2019A YEAR IN REVIEW - COMMON GROUND CHURCH BLOUBERG
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
CO M M O N G R O U N D C H U R C H B LO U B E R G 2019 A YEAR IN REVIEW
Each year we take the opportunity to look back, reflect
and review. We share numbers. We celebrate numbers.
Numbers represent people. Numbers represent lives
being impacted and transformed. We celebrate these
stories of impact and consider how God is using Common
Ground Church as an instrument; serving to extend both
his kingdom and love deeper into our city and wider
into our culture.
page 2
S E CT I O N 1
COMMON
GROUND
CHURCH
BLOUBERG
a year in review 2017
CO M M O N G R O U N D C H U R C H B LO U B E R G page 3
A N OT E F R O M
R O G E R H AY N E S
2019 was a year of faith and family. Within our so as to achieve the breath-taking things we believe
immediate family Nicky and myself had the incredible God is calling us to.
privilege of a 12 week sabbatical (April-June),
something we are still enjoying the fruit of and are When we reflect on the church God has built us into,
very grateful for. It was through that time as we had we can only be thankful and humbled. An army of
our hands completely off the leadership wheel that servants after the heart of Jesus, doing their best to
we experienced the incredible wonder of what we love him, love each other and peel off the masks that
have in this church we then called Common Ground stand between our friendships going ever deeper for
Table View. It’s a community of impassioned, vision- his glory and our growth in him.
filled people willing to love, serve, lead and care for
each other. We look forward to the new season in our Elkanah
High School meeting space, trusting that God will help
Our leadership teams showed incredible depth and us maintain the awesome sense of real community
ownership of the community and vision, bringing and mission into an enlarged future.
about a deep sense of family and unity.
With love
2019 was a year where God began to bring a fresh Roger and Nicky and the leadership team
emphasis into our hearts and minds, that of our own
personal formation (or counter-formation) – who we
are becoming and how we are being counter-formed
in a culture that is trying to form us into its image.
This has renewed our sense of mission, community
and expectation of God.
We witnessed wonderfully more new people crossing
the line of faith than in any other year since our
inception in 2015. We thank God for that.
We also witnessed more consistent units of giving
than in any other year which counterbalanced the
sobering realities of an overall decrease in finances
through regular committed giving. We are committed
to discipleship, not raising money, and so will continue
to lead our church towards genuine heart and head
conviction about the value Jesus places on regular
committed giving. During a tough economic climate
and with emigration a reality, we celebrate God’s
kindness to us and equally trust for future increase Roger and Nicky Haynes
a year in review 2019
CO M M O N G R O U N D C H U R C H B LO U B E R G page 4
a year in review 2019
CO M M O N G R O U N D C H U R C H B LO U B E R G page 5
B LO U B E R G N U M B E R S
124AV E R A G E
6
PEOPLE
110
REGULAR
14
LIFE
W E E K LY AT T E N D A N C E BAPTISED VOLUNTEERS GROUPS
(Excluding Christmas & Easter) (On Sundays)
2018: 119 2018: 10 2018: 91 2018: 11
145
PEOPLE IN
15
D E A CO N S
24
NEW MEMBERS
120
CHURCH
LIFE GROUPS W E L CO M E D I N MEMBERS
2018: 120 2018: 4 2018: 22 2018: 106
Our Sundays not only saw numerical increase, but also a growing maturity of leadership and gifting in most areas. The
highlights of Sundays in our (then named Table View) congregation is the incredible sense of community, warmth and
engagement of volunteers. It’s breathtaking to witness a family so invested in the mission and the people within, and to
see the wonderful way that everyone plays their part in making it work. 2019 was a steady year. Whilst many churches
worldwide and even citywide sadly see decline, we are grateful for every life God adds to us as we grew steadily. With many
people emigrating and the increase of the transient lifestyle, we thank God for steady growth, deeply rooted people and the
stability of community in an increasingly isolating, individualistic and unpredictable world.
