Best viewed at minimum 600px screen width (Rotate your device to landscape orientation)
Featured Advertiser
Visit our
Christian Business Directory
Using Christian values to heal our fragmented society
Church in the Community - Media Release in the Herald: 13th May 2024
Source: TCN / Sue Hagemann
Date Added: 2024-05-13
Category: General News, TCN News, Issues - General, Issues - Moral Regeneration, Issues - Politics,
Date Added: 2024-05-13
Category: General News, TCN News, Issues - General, Issues - Moral Regeneration, Issues - Politics,
I was greatly energised recently when I listened to a podcast of a sermon.
In it, Tim Keller spoke into the topic of how to live in a fragmented society like ours.
He referenced the scripture In Jeremiah 29 v 7 where the Lord makes clear how His people should live in a multi-cultural community.
"Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper."
At the time His people were living in exile in Babylon which was a melting pot of cultures.
God encouraged His people to work for the good of all in the city.
As the church in South Africa, we are called to actively seek the peace and prosperity of all in our country.
Also, people are open to being influenced by them when they see that Christ’s ways and values of servant leadership, kindness, patience, and justice lead to the best outcomes.
This is how we bring the kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
Government quite obviously greatly contributes to or detracts from the ability of its citizens to live in peace and prosperity.
Christians should take an active interest in who is seeking positions of power in our country.
Also, given the high price paid for us by so many to be able to participate in our political process, it is an insult to their sacrifice if we do not go and use our hard-earned vote.
Ultimately elected representatives reflect the values of those who elected them.
The extent to which South Africans are selfish and cruel or selfless and serving will show up in who we choose to represent us and manage our shared resources.
Through the work I do, I have been exposed to the fact that organisations find it very hard to have employees who are whole enough and equipped enough to be able to bring their best selves to work.
This made me aware that so many South Africans are stressed, overwhelmed, traumatised or are doing all we can to stay “numb” so as to avoid feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and traumatised. There is so much struggle and hurt and this is taking a massive toll.
Beyond showing a prayer-filled interest in elections, the ongoing role we play in community is to seek our own healing and ministering to and supporting the healing of the people around us.
The church serves the community through anything it does to create homes that are safe bases from which our citizens emerge to go and serve the community around them.
In addition, we must do all we can to make it possible for people to learn, grow and unlock their abilities serves our communities and make it possible for everyone to contribute and have a stake in our nation.
Personally, I find myself feeling, albeit naively, frustrated at the emotional communication style that catches attention and cynical towards the machine required to drive people out to vote.
Yet I accept that it is necessary to get the job done.
I feel grateful for those who are prepared to identify and do the communication work needed.
I see the incredibly hard work and sacrificial time investment politicians have to make.
I feel grateful that some people are called to serve in this way, yet glad it is not me.
However, I feel sure that if we end up at the mercy of criminals and dictators, I will regret not pouring out all the energy I could to help avoid that outcome. This makes me a somewhat reluctant, yet committed, participant in the party political processes.
So, how do I feel as we approach elections?
I feel deeply aware of the need for us to do better as a nation.
I feel very aware that I live right in the middle of a “tale of two cities” in terms of access to support and services.
Both cities are equally ravaged and kept in fear by the effects of crime and moral degradation.
To me the negative legacies of the past, the unintended consequences of current efforts to address them and the future risk of effecting the needed change too slowly all feel very real.
It feels as though dealing with them is an almost impossible task.
I feel led to pray that God will not turn His back on our nation and will call and equip enough servant-hearted people who will take on the task of being our government going forward.
I feel the need to actively be a nation builder.
I seek to be a channel of His life giving kingdom into our wonderful country.
I will go and cast my considered vote on 29 May.
There is always hope.
Sue Hagemann
Director Ignite Business Solutions and member of Walmer Methodist Church.
In it, Tim Keller spoke into the topic of how to live in a fragmented society like ours.
