Chris Tomlin: Exclusive Interview
 
One of the most impactful worship songs in Christian music history is undoubtedly ‘How Great is Our God’. Not surprisingly Chris Tomlin, one of the top-selling, most-sung Christian music artists in history, is responsible for penning the profound lyrics. As a singer/song-writer, worshipper and talented musician, Christopher Dwayne Tomlin has been making melody in his heart for God since the tender age of 11, when his dad gave Chris his first guitar.

 

 
Like his close friend Louie Giglio, Chris is notoriously media shy and doesn’t easily grant interviews. Searching the internet doesn’t glean much info either, as Chris (or perhaps his agent) is protective of his private life. That didn’t deter JOY! Magazine though, and we are very excited to bring you an exclusive, personal, once-in-a-lifetime interview with the music maestro!

DID YOU KNOW THAT:
• Chris Dwayne Tomlin is  37 yrs
• He was born in Texas
• He started the Passion Church in Atlanta with Louie Giglio
• After receiving a guitar from his dad at age 11, Chris wrote his first worship song at 14.
• It takes 4-5 months to make an albulm
• He has his own ‘Chris Tomlin’ channel on YouTube
• He is single…!
 

 

chris, hello from south africa. Tell us a bit more about the man behind the microphone…

There isn’t much to tell really. I’m a Texan boy born on 4 May 1972, I have two younger brothers and I come from a musical family. My dad always enjoyed playing the guitar and listening to country music, so I picked up a musical ear in my younger years. Today I play the guitar and piano.
 
did you always intend becoming a professional musician?
As long as I can remember. I never had a ‘Plan B’.  I just started playing when I was a little kid and the passion to worship God through song continued to ignite in me.  I really never had to wonder if it was God leading me into worship ministry or not, as  from my teen years already God started opening doors.
In my first year of college (according to Wikipedia Chris started studying play therapy, but later abandoned this to become a full-time musician) I was receiving so many invites to play at events and conferences, I could hardly keep up. God moved the mountains for me to enter the industry full-time and though I was never really confident how it was all going to work, I knew I couldn’t do anything else.  
 
you’ve produced 6 albums and won countless awards. How do you go about writing your songs?
When I discovered that God had given me a talent to write songs that connected the people to His heart, I started to put pen to paper with the intention of creating songs that lead people into God’s presence. 
 
You’ve been described as a ‘worship leader.’  What does that term mean to you and How is it different from a ‘Christian artist’?
I do think ‘artist’ is a good description, because music is an art form, but with the name comes a certain pedestal.  The word, ‘artist’ has a star quality to it that I am not comfortable with. Honestly, I never try and put a label on things, I just want to be faithful to lead people to God and not see myself as some ‘star’.
I also have to mention that without my band I wouldn’t be where I am today. They are an integral part of the music.
 
Why is ‘Hello Love’ such an important album for you?
The heart behind this album is simply to inspire and encourage people to love God and to love their neighbour.  When you get to the heart of what worship and life is all about, it is LOVE.  Jesus said to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, your mind, your soul and your strength…and to love your neighbour as yourself”. Matt 22:37-40. This project is an invitation to love again and to worship God through helping your neighbour. The greatest need in the world today is not another song, but love.
www.onemillioncan.com is a simple and strategic way for anyone to take a step in the direction of helping the poor and broken in our world.
 
do you enjoy touring?
We’re on tour most of the year and I love it. The travel gets to me sometimes but my favourite thing about music is actually playing live. I love to see the songs affect people in different ways in different cities around the world and to see people from varying backgrounds and circumstances worship together as brothers and sisters in the Lord.
 
how do you maintain a relationship if you are on the road for so long?
No comment. (According to my sources, Chris is single – which is surprising, considering that worship leaders are usually the first to get married!)
 
you live in atlanta and have started a church with your friend and mentor, louie giglio…
I would not be doing what I do today without Louie’s friendship and his guidance. Louie has always believed in me and has taught me so much along the way. I have known him for years but when he invited me to come on board with the ‘Passion’ movement in 1997, I really got to befriend him. (Passion Conferences, also referred to as the 268 Generation, has hosted annual Christian events around America and last year, around the world. The organisation is also responsible for ‘Sixstepsrecords’ who produce the Passion Worship CDs, such as God of this City). www.268generation.com
It’s been amazing to see how the movement of Passion has reached far beyond our dreams in pointing people to Jesus and inspiring them to live passionately for the cause of Christ. 
As a result of this movement and because of the demand from the public, Louie, his wife Shelley and our team (including Matt Redman and several others) decided to start the Passion City Church in Atlanta.
We are excited about what God will do and you can track our progress by clicking on www.passioncitychurch.com
 
any plans to visit S.A? Your fans would love to hear you in concert.
Well as you know, I toured South Africa last year with Louie and the Passion team. Our stop overs in Johannesburg and Cape Town were very brief though, as we were on a global tour for Passion. (Some of the other countries we visited in that tour included France, Germany, Japan, Kenya and Australia).
Unfortunately, no trip is planned at this time, but I can’t wait for the opportunity to be back.  South Africa is an amazing place and I will never forget the faces of all the university students and fellow Christians in your country worshipping together and declaring God’s Name and His Fame all across the land.

