Chapter Two: The History, Demography and Method of Operation of the DCC
2.6 History of the Durban Christian Centre
course, instead, he wants to see the original vision of the DCC "enhanced and amplified". He experiences the general love, regard and co-operation of the DCC staff and members; however, he does admit that it is "hard to plough with another man's oxen".
Both John and Joy Torrens firmly believe that they should show consideration for their responsible position by "leading by example". They have stated that they will immediately step down from their current position if they fail in any way with regards to their character and leadership. Since their integration into the DCC, they have been responsible for leading the administrative and spiritual course of the church together with Fred and Nellie Roberts. They are in control of all operations in the absence of the senior pastor. John Torrens handles the spiritual matters of the church with a youthful appeal yet without straying from the aims and theology of the church. Joy Torrens directs the administration and the human resources of the DCC. She was also instrumental in the opening of the DCC Hope Centre Clinic after she became aware of the increasing stigmatisation of AIDS victims in society.
welcome, irrespective of colour, race or church denomination". This was promoted in order to achieve Roberts' vision to build "a house of prayer for all nations". This move allowed "phenomenal growth" and it became apparent that the DCC needed to acquire its own facilities which would be of a more permanent nature, where offices and a place of worship could be established.
Later in 1970, the Lyric Theatre was purchased and renovated. The church assumed the name Lyric Christian Centre, and had to double its services in order to cater for the large crowds that would gather.
In 1982, Sunday services again needed to be relocated to the centre of the city at the Embassy Theatre. The Lyric Theatre was then used for the offices of what now became known as the Durban Christian Centre and the Christian Bible Training College, which Roberts initiated. The congregation soon outgrew the Embassy Theatre, which had a seating capacity of 2000 people. Once again, there was a need to double the number of Sunday services.
The DCC often conducted meetings, conventions and crusades (i.e. special services that were exclusively evangelistic in nature for the purpose of attracting non-Christians to Christianity). These took place over and above the usual Sunday morning services and were occasionally held at the Durban City Hall and at the Durban Exhibition Centre. These meetings attracted capacity crowds.
Famed speakers such as television and itinerant evangelists Benny Hinn and Reinhard Bonnke were invited to conduct these meetings. The congregation now experienced uncontrollable growth. The move to the Embassy Theatre was not permanent, since it was now once more necessary to find a new home for the ever-increasing congregation.
In 1989, "... the Alhambra Theatre was purchased and the Lyric theatre sold to the Apostolic Faith Mission Church (to be used as a Bible College)" (: 3). The Alhambra Theatre is utilised by the DCC as their inner-city Church and as offices for the DCC Hope HIV/AIDS Clinic. This theatre is situated at the corner of the infamous Berea Road and Warwick Avenue opposite the Durban Institute
of Technology city campus. The interior of the theatre was refurbished in order to become suitable for the requirements of the church and Bible College.
History repeated itself as the church continued to expand and "soon this building also became too small resulting in two services being held on Sunday mornings" (: 3).
This continued expansion of the city congregation led to the purchase of twelve acres of land at the entrance to Durban, bordering the N2 freeway in Mayville.
This property contains facilities for the DCC which was initiated and led by the International Christian Academy and the Fred Roberts' Training Centre. The centre accommodates the Christian Bible Training College and the youth centre (Thunder Dome). "The Jesus Dome, which is our main facility, has an auditorium with a seating capacity of 4000, a chapel and a bookstore. This also accommodates the pastoral and administration offices" (The Bulletin67
September 2002 Vol.1 No.3: p.1). Seating for 7000 is currently available at the Dome, since a gallery was built in July 2005.
According to the DCC senior pastor, the eight-sided shape of the Jesus Dome is based on the model of the first church buildings, "Eight being the number of the resurrection and the eight sides reaching out in every direction with the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ" {Welcome: 4).
Other facilities that the DCC possesses are the Place of Hope and Camp Hope.
The Place of Hope is situated in Pickering Street in the inner city and Camp Hope is situated in Cato Ridge. Camp Hope was donated by the All Nations Gospel Publishers to the church "after 21 days of corporate prayer and fasting in July 2000" (The Bulletin September 2002 Vol.1 No.3). The Camp Hope facilities include a "chapel, kitchen, dining hall and sleeping facilities, as well as recreational facilities" (: 4).
The Bulletin is a magazine issued by the DCC.
2.6.1 Fred Roberts and the personality cult
The leadership and membership of the DCC affectionately refer to Fred Roberts as "Pastor Fred". The DCC leaders are promoted to certain positions of power on the basis of their loyalty and submission to Fred Roberts and his family.
Roberts enjoys the respect, loyalty, and adoration of members of his leadership team who have served under him for several years. On the face of it, the DCC congregation appears to exhibit a sense of awe, respect and admiration for Roberts; however, some members are vulnerable to dissenting voices and the division that occurs within the ranks.
Fred and Nellie Roberts often share stories of their life and ministry experiences with the congregation, which causes the listeners to feel that they know the couple personally. Members are familiar with the stories of the challenges, disappointments, tragedies and joys of Fred Roberts and his family. The autobiographical account of the lives of Fred Roberts and his family, renders the phrase "All things possible" (2004) as the summary of many of these narratives.
On meeting Fred Roberts, people appear to be self-conscious and absolutely respectful. This could well be the case since Roberts is viewed as an older Charismatic leader who has endured fifty years of ministry, and remains committed to his vision. Charismatic leaders view Roberts as a wise man who hears God. Many Charismatic ministers of smaller churches follow the personal advice and church-related recommendations that he offers them.
These attitudes to Roberts bear similarities to persons who have attracted personality cult followings. The "cult of personality"68 is defined as the
"excessive adulation of a single living leader, especially a head of state". In the
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult_of_personality
"A cult of personality is similar to general hero worship except that it is specifically built around political leaders. However, the term may be applied by analogy to refer to adulation of non- political leaders".
case of the congregational adulation of Fred Roberts, one may accuse some members of "excessive adulation" where Roberts is ascribed praises and the ultimate, unquestioning obedience. This is, on one hand, discouraged from the pulpit. Roberts teaches the congregation to "look to God and trust in God because man will fail you". On the other hand, constant references are made to Roberts as "a great man of God", "a healer and a miracle worker" and an
"apostle" together with Charismatic Christian friends such as Benny Hinn who holds the adulation of Charismatics across the world.
2.7 DCC demographics: Detailed description of subject group