He referenced the scripture In Jeremiah 29 v 7 where the Lord makes clear how His people should live in a multi-cultural community.
"Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper."
At the time His people were living in exile in Babylon which was a melting pot of cultures.
God encouraged His people to work for the good of all in the city.
As the church in South Africa, we are called to actively seek the peace and prosperity of all in our country.
Also, people are open to being influenced by them when they see that Christ’s ways and values of servant leadership, kindness, patience, and justice lead to the best outcomes.
This is how we bring the kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
Government quite obviously greatly contributes to or detracts from the ability of its citizens to live in peace and prosperity.
Christians should take an active interest in who is seeking positions of power in our country.
Also, given the high price paid for us by so many to be able to participate in our political process, it is an insult to their sacrifice if we do not go and use our hard-earned vote.
Ultimately elected representatives reflect the values of those who elected them.
The extent to which South Africans are selfish and cruel or selfless and serving will show up in who we choose to represent us and manage our shared resources.
Through the work I do, I have been exposed to the fact that organisations find it very hard to have employees who are whole enough and equipped enough to be able to bring their best selves to work.
This made me aware that so many South Africans are stressed, overwhelmed, traumatised or are doing all we can to stay “numb” so as to avoid feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and traumatised. There is so much struggle and hurt and this is taking a massive toll.
Beyond showing a prayer-filled interest in elections, the ongoing role we play in community is to seek our own healing and ministering to and supporting the healing of the people around us.
The church serves the community through anything it does to create homes that are safe bases from which our citizens emerge to go and serve the community around them.
In addition, we must do all we can to make it possible for people to learn, grow and unlock their abilities serves our communities and make it possible for everyone to contribute and have a stake in our nation.
Personally, I find myself feeling, albeit naively, frustrated at the emotional communication style that catches attention and cynical towards the machine required to drive people out to vote.
Yet I accept that it is necessary to get the job done.
I feel grateful for those who are prepared to identify and do the communication work needed.
I see the incredibly hard work and sacrificial time investment politicians have to make.
I feel grateful that some people are called to serve in this way, yet glad it is not me.
However, I feel sure that if we end up at the mercy of criminals and dictators, I will regret not pouring out all the energy I could to help avoid that outcome. This makes me a somewhat reluctant, yet committed, participant in the party political processes.
So, how do I feel as we approach elections?
I feel deeply aware of the need for us to do better as a nation.
I feel very aware that I live right in the middle of a “tale of two cities” in terms of access to support and services.
Both cities are equally ravaged and kept in fear by the effects of crime and moral degradation.
To me the negative legacies of the past, the unintended consequences of current efforts to address them and the future risk of effecting the needed change too slowly all feel very real.
It feels as though dealing with them is an almost impossible task.
I feel led to pray that God will not turn His back on our nation and will call and equip enough servant-hearted people who will take on the task of being our government going forward.
I feel the need to actively be a nation builder.
I seek to be a channel of His life giving kingdom into our wonderful country.
I will go and cast my considered vote on 29 May.
There is always hope.
Sue Hagemann
Director Ignite Business Solutions and member of Walmer Methodist Church.
Source: TCN / Sue Hagemann
Date Added: 2024-05-13
Category: General News, TCN News, Issues - General, Issues - Moral Regeneration, Issues - Politics,
Back to News IndexDate Added: 2024-05-13
Category: General News, TCN News, Issues - General, Issues - Moral Regeneration, Issues - Politics,
_______________________________________________
Please read our disclaimer
This section of our site aims to keep you informed about news in the local church, and worldwide.
Please email us any items of interest.
Please email us any items of interest.
 |
| Christian News to strengthen God's people at www.gatewaynews.co.za News that is fresh, relevant, edifying and which glorifies Jesus! |
Worthy News is a website with a good selection of news articles from around the world in a number of categories, both Christian and secular. They also offer a free subsciption service to deliver daily news headlines to your email box. Click here to pay them a visit.