Influential Women

Women are such a powerful gift to mankind, and we can learn much about God’s nature and His plan for women through the lives of various influential matriarchs in the Bible. From the Old Testament through to the New, God has provided us with examples of Godly women who, though from different backgrounds all had one thing in common – a love for God.

a significant woman

How many of us wish we could do something spectacular and courageous for God – something that would last and earn us a place in history? Yet we feel insignificant, inferior or even trapped in our circumstances. So many of us wish we were thinner, richer, funnier, more self-confident, better cooks or better gifted in the things of God.
Yet we do not realise that God has uniquely shaped and distinguished us for our personal destiny.
It is for this specific reason that God documented the countless stories of ordinary men and women in His Bible – so that no-one has an excuse to feel inferior or disqualified from being an ambassador for Him. The Lord has used prostitutes, murderers and even donkeys to deliver His Message and execute His plans. The courage and faith of ordinary women who dared to trust God should be enough to inspire us onto more!
Just discussing women like Sarah, Rahab, Esther, Ruth, Deborah, Abigail, etc, would fill books let alone this magazine. That said, I am briefly going to mention significant women of the New Testament, in the hope that by looking at women of the past and learning from their lives, you will glean hope for your future and a deeper understanding of the influence and significance God has granted to you.
 
An obedient woman
Though not in Chronological order, I will run through each specific woman and the characteristics she modelled that we as 21st century ladies can embrace today. Mary is a model example of an obedient woman who trusted God.
She was pure in spirit and bestowed with the incredible honour of being the vessel God used to bring Jesus to the world. Her unfailing trust in the plans of God (despite the impossibilities of the plan) teach us to lean on our Father. (Luke 1:38)
 
A discipling woman
Hermia, the wife of Titus, was a key role player in the early church in Crete, as she was a Godly mother and wife who was responsible (by virtue of the example she set) in disciplining young and old female converts to Christianity. (Titus 2:3-5)
 
A competent woman
Tabitha was not a mighty woman as far as we know, yet God chose to do a miracle in her life and raise her from the dead – causing the people of Joppa to marvel, rejoice in God and believe in His Name.
Through her acts of service like helping the poor, doing good and mending garments, Tabitha blessed the early Apostles and Christian community (Acts 9:36). It is interesting to note that when she died, Peter came and raised her from the dead, yet Stephen, an Apostle and powerful preacher who was martyred during a sermon, was not. God knows His reasons for doing certain things, but one thing is for sure – if we are willing to yield our time and talents to building God’s Kingdom and blessing our communities (as Tabitha did) our lives will leave an impact long after we pass away.
 
A pioneering woman
Priscilla and her husband Aquila are often commended by Paul for being Godly leaders, missionaries, pioneers and competent business people. Through their tent-making business, they supported the work of Paul and helped fund the spread of the Gospel in Rome, Corinth and Ephesus. Priscilla was a talented businesswoman who was open to the Spirit of God and to change.
She was a pioneer who was prepared to move cities, sacrifice homes and comfort zones all in passionate pursuit of the Lord Jesus. As a woman who risked her life for others, we can learn much from her fearless example.  (Acts 18,19)
 
A business woman
Lydia had everything money could buy. Her business inherited from her husband was flourishing and she was a respected citizen of the wealthy trading community of Thyatira in Philippi. Dressed in luxurious linens and draped in purple (the colour of royalty), Lydia had everything she desired – and yet she was thirsty for more. Her thirst was for the water of life that Jesus spoke about years earlier and upon hearing the Good News (preached by Paul) she immediately committed her life to the Lord.
Many people are entrapped by their possessions, and even Christians fall prey to the love of money, but not Lydia. She was a woman of noble sacrifice who was so touched by the love of God and the urgency of His Great Commission, that she dedicated her home, finances and worldly wealth to the church in Philippi. Lydia is a shining example of a career woman who “Seek first the Kingdom of God” (Matt 6:33). Career women should do the same – follow the Lord, support your husbands, serve the community and build the Church. (Acts 16:14-15)
 
A single woman
The devil often lies to women by preying on our deepest fears – of inadequacy and inferiority. Sometimes we accept his lies as truths, looking to our weaknesses and circumstances as proof that we are unworthy to be chosen by God. Some women see their age, their singleness or their geographical location as disqualifiers for God’s plans.
Yet, these ‘defaults’ can actually be just what God requires for your specific, glorious destiny. Though not much is known about Phoebe, one thing is sure – she was a single woman who was very influential and helpful in the local church. Paul speaks highly of her as a “sister in Christ” (Romans 16:1-2) and commended Phoebe as a servant (diakonos) or deacon of the church at Cenchrea. Whether you are married or single, the Lord values you and has a role of influence for you.
 
