The Doctrine, Ethics and Worship Committee (DEWCOM) of the MCSA is a committee of Conference.
DEWCOM is mandated by Conference to respond to questions that face the church on doctrinal and ethical matters, as well as to assist with the development of appropriate liturgies for the life of the church. DEWCOM is not a policy making body, but provides information to Conference, which then instructs the relevant structures of the church to consider their recommendations. On this page, the reader will find discussion papers and other material that has formed part of DEWCOM’s work. For final expressions on polity and practice, the reader is asked to consult the Yearbooks and Book of Order of the MCSA. Papers and other material appearing here do not necessarily reflect the views and polity of the MCSA.
Is there more than one reading of the bible? Prepared by: DEWCOM |
| DEWCOM report on theology of marriage to the2016 Conference of the MCSA Prepared by: DEWCOM Date: 2016 |
| Article on marriage part one of four Prepared by: Rev. Faan Myburgh |
| Deacons L D Amendments 2016 Prepared by: DEWCOM Date: 2016 |
| DEWCOM RESOLUTIONS 21 06 2016 Prepared by: DEWCOM Date: 21 June 2016 |
| ANCESTRAL CALLING WITHIN THE METHODIST CHURCH OF SOUTH-AFRICA Prepared by: DEWCOM |
| Suggested Liturgy for the Blessing of a Civil Union Final Prepared by: DEWCOM |
| Methodist clergy in the political sphere Prepared by: DEWCOM |
| Critique of Wessel Bently Paper by Peter Frow Prepared by: Peter Frow Date: 2018 |
| MCSA Statement on Marriage 2019 version 3 Prepared by: MCSA Conference Date: 2019 |
| An understanding of Christian marriage in the MCSA Prepared by: Wessel Bentley |
| A profession of faith Prepared by: Rev. Roger Scholtz Status: Adopted by DEWCOM Date: July 2014 |
| Administration of the sacraments Author: Several Status: Archive Date: 1980 onwards |
| Advance directives Living Will Author: Rev. Kenneth Carr Status: Discussion document for adoption by Conference Context: On the question of a living will… Date: March 2010 |
| African Biblical Scholarship Author: Rev. P.M.S. Matsepe Status: Referred paper Context: This paper explores African hermeneutics… Date: July 2007 meeting |
| AFRICAN CULTURE AND HOMOSEXUALITY Author: Rev. Sijadu Nkomonde Context: In light of the same-sex debate… Date: Presented at the October 2006 meeting |
| An ecclesiology with particular reference to the mission of the Church as it concerns ministry of the laity Author: Rev. Tim Attwell Context: The MCSA recognises the importance of every-member ministry… Date: Presented at the May 2007 meeting |
| An initial response to the Lima text Author: Several Status: Archive Date: 1982 onwards |
| Attitudes to the Occult and Eastern Mysticism Author: Several Status: Archive Date: 1982 onwards |
| Bibliography on mission Author: Rev. Wessel Bentley Context: Resources for mission are not well known… Date: Presented at the October 2006 meeting |
| Brian Wilkinson Neither the bible nor the state defines marriage Author: Rev. Dr. Brian Wilkinson Context: Paper delivered at the Conference on Family life… Status: Conference Paper Date:October 2012 |
| CARING FOR THE ELDERLY 1 Author: Rev. Faan Myburgh Context: How to adequately deal with or stop the abuse of the frail elderly… Status: Discussion document Date: February 2013 |
| CCD Violence debate Author: Several Status: Archive Date: 1986 onwards |
| CCDP Study document Should we become a peace church Author: Several Status: Archive Date: 1986 onwards |
| christians and same sex relationships conference 2003 Author: DEWCOM Context: DEWCOM was mandated by Conference to supply a discussion guide by 2003… Date: Conference 2003 |
| Clerical and preaching wear women's perspective Author: Rev Dr Janette Krige Context: A position offered on women’s perspective of the use of clerical and preaching wear in the MCSA context… Date: May 2011 |
| Climate Change A Challenge to the churches in South Africa Author: South African Council of Churches (Used with permission) Context: Document on climate change. Status: SACC document… Date: 1 October 2009 |
| Dewcom Ministers and Covenant relationship Author: Rev. Tim Attwell Context: The debate concerning stipends in the MCSA has raised questions… Date: Presented at the May 2007 meeting. |
| DEWCOM submission to Conference 2012 on the same sex debate Date: February 2014 |
| Discourses on changing Family Life patterns Lilian Siwila Author: Dr Lilian Siwila Context: Paper delivered at the Conference on Family life. Status: Conference Paper Date: October 2012 |
| DIVERGENT CONVICTIONS AND MORE FREEDOM TO EXERCISE DIVERGENT CONVICTIONS Author: Rev. Faan Myburgh Status: Discussion document Date: February 2014 |
| Archive document on Exorcism Author: Trevour Van Zyl De Bruyn Context: Interim report on exorcism for the Doctrine Committee’s consideration Status: Archive Date: 1993 |
| George Ellerbeck LINKING HISTORICAL OVERVIEWS WITH PERSONAL STORIES OF FAMILY LIFE Author: Mr George Ellerbeck Context: Paper delivered at the Conference on Family life. Status: Conference Paper Date: October 2012 |
| Gracious Words for difficult times Author: Several Status: Crchive Date: 1986 onwards |
| GUIDELINES FOR THE USE OF CLERICAL VESTMENTS Author: Rev. Tim Attwell Context: A contribution vestments and clerical attire. Status: Official DEWCOM document. Date: 17 March 2009 |
