CHALLENGES FOR THE AFRICAN CHURCH

Dennis Tongoi (L) speaking and Jeff Sikabwe (R) translating into French

“Opportunities and Challenges for the Church Africa” was the theme of the first ever Consultation of Leaders of the Family of Africa Covenant Churches. Tuesday and Wednesday Dennis Tongoi really challenged us to consider the kind of churches we are planting and pastoring, the worldview we are teaching, and whether we are obeying or just knowing. Some of the points I noted were:

• – A reminder from Genesis that God says that “all nations will be blessed.” ALL! God’s vision is for the nations. God works through individuals to change nations.
• – If the church does not disciple the nations, the nations will disciple the church.
  • – We spent time considering “who is our neighbor?” and “Do we love our neighbor?” If we truly loved our neighbor how would the Rwandan genocide or the violence in Kenya in 2007-2008 have happened?
• – “It is not how many churches are planted, but what kind of churches? Are we obeying or just knowing?”
• – “If we teach people to know the Bible and they don’t love their neighbor, we have a problem.”
• – He shared some stunning studies:
• 

  Simon Kamau (Kenya) and Curt Peterson (Cov World Mission) talking with Dennis Tongoi

  1. Based on church attendance, Dallas is one of the most Christian cities in the US. Yet there is lots of crime, poverty and under-development. When asked about this some Christian leaders in the city responded, “These issues are not our responsibility.” [from a survey in the early 2000s.]

• 2. As part of the AD 2000 movement there was a strong push to plant more churches across the world. One of the fastest church planting movements occurred in Zimbabwe. Yet at the same time as more churches were planted there was an increase in crime, corruption and poverty.
• So, are we loving our neighbor?
  • 

    Frank Tuan from South Africa addressing the delegates

    – Following a teaching on the “ABCs of culture,” we divided into small groups according to the cultures represented: Sudanese, Kenyans, Congolese, Americans. In groups we noted some of the destructive behaviors in our own cultures. Examples were: racism, gender inequality, ethnocentrism, foods forbidden for men, women and children, polygamy and forced marriages. Next each group chose one behavior and studied: what is the lie, how is it transmitted and what are the fruits of the behavior? Lastly, what is the Biblical truth to replace this lie and how can we share this truth? This was revealing to all of us.

Dennis’ teachings challenged each of us to review and reflect. I’ve already heard from several that they want to invite Dennis or his colleagues from Samaritan Strategy to come for more teaching for their pastors. Excellent.

The entire group who attended

Reflecting after the event, the passion for people to be together, the camaraderie that grew, the sharing, learning and humble acknowledgement of weaknesses, the challenge each individual and denomination received from the speaker was beyond what I imagined it would be. Far beyond. A deep connection was established that I believe will bear fruit in the future. When and where I do not know—that is for God. What we simply did was to bring people together and then God started His work.

Rev Tayeye (CEUM) following the Scripture reading

Delegates following a presentation