On Friday, 10 July 2026 at 14:00 CAT, in recognition of Counselling Month, look forward to hearing a panel discussion with Dr Kevin Smith, Dr Matome Mashiapata, and Ms Diane Pickford as they discuss the title “Is the Church Safe for Sinners?: Responding to Sexual Sin in the Church.”
This panel discussion explores the complex and often sensitive issue of sexual sin within the Church and the Church’s response to those affected by it. Together, we will consider whether the Church functions as a safe place that fosters confession, repentance, accountability, healing, and restoration, or whether it can sometimes become a space where sexual sin is concealed, appearances are managed, and destructive patterns continue in secrecy.
Our panellists will offer biblical, pastoral, and practical insights on a range of issues, including the responsibility and accountability of church leaders who fall into sexual sin, the care and support of those impacted by such sin, and the balance between compassion for the fallen individual and protection of the wider Church community. The discussion will also examine counselling, pastoral caring, and restoration processes that are both ethically responsible and faithful to Scripture.
Attendance of these events is free and open to anyone. Click: https://sats.gl.reu1.blindsidenetworks.com/rooms/82m-wkp-hz1-4zr to join on Friday, 10 July 2026 at 14:00 CAT.
Dr Kevin Smith
Kevin is a lover of God, a husband to one wife, father to one son, and servant to one Lord. He earned a DLitt in Biblical Greek from the University of Stellenbosch and a PhD in Theology from SATS. He served as a pastor from 2000-2004 before moving to SATS, where he served as Vice-Principal (2004-2018) before becoming the Principal in 2018. He is a theologian who believes firmly in the trustworthiness of Scripture and the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Dr Matome Jack Mashiapata
Dr Mashiapata has a heart for growing people for the kingdom of God. He is registered with various professional bodies: Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a psychologist, and the Council for Pastoral and Spiritual Counsellors (CPSC) as a Christian counsellor are included.
He has a doctorate in education, and masters in both school guidance and counselling as well as educational psychology. Presently he is a senior pastor at Restoration Family Church of SA, the director for counselling and career development at UNISA and vice chairperson for CPSC.
He has been active in various workshops, presentations, publications, supervision, and fellowships, locally and internationally. His involvement in many professional organizations and institutions locally and internationally draw on his vast knowledge and are once again evidence of his heart for growing people in general and empowering ministry workers in the kingdom of God. He is married to Tini and blessed with three children.
Ms Diane Pickford
Chaplain at St John’s DSG, KZN. Ordained into the Anglican priesthood in 2009. Master’s in Divinity degree (SATS). Registered Pastoral Therapist with the Council for Pastoral and Spiritual Counsellors (category 5). Chairperson of the National Independent School Chaplains.
Her practical experience spans across various settings. She has worked with an NGO in the Comoros, Maldives, and Sri Lanka, gaining invaluable cross-cultural insights. Diane trained people in cross-cultural communication and facilitated international prayer journeys at Rosebank Union Church in Sandton. She has worked at Riverview Manor Rehab Centre in Underberg, where she offered spiritual therapy and taught the “Celebrate Recovery” course to clients. Currently she preaches to and pastors girls and staff at an Independent girls’ school.
Diane is married to Dr Andrew Pickford, a specialist in psychiatry. They have collaborated as guest speakers, addressing addiction, anxiety, and depression in churches and schools. Together, they are parents to four adult children.