I’ve (far left) just recently asked a few questions of Rev. Kenny Lloyd (far right) of Emmanuel Church (Port Elizabeth, South Africa) about pastoring and challenges in South Africa. Having been mentored by, and having worked with Kenny for a few years I am glad to share his thoughts with you. Kenny is the most pastorally gifted man I have come across. I have caught a mere few things from him, and am deeply thankful for Him. Here’s a short interview with Kenny:
1) Kenny, welcome to Seeing Through a Mirror Dimly! Thanks for doing a short little interview with me. Tell me, as a sports-lover who’s spent time in Australia and South Africa, how do you decide who to support in the big matches between these great teams?
I’m rather divided these days so in Cricket I shout for the South African Proteas, in rugga I cheer on the Wallabies, in fact I’m wearing my Wallaby jersey as I type! There again in the Rugby World Cup I shouted for England, I think I’m confused Mark! Help.
2) Who has been the most influential person in your life?
One tends to give different answers at different stages. At this stage Simon Manchester and Simon Flinders, pastors at St-Thomas North Sydney, have affected the way I teach the Gospel and the way I relate to people more than anyone else in a long time. Paul Dale has got me thinking about training people for ministry. They’ve affected the way I operate – that’s influence.
3) What book has most impacted your life?
Funnily enough the Bible. The Bible introduced me to the Holy and Merciful God. Books have started to play a major role in my thinking. At the moment, Calvin’s institutes of Religion as well as a good book on mission like Samuel Escobar’s “A Time for Mission,” have helped me think systematically & outside my normal frame of reference.
4) Kenny, you and your family live in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Can you give us a short picture of what your current ministry in PE looks like?
We currently serve at a predominantly White evangelical church called Emmanuel, half the week, and spend the other half amongst young Black African students in the university context. Emmanuel church currently supports the student ministry.
5) How do you keep your devotional life with the Lord fresh, and your zeal for Him strong?
At the moment I am reading Peter O’Brien’s commentary on Ephesians in preparation for a series of talks on Ephesians in 2 months time. Its that kind of demanding reading as well as my own current quiet time reading in Genesis that is giving fuel to my praise and gratitude to God. I also have a very simple prayer program for the days of the week which gives the praying some structure. I don’t know if getting quiet with God & reading his Bible is going out of fashion but Michael Cassidy is right when he says “We need solitude with God and his Word.”
6) You grew up in SA, recently spent 3 years in Sydney, and are now back in South Africa – what seem to be some of the major differences between your church experience in AUS and the church experience in SA?
One of the obvious differences is that the Sydney Anglican Diocese is a highly organized well taught resourced church with clear goals. You’ll find patches of that in South Africa (SA) but a lot of what I’ve seen, particularly amongst our younger Black people, is a zeal that lacks knowledge. The beautiful thing is so many of the younger poorer Black Christians are crying out for real Bible truth, more so than the younger White people (in my experience.)
Another difference is that here in SA we face the reality of poverty, crime, injustice and instability and so Christians need to work out how to live for God and neighbor in complex situations. The Australian challenges were different, more Post Christian and Post Modern.
7) Does post-apartheid South Africa face any major challenges within the Church in particular?
Yes. One real issue facing South Africa is Apartheid (again). Recent xenophobic attacks (over 60 foreigners killed, many thousands displaced) have reminded us how close to the surface, deep problems lie. The challenge for the church will be to show SA that there are 3 groups of people in South Africa: Blacks, Whites and Christians.
Kenny, later this year you’re moving into University-based ministry – what are your hopes and dreams for this ministry?
Kenny, later this year you’re moving into University-based ministry – what are your hopes and dreams for this ministry?We’re working more and more amongst younger South Africans. We hope to plant a church under the banner of the Church of England in South Africa where students and others will be discipled and equipped to serve and know Jesus wherever they go, beyond there student days. We also hope to see our Uni group called Bible Speaks Today, growing in its influence and numbers on campus here in Port Elizabeth.
9) If our readers (anyone!?) are keen to stop and just now pray for you – what would you love them to be praying for?
Thanks for praying friends – please ask our heavenly father to lead us by his Spirit and Word as we make lots of decisions in the next while, where to plant, how to be church, to provide everything we need. Please thank Him for opening doors for us to bring the Gospel of grace to people in Port Elizabeth, its been a great joy!
So, please do pray for Kenny and his family as they make decisions about how to serve our Lord in Port Elizabeth. He’s a wonderful friend and a guy whom I know would be very grateful to God for your prayers.
“To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 5:11
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4 comments
geoffc says:
June 16, 2008 at 12:04 pm (UTC 10 )
Thanks Mark, it’s always a pleasure to read of what’s happening in the world for the gospel.
The opportunities for after college are endless!
geoffc says:
June 16, 2008 at 12:04 pm (UTC 10 )
Thanks Mark, it’s always a pleasure to read of what’s happening in the world for the gospel.
The opportunities for after college are endless!
mark says:
June 16, 2008 at 1:21 pm (UTC 10 )
Too right mate. So great to keep hearing of what God’s doing through Kenny and Rose (and Jenna!)..
And yes, certainly the possibilites are endless – Just got to keep trusting Jesus and finding his place for us!
Stephen Murray says:
June 22, 2008 at 10:00 pm (UTC 10 )
I googled ‘Church of England’ to find out if there were any other blogs talking about our little denomination on the southern tip of Africa and low and behold I found this post. Interesting to hear Kenny’s perspective. I’ve never met him personally but here great things about the work he’s doing.
Nice Blog – Cheers.
Another South African CESA Blogger.