Alexander's Blog
“Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old” (Matthew 13:52)
Alexander F Venter’s blog is the product of his teaching ministry starting from January 1975 when he was ordained to ‘the ministry’ as a church planter and pastor. His years of experience, empowered by numerous significant relationships, has produced relevant resources in the form of teaching notes, audios, DVDs and books – to help all who want to follow Jesus, with a view to equipping them for life and ministry in God’s Kingdom. As a “teacher of God’s Word instructed in the Kingdom of Heaven, he brings out treasures from his storeroom, both old and new” (Matthew 13:52). This website makes some of these Kingdom treasures available to all who may be interested.
God became human: How does that make you FEEL?
The Christmas story of God becoming human in (baby) Jesus makes us feel profoundly accepted and loved. God dignifies our body and personhood by becoming one of us
2021 Christmas Meditation: Mary as a Model of Discipleship
Intro & background I was asked to share a meditation on Christmas in two churches. So I chose this story in Luke 1:26-38. And I decided to publish my notes for any who may be interested. Luke’s nativity story is from Mary’s perspective, after his "careful...
The Wounded Healer Story
I am currently just over half way through writing Praying the Psalms Volume Two - Praying our Challenges and Choices. Working on Psalm 41, where David prays his weakness and sickness, made me think of the old rabbinical story of the Wounded Healer. I thought I would...
A Christian Pastoral Response to SA Violence
“When the foundations are being destroyed,What can the righteous do?” Psalm 11:3 My wife and I are part of Freedom House Church in Salt Rock, South Africa. It's in the province that was hardest hit by the violence this past week. I drafted the following statement with...
CELEBRATING FATHER’S DAY AND YOUTH DAY
You can listen to the talk/watch the video of the teaching based on these notes. In South Africa we celebrated Youth Day on Wednesday 16 June. Today, Sunday 20 June, we celebrate, internationally, Father’s Day. It is appropriate that they are a few days apart because...
CALLING – Its Sevenfold Nature and Life-Cycle
I did these teaching notes for the video presentation to the South African Vineyard pastors and leaders retreat, March 2021. “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle…” ...
SOUL CARE – Especially for Leaders
Watch my video presentation based on these notes. “They made me keeper of the vineyards, BUT my own vineyard I have not kept…Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes, that ruin the vineyard which is trying to bloom” (Song of Songs 1:6, 2:15) WHAT is “Soul Care”? A...
Deeper Reflection: Why Leaders Develop a Double Life as in Ravi Zacharias
INTRODUCTION Let me clear some things right up front. This paper is because of the responses to my FaceBook post about the painful revelations of Ravi Zacharias’ double life. And requests for a fuller treatment. Some said, “I’m so devastated and disillusioned by all...
Church Fathers and their African-ness by Ramon Mayo
Alexander’s comment: my quest today, Ramon Mayo, wrote this article to highlight the African-ness of the church fathers and mother. Ramon is an author, speaker, and Vineyard youth pastor in Chicago, IL. He has recently published Reclaiming Diversity: Destroying the...
A Response to Prophets Apologising for their Trump Prophecy
How do we respond to Jeremiah Johnson, Loren Sanford and Kris Vallatton, who have publicly apologised for getting it wrong in prophesying a second presidential term for Trump? And perhaps others I’m not aware of? We forgive them! Anyone who humbles themselves to...
A (Real) Prophetic View of what happened on Capitol Hill
What we witnessed in the storming of Capitol Hill in the USA yesterday – the Day of Epiphany of Christ’s ‘revelation’ to the world – was the epiphany or unmasking of the full fruit of Trumpism. Captured in THESE IMAGES of the confederacy flag in Capitol Hill chambers...
What does the ‘Advent’ of Christmas mean?
Isaiah 9:2, 6-7: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned… For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful...
The Crown: Visible Leadership & Invisible Government
Meditation on 1 Samuel 8 and 9. A major turning point in Israel’s history was when they asked for a visible king like all the other nations: “Give us a king to lead us”. God took it personally. It was, in effect, a rejection of God’s invisible kingship over them (1...