a year in review 2019
CO M M O N G R O U N D C H U R C H B LO U B E R G page 6
NEXT GEN NUMBERS
KIDS ROCK & IGNITE
An encouraging increase in numbers
saw our kids ministry growing to
an average over 40 children per
week. With a great sense of vision
41
AV E R A G E
16
NUMBER
for the future coupled with warmth
and love, our leadership teams are
always striving to create a community
W E E K LY AT T E N D A N C E OF LEADERS
where faith, friendships, fun and
2018: 33 2018: 17
family are the central values. It’s
incredibly encouraging to witness
the Ignite group (age 11-13) building
momentum on Sundays and Friday
evenings! With limited resourcing
and high commitment, this team has
pulled together a wonderful sense
7 7
of momentum that has set us up for
present and future fruitfulness! Kudos
AV E R A G E NUMBER to that outstanding team!
W E E K LY AT T E N D A N C E OF LEADERS
2018: 7 2018: 7
a year in review 2019
CO M M O N G R O U N D C H U R C H B LO U B E R G page 7
CO M M O N G R O U N D C H U R C H B LO U B E R G page 8
B LO U B E R G
FINANCIAL OVERVIEW
Sometimes we like to use the term, ‘what’s the bottom line?’. It’s a financial term to get to the
essence of what’s going on. This is not always a simple exercise when it comes to church finances.
I’d suggest the bottom line is not directly visible in spreadsheets or annual reports, because the
bottom line is the in hearts and lives of our people. God reminded Samuel that man looks at
the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart – 1 Sam 16. Jesus confirmed this when
applauding the widow ho gave less than the wealthy man. The heart is much harder to measure,
the heart spends many currencies, and opens and closes its fists over many things. Jesus calls us
to trust him in all things.
However, if we were to measure 2019 with the ‘bottom line’ mentality, how would we fare?
If the bottom line is units giving per year, we saw good increase. More people or families are giving
than in any other year since our inception. This is wonderful!
If the bottom line however is income through regular committed giving, sadly our overall income
saw a steady decline leaving us with an end of year budget deficit of no less than R450k. Economic
challenges, emigration and people movement are all factors in this that we can’t ignore. Whilst
every church wishes to see income increase, we have a higher desire; to have a community with
deep revelation and understanding of God’s generosity towards us, that melts our hearts and moves
us towards a giving that reflects the very heart of Jesus!
We look forward to not simply increasing our income, but in coaching our congregation financially
to become more empowered financially by, getting out of debt, spending wisely, saving effectively,
and growing in generosity too. We are realizing that as we make disciples it’s not what we want
from people, but for them as we learn to live empowered, honest financial lives so that our future
is one of genuine generosity.
We can celebrate with humility the generosity of other congregations in our city wide story who
graciously helped us to eradicate our deficit entering into 2020. We trust that in years to come we
too will be able to be a family that can support others in times of need.
May 2020 see the bottom line truly change, may our hearts be moved to steward our money well,
grow our revelation of God’s generosity, and give joyfully as God leads us to do, for his glory and the
good of this glorious mission he has called us to.
HOW SALARIES ARE SET:
In tandem with an external consultant, Common Ground use a job grading system - involving Patterson
grades and the Avril Ryder South African NPO salary report - to ensure fairness in clustering job sizes.
2019 figures are management report figures, financial
audit underway at the time of print
page
page 91
S E CT I O N 1
FILLING
THE CITY
+ Multiplying Congregations
+ Multiplying Christ-followers
+ Multiplying Compassion & Justice
+ Multiplying Societal Renewal
+ Multiplying Church Strengthening
2019
a year in review 2018FILLING THE CITY page 10
FILLING
THE CITY
In 2017, God gave the leaders of Common Ground GIFT 5: CHURCH STRENGTHENING
Church a vision to serve Cape Town in five specific This year we strengthened the ministry of 65 pastors
ways – multiplying Christ-followers, multiplying and church planters from Phillipi, Langa, Khayelitsha,
Congregations, multiplying Compassion and Justice, Gugulethu and Strandfontein through our Leaders
multiplying Cultural Renewal and multiplying Church Breakfasts. We have also been able to equip two
Strengthening. pastoral couples (one from Khayelitsha and one from
Strandfontein) through a 2-year church
Trusting in God’s calling and provision, the leaders planting course.
