Someone who wishes to become a member is required to attend two seminars, namely Foundations 1 & 2. At the first morning seminar the church’s position in respect of basic doctrines are presented and at the second morning seminar the vision, values and general functioning of the church are shared. These Foundation seminars are usually presented on a Sunday morning between 8am and 1pm.

Even in cases where people do not feel comfortable to accept our doctrinal position or formal membership they are nevertheless encouraged to come into fellowship and are welcomed with the understanding that they are free to participate while not able to assume leadership positions.

What are the different “levels” found within Shofar?

There are no “levels” of spirituality within Shofar. There is no secret or magic formula whereby people are categorized into certain “levels” within the church structure. Every member is deemed equal in terms of both their intrinsic and practical value.

Obviously the more mature Christians receive more responsibility in terms of leading, teaching and ministry. This is in accordance with standard practice in most churches or secular organizations where people are first allowed to prove their faithfulness and integrity.

The church has certain administrative structures in place, consisting of staff and pastors, in order to maintain day to day logistical functions.

Yet the bulk of what constitutes “church activities” are performed by Shofar members who volunteer their services. No-one is under obligation to participate in these activities and some members would for instance become small group facilitators, elders, children’s church leaders etc.

Are members compelled to make financial donations to the church?

No, not in the least. All giving is done on a completely voluntary basis. Contributions of individual members are not tracked either. Financial giving is regarded as a sacred act of worship and therefore this is an area onto which the leadership never trespasses. This ensures that every member has the freedom and the space to act only on the basis of personal conviction where there is an absolute absence of external constraint.

How does the church manage its finances?

Shofar operates as an Association Not For Gain and is registered as such with the Department of Social Development 031-463 NPO. Its constitution allows for religious non-profitable activities overseen by a financial committee. Shofar also enjoys tax exempt status at SARS. This exemption is reviewed annually and audited financial statements are submitted for scrutiny to the Tax Exemption Unit of SARS.

The financial affairs of the church are overseen by a financial committee, consisting of qualified and capable senior members of the church. The church members are updated on the state of affairs at an Annual General Meeting.

Income is solely derived from voluntary donations. The church teaches at its new members course that the church administration and community work depends on voluntary giving. All donations are received into the church’s bank account from where it is administered and accounted for. Full time pastors and employees receive approved salaries. The payroll system is administered by an employed Chartered Accountant and tax requirements are strictly complied with.

Does the church disregard / ignore science?

No, certainly not. We believe science to occupy an acutely significant place within a biblical Christian worldview. At the same time we reject the other extreme position – where science is deified (worshipped as a substitute for God). The Bible nevertheless provides a clear mandate for science. Here then lies the distinction – in how we relate to science. We accept all the facts of science but interpret these differently due to divergent presuppositions.

Secular humanism has its perspective framed by the dogmatic assumption that there is or can be no God, therefore no creator. We, on the other hand, assume the existence of God, as creator who grants mankind the sacred stewardship of creation. This mandate of stewardship is what historically has spawned the foundations of modern science in that many of the countries in which science has flourished are those with a traditionally Judeo-Christian worldview. As a result many of the celebrated pioneers of modern science were Christians who believed the Bible, honoured God as creator and embraced their sacred mandate as stewards of God’s creation. Some better known examples are: Sir Isaac Newton, Robert Boyle, James Joule, James Clerk Maxwell, Michael Faraday, Louis Pasteur, Johannes Kepler etc. So too even today many of the world’s leading scientists prescribe to the same presuppositions and continue to make significant contributions to the development of science. This illustrates the fact clearly that, contrary to some claims, Biblical faith is by no means opposed nor detrimental to scientific research and advancement.

With regard to our position on the history of origins – of the universe, life and man (which is sometimes known as the creation versus evolution debate) we say the following: Both creation and evolution deal with interpreting history, not science, since neither party can observe or repeat the past to prove what they believe. Both sides have certain assumptions or convictions about the past. It is thus not an issue of faith versus science, but rather that of science practised within two opposing paradigms or more specifically two opposing belief systems – one which acknowledges God as creator and one which refuses to. Since the Bible was written as neither a history nor a science text book there are necessarily many facts it does not reveal. Man therefore, has been afforded the opportunity to explore and to discover the remainder through historical and scientific research within a creationist framework.

What is the position on courtship and dating?

The church has no official set of rules and regulations in this regard. We teach principles and offer guidelines aimed at ensuring emotional survival – but all this is done in the complete absence of moral policing.

We do offer extensive relational instruction from the pulpit and through personal counsel. We strongly advise members to treat one another with the utmost respect, both emotionally and physically. We encourage members to ‘guard their hearts’ and thus not to wilfully inflict or sustain heartbreak.

Who may members date?

Again we have no official policy. We do, however, caution generally against the danger of gross incompatibility or ‘unequal yoking’. We seek to remain approachable to members who may seek relational counsel or consultation at no cost or obligation with respect to compliance. We continue support of members irrespective of their responses to counsel offered.

Who does Shofar consider to be a Christian?

We consider a Christian as someone who accepts the doctrine of the trinity. (The doctrine of the trinity speaks of one God, eternally existing in three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.) A Christian is someone who personally accepts Jesus Christ as his/her Lord and Saviour, and who has a living relationship with Him. In this and in other matters we do not differ from any church which holds to a Biblical orthodoxy.

What about Shofar’s association with other churches?

Shofar will associate with any church that embraces the doctrine of the trinity and accepts the fact that Jesus Christ is the head of the church (No doubt in terms of close association or cooperation we will pursue relationship with churches that uphold the same core values as we do.) Shofar is a part of the International Federation of Christian Churches (IFCC) which consists of hundreds of churches. Shofar also subscribes to the IFCC statement of faith (link to statement).

At the Shofar head office in Stellenbosch ( South Africa), the church is integrally involved with the “RKSS” which is the “Council for church cooperation in Stellenbosch” (or “Raad vir kerklike samewerking op Stellenbosch”).