Authority – Kingdom Leading in an Uncertain World
These notes are the basis of Alexander's presentation to the Australian Vineyard National Leadership Conference, 30 October 2020. You can view the teaching: https://youtu.be/6J3YAorIjmI Hello, my name is Alexander Venter, and I’m a recovering sinner-pastor.My life’s...
Corona Relief and Corruption
Off-loading my heavy heart as lamenting to God before our nation in the Hebrew prophetic tradition: Responding to this article, I believe Ace Magashule is beyond embarrassment, incapable of shame. He should start with himself and his sons - all accused of gross...
Churches to Meet or Not to Meet?
The South African government’s allowance of church gatherings (of up to 50 people) to resume at level 3, next week Monday 1 June 2020, is exposing a divided church and society… once again! As usual, socio-ethical issues and considerations become divisive,...
THE RISEN LORD RENEWS OUR CALLING – Part One
This is part of a series of teachings that began with Passover Crucifixion and Easter Resurrection – The Big Bang of New Creation (see my notes Part One and Two)Then, Jesus Breaks Lockdown, Part 1 and Part 2Then, The Resurrected King Changes Everything (see my notes)...
The Resurrected King Changes Everything
Currently we are living between Passover and Pentecost. The period in which Jesus repeatedly revealed himself to his followers after his resurrection, in preparation for his ascension and coming of the Holy Spirit. In Church tradition, Jesus’ post-resurrection...
The Big Bang of The New Creation – Part One
Jesus’ death on the Friday was an enactment in his own body of the Passover meal that he celebrated with his disciples the night before – “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29, all biblical quotes are NIV). Jesus is the New Exodus out of the...
Reflection on Significant Personal Shifts 2019/2020
In January I decided to start a long slow journey to meditatively read the Bible cover to cover. This morning, 30 December 2019, I finished Deuteronomy. The end of Torah/Pentateuch, the five Books of Moses. It’s been rich! I enter 2020 reading the next book in the...
SA Racism & Violence on International Display: What is our Response?
Last week @SteveHofmeyr and @ZindziMandela tweets put our history of unresolved South African pain and prejudice, anger and hatred, rage and violence, on international display - to our national shame. Steve Hofmeyr, not all whites are racists who arrogantly...
2021 Christmas Meditation: Mary as a Model of Discipleship
Intro & background I was asked to share a meditation on Christmas in two churches. So I chose this story in Luke 1:26-38. And I decided to publish my notes for any who may be interested. Luke’s nativity story is from Mary’s perspective, after his "careful...
The Wounded Healer Story
I am currently just over half way through writing Praying the Psalms Volume Two - Praying our Challenges and Choices. Working on Psalm 41, where David prays his weakness and sickness, made me think of the old rabbinical story of the Wounded Healer. I thought I would...
A Christian Pastoral Response to SA Violence
“When the foundations are being destroyed,What can the righteous do?” Psalm 11:3 My wife and I are part of Freedom House Church in Salt Rock, South Africa. It's in the province that was hardest hit by the violence this past week. I drafted the following statement with...
CELEBRATING FATHER’S DAY AND YOUTH DAY
You can listen to the talk/watch the video of the teaching based on these notes. In South Africa we celebrated Youth Day on Wednesday 16 June. Today, Sunday 20 June, we celebrate, internationally, Father’s Day. It is appropriate that they are a few days apart because...
CALLING – Its Sevenfold Nature and Life-Cycle
I did these teaching notes for the video presentation to the South African Vineyard pastors and leaders retreat, March 2021. “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle…” ...
SOUL CARE – Especially for Leaders
Watch my video presentation based on these notes. “They made me keeper of the vineyards, BUT my own vineyard I have not kept…Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes, that ruin the vineyard which is trying to bloom” (Song of Songs 1:6, 2:15) WHAT is “Soul Care”? A...
Deeper Reflection: Why Leaders Develop a Double Life as in Ravi Zacharias
INTRODUCTION Let me clear some things right up front. This paper is because of the responses to my FaceBook post about the painful revelations of Ravi Zacharias’ double life. And requests for a fuller treatment. Some said, “I’m so devastated and disillusioned by all...