A motherly woman
Lois and Eunice are two family members credited with high praise from the Apostle Paul for amongst other things, their Godly examples, their legacy of faith and their superb upbringing of Timothy, a commendable young man of God. Lois and Eunice are perfect models of motherhood (and grandmotherhood!) – showing how important mothers are in shaping the lives of their children and indeed the generations. Often stay-at-home moms see their domestic duties as insignificant. They feel that Science projects and dirty socks pale in comparison to preaching the Word or working in the business world.
But God does not see their duties as superfluous. He values moms and grandmoms. As Lois’ and Eunice’s lives show – the investment you make in your family (no matter how irrelevant it may seem) can have eternal consequences in the Kingdom. Timothy’s life and the lives of all whom he impacted are credited to the faith of his mom and grandmom.
 
positive influencers
It must be noted that influence can be both negative and positive. Not only does the Bible document the righteous women of faith and their legacy, it also records the devastating consequences of destructive women like Jezebel and Delilah, who ruined people and enslaved nations. By succumbing to their flesh and following the path of destruction, these women yielded to the devil and will forever be considered women of deathly influence.
You as a woman of God have a choice – to influence others for good, to lead them astray or to abscond responsibility and do nothing. Choose wisely! Women are such a powerful gift to mankind, and we can learn much about God’s nature and His plan for women through the lives of various influential matriarchs in the Bible. From the Old Testament through to the New, God has provided us with examples of Godly women who, though from different backgrounds all had one thing in common – a love for God.
 
a significant woman
How many of us wish we could do something spectacular and courageous for God – something that would last and earn us a place in history? Yet we feel insignificant, inferior or even trapped in our circumstances. So many of us wish we were thinner, richer, funnier, more self-confident, better cooks or better gifted in the things of God.
Yet we do not realise that God has uniquely shaped and distinguished us for our personal destiny.
It is for this specific reason that God documented the countless stories of ordinary men and women in His Bible – so that no-one has an excuse to feel inferior or disqualified from being an ambassador for Him. The Lord has used prostitutes, murderers and even donkeys to deliver His Message and execute His plans. The courage and faith of ordinary women who dared to trust God should be enough to inspire us onto more!
Just discussing women like Sarah, Rahab, Esther, Ruth, Deborah, Abigail, etc, would fill books let alone this magazine. That said, I am briefly going to mention significant women of the New Testament, in the hope that by looking at women of the past and learning from their lives, you will glean hope for your future and a deeper understanding of the influence and significance God has granted to you.
 
An obedient woman
Though not in Chronological order, I will run through each specific woman and the characteristics she modelled that we as 21st century ladies can embrace today. Mary is a model example of an obedient woman who trusted God.
She was pure in spirit and bestowed with the incredible honour of being the vessel God used to bring Jesus to the world. Her unfailing trust in the plans of God (despite the impossibilities of the plan) teach us to lean on our Father. (Luke 1:38)
 
A discipling woman
Hermia, the wife of Titus, was a key role player in the early church in Crete, as she was a Godly mother and wife who was responsible (by virtue of the example she set) in disciplining young and old female converts to Christianity. (Titus 2:3-5)
 
A competent woman
Tabitha was not a mighty woman as far as we know, yet God chose to do a miracle in her life and raise her from the dead – causing the people of Joppa to marvel, rejoice in God and believe in His Name.
Through her acts of service like helping the poor, doing good and mending garments, Tabitha blessed the early Apostles and Christian community (Acts 9:36). It is interesting to note that when she died, Peter came and raised her from the dead, yet Stephen, an Apostle and powerful preacher who was martyred during a sermon, was not. God knows His reasons for doing certain things, but one thing is for sure – if we are willing to yield our time and talents to building God’s Kingdom and blessing our communities (as Tabitha did) our lives will leave an impact long after we pass away.
 
