In Conversation with the New Rector of St Monnica - Father Xolani Dlwati  

Quest 1 – Backround and communities served?

My home parish is St. Stephens Church in Zone 6 Diepkloof . It is here that vocation for ministry began and was discerned under the mentorship of Mr Benedict Dlamini and Revd. Enos Mhlongo who was also my confirmation teacher. I served in this parish as a Youth Leader, Churchwarden, Parish Council Member, Parish Minister and in the Anglican Men’s Fellowship. 

Within the diocese I served as the chairperson of the Diocesan Youth Council as founded by Bishop Duncan and also in various Diocesan Commissions appointed by the Bishop including the Growth Commission led by Revd. Tim Mncube. 

I went to the theological college (COT) for two years from 2000 to 2001 and graduated with a Diploma in Theology. Thereafter, I graduated with the Honours Degree in Theology from UNISA in 2004. Curently, I am busy with the Masters programme at Unisa and hope to complete it in 2008. 

I served at Christ the King, Sophiatown as the visiting curate during my seminary holidays under the oversight of the then Rector Bishop (the a Revd) Thabo Makgoba. On my return I served as the curate at St. Bartholomew, Kagiso 2 and later appointed the Priest in Charge of St. Thomas, Kagiso 1. In 2006 I was then appointed the Archdeacon of Randfontein until my appointment here at St. Monicas. 

Before joining the ministry full time, I worked for the First National Bank as the Foreign Exchange Consultant form 1993 to 1997. Thereafter, I worked for the Leonard Cheshire Foundation as the Director of the Soweto Branch until December 1999. 

Quest 2 – What ministry of the Church are you passionate about? 

There are four areas of ministry I am passionate about being: 

1. Ongoing Spiritual Formation and Growth
2. Parish Strategic Development and Growth – Training
3. Youth Ministry
4. Outreach Ministry – Community Based Ministry 

Quest 3 – What are the key elements of your plan to realize St. Monicas mission? 

It is in fact not our mission But God’s Mission & Purpose for us and/or our Church. 

Firstly, there needs to be a discernment process of where God wants us to be in relation to the mission; and also of gifts and human resources needed to achieve the mission. This could be done through Quiet Days, Retreats and Ongoing reflection of the needs of our community as well as strategic reflection forums. The discernment process should help understand the mission itself and its implications on how we practice and structure ministry in this parish. 

Secondly, and most importantly is the Implementation process whereby individually and collectively we ensure that the mission becomes a living reality and thus it practically takes place. We should also ensure that resources are provided for the realization of the mission thus it should also be reflected in our budgets. 

Thirdly, there needs to be ongoing review of the implementation process through the testing of our  programs and activities against God’s mission for our community and whether or not there is still alignment. The objective of the review is to enhance and grow our ministries to ensure the realization of the mission.  

Ques 4 – How do you think the church should influence the community of Midrand? 

We need to become the Holy Presence in Midrand and surrounding areas. Being those set apart by God. Our lives should model godliness and uphold high moral standards especially in a time of moral decay within our communities. We must become Moral Regenerators of our Community! 

Furthermore, we should become a welcoming and caring community among ourselves and thus within the community. Our people live in challenging situations in their homes and work places and are therefore in need of a church community that spiritually nourishes and fulfils them and also that will unconditionally love them. For me four key words come up if we are to influence this community being Welcoming, Caring, Love and Morality. Remember the Church is the only institution that exists for non-members. 

Ques 5 – What do you believe are the key challenges facing the Church in Society? 

The following are the challenges facing us today in society: 

1. Moral Decay
2. HIV/AIDS
3. Poverty and Unemployment
4. Abuse and Violation of Human Rights. 

Quest 6 – You have been here for few weeks … what do you think are key challenges facing St. Monicas? 

There is great need for Healing and Reconciliation of the past hurts with the objective of building Unity within this family of God.Understand and Implement God’s mission for us as outlined in the Parish Mission and the Diocesan Vision Statements. 

Ques 7 – Tell us about your family? 

Biologically, I am the last born in the family of four children. However, I have lots of  sisters and brothers since we were brought up knowing that within the larger family we are all sisters and brothers irrespective of your biological parents. I married Mathabo on the 12th December 1998 and we were blessed with two lovely but energetic tiring children Vuyolwethu Mahlubi and Lubabalo Bhungane. 

Quest 8 – What do you do to relax? 

Reading, Visiting Friends, Learning Golf, Take walks and spend time with my family. 

Quest 9 – How can you be reached? 

I can be reached during reasonable office hours and after hours during emergencies everyday except my day off being a Monday through the cellphone, office and home lines and the parish email as listed in our Pew Leaflet. 

Ques 10 – Why should people join the Church under your leadership? 

Because I believe in holisticly growing people into Christlikeness and thus help them to realize their God given potential so as to serve God with their gifts and talents. My role over and above the sacramental functions is to equip the saints for ministry since we all have a vocation for a specific unique ministry. Remember by baptism we are all made ministers in the church of God and I believe we can all make a difference in God’s ministry. I am not only a devouted believer in the Ministry of All Believers but also ensure that I practice it.

I plan with God’s help to make this parish a spiritualy nourishing and fulfilling home for all who are hungry for the gospel of Christ which is relevant and addresses our current challenges and needs. 

Quest 11 – Any message to  the congregation? 

I urge all of us that we need to stay focused on realizing God’s Mission for our Church and not to get sidetracked by the devil into less important matters of dealing with personal agendas and egos. This can only be achieved if we remain a community obedient to God and deeply devouted and rooted in prayer.end