of Common Ground rallied congregations across the
city to giving these Five Gifts to the city. We have also created an online repository of free
Common Ground Church resources that we hope will
Three years into that five-year vision we can give one serve and strengthen churches around the world.
account after the next of God’s miraculous hand in Take a look and why not share the link:
multiplying these gifts… www.commonresources.co.za
GIFT 1: MULTIPLYING CHRIST-FOLLOWERS
The best gift Common Ground can give to Cape Town
is more Christ followers. In 2019, we have seen many
stories of people crossing the line of faith, being
baptised and living out the way of Christ in all spheres
of their life. These stories are celebrated across
the congregational pages and can also be found on
commonstories.co.za
GIFT 2: MULTIPLYING CONGREGATIONS
In 2019 we celebrated the launch of Common Ground
Langa. This congregation has grown to a vibrant
attendance of 35 adults and 40 kids. We are so grateful
to God for adding to this congregation.
GIFT 3: COMPASSION AND JUSTICE
Our partnership with Common Good is central to who
we are as a church and there are hundreds of stories
of God at work through all three of their initiatives.
Please see more of these stories on the Common
Good page.
GIFT 4: CULTURAL RENEWAL
Through the Know Your Why conference with Ken
Costa we equipped, connected and inspired just over
300 delegates to take the wisdom and ways of Jesus
into their workplace. We also created a dedicated
One Life website which seeks to equip, connect and
mobilise Christ-followers to be agents of hope for the
good of the city. You can find the website here:
www.onelife.org.za
a year in review 2019page 11
S E CT I O N 2
COMMON
GOOD
+ Multiplying Compassion & Justice
a year in review 2019CO M M O N G O O D : M O R E CO M PA S S I O N & J U S T I C E page 12
SOCIAL JUSTICE
C I T Y I M PA CT
As Christ-followers we are called to ‘do justice, love
mercy, and walk humbly with our God’ (Micah 6v8).
In partnership with Common Ground, Common Good
seeks to create opportunities for people marginalised
by injustice to flourish and reach their full potential.
As we look back on 2019 we give thanks for the
thousands of lives that were impacted for the better
through our various programmes: from babies in
the womb, to new moms, school children, teachers
and the unemployed; from church leaders to Christ-
followers in congregations across our city.
Thank you to the many donors, supporters and
volunteers from Common Ground who partnered with
us in 2019. Together we are bringing hope, opportunity,
dignity, and care to those who need it most.
a year in review 2019CO M M O N G O O D : M O R E CO M PA S S I O N & J U S T I C E page 13
Early Life | Education | Employment | Congregational Support
E A R LY L I F E
In 2019 Common Good launched a new Early Life
initiative, Sikunye (meaning ‘we are together’ in
isiXhosa). Our research determined that the local
church has a significant role to play during the first
thousand days of life – a critical stage of development
from conception to two years of age that sets the
trajectory of a child’s future.
Sikunye inspires and activates churches across South
Africa to support families with children in this phase,
so that they can provide the nurturing care required
for their children to truly thrive and reach their full,
God-given potential.
50 100+
SIKUNYE CHAMPIONS C H U R C H E S PA R T I C I PAT E D
M O B I L I S E D A N D A C T I V E LY I N VA R I O U S E A R LY L I F E
WORKING TOWARDS EVENTS AND ARE ON
B U I L D I N G CO M M U N I T I E S A JOURNEY TOWARDS
OF CARE AND SUPPORT D I S CO V E R I N G T H E I R R O L E
A R O U N D FA M I L I E S I N IN GIVING ALL CHILDREN A
LOCAL CHURCHES. S T R O N G S TA R T I N L I F E .
