Motions and Elections submitted through Area Councils for the September synod of REACH – South Africa

• Salary support to be paid from available funds from the voluntary levies and any other amounts that can be raised.
• Salary support be available only to licensed clergy (full time and part time) in churches that have submitted up to date annual financial reports, payslips and are regular levy payers.
• No church be compelled to pay the additional levy.
• No church be compelled to apply for support.
• Salary support to be administered by the central office.
• Salary support to be for a period of one year after which it must be re-applied for.
• Salary support to be paid into the respective church account for the support of that minister.
• Ministers will not become employees of the denomination in any capacity

Proposer:  Revd. Dr. Geoff Gertzen

Seconder:  Mr. Justin (Billy) Nield

Area Council voting results:  40 For   |   6 Against   |   3 Abstain

Motion 6:  National Executive & Central Trustee Report

Resolution:   a) In order to promote accountability and transparency, we propose that at each Synod the Central Trustees present a report giving feedback on all significant discussions and decisions in the previous year, including the progress on the implementation of previous Synod’s decisions and resolutions.

b) In order to promote accountability and transparency, we propose that at each Synod the National Executive present a report giving feedback on all significant discussions and decisions in the previous year, including the progress on the implementation of previous Synod’s decisions and resolutions.

Motivation:  ReachSA Clergy and Synod Delegates are at times frustrated by the lack of implementation and seeming lack of communication from the National Executive and Central Trustees.  This motion seeks to promote more accountability and transparency.

Proposer:  Revd. Andre Visagie

Seconder:  Revd. Quentin van Rooyen

Area Council voting results:  45 For   |   1 Against   |   3 Abstain

Section B: Churches

Motion 7:  Daughter church status for Southreach church Muizenberg

Resolution:  Gracefields church council hereby motivates for the congregation known as ‘Southreach church’, currently a recognised church plant in Muizenberg, to be granted daughter church status.

Motivation:  Southreach church, a plant of Gracefields church, Fish Hoek, has been meeting for Sunday services consistently for almost three years and has established a meaningful congregation over this time. Rev. Jon Morrison is the minister in charge and is a GWC graduate and ordained presbyter of REACH SA. Jon is the only full time employed person at Southreach Church. 

The Church is currently one year into a five year rental agreement at 11 Atlantic road in Muizenberg. Southreach has thus established a stable meeting venue and has invested in all necessary audio-visual equipment, fixtures and fittings to create a viable church environment. Attendance is currently around 150 people on average, including +/ – 20 children attending kids church on Sunday mornings. A child protection policy that meets REACH SA criteria is in place and adhered to. Caitlyn kindly shares her Children’s Ministry resources with us, all resources for the children’s ministry are REACH SA approved. There are currently two weekly church services running at 10am and 6pm on Sundays. Liturgy is in line with the REACH SA practices. The Friday night youth program – Grades 7-12 has over 40 teens attending weekly. For the past 2 years Southreach has sent around 20 teens to the annual REACH SA Crossword camp. There are currently 70 Adults in mid-week fellowship groups and a growing young adult ministry. A total of 8 fellowship groups meet weekly. Although not yet completely self-funded, finances are stable and have benefited from several gospel partnerships, including financial contributions from Gracefields church, Christ church Midrand, and the Reach SA church planting fund. This has resulted in a favourable financial position.

There are sound financial governances and structures in place with a team of 5 people from Southreach having oversight and managing the income and expenses, within the financial structures of Gracefields church. The plan is for Southreach church to be self-funded, including the pastors salary, by the end of 2027.Whilst a church council has not yet been appointed (a constitution will be developed to govern this process if daughter church status is approved) an advisory leadership team of 8 people exists to support Jon as needed with ultimate oversight coming from Gracefields church council. During the transition to daughter church status, the two parties will work together to establish a constitution, a membership enrolment process and ultimately a church council in line with REACH SA guidelines.

Proposer:  Revd. Murray Anderson

Seconder:  Revd. Jon Morrison

Area Council voting results:  49 For   |   0 Against   |   0 Abstain

Section C: Elections

Election 1:  National Executive

Resolution:  It is proposed that Mr Geoffrey Jacobs be re-elected as National Executive, serving as lay representative from the Western Cape region.

Motivation:  Mr. Geoffrey Jacobs’s first term of 3 years has proven to be hugely beneficial to our region and nationally. He has served us with great wisdom, commitment and humility. Mr. Geoffrey has accepted this nomination.

Proposer:  The Rt. Revd. Bishop Peter Makapela

Seconder:  The Rt. Revd. Siegfried Ngubane

Area Council voting results:  43 For   |   4 Against   |   2 Abstain

Election 2:  Central Trustee

Resolution:  It is proposed that Mr Kenneth Coetzer be appointed as Central Trustee, serving as lay representative from the Western Cape region.