January 2024

Dear family
Do you believe that a congregation only qualifies to exist if they have a referent/pastor, a building and enough money to cover all the costs involved? It looks like most Christians think this way, especially institutionalized churches.
But what about small communities in rural areas and even congregations in the city that can’t survive financially? Are they now disqualified to be a recognized congregation because they cannot afford maintaining the buildings or keep a permanent gifted teacher? Remember – You are where you are because God placed you there to be light unto the world – in your context – for your neigh bour.
We must come to a place where we empower followers of Jesus to be the church where they are – where they live. We need to think differently and not let our constitutions and conditions hinder God’s kingdom plan. Begin to trust Jesus, the head of the church to organically build His church in the simple way He intended.
Followers of Jesus must be convinced that we can be a complete congregation without money, buildings and an appointed pastor. Our Lord Jesus has led us as church into a time where we must think and act differently as regards to the practice of congregational ministry. So many congregations no longer have the finances to appoint a permanent pastor and also have to let their buildings go as a result. However, this does not disqualify the right to existas a congregation. As head of the church, Jesus provides everything that is needed to be a fully equipped congregation. A congregation is people who love Father God and each other so much that others will see and hear it(experience it) – or in other words – a congregation is the presence of Jesus among His people who have been called out as a spiritual family to carry out the mission of Jesus on earth. A congregation’s success therefore does not depend on money, buildings and a gifted pastor. Success in the kingdom has much more to do with love (relationship)for God and your neighbor, caring for each other and those in need and making disciples. So we don’t focus on numbers, money or contemporary relevance, but rather on the Great Calling, the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.
How? Especially via practising disciple making groups. By establishing spiritual family groups who come together weekly to listen together to what the Lord says to them in His Word and obey it, take care of each other and share their experience with others. These groups of three to eight function strongly missionally in that they do not focus on members of the church as such, but relationship networks and the needy in the community. It is therefore a ministry in and through the congregation, but not for the sake of the congregation – for the sake of the kingdom of God.
We are on our way following Jesus. We want to glorify Him as head of His church. We have new ground to enter. Kingfisher would love to continue reminding you of this and help you live this practically.
Together in His Kingdom
Your brother
dirk