6.2 The Perceptions of about the status of Outstation Congregations
6.2.3. Voices of Main Parish Centre Leaders
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understood as a challenge over the tensions that arise between the outstation congregations and the main parish centre.
There appeared to be a sense that it was duty of any Diocese to strategies with the rector and the parish to address the new challenges facing the Church. These strategies were to be achieved through close alignment with the Diocesan policy and vision. From the participants’ perspectives, the Diocese of Natal had to align itself with the integration of outstation congregations with the view to maintain peace and unity in a large parish.
Commenting on the ecclesiology justification of the policy change, some main parish centre leadership (MPC-4) focused on what it means for you to be a member of the Anglican Church in the Diocese of Natal, under the following themes,
Independence and Autonomy
With regard to interdependence between the main parish and outstation congregation, the leaders had this to say,
We are God’s family. The culture of the Church was fascinating; in the way things were done in mission, ministry and worship. There was diversity in worship. Spirituality was through the unity in praise and worship. (Interview, MPC-4a).
Some of the main parish centre leaders had this to say:
It is a platform where all parishes are equal. The large parish belongs to the extended family. It is a means of development in Christ (Interview, MPC-4a)
Another member of the main parish centre observed that:
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It is a challenge to the large parish, as a member or part of the Diocese, to identify needs of the Diocese and promote them. Large parishes need to be motivated. (Interview, MPC-4a).
The Church’s value of the policy change was in pursuing a seemingly win-win situation between outstation congregations and main parish centre – a matter which was played down by the Diocese of Natal. One of the leaders of the main parish centre observed that:
It is a challenge as members, because you need to identify the needs of the outstation congregations at outstation congregations and take them to council. The council does not want to deal with these needs (Interview, MPC-4a)
Other leaders of the main parish centre noted that:
Yes, outstation congregations deserve a say in administration of the parish because of their financial contribution to the main parish centre.
They are involved, as they are a part of the parish. This will help outstation congregations to know what is happening with their monies and how it is used. There is inequality in representation to parish committees. Needs of the parish are discussed in the absence of the outstations and if present are shut down immediately. It is the voice from main parish centre that is recognised. The matters from outstation congregations are not even put on an agenda or sometimes forgotten to be included. Outstation congregations have no space in a large parish to state their views. They end up being appendix to the top-down structure of a large parish. ‘You know nothing’ or ‘you just listen’
(Interview, MPC-4a).
Another main parish centre leader noted the frustration of outstation congregations at their lack of autonomy. He went on to state that:
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Outstation congregations are angry of being always directed and cannot take decisions on their own. ‘Once a window pale has been broken in the church building, when parishioners fix it, they are reprimanded’ by the main parish centre. They are not allowed to open any savings account at any bank. All monies are kept by the main parish centre. They are strangers when they go to the main parish centre. When layministers from outstation congregations go to the main centre to conduct a service, congregations are very cold, as a sign of not being accepted. As such they were frustrated and chose not to work within a large parish as a protest against denial (Interview, MPC- 4a).
Canons and Acts of the Diocese
Commenting on the status of outstation congregations, some main parish centre reflected that:
Canonically, outstation congregations are within the large parish and such have an obligation to fulfil (duties) in the large parish, for example, mother and branches. It is top – down approach (Interview, MPC – 4a)
Justifying the introduction of policy change, some of the main parish centre leaders had this to say:
Outstation congregations are conditioned to be in the large parish but seemingly have no role to play, as they are alienated and marginalised.
The only role they have is financial. Although main parish centre forces the outstation congregations to stick to Canonical rules, they are expected not to depend on the mother Church. This is one way
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communication which is not accepted by the outstation congregations (Interview, MPC-4a).
Another leader of the main parish centre observed that:
Outstation congregations are always reminded that you are subordinate to the main parish centre. All what is outstation conditions’ role is financially to the main parish centre. However, worshipping together with main parish centre is a challenge to the outstation congregations, because of marginalisation. They are against being told now and again what to do in their outstations, as if they were children. Outstation congregations play a pivot role at the large parish which is seen as not important. Outstations are supposed to develop and support the main centre parish. (Interview, MPC-4a).
Agreeing with the observation, one of the main parish centre parish leaders (MPC-4) had this to say:
Outstation congregations are involved in the following activities, St. Agnes Guild;
Iviyo lika-Kristu; Anglican Women’s Fellowship; Bernard Mizeki Guild; lay minister; abashumayeli (probationers-lay ministers). What is frustrating outstation congregations is that some of these ministries are received at main parish centre without any warmth. Therefore, resort to serve their own congregations. (Interview, MPC-4a).
Another leader of the main parish centre asserted:
Outstation congregations are canonically within the large parish. It is a symbiosis interaction between outstation congregations and main parish centre. However, it appears that it is a top-down
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communication, of which outstation organisations are against (Interview, MPC-4a).
And continued:
Outstation congregations are conditioned to be in the large parish. This is informed by financial contribution to the main parish centre. Main parish centre ensures that outstation congregations actually feel their inferiority. They are expected not to depend on mother Church but be involved in the mission of God. The only condition of being in a large parish was through the Canons (Interview, MPC-4a).
Growth and Empowerment
Further to the contestation over the status of outstation congregations, I asked participants questions about the prospects for growth and development. Main parish centre leaders (MPC-4) offered the following views:
Outstation congregations lack leadership skill. They are not motivated and [are suffering from a] dependency syndrome. There is neither fund-raising nor stewardship campaign. Parish activities are centralized. They have a low esteem and need encouragement in whatever they are engaged in. There are no proper training and management skills. Rector visits the outstation congregations in a rush and it is impossible even to attend to some challenges that may have come out (Interview, MPC-4a).
Another main parish centre leader made this comment: