Come Celebrate! was published to mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of the South African Council of Churches in 1993. It consisted of two books in one volume.

The first, written by Rev. Bernard Spong, then head of the SACC's Communications Department, is a brief account of the Council's first 25 years. The second, by the head of the SACC's Faith and Mission Unit at the time, Rev. Cedric Mayson, offers some thoughts on the Council's theological stance. The volume also included several important SACC statements.

The introduction to the book said it "does not claim to contain all events of importance, or the names of all who worked so hard within and alongside the Council. Much more remains to be said.

"It is a simple offering in the celebration of a quarter century of Christian witness through the SACC and its member Churches and in commitment to the task that lies ahead.

"It is dedicated to those servants of the Council and the Churches who died as a result of their stand for truth and righteousness."

Long out of print, Come Celebrate! is now available electronically thanks to the assistance of Rev. Spong.

CONTENTS

Overview

BOOK ONE: A Brief History of the SACC (Bernard Spong)

Chapter 1: A Time of Jubilee
Chapter 2: A Search for Unity
Chapter 3: Speaking the Word
Chapter 4: Christ for Ourselves
Chapter 5: The Programme to Combat Racism
Chapter 6: The Conscientious Objection Debate
Chapter 7: Protest and Confrontation
Chapter 8: Asingeni and Removals
Chapter 9: A Time for Tests and Trials
Chapter 10: Programmes and Progress
Chapter 11: Division and Unity
Chapter 12: Standing Fast for the Truth
Chapter 13: Into the Wilderness

BOOK TWO: Theological Themes (Cedric Mayson)

Chapter 1: The Tunes the SACC Played
Chapter 2: The Greatest Challenge is Now

DOCUMENTS

A Message to the People of South Africa (1968)
Resolution on Conscientious Objection (1974)
A Theological Rationale and a Call to Prayer for the End to Unjust Rule (1985)