A pioneering woman
Priscilla and her husband Aquila are often commended by Paul for being Godly leaders, missionaries, pioneers and competent business people. Through their tent-making business, they supported the work of Paul and helped fund the spread of the Gospel in Rome, Corinth and Ephesus. Priscilla was a talented businesswoman who was open to the Spirit of God and to change.
She was a pioneer who was prepared to move cities, sacrifice homes and comfort zones all in passionate pursuit of the Lord Jesus. As a woman who risked her life for others, we can learn much from her fearless example.  (Acts 18,19)
 
A business woman
Lydia had everything money could buy. Her business inherited from her husband was flourishing and she was a respected citizen of the wealthy trading community of Thyatira in Philippi. Dressed in luxurious linens and draped in purple (the colour of royalty), Lydia had everything she desired – and yet she was thirsty for more. Her thirst was for the water of life that Jesus spoke about years earlier and upon hearing the Good News (preached by Paul) she immediately committed her life to the Lord.
Many people are entrapped by their possessions, and even Christians fall prey to the love of money, but not Lydia. She was a woman of noble sacrifice who was so touched by the love of God and the urgency of His Great Commission, that she dedicated her home, finances and worldly wealth to the church in Philippi. Lydia is a shining example of a career woman who “Seek first the Kingdom of God” (Matt 6:33). Career women should do the same – follow the Lord, support your husbands, serve the community and build the Church. (Acts 16:14-15)
 
A single woman
The devil often lies to women by preying on our deepest fears – of inadequacy and inferiority. Sometimes we accept his lies as truths, looking to our weaknesses and circumstances as proof that we are unworthy to be chosen by God. Some women see their age, their singleness or their geographical location as disqualifiers for God’s plans.
Yet, these ‘defaults’ can actually be just what God requires for your specific, glorious destiny. Though not much is known about Phoebe, one thing is sure – she was a single woman who was very influential and helpful in the local church. Paul speaks highly of her as a “sister in Christ” (Romans 16:1-2) and commended Phoebe as a servant (diakonos) or deacon of the church at Cenchrea. Whether you are married or single, the Lord values you and has a role of influence for you.
 
A motherly woman
Lois and Eunice are two family members credited with high praise from the Apostle Paul for amongst other things, their Godly examples, their legacy of faith and their superb upbringing of Timothy, a commendable young man of God. Lois and Eunice are perfect models of motherhood (and grandmotherhood!) – showing how important mothers are in shaping the lives of their children and indeed the generations. Often stay-at-home moms see their domestic duties as insignificant. They feel that Science projects and dirty socks pale in comparison to preaching the Word or working in the business world.
But God does not see their duties as superfluous. He values moms and grandmoms. As Lois’ and Eunice’s lives show – the investment you make in your family (no matter how irrelevant it may seem) can have eternal consequences in the Kingdom. Timothy’s life and the lives of all whom he impacted are credited to the faith of his mom and grandmom.
 
positive influencers
It must be noted that influence can be both negative and positive. Not only does the Bible document the righteous women of faith and their legacy, it also records the devastating consequences of destructive women like Jezebel and Delilah, who ruined people and enslaved nations. By succumbing to their flesh and following the path of destruction, these women yielded to the devil and will forever be considered women of deathly influence.
You as a woman of God have a choice – to influence others for good, to lead them astray or to abscond responsibility and do nothing. Choose wisely!

Gap Year Options: Making Your Life Matter
We live in a world where our ethics and values are being tested and challenged on a daily basis. In South Africa alone, one can walk from a community of destitute, needy people into a suburb that boasts an abundance of wealth. Within these opposite realms of life, there is a tendency to numb oneself to the harshness of this reality.
But as Christians, we cannot ignore the fact that we have been called to be salt and light to the world (Matthew 5:13-16), to clothe those who are naked (Matthew 25:37-40), and to be a vehicle of God’s love to every person (Matthew 28:16-20).

YOUNG PEOPLE WITH VISION
For young adults, this opportunity to fulfil the role of bringing God’s love to people is even more pressing. Young adults have the benefit of having a host of energy, time availability, and a deep-rooted passion to make an impact on the world.
They desire to live lives that matter and this intent, coupled with a God who is passionate about His Creation, results in an explosive team.

CONSIDERING THE OPTIONS
It is important to know what you want when considering a gap year. Too many people waste their post-matric year sitting at home on a couch watching cartoons – because they don’t know exactly what they aim to achieve. Leadership coach John Maxwell once said, “Failing to plan, is planning to fail”. Teenagers who do not plan what to do in their gap year, will waste this opportunity.
Parents may feel extremely negative towards a gap year, seeing visions of their lazy teenager sleeping till noon for 12 months – however a gap year can actually be the best thing for your child, if you help them identify their intentions for the year ahead. There is nothing worse than a young adult being forced to study at varsity for several years (only to drop out after thousands of rands have been spent) because a parent forced them to ‘do something’  after school.

KNOWING WHAT YOU WANT
Instead of pushing your teen towards tertiary education for the sake of getting a degree, rather consider what they want out of life, how they can discover their purpose in Christ and make a success of the skills and talents God has given them. Many people have gone on to study the right degree for them and achieve great things in their lives after a year of ‘discovering themselves’.
Investigate the various Christian and secular options, weigh up the value vs the outcome. Pray about the choice together and you will get the right answer! There are various options people can undertake for a gap year. In this feature, we will explore some of them, including: Extreme adventure leadership programmes, internships, Bible Colleges and overseas trips abroad.
Each option carries its own benefits to you/your teen and we encourage you to pray about it and place the year ahead before the Lord – as He knows the plans He has for us.