| Guidelines on the Christian Calendar and Christian Holy Days Author: Rev. Tim Attwell Status: Adopted by DEWCOM Date: July 2014 |
| HOLDING HANDS IS NOT FOR SISSIES Author: Rev. Greg Andrews Context: In light of the same-sex debate, Rev Andrews presented this paper… Status: Adopted by DEWCOM Date: Presented at the October 2006 meeting |
| In the shoes of the Samaritan Author: Several Status: Archive Date: 1986 onwards |
| Infant baptism Author: Dr Wessel Bentley and Rev Peter Grassow Context: A short document to stimulate discussion on the MCSA’s usage of infant baptism… Status: To be discussed by Synods of 2010 Date: March 2010 |
| Leon Klein Caring for Families Pastorally in a Post Modern World Author: Rev. Dr. Leon Klein Context: Paper delivered at the Conference on Family life. Status: Conference Paper Date: October 2012 |
| Living together in the household of God Author: Rev. Roger Scholtz Context: These articles were published in The New Dimension as a series addressing… Status: Adopted by DEWCOM. Date: 4 March 2008 |
| Louise Peters RESPONSE OF THE CHURCH TO CHANGING FAMILY STRUCTURES Author: Ms Louise Peters Context: Paper delivered at the Conference on Family life. Status: Conference Paper Date: October 2012 |
| Marriage Author: Rev Peter Grassow Context: A discussion document on the Christian understanding of marriage… Status: DEWCOM response for Conference 2010 Date: August 2010 |
| METHODIST REFLECTIONS ON ABORTION Author: Rev. Prof. Neville Richardson Context: The MCSA’s stance on abortion has been questioned. In this paper, Rev. Prof. Richardson explores the theological and ethical considerations relating to this issue. Date: Submitted at the May 2006 meeting |
| MODEL FOR A UNITED CHURCH Author: Rev. Dr. Wessel Bentley Context: A discussion document on moral decay and the Church’s prophetic role. Status: Discussion document Date: August 2012 |
| MORAL DECAY DISCUSSION DOCUMENT Author: Rev. Roger Scholtz Context: These articles were published in The New Dimension as a series addressing theological underpinnings for the understanding of stipends Status: Adopted by DEWCOM. Date: 4 March 2008 |
| New Age Cult Author: Several Context: Paper on Satanism and the occult Status: Archive Date: 1982 onwards |
| ORDAINED DEACONS AND THE SACRAMENTS IN THE METHODIST CHURCH OF SOUTHERN AFRICA Author: Rev. Dr. Dion Forster Context: The Order of Deacons requested permission to dispense the Elements… Date: Presented at the May 2007 meeting. |
| Ordering our Church Space Author: Rev. Vusi Vilakati Context: Discussion document on the utilisation of church-space. Status: Discussion document Date: August 2012 |
| Ordination and Non Itinerant Ministry Author: Rev Peter Grassow Context: Discussion document on the meaning of ordination and non-itinerant ministry in the MCSA Status: DEWCOM response for Conference 2010 Date: August 2010 |
| Pastoral letter Should the Methodist Church become a peace church Author: Several Status: Archive Date: 1986 onwards |
| Position paper on the MCSA and the use of Lottery money Author: Dr Wessel Bentley Status: Position paper adopted by DEWCOM Date: February 2014 |
| Recommendation to Conference regarding the way forward in the same sex discourse Model The way forward in the same-sex discourse (model 2) |
| Response to Rev Dr Dion Fosters document regarding ordained deacons and the sacrament Author: Mrs. Dianne Sundberg Context: This document argues for the right of Deacons to receive dispensation… Date: 1 September 2009 |
| Same sex relationships an alternative view to the Discussion Guide Author: Rev. Dave Morgan Context: In light of the same-sex debate, Rev. Morgan argues that the findings… Status: Under discussion Date: Presented at the October 2006 meeting. |
| Satanism Occult Author: Several Status: Archive Date: 1982 onwards |
| SCRIPTURE AND SAME SEX RELATIONS Author: Rev. Ray Alistoun Context: In light of the same-sex debate, Rev. Alistoun argues that same-sex relationships are not viewed in a positive light by Scripture. Date: Presented at the October 2006 meeting. |
| Statement on the ministry of oversight Author: Rev. Dr. Wessel Bentley Context: Statement on the MCSA understanding of the office of the Bishop/Presiding Bishop. Status: Statement as requested by Conference Date: August 2012 |
| Stipend Discussion Document DEWCOM11 |
| Summary on the use of stoles Tim-Attwell Author: Rev Tim Attwell Context: A summary on the use of stoles in Christian ecclesiology Status: Correspondence with enquiring clergy Date: May 2011 |
| Surrogate Motherhood DEWCOM 2007 Final copy Author: Rev. Ken Carr Context: Considering the debate on adoption and parenthood, Rev. Carr explores the theological… Date: Presented at the May 2007 meeting. |
| The Christian and violence |
| The Methodist Church of Southern Africa and homosexuality Author: Rev. Ndhiko Mtshiselwa Context: A contribution to the same-sex discussion by an ordained minister in the MCSA Status: Discussion paper received by DEWCOM. Date: 17 March 2009 |
| The Peace church debate Resolutions Author: Several Status: Archive Date: 1986 onwards |
| Undoing closure why the Church should sanction same sex civil unions Author: Rev. Faan Myburgh Context: A contribution to the same-sex discussion by an ordained minister in the MCSA Status: Discussion paper received by DEWCOM. Date: 17 March 2009 |
The homosexual person the Church and grace |
| ENDORSEMENT FOR CLIMATE CHANGE DOCUMENT |
| Position Paper on Infant Baptism |
