By VICTOR KAONGA*
The recent developments within Livingstonia Synod and broadly in Blantyre and Nkhoma synods of the CCAP may be showing need for a new church, United Presbyterian Church (my proposal)! In the early 1990s there were issues over being born-again and then the Presbyterian Church in Malawi was born.
The boundary feud between Livingstonia and Nkhoma Synods carried its face in the last decade to a point where Nkhoma and Livingstonia Synod are still nursing the effects of “encroaching” into each other’s zones.
Yes, these synods have many members who are innocent and possibly angry at the realities on the ground. Fortunately, many issues rarely hit the media as they are either resolved internally or members just fear talking about them. But those who have followed the church events will agree that most of the issues making news now are not new. They are as old as their mother churches in Scotland and South Africa. As they come out now, it may simply be an issue of “enough is enough!”
Someone has remarked that CCAP is a good example of a church which has a good governance structure. But he pointed out that its structure tends to properly take good spiritual care of its congregants. And over the years, there are certain things have been lost, making it distant from the original mission. Wasn’t it at first meant simply to be Church of Central Africa, …? Please note the comma and the dots. I stand to be corrected.
There are ministers who may be genuine in their ministry yet they are being distracted by their leaders. There are also members who genuinely love God and want to see Godly impact in Malawi and beyond yet their church systems and leadership frustrates them. Unfortunately most may have good reasons for staying in the same church “till death do us part” therefore they cry silently. I admit of course that it is not easy to leave the church for another let alone form a new one.
But these developments may be showing need for a United Presbyterian Church (UPC) where ministers will not have to be from Nkhoma Synod only to speak Chichewa, neither from Livingstonia Synod to preach and sing in Chitumbuka nor for one to claim that their ministry is to the Alomwe because they are from Blantyre Synod.
This united church would certainly free people to the call of God be it in the South, Centre or North because one would wonder if God simply calls the ministers to their regions only. The unity would also do away with the competition in setting up radio stations, universities and theological colleges, among others.
So, it may be that this needs a pioneer and we may soon see many ordained ministers from these synods coming out in the open and join the United Presbyterian Church. I imagine the changes that CCAP in general may have to undergo. Any challenging developments make these churches adjust, often for the good. May be God is saying something to the CCAP members.
Undeniably, CCAP regardless of the synods, is a mainline church out of which many new churches were born and are growing. The losses may not be easily felt but for sure they are there.
Personally, my spiritual, civilian, professional and Christian life owes a lot to the CCAP. It is a church that is in my prayers and thoughts. It breaks my heart to hear and see what is happening.
What encourages me is that the Body of Christ has never and will never be defeated. These feuds may be there, changes may or may not be made BUT those who fear God will keep carrying God’s glory till Christ comes.
If you are a CCAP member, this is meant to encourage you to know that God is in control and keep praying for your church and the ministers especially. All of them might actually just be doing God’s will!
–*The author is a broadcast journalist with TransWorld Radio but writes in his personal capacity.