(1) ADVANTURE PROGRAMMES
Extreme adventure programmes (such as those run by Beyond Adventure) offer girls and guys practical, fun and challenging opportunities to learn more about themselves and the world around them. Often important life skills are only gleaned through physical lessons where your boundaries are stretched and your paradigms shifted.
‘Beyond Adventure’ situated in the Eastern Cape, offers leadership training, extreme education, spiritual development and a micro M.B.A. Run by Christians, it is an ideal programme for the more ‘physically wired’ teen and is guaranteed to provide one with leadership life-skills in a fun setting! Please see the site
www.beyondadventure.co.za

(2) INTERNSHIPS
Are internship programmes relevant and effective options? Yes, as long as they are specific, targeted programmes that provide the student with hands-on experience. A Christian internship/ministry opportunity carries with it various essential aspects that make it a good choice:
•  Internship programmes provide an opportunity for young adults to grow in their worldview and make experienced decisions about their beliefs.
•  Maturity levels and expertise increase dramatically as they go through a series of challenges and have to learn how to overcome obstacles. Their life skills and ability to function within their unique God-given personalities are also areas of great development.
•  Most interns gain knowledge, a firmer grasp on their identity, and life experience through the journey on which they embark.
•  If one works in a secular company, this could be more challenging and at times difficult (as one has to deal with office politics and intimidation), however it could offer practical experiences in a specific field (like law or engineering) that is vital to an intern.
•  Interns who have the privilege of working in a Christian programme become ambassadors for Christ, bringing healing, life, and hope to people who would otherwise be untouched.

Christian interns can be a true blessing to a world that has largely become indifferent in its treatment of others. In turn these recipients go on to continue the life-changing work. A word of caution though – many interns expect a free ride – and this is not at all what they will experience in the ‘real world’!

THE LEADERS OF TOMORROW
As these young adults infiltrate back into their communities and the Church, they bring with them vision and inspiration. The interns of today are the leaders of tomorrow – they are the ones who will be called to carry the torch and keep it ablaze. They will be able to strike the balance of being inward focused as well as outward focused thereby ensuring that the Church of the future is a Church that leaves an invaluable impact on the world.
A Christian organisation that offers Christian internships is 3D-Outreach. They have a  ‘Missions Internship Programme’ that consists of three months intensive training in areas such as ‘Personal Development’, ‘Practical Skills’, and ‘Theological Instruction’.
After this time of preparation, teams are sent out into communities within South Africa and across borders to work with established missionaries. The course offers young adults an opportunity to mature spiritually and personally while making an impact on the world. For more info see www.3d-outreach.com
Another great programme is the 3D Midlands Campus that offers 1 Year 4 Jesus where you are exposed to ministry areas like Evangelism, Missions, Music Ministry, Children’s Ministry and Leadership Training. www.3dmidlands.co.za
If you are in Gauteng you can look at 3D Revelation Campus in Benoni as they offer a ‘Year of Your Life’ Leadership Development Programme for school leavers. As an ACE initiative, you can be sure that your children will recieve Biblically based training and instruction. 3D stands for discovery, discipleship and destiny. See www.3drevelationcampus.com for more.

(3) MINISTRY TRAINING COLLEGES AND ACADEMICS
A ministry training college (for lack of a better word) is an organisation that provides some type of ministry and/or theological training together with practical life-skills and study. For people who are considering a practical ministry career, or just want a ‘once-off’ year experience, this could be a great programme to embark upon.
‘Maraneman’ is Christian organisation based in the Vaal area that runs various courses for 17-25 year olds.
According to their spokesperson, Maraneman,  “offers a program that will expose students to opportunities in ministry and the Tourism and Business fields. Our Adventure Academy offers a compass to these youngsters by directing them into the areas they are passionate about, but have not yet discovered.“ www.maraneman.co.za

DISCOVER YOUR PURPOSE
REAL Team in Plettenberg Bay is a year of your life programme run by the Plettenberg Bay Community Church. Their programme is widely recognised as an impactful Christian course that advances the Kingdom by raising up disciple makers through times of worship, training, evangelism, ministry and teaching.
Students will spend their time in Plett and partake in a variety of activities. For info see www.realteamplett.co.za

MINISTRY AND COUNSELLING COURSES THAT ADDRESS UNDERLYING ISSUES
Doxo Deo also offer a ministry training type course known as Metamorpho, a one-year potential and character development year for 18-25 year olds. Their course covers a couple of areas including: emotional healing and intelligence, spiritual life and Christian foundations, character development, leadership development and personality analysis, how to handle conflict, etc.
Their process is based on both Biblical and industrial psychology principles that will produce results. For info please see their website  www.metamorpho.co.za
The Waterberg Regeneration Center based about 2 hours outside of Johannesburg offers a variety of courses and programmes. The organisation has very helpful information about gap years on their website and one will note that they also run a rehab facility for youngsters suffering with drug and alcohol addictions.
They have several summer programmes (made up of fun yet meaningful summer camps) that help students heal emotional issues and false beliefs that cause them to become addicted to things. For more information on how to work with them or to participate in their camps (which vary in duration) see the site www.waterbergregenerationcenter.co.za.

