O Spirit, who didst once restore Thy Church that it might be again The bringer of good news to men, Breathe on Thy cloven Church once more, That in these gray and latter days There may be those whose life is praise, Each life a high doxology To Father, Son and unto Thee. (Martin H. Franzmann, 1907-1976) Last night we heard, that it was this verse, which gave “Doxology” its name.

The Doxology Conference got off to a good start on Monday evening. Pastors arrived from far and wide to join the workshop led by Professors Dr. Harald Senkbeil and Dr. Beverly Yahnke, both from our sister-church the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. After registration and supper the work started at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Tshwane with an introductory session with Dr. Yahnke on “Word, Sacrament and Psychotherapy”. Afterwards a pastor commented: “Well, I am looking forward to more of this!”

Most pastors are accommodated in the dormitories of the theological students, who are still away for the summer break. We are grateful for the clouds that have cooled off Gauteng over the last few days and are looking forward to another full day of issues like “Shepherding souls: The classical model for the care of souls in contemporary practice” and “A noble task: A Christ-centered paradigm for pastoral self-care.”

Every diocese is leading one of the devotions, which frame the proceedings both in the morning and evening. We are grateful to St.Paul’s for granting us access to their facility for the worship services and also for the meals.