Church Fathers and their African-ness by Ramon Mayo
Alexander’s comment: my quest today, Ramon Mayo, wrote this article to highlight the African-ness of the church fathers and mother. Ramon is an author, speaker, and Vineyard youth pastor in Chicago, IL. He has recently published Reclaiming Diversity: Destroying the...
A Response to Prophets Apologising for their Trump Prophecy
How do we respond to Jeremiah Johnson, Loren Sanford and Kris Vallatton, who have publicly apologised for getting it wrong in prophesying a second presidential term for Trump? And perhaps others I’m not aware of? We forgive them! Anyone who humbles themselves to...
God became human: How does that make you FEEL?
The Christmas story of God becoming human in (baby) Jesus makes us feel profoundly accepted and loved. God dignifies our body and personhood by becoming one of us
A (Real) Prophetic View of what happened on Capitol Hill
What we witnessed in the storming of Capitol Hill in the USA yesterday – the Day of Epiphany of Christ’s ‘revelation’ to the world – was the epiphany or unmasking of the full fruit of Trumpism. Captured in THESE IMAGES of the confederacy flag in Capitol Hill chambers...
What does the ‘Advent’ of Christmas mean?
Isaiah 9:2, 6-7: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned… For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful...
The Crown: Visible Leadership & Invisible Government
Meditation on 1 Samuel 8 and 9. A major turning point in Israel’s history was when they asked for a visible king like all the other nations: “Give us a king to lead us”. God took it personally. It was, in effect, a rejection of God’s invisible kingship over them (1...
Authority – Kingdom Leading in an Uncertain World
These notes are the basis of Alexander's presentation to the Australian Vineyard National Leadership Conference, 30 October 2020. You can view the teaching: https://youtu.be/6J3YAorIjmI Hello, my name is Alexander Venter, and I’m a recovering sinner-pastor.My life’s...
Corona Relief and Corruption
Off-loading my heavy heart as lamenting to God before our nation in the Hebrew prophetic tradition: Responding to this article, I believe Ace Magashule is beyond embarrassment, incapable of shame. He should start with himself and his sons - all accused of gross...
Churches to Meet or Not to Meet?
The South African government’s allowance of church gatherings (of up to 50 people) to resume at level 3, next week Monday 1 June 2020, is exposing a divided church and society… once again! As usual, socio-ethical issues and considerations become divisive,...
THE RISEN LORD RENEWS OUR CALLING – Part One
This is part of a series of teachings that began with Passover Crucifixion and Easter Resurrection – The Big Bang of New Creation (see my notes Part One and Two)Then, Jesus Breaks Lockdown, Part 1 and Part 2Then, The Resurrected King Changes Everything (see my notes)...
The Resurrected King Changes Everything
Currently we are living between Passover and Pentecost. The period in which Jesus repeatedly revealed himself to his followers after his resurrection, in preparation for his ascension and coming of the Holy Spirit. In Church tradition, Jesus’ post-resurrection...
The Big Bang of The New Creation – Part One
Jesus’ death on the Friday was an enactment in his own body of the Passover meal that he celebrated with his disciples the night before – “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29, all biblical quotes are NIV). Jesus is the New Exodus out of the...
Reflection on Significant Personal Shifts 2019/2020
In January I decided to start a long slow journey to meditatively read the Bible cover to cover. This morning, 30 December 2019, I finished Deuteronomy. The end of Torah/Pentateuch, the five Books of Moses. It’s been rich! I enter 2020 reading the next book in the...
SA Racism & Violence on International Display: What is our Response?
Last week @SteveHofmeyr and @ZindziMandela tweets put our history of unresolved South African pain and prejudice, anger and hatred, rage and violence, on international display - to our national shame. Steve Hofmeyr, not all whites are racists who arrogantly...
RAISING UP NEW LEADERS
Watch my video presentation of these teaching notes. Paul to Timothy, lead-pastor in the church at Ephesus, “You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable...
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