(4) BIBLE COLLEGES
2 Timothy 2:15 tells us that we “Must do your utmost to present yourself to God approved, a workman…correctly analysing and accurately dividing the Word of Truth.” The best way to do this of course is to attend Bible College where you are given the tools to study God’s Word. Cornerstone Bible College in the Cape, is a respected Bible College that offers Bachelor Degrees in Theology as well as a gap year course in Christian Ministry and in Community Development. For more info please see www.cornerstone.org.za

(5) OVERSEAS TRAVELlNG
Spending a year working and travelling abroad is another gap year option. Though it is costly (and obtaining VISAS can be tricky), time spent overseas can be a wonderful growing experience. Learning to fend for oneself, to navigate around a foreign country and deal with different cultures will definitely broaden your horizons!
Going overseas is not always affordable though so perhaps an African Gap Year is better. See www.africangapyear.co.za for all your local options.
For more gap year info see our website www.joymag.co.za or search the net.

Where Is The Church? Its Tragic Lack of Involvement in SA
 

The ‘God and Government’ public debate I attended recently was a disturbing eye opener. Hosted by the Daily Dispatch and the University of Fort Hare, panellists included COPE leader Mvume Dandala, ACDP President Kenneth Meshoe, Godly Governance Network chairperson Sipho Mengezeleli, representatives from the Eastern Cape Council of Churches, the ANC and myself.

 

After preliminary remarks from the panellists, the debate was opened to the more than 500 participants who travelled from across the Eastern Cape to attend this topical discussion. The major theme to emerge from the debate was the tragic lack of involvement of the Church of Jesus Christ in the life of the nation. Almost every participant’s remarks concluded with the question “Where is the Church?”
 
where is the Church?
After carefully listening to various testimonies of the litany of horrors that ordinary citizens have to face on a daily basis, I have to admit the absence of the Church from social and public policy development must rank as one of the most tragic anomalies of our time. Most participants at the debate acknowledged that South Africa’s current social malaise is a direct result of the erosion of fundamental values in society and the inordinate dominance of liberal secular humanism in the development of public policy.
The call for more significant involvement from the Church in all aspects of society is reaching a crescendo. Christian citizen’s spoke of their frustrations, including being overwhelmed by hopelessness and despair as they witnessed evil prosper in their neighbourhoods, while the Church hosted one glittering conference after another. High profile speakers are flown in at great expense for a few days of excitement, with teaching that result in little or no benefit to surrounding communities. 
 
a nation under secular law
Since the birth of South Africa’s democracy in 1994, the Church appears to have withdrawn into self-imposed Christian ghettoes from where it views society’s startling moral collapse with trepidation. The Church seems to have surrendered to the false ideology preached by the high priests of secular humanism. Our secular  constitution, with all the so-called ‘human rights’ it confers on citizens, has produced a self-seeking and materialistic society that has lost its moral equilibrium. Post-Apartheid South Africa has not become the free, caring and responsible society that so many envisioned. Instead, we have jettisoned the Laws, values and principles that God provided for our own safety and protection, along with the many restrictive and oppressive laws of the past. As a result, the nation groans under a steady onslaught of crime, violence, corruption, sexual immorality and family breakdown that threatens to undermine the nation’s future success.
 
evil triumphs when we do nothing!
The current debate whether to decriminalise or legalise prostitution is a case in point. Despite the horrendous consequences of legalised prostitution on women, children and general society, secular humanists and the liberal media argue this is not a moral issue. Like same-sex marriage, abortion on demand and the proliferation of pornography/prostitution, they say, is a human rights issue. The destructive consequences of these policies on the family and the greater social community seem to have no effect on those advocating them.
This leaves the Church, with its God-given mandate, to be Salt and Light to society to defend the family. The moral decay so pervasive in South African society today is a direct result of the absence of the active involvement of the Church in the nation. 18th Century statesman, Edmund Burke’s comment “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil, is that good men do nothing” has particular resonance for the Church in South Africa.
 
church – rise up and respond
But why has the Church withdrawn from the public policy debate and surrendered the political realm to the Godless? Since South Africa’s constitution was signed into law in 1996, secular humanists, supported by the liberal media, have embarked upon a misinformation campaign that advances the idea that faith has no place in the political discourse. Christianity was erroneously blamed for Apartheid – and the elevation of South Africa’s ultra liberal constitution as the supreme law of the land, as the nation’s salvation. Alarmingly, the Church appears to have taken its cue from the media and gone into hibernation.
The time has come for the Church to begin taking its instructions directly from Jesus Christ. The devastating consequences of secular humanism on society have primed the nation for the genuine freedom the Gospel brings – not only the preaching, but its active demonstration in every area of life. The question is, “will the Church exercise the spiritual discernment necessary to evaluate the heart cry of the nation and respond?”

