DOCTRINE, ETHICS AND WORSHIP COMMITTEE OF THE METHODIST CHURCH OF SOUTHERN AFRICA (DEWCOM)

Summary on the use of stoles

2012-01-17T15:51:00.000+02:00

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Author: Rev Tim Attwell

Date: May 2011

Context: A summary on the use of stoles in Christian ecclesiology

Status: Correspondence with enquiring clergy

Clerical and preaching wear - Women's perspective

2011-07-13T18:53:00.000+02:00

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Author: Rev Dr Janette Krige

Date: May 2011

Context: A position offered on women's perspective of the use of clerical and preaching wear in the MCSA context.

Status: Discussion document

Ordination and non-itinerant ministry

2010-08-24T17:28:00.000+02:00

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Author: Rev Peter Grassow

Date: August 2010

Context: Discussion document on the meaning of ordination and non-itinerant ministry in the MCSA

Status: DEWCOM response for Conference 2010

Marriage

2010-08-24T17:23:00.000+02:00

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Author: Rev Peter Grassow

Date: August 2010

Context: A discussion document on the Christian understanding of marriage. A conference on this theme will be held in 2011.

Status: DEWCOM response for Conference 2010

Infant Baptism - Synod 2010 discussion questions

2010-03-30T12:35:00.000+02:00

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Author: Dr Wessel Bentley and Rev Peter Grassow

Date: March 2010

Context: A short document to stimulate discussion on the MCSA's usage of infant baptism where children are presented by those who are not necessarily their biological parents.

Status: To be discussed by Synods of 2010

Advance directives – “Living Will”

2010-03-30T12:00:00.000+02:00

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Author:Rev. Kenneth Carr

Date: March 2010

Context: On the question of a living will, DEWCOM was requested to put forward a discussion document which would give some direction for those considering this option.

Status: Discussion document for adoption by Conference

Climate change - A challenge to the churches in South Africa

2009-10-01T07:18:00.000+02:00

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Author: South African Council of Churches (Used with permission)
Date: 1 October 2009
Context: Document on climate change.
Status: SACC document

Response to Rev Dr Dion Foster’s document regarding "Ordained Deacons and the Sacraments"

2009-09-02T18:25:00.000+02:00

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Author: Mrs. Dianne Sundberg
Date: 1 September 2009
Context: This document argues for the right of Deacons to receive dispensation to administer the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
Status: Discussion document. DEWCOM endorsed the findings of Dr. Forster's article.

CUC: Model for a United Church

2009-09-02T18:17:00.000+02:00

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Author: Church Unity Commission
Date: 1 September 2009
Context: This is a discussion document produced by the CUC describing a model for the formation of a United church by the CUC-partner churches. This document will be tabled at Conference 2009 and will then go through the normal MCSA structures and processes.
Status: CUC document.

GUIDELINES FOR THE USE OF CLERICAL VESTMENTS AND FORMAL METHODIST ECCLESIASTICAL ATTIRE.

2009-03-17T13:56:00.001+02:00

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Author: Rev. Tim Attwell
Date: 17 March 2009
Context: A contribution vestments and clerical attire.
Status: Official DEWCOM document.

The Methodist Church of Southern Africa and homosexuality: A re-reading of Leviticus 18:22

2009-03-17T13:51:00.003+02:00

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Author: Rev. Ndhiko Mtshiselwa
Date: 17 March 2009
Context: A contribution to the same-sex discussion by an ordained minister in the MCSA
Status: Discussion paper received by DEWCOM.

Undoing closure: A contribution to the same-sex discussion

2008-09-17T11:39:00.004+02:00

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Author: Rev. Faan Myburgh
Date: 17 March 2009
Context: A contribution to the same-sex discussion by an ordained minister in the MCSA
Status: Discussion paper received by DEWCOM.

Living together in the household of God. Stipends.

2008-03-04T16:12:00.003+02:00

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Author: Rev. Roger Scholtz
Date: 4 March 2008
Context: These articles were published in The New Dimension as a series addressing theological underpinnings for the understanding of stipends
Status: Adopted by DEWCOM.

The Rise of African Biblical scholarship.

