Hansen. With Heidi focusing more on her nursing we then employed Paula Barrett on a part time basis. The main reason for this has been the administrative demands on the office. Patsy Kerr has done a marvelous job to date keeping the office on top of church ministries and Paula has come alongside her to help with additional tasks as well as to fill in when Patsy takes leave. Over the past year we have felt the need to create a greater sense of communication within KBC; the requests for flyers and advertisements highlighting the ministries and needs of the different departments at KBC has seen a need for us to weekly place inserts into the bulletin for the congregations prayer and information.

While the website was established just over a year ago, this past year has seen the redesigning of the website. This has contributed to some of the demands placed on our office as we upload bulletins, prayer needs, ministry information etc on to it. This has been a valued service for those who were once a part of our body but are living abroad. Ministry events are advertised through this via email so that people can be kept informed as to the ministry opportunities of KBC.

Another new ministry tool has been that of the bulk sms. This has been useful in letting people know of church meetings, urgent prayer needs, ministry notices etc. Currently we are trying to update our contact details for everyone within KBC so that we can update our records for the bulk sms. 

3. Constitution

One of the church matters that have required the most focus of the eldership over the past year has been that of the constitution. After the constitution committee had reworded the constitution and given it to the Executive, the Elders were asked to have their input into the document. While this has been a lengthy task it has been necessary in trying to have a constitution that best describes the ethos and intention of Kloof Baptist Church as well as a biblical understanding of how God’s body should operate according to scripture. With the input, prayers and thoughts of both the Eldership and the Executive we hope that the proposed document we present will be seen in this light.

4. Preaching

One of the biggest changes within KBC has been in the area of preaching. With the establishment of a diverse group of preachers it has been great to work with capable men who are gifted in this area. One of the benefits of working with the preaching team has been the diversities of styles as each preacher operates within their gifting bringing a more comprehensive approach to preaching here at KBC.

Working through themes has also been an exciting aspect to this ministry. This has given us the opportunity to deal with topics from a biblical perspective and to bring a unified approach to our preaching.

5. Community outreach

An area of KBC that is developing is that of community outreach; Looking at creative ways to reach our community. Part of this strategy has included contemporary preaching themes over certain periods like Christmas and Easter. Using banners and advertising we have begun to use marketing as a tool to reach our community with the light of Christ.

An area of KBC ministry that could play a greater part in reaching our community is that of Sunday Night Live. During these times we deal with relevant topics in a way that is not common to our ‘normal’ services. While many of the Sunday Night Lives are DVD based, we have at times tried to create a more personal/relational atmosphere by using tables and coffee etc. At times we have also set aside a greater time for worship and reflection. With a bit of advertising etc I believe that this ministry has the potential to have a greater impact within the community.

Towards the end of last year I ran the Alpha Marriage course with the aim of developing healthy marriages. Healthy marriages help create healthy churches. Using the Emberton Golf Course restaurant we ran the course for 7 weeks with 26 people attending. The response we had from those attending was positive and so I am looking to run the course again towards the end of this year. While the course is open to anyone within KBC part of my aim will be to use the course to get the parents of some of our youth into our church.

6. Future

While the above have been areas of change within KBC it is the area outside of KBC that I believe we have a lot of work to do; being a light to the community around KBC.

As I reflect on my past experiences in churches I sometimes feel that in church we have a Mexican stand off when it comes to the community around us; Us on our terms, the world on theirs and never the two shall meet. Secondly a church can at times become so self focused that it presents to the world around it ‘churchianity’ instead of Christianity. In light of this we continually need to bear in mind that the church is the only institution that exists for it’s ‘non-members’. One theme within scripture that always captures my imagination is that of ‘light’; the potential that exists when Christ’s body operates as light. Light is not scared of darkness, it is the converse that is true; it is darkness that flees when light is revealed. Darkness is an absence of light. As Christ followers we are called to be light. If there is darkness in our community it is because we do not shine. As we shine I can see family relationships being restored, strong marriages being created, the oppressed and marginalized being cared for, the orphaned and widowed feeling loved. Light doesn’t highlight darkness, it drives it out. We are here to show our community the light of Christ and in doing so we pray the Spirit will work in theirs hearts to salvation.

Over the next year I would love nothing more than to see us use creative ways to be a light into our schools, retirement homes, police stations, malls etc. To see the light of Christ permeate into the very lives of those living around us.

7. Conclusion

One thing that I eagerly anticipate is the arrival of Brian and Jenny Anderson. I am very excited about them joining the team here at KBC. Over the short time that I have spent with Brian I am sure that we will work well together in helping KBC become all that God has planned it to be. I look forward to a great year ahead.