Honour the Lord’s Day

Never before in history have so many people been so busy. No other generation has had so many labour-saving and time-saving devices, and yet it would appear that our generation is one of the most rushed and frantic generations in all of history.

One would have thought that with our covenience stores, electrical appliances, drive-through car washes, computers and cell phones that we would be less rushed and have more free time, yet this is not the case!

stressed and exhausted?
Our culture is so determined to cram every minute full of frenzied activity. Studies indicate that every year Western people spend less and less time with their spouses, their children, their neighbours and with God.
In the materialistic rat race there is a constant frantic striving for more: more possessions, nicer homes, better cars, consistent holidays and luxuries.
There is a desperate desire to fill empty lives with noise and stimulation: films, DVDs, music, magazines, the internet, playstation, IPODs, Mix-it and FaceBook. Our lives are being flooded and swamped by a tsunami of stimulation, noise and temptation!
Time and again one hears the complaint: “I’m so tired!” People are continually complaining of being emotionally drained, physically fatigued, and spiritually empty. Burnt out! People are stressed, exhausted and restless.
 
Read the Handbook
Generally, when an electrical appliance, a vehicle, or a computer malfunctions we turn to the manufacturer’s handbook to read the instructions. In the same way it would be wise for us to re-read the Creator’s Manual. In His Ten Commandments we will find the solution to most of our problems – if we would only do what God has already commanded, we would save ourselves much grief.
“If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on My Holy Days, and call the Sabbath a delight, the Holy Day of the Lord honourable, and shall honour Him, not doing your own ways, nor finding your own pleasure…then you shall delight yourself in the Lord; and I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the Earth, and feed you on your heritage of Jacob your father.” Isaiah 58:13-14
We are all given 52 weeks a year, seven days a week and 24 hours in each day. The question is: what are you doing with the time that God has given you? Are you expending and investing it in the way that He wants you to? Anyone who violates the Fourth Commandment is missing out on tremendous blessings and refreshment in the Lord.
Great joy comes from taking time each week to devote to searching and studying the Scriptures, focusing on God in prayer and worship, enjoying fellowship with other Christians.
“Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord that sanctifies you.” Exodus 31:13
 
Call the Sabbath a Delight
Antinomians may hate the Fourth Commandment, legalists may make it unpleasant, however a dedicated Christian should delight in the Lord’s Day. The Fourth Commandment is pastoral, and protective. It is an eternal moral Law. A gift from God at Creation, which was later made a Commandment from God as well. This day of rest and refreshment was to benefit servants, visitors and one’s animals as well (Exodus 20:8-11). This Day of Rest was given as a reminder that God is the Creator and the Redeemer. Setting aside the first day of the week as a special day is good for our spirit, mind and body. We need time set aside for relaxation, reflection and restoration. It is a matter of rhythm and routine, but also a matter of revelation and remembrance of the Lord’s great work of Creation (Exodus 20:8-11) and Salvation (Deuteronomy 5:12-15).
“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another…” Hebrews 10:24-25
By ordering our week to set apart the Lord’s Day as a special day for the family to rest and to worship the Lord – we proclaim to the world that Jesus Christ has risen from the dead and He is Lord of our lives.
Resting one day in seven is also healthy – spiritually, emotionally, physically and economically. It is good for business, good for families and good for any country. God has given us this commandment, like all of His other Commandments, for our benefit: not only of Christians, but of society in general.
D.L. Moody observed: “No nation has ever prospered that has trampled the Sabbath in the dust. Show me a nation who has done this and I will show you a nation that has got in it the seeds of ruin and decay…”
 
a reminder of the creator
As Christians, we should repent for allowing the Lord’s Day to become so encroached upon and desecrated by shopping, sports and worldly entertainment.
The French revolutionary, Voltaire, declared: “If you want to kill Christianity, you must abolish Sunday.”  The seven-day week came from Old Testament sources and spread through the Christian influence. The seven-day week is a powerful testimony to the fact that God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh.
The fact that Sunday, the first day of the week, is our Day of Rest, instead of the Jewish Saturday, is a weekly reminder that Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week.
 
