The Scarborough Baptist pastor of a Church threatened with a $1million fine by the City of Stirling for offering meals and friendship to the marginalised says he has been heartened by the support his small congregation has received from members of the public and fellow Christian churches, including Catholic parishes.
“It’s been very positive; people have sent us emails, SMSs and contacted us by telephone,” Pastor Andre van Oudtshoorn told The Record in a telephone interview on Friday September 28.
“The wonderful thing is that it has been cross-denominational. Many individual Catholics and also a number of Catholic churches have phoned, sent SMSs or emails to say they’re praying for us.
“For us that shows in amazing ways that Christ’s love goes beyond denominational boundaries.”
Pastor van Oudtshoorn said his congregation would probably have to take the matter to the State Administrative Tribunal although, he added, “we’re still praying for possible reconciliation.”
He said he had received a phone call from a City of Stirling councillor who had asked if he would meet with Mayor David Boothman and Stirling Chief Executive Officer Stuart Jardine within the next fortnight, “So that could be a positive development.”
Despite the threat of financial penalty he said his small congregation would continue to reach out to those living on society’s margins. “We will still continue with the meals,” he said.
“We can’t suspend them because to do so would be to allow someone outside the Church to proscribe what is Christian and what is not.”
Pastor van Oudtshoorn said his congregation is a small one; around eight to 10 people, some in their 70s, turn up each weekend to help with the meals the church offers.