A local church came up with a novel fundraising initiative this past weekend, raising more than R20000 towards a new building.
Faith Alive Bible Church held a “court day” last Saturday at the Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk in Southernwood, where they hold their weekly services.
The event saw members of the church, ranging from the senior leaders to regular members, appearing before the court on various “charges”.
Instead of following the South African Constitution, the court used the Bible to guide it, and every charge was supported by a text from scripture.
Church spokesman Keith Ngesi said they were looking for something unique that would also entertain the congregation.
Pastor Simphiwe Nojoko was also one of the accused and was fined R10000. Although he did not appear before the judge, Nojoko is expected to pay the fine.
Everyone dressed for the occasion – from the magistrate to the witnesses who took the stand. The legal team were people who practise law in real life.
Most of the people faced one charge but trainee elder Sibusiso Nodada faced five.
Earlier this year, Nodada headed a project to buy a sound system for the church and urged members to contribute. But according to the court, he failed to go back and show appreciation for their contributions. That was his first charge, which the court believed infringed 1 Peter 4: 10-11.
“After harassing people to contribute money to purchase a PA sound system, you did not go back to appreciate their contributions by thanking them in writing,” said prosecutor Faith Maposa.
A confident Nodada pleaded not guilty and with a strong legal team expected to walk free but things did not go his way.
He was fined R10700. Nodada and his legal team have so far paid R6100.
“These fines are not derived from one person. The accused had a team of lawyers and witnesses who will raise the money among themselves,” Ngesi said.
Nodada has been given two months to pay off the remainder of his fine.
Other members fined included Bulelwa Mbango, who was accused of not living life as God originally intended. Mbango pleaded not guilty but failed to prove her innocence.
“Judge” Somi Nofilita-Doni fined her R1900 and she was ordered to pay it on the same day.
Nofilita-Doni also fined everyone R10 for failing to “pray silently” during court proceedings.
“They are all failing to do the purposes of God as Christians. They must all pay R10 before we can continue,” she said.
Ngesi said October marked a year since the church started its fundraising initiative.
“Our fundraising next year will be a play titled The plight of a homeless church,” he said.
Ngesi said they had a committee currently looking for land or a building that could be converted into a church.
“We’re also waiting for the municipality to announce available land for churches but the queue is long,” he said. — poliswap@dispatch.co.za
Congregants pay for ‘sins’
Faith Alive Bible Church held a “court day” last Saturday at the Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk in Southernwood, where they hold their weekly services.
The event saw members of the church, ranging from the senior leaders to regular members, appearing before the court on various “charges”.
Instead of following the South African Constitution, the court used the Bible to guide it, and every charge was supported by a text from scripture.
Church spokesman Keith Ngesi said they were looking for something unique that would also entertain the congregation.
Pastor Simphiwe Nojoko was also one of the accused and was fined R10000. Although he did not appear before the judge, Nojoko is expected to pay the fine.
Everyone dressed for the occasion – from the magistrate to the witnesses who took the stand. The legal team were people who practise law in real life.
Most of the people faced one charge but trainee elder Sibusiso Nodada faced five.
Earlier this year, Nodada headed a project to buy a sound system for the church and urged members to contribute. But according to the court, he failed to go back and show appreciation for their contributions. That was his first charge, which the court believed infringed 1 Peter 4: 10-11.
“After harassing people to contribute money to purchase a PA sound system, you did not go back to appreciate their contributions by thanking them in writing,” said prosecutor Faith Maposa.
A confident Nodada pleaded not guilty and with a strong legal team expected to walk free but things did not go his way.
He was fined R10700. Nodada and his legal team have so far paid R6100.
“These fines are not derived from one person. The accused had a team of lawyers and witnesses who will raise the money among themselves,” Ngesi said.
Nodada has been given two months to pay off the remainder of his fine.
Other members fined included Bulelwa Mbango, who was accused of not living life as God originally intended. Mbango pleaded not guilty but failed to prove her innocence.
“Judge” Somi Nofilita-Doni fined her R1900 and she was ordered to pay it on the same day.
Nofilita-Doni also fined everyone R10 for failing to “pray silently” during court proceedings.
“They are all failing to do the purposes of God as Christians. They must all pay R10 before we can continue,” she said.
Ngesi said October marked a year since the church started its fundraising initiative.
“Our fundraising next year will be a play titled The plight of a homeless church,” he said.
Ngesi said they had a committee currently looking for land or a building that could be converted into a church.
“We’re also waiting for the municipality to announce available land for churches but the queue is long,” he said. — poliswap@dispatch.co.za
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