Saturday or Sunday?
Some claim that we are not observing the true Sabbath unless we are observing it on Saturday. Instead of being concerned about the ‘why’ of the Lord’s Day, they are more obsessed with the ‘when’.
Some will even claim that the Emperor Constantine is the one who changed the Sabbath from Saturday, and the reason we observe it now on Sunday is because this Caesar of Rome established the tradition in A.D. 325. Actually, the institution of the Sabbath was changed to the Lord’s Day on the first day of the week by Christ and His Apostles. Jesus Christ rose from the dead on the first day of the week.
The Holy Spirit was poured out on the Apostles on the Day of Pentecost, on the first day of the week. We read that the Disciples gathered to celebrate the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7).
The Apostle Paul told the Christians to set aside their tithes and offerings on the first day of the week (1 Corinthians 16:2). The Apostle John received his Revelation from Christ while worshipping on the first day of the week – which he described as “the Lord’s Day” Rev 1:10.
 
focusing on the lord
The early church fathers, long before Constantine, taught that Christians were to set aside the first day of the week as the Lord’s Day. These included Polycarp and Barnabas. Justin Martyr, in A.D. 150, wrote: “Sunday is the day on which we all hold our communion assembly, because Jesus Christ, our Saviour, on the same day arose from the dead.”
The Lord’s Day is an opportunity for us to stop, turn away from all the things of this world, and regain spiritual perspective by focusing on God, His Word and His will.
“And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread…” Acts 20:7. On the Lord’s Day rest is crucial for the health of our souls, and a vital part of our Christian witness. We are commanded to remember the Sabbath, and to keep it. The Hebrew word for ‘keep’; means more than to retain or maintain it, but also to honour an appointment.
 
our appointment with god
The story is told of James Garfield, who went on to become President of the United States. At one point when he had been appointed president of a large corporation he was informed of an important meeting the next day. He replied: “I’m sorry; I won’t be able to be there.” His aides insisted that this was a very important matter, however Garfield shook his head and reiterated: “I’m sorry, but I have a previous appointment. I cannot make it.” When they pressed him to understand what appointment could be more important than this, he explained: “I have an appointment with the Lord God Almighty tomorrow at 10h30, in His house, at His table, and I will be there.”
 
A Necessary Pause
It has frequently been said that “as goes the Sabbath, so goes the nation.” Many may wonder how a Day of Rest could possibly be that important? Well, the Lord’s Day promotes an awareness that God, His Ways and His Laws are important to all of us.
Eric Liddell, the famous Olympic gold medallist whose refusal to run for the main Olympic race on a Sunday was the subject of the film ‘Chariots of Fire’, observed: “There are many people today who think of those who honour Sunday in the old fashioned way as killjoys. They feel that during the years of youth they ought to have a chance to have their ‘fling’. Give me the Day of the Rest, when all the savours of organised games can be put to one side, and all of life’s joys will be greater because of it. To me it is a time of fellowship with God – a time of quiet, a time of recreation and fellowship with God. I believe that Sunday, as we have had it in the past, is one of the greatest helps in a young man’s life to keep all that is noblest, truest and best…”
Eric Liddell went on to win an Olympic gold medal for a race he had not specifically trained for, and then became a successful missionary to China, courageously dying in a Japanese concentration camp during World War II.
 
the sabbath is a testimony
When we get up, get dressed and go to Sunday morning worship, we are joining hundreds of millions of people all over the world in testifying to the fact that Jesus Christ rose from the dead. Nothing else could explain the move from the Jewish seventh day Sabbath to the Christian Lord’s Day on the first day of the week. Nothing other than the victorious Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead would explain the unique institution of Sunday as a Day of Rest.
 
Works of Mercy/ Necessity
Of course, our Lord Jesus taught that it is good and right to do works of mercy and necessity on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:11-12). Christians have always recognised that. There are necessary emergency services such as those that are performed by fire fighters, paramedics, doctors, nurses and policemen. The point is – the Lord’s Day should be a special day without any commercial activities. We are to make every effort to ensure that the minimum number of people are forced to work on Sundays. Many Christians have lost jobs, or failed to obtain jobs for their principled stand on not being willing to work on Sundays.
Nobody should be forced by legislation to go to church on Sunday, but it would be right for governments to make legislation to keep people free from commercial obligations on Sunday. The Sabbath is a day for Spiritual growth, a day to help us establish our priorities and to demonstrate our obedience to the Lord. It is a dramatic and significant day of testimony, helping to show commitment to the Lord, and prove the sincerity of believers to neighbours, relations and doubting children. Obedience is more eloquent than any words.
Neglect of the Lord’s Day includes a whole family of offences, including lack of commitment, unspiritual priorities, neglect of devotions, and disobedience to practical duties for Christian living. The Lord’s Day leads the way in establishing the believers’ attitude to all these matters.
Those who honour the Lord’s Day will live longer, be happier, enjoy better health, and their relationship with the Lord will be vastly deepened and strengthened.
Jesus invites us: “Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavily laden and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28