2007-08-22T10:46:00.001+02:00

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Author: Rev. P.M.S. Matsepe
Date: July 2007 meeting
Context: This paper explores African hermeneutics and applies specifically to the questions raised concerning Biblical interpretation.
Status of document: Referred paper

Christians and Same-sex Relationships Discussion Guide - Conference 2003

2007-06-08T10:04:00.000+02:00

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Author: DEWCOM
Date: Conference 2003
Context: DEWCOM was mandated by Conference to supply a discussion guide by 2003 to facilitate conversations in Societies, Circuits and Districts regarding Christians and same-sex relationships.
Document status: Adopted by Conference.

Same-sex relationships: An alternative view to the Discussion Guide

2007-05-23T10:41:00.000+02:00

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Author: Rev. Dave Morgan
Date: Prestented at the October 2006 meeting.
Context: In light of the same-sex debate, Rev. Morgan argues that the findings of DEWCOM's Same-sex discussion guide are not fully representative of current views. This paper adds to the discussion by presenting views from Scripture, Tradition, Reason and Experience that suggest that same-sex relationships are not in accordance with orthodox Christian theology.
Document status: Under discussion.

Scripture and same-sex relations

2007-05-22T10:46:00.000+02:00

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Author: Rev. Ray Alistoun
Date: Presented at the October 2006 meeting.
Context: In light of the same-sex debate, Rev. Alistoun argues that same-sex relationships are not viewed in a positive light by Scripture.

Holding hands is not for sissies.

2007-05-16T11:46:00.000+02:00

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Author: Rev. Greg Andrews
Date: Presented at the October 2006 meeting
Context: In light of the same-sex debate, Rev Andrews presented this paper arguing for a more inclusive position to be held by the MCSA.

African Culture and Homosexual relationships

2007-05-16T11:45:00.000+02:00

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Author: Rev. Sijadu Nkomonde
Date: Presented at the October 2006 meeting
Context: In light of the same-sex debate, Rev. Nkomonde presented this paper, urguing that same-sex relationships are not foreign to African culture.

Bibliography on Mission in South Africa

2007-03-30T10:38:00.000+02:00

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Author: Rev. Wessel Bentley
Date: Presented at the October 2006 meeting.
Context: Resources for mission are not well known. Rev. Bentley compiled a bibliography of relevant material relating to mission in Southern Africa.

Stipends within the MCSA

2007-03-30T10:36:00.000+02:00

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Author: Rev. Alan Storey
Date: Presented at the May 2006 meeting
Context: The MCSA is debating the current stipend system. Rev. Storey proposes a biblical model of the sharing of resources that balances justice and equality.

DODGING THE DOGMATISMS: METHODIST REFLECTIONS ON ABORTION

2007-03-30T10:35:00.000+02:00

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Author: Rev. Prof. Neville Richardson
Date: Submitted at the May 2006 meeting
Context: The MCSA's stance on abortion has been questioned. In this paper, Rev. Prof. Richardson explores the theological and ethical considerations relating to this issue.

Surrogate Motherhood

2007-03-29T05:47:00.000+02:00

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Author: Rev. Ken Carr
Date: Presented at the May 2007 meeting.
Context: Considering the debate on adoption and parenthood, Rev. Carr explores the theological and ethical considerations for surrogate motherhood.

A theological consideration of the ‘Covenant relationship’, between the MCSA and Ministers ordained by (and in full connexion with) the MCSA

2007-03-29T05:45:00.000+02:00

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Author: Rev. Tim Attwell
Date: Presented at the May 2007 meeting.
Context: The debate concerning stipends in the MCSA has raised questions about the covenantal relationship between the church and its ministers. In this paper Rev. Attwell explores the historical and theological meaning of this relationship.

An ecclesiology with particular reference to the mission of the Church as it concerns the Apostolate of the laity

2007-03-29T05:44:00.000+02:00

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Author: Rev. Tim Attwell
Date: Presented at the May 2007 meeting.
Context: The MCSA recognises the importance of every-member ministry. Rev. Attwell describes the relationship between clergy and the laity as it relates to their specific expressions of ministry.

Ordained Deacons and the Sacraments in the Methodist Church of Southern Africa

2007-03-29T05:41:00.000+02:00

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Author: Rev. Dr. Dion Forster
Date: Presented at the May 2007 meeting.
Context: The Order of Deacons requested permission to dispense the Elements in places where there is insufficient ministerial oversight. In this paper, Rev. Dr. Forster argues that the ordination of Deacons is very specific and would be devalued if the Ordination for Sacrament were included in their definition of Ordination.