National Assembly Meeting presents new Church Discipline



Raul showing the Discipline



National Assembly in T3 Church

 19 December 2010


Dear friends and family,  

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Juka Fernando praying over Discipline



Yesterday we were able to partcipate in the National Assembly meeting of our national church Igreja Evangelica Palavra Viva.  In typical Mozambican style, it was to start at 9 AM but it finally got under way by 9:45.  The objective of the meeting was 1, celebrate the 5th aniversary of the National Church registration.  2.  To adopt the newly created church discipline.  Seems pretty simple.  Four hours later the meeting was coming to an end.  Between the beginning and ending was filled with reports and encouraging words from some of our church leaders and the reading of the Discipline.  This is such a big milestone for the church.  Since 2005 when the church was officially registered with the Department of Religious Affairs, the church has slowly been working on developing the discipline to help guide it in its decision making.  It has definitely been a long and tedius process.  Many versions of the discipline have been written, reviewed, rewritten.  Even the present version adopted is just the beginning and we know will need revision and additions.  For me, the Discipline is a "living" document that will grow with the church and will need revision regularly as times and circumstances change.  But it is a great beginning.  Something that gives the church and the leadership guidance to make the tough decisions and to help and encourage the church to spiritaul maturity. 



 

Church leaders and wives



With over 100 churches throughout the country now, the Discipline is essential and now the church can move forward with the development of local, disctrict, regiional and provincial leadership.  Susan and I believe the church is moving forward and we feel privileged to have been here when the very first church was planted in 1997 when it met under

Pastor Daniel cutting 5th Anniv cake



a tree in the township of T3.  We have watched that church struggle and grow and seen other churches planted over the years.  We are excited that the National Church is recognizing its role in reaching its own people for Christ.  Please remember to pray for the National Church and its leadership.  Specifically remember to pray for Juka, Daniel, Raul and Abel.