3. A case study of the
Sesheke Church’s
Transformational Task
4. Findings of the field
research
Conducted in December, 2014
The church failed at its transformational task!
5. 1
Reasons the Church failed
at its Transformational
Task
Participants in the interviews cited the following reasons for
the failure …
6. Lack of participatory
transformational practices
The local community and church were passive recipients of
projects designed elsewhere
Reasons for failure. #1
7. Church politics /
Personal gain
Self-centered actions of churches and leaders aimed at
improving their own status, positions, or to achieve greater
power
Reasons for failure. #2
8. Oversimplified approach to
transformation
• They did not provide a holistic solution to people’s basic
needs
• Only a single aspect – forest preservation - was focused on
• Survival, however, is the biggest need of the people of
Sesheke
Reasons for failure. #3
9. Underlying dualism –
Spiritual opposed to
Physical
The church’s task is seen as attending to the spiritual needs
of the people opposed to their physical well-being.
Reasons for failure. #4
10. Lack of Skills and
Understanding of the
Transformational Task
• Insufficient planning on behalf of the church
• The church did not have skills to work with external experts
• The church did not address community’s basic needs
Reasons for failure. #5
11. Non-Sustainable Interventions
• No replacement strategies (alternative livelihood measures)
were put in place for people to survive on if they stopped
exploiting the forest
• Projects were dependent on resources from outside the
community for its continuation and success
Reasons for failure. #6
12. Lack of Resources
No Transport and funding for the Pastors’ fellowship to
carry out transformational projects
Reasons for failure. #7
13. 2
Church’s impact
Despite the perceived failure of the church the participants
did identify interventions by the church that are beneficial
to the community.
14. Interventions that addressed a
range of needs:
• from school fees,
• food packages, to
• HIV/AIDS assistance
Church’s impact #1
15. Interventions however
• were not necessarily coordinated and proactive efforts,
• brought temporary relief but not necessarily permanent
change and
• kept people dependent on contributions.
Church’s impact #2
17. Church should impact the
community holistically
Attend to both spiritual and physical needs of the people
What people expected from the church #1
18. Church should liaise with
the Government
Church has influence with government and should act on
behalf of the people
What people expected from the church #2
19. Church should empower
people
The church should make available information, training,
and resources needed for people to be primary actors in
their own transformation
What people expected from the church #3
21. A
Challenges related to
community characteristics
The following challenges are related to the particular
community characteristics of Sesheke:
• Challenges related to community characteristics
• Challenges related to operational practice
Transformational challenges
22. Poverty
Most people cannot afford decent meals, accommodation,
or to pay for their children’s school fees
Challenges related to community characteristics #1
23. Position of Zambezi
Sawmills ex-employees
• The Sawmill led to an influx of people from other
communities.
• The abrupt liquidation of the Sawmill was a severe blow
to an already vulnerable community.
Challenges related to community characteristics #2
24. Education across all
sectors of community
There is lack of skills, knowledge, and training among
community members
Challenges related to community characteristics #3
25. Cultural and language barriers
• Cultural diversity and practices pose reasonable
challenges to the transformational task
• There are also immigrants from Angola in Sesheke
Challenges related to community characteristics #4
26. Accessibility of
communities
Lack of transport and non-existence of roads to some
communities
Challenges related to community characteristics #5
27. Vulnerable community
members
• Children, youths, and widows are suffering
• Deviant behaviour among young people
Challenges related to community characteristics #6
28. Farming
• Inadequate farming land
• Farming in protected forestry area is illegal
• Lack of knowledge, resources, and skills on modern
farming methods
Challenges related to community characteristics #7
29. Water
Clean and safe drinking water supply is inadequate
Challenges related to community characteristics #8
32. Financing
transformational projects
Challenging the belief that funds should come primarily
from outside organisations instead of the local church and
community
Challenges related to operational practice #2
33. Establishing community
participation
• Giving priority to the basic element in development, the
local people themselves
• Moving into the area not as the “saviour of”,
but as a “partner with” the community
Challenges related to operational practice #3
34. Incorporating the Pastors
Fellowship
• Lack of cooperation within the pastors’ fellowship,
• Infightings and dissentions amongst churches and church
leaders
Challenges related to operational practice #4
36. Effective planning and
implementation
Planning is to include a practical and measurable
implementation strategy in order to ensure success
Challenges related to operational practice #6
37. Conclusion
• The church in Sesheke failed at its transformational task.
• Transformation involves alleviating the plight of the poor and
less privileged people
• Some of the church interventions were beneficial but not
sufficient to bring about community transformation
• The church must holistically attend to needs of the poor and
vulnerable people in society according to the teaching of the
Bible (Matthew 25:35-40)
38. Join a league of spiritual leaders,
who work vigorously at
advancing the Kingdom of God.
www.ats.ac.za