a year in review 2019CO M M O N G O O D : M O R E CO M PA S S I O N & J U S T I C E page 14
Early Life | Education | Employment | Congregational Support
E D U C AT I O N
Common Good is determined that all children should
have access to an excellent education, no matter the
community in which you grow up. We’ve partnered
1861
with the Western Cape Education Department
to strengthen three no-fee schools through the
Collaboration Schools Project. Our team works
LEARNERS RECEIVED BETTER
alongside school staff to provide operational support,
E D U C AT I O N A C R O S S O U R T H R E E
co-create improvement plans, mentor teachers, SCHOOLS: DISA PRIMARY
develop leaders and build teams that can drive change. AND BOUNDARY PRIMARY IN
We also support targeted literacy interventions at B O N T E H E U W E L , A N D S I L I K A M VA
HIGH IN IMIZAMO YETHU
partner schools in Kewtown and Oceanview.
( H O U T B AY ) .
55
T E A C H E R S PA R T I C I PAT E D
IN PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
AND RECEIVED INDIVIDUAL
CO A C H I N G F R O M CO M M O N
GOOD’S INSTRUCTIONAL
CO A C H E S .
82
GRADE 2 & 3 LEARNERS
R E C E I V E D VA L U A B L E O N E -
ON-ONE READING SUPPORT
THROUGH SHINE LITERACY
P R O G R A M M E S AT K E W T O W N A N D
KLEINBERG PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
a year in review 2019CO M M O N G O O D : M O R E CO M PA S S I O N & J U S T I C E page 15
Early Life | Education | Employment | Congregational Support
E M P LO Y M E N T
Our employment initiative, The Zanokhanyo Network,
offers a holistic, three-week work readiness course
that empowers the unemployed with the confidence,
skills and resources they need to enter the
marketplace. We journey with our graduates, offering
support and connections to meaningful opportunities.
In 2019 we piloted a course in Langebaan, with a view
to establishing replication partners in communities
further afield.
634
G R A D U AT E S F O U N D W O R K O R
W E R E CO N N E C T E D T O F U R T H E R
STUDY OPPORTUNITIES
703
UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE
CO M P L E T E D W O R K R E A D I N E S S
T R A I N I N G AT 7 T R A I N I N G S I T E S
ACROSS THE CITY INCLUDING,
D U N O O N , H O U T B AY , L A N G A ,
L A N G E B A A N , O B S E R VAT O R Y ,
OCEAN VIEW AND WYNBERG.
245
G R A D U AT E S I M P R O V E D T H E I R TZN graduates and TZN training
CO M P U T E R S K I L L S A N D G A I N E D
INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC EXPERTISE
THROUGH ADDITIONAL,
I N - H O U S E CO M P U T E R , C U S T O M E R
EXPERIENCE AND
H O S P I TA L I T Y W O R K S H O P S .
a year in review 2019CO M M O N G O O D : M O R E CO M PA S S I O N & J U S T I C E page 16
Early Life | Education | Employment | Congregational Support
C O N G R E G AT I O N A L
SUPPORT TEAM
16
PODCASTS PRODUCED FOR THE
Our Congregational Support team aims to equip LIVING SOCIAL JUSTICE CHANNEL
and mobilise Christ-followers towards social justice
in their everyday lives. We support Social Justice
Ministry (SJM) teams in Common Ground as they seek
to disciple congregants towards a lifestyle of social
10
justice and respond to the needs of their community.
We publish resources on a range of topics and build
bridges to Common Good’s EEE programmes by
S O C I A L J U S T I C E R E S O U R C E PA G E S
facilitating volunteer opportunities and events. PUBLISHED ON OUR WEBSITE
E X P L O R I N G VA R I O U S S O C I A L
JUSTICE THEMES, INCLUDING
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN, LIVING
WAGE AND RACE, DIVISION
AND INEQUALITY.
1050
VOLUNTEER HOURS INVESTED IN
CO M M O N G O O D I N I T I AT I V E S
8
SOCIAL JUSTICE TEAMS
S U P P O R T E D A C R O S S CO M M O N
G R O U N D CO N G R E G AT I O N S
a year in review 2019page 17
We’re a gospel community filling
the city with the message,
life and fame of Jesus.
a year in review 2018You can also read
