Joe Sawatzky's blog

January 16 was the third Monday in January, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, as observed in the United States of America. Marking this day is in my blood; growing up, I used to attend the festivities hosted by Bethel College, North Newton, Kansas, for the wider community in honor of Dr. King. Since living in Africa, the continent of King's ancestors, I've used this day to reflect on the connections between the American story and the South African story, and the place of my own experiences within those larger streams. I do so again now.

Though it was Palm Sunday, I went to church yesterday prepared to preach on the passion. This was so because it has been my observation over time that our small, Pentecostal church does not necessarily utilize the passion-Easter narrative on Easter, let alone any other stories specific to the times of the church year. And, because we would not be with them for Easter, I wanted to ensure that the people would hear something from the passion this Holy Week.

At the first meeting of the Steering Committee for the Anabaptist Network in South Africa last December, we had a lengthy conversation on the subject of “simplicity”. And though the bulk of our conversation had to do with economic considerations, one of our members suggested another manifestation of the life of simplicity to which Jesus calls his disciples: simplicity in speech.

On the occasion of having to preach at a funeral for a man who was the victim of a stabbing, I found myself pondering again the first murder in the Bible, the story of the brothers Cain and Abel (Gen. 4).

That these were indeed “brothers” is not something the text will allow us to forget.

After birthing Cain, Eve “bore his brother Abel” (v. 2).

After having his offering disregarded by God, “Cain said to his brother Abel . . . (v. 8a).

Yesterday, on my scripture blog, I reflected on the claims of the Christ hymn of Colossians 1:15-20, specifically on the claim embedded in its center that "he is the head of the body, the church" (v. 18). That Christ is the "head of the body, the church" is particularly relevant in light of much pastor-speak I have heard in this country about headship. For example, Charismatic pastors are particularly keen on emphasizing their importance in/over the church.

While leading a discipleship class for an aspiring Mennonite congregation whose members come from Pentecostal backgrounds, I have revisited in recent weeks the parables of Jesus. Each Wednesday evening, we study one story Jesus told and glean from it one characteristic of a disciple, a person who has decided to “take up the cross and follow Jesus” (Mk. 8:34). This week our text was Luke 10:25-37, the so-called parable of “the Good Samaritan”, set in its narrative context, and our characteristic was compassion.

One hears this slogan these days on South African radio. What "it" is, or that which we are implored to "feel" is, of course, the 2010 World Cup soccer tournament.

Last week, COPE Parliamentary leader Rev. Mvume Dandala led a no-confidence vote against President Jacob Zuma. Topping Dandala's list of allegations of failed leadership was Zuma's "repeated risky sexual behaviour, thus weakening the crucial fight against HIV/Aids and setting a poor example."

Two reports Wednesday have reopened the question of the integrity of the process of South Africa's transition to democracy, culminating in 1994. First, in comments which sparked requests for clarification from the ruling ANC, Winnie Madikizela Mandela echoed the lines of continuing revolutionary sentiment that her former husband, Nelson Mandela, was a "sell-out" to white economic interests.

One cannot live in South Africa without encountering in some form or another the so-called "prosperity gospel". Critics of the movement, Christian and secularist alike, are quick to point out the hypocrisy of prosperity's preachers: private jets and luxurious mansions purchased on the offerings of an impoverished faithful.