10.11.2005
LWF Leader Urges African Churches to Take Up Responsibility
Shake Off Chains of Spiritual ColonizationWINDHOEK, Namibia/GENEVA, 10 November 2005 (LWI) - Namibian Lutheran Bishop Dr Zephania Kameeta has called on African Lutheran churches to shake off the chains of spiritual colonization, and the fear of losing favor, in face of those in power. He challenged them, instead, to courageously take up their socio-political, ethical and spiritual responsibility.
Kameeta made these remarks when he preached at the opening service of the African Lutheran Church Leadership Conference in the oldest Lutheran church in the Namibian capital Windhoek, on November 9. The bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia (ELCRN) also reminded members of African Lutheran churches, as citizens of their respective countries, also of their obligation to act in critical solidarity with their governments and non-governmental organizations.
More than 80 participants from African Lutheran churches, partner churches and organizations worldwide, are taking part in the conference, which is jointly organized by the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and the three Lutheran churches in Namibia, under the theme "From Isolation to Communion: For the Healing of Africa." The church leadership conference coincides with the 50th anniversary celebrations of the All Africa Lutheran Conference, which gathered for the first time in Marangu, Tanzania, in 1955.
The churches in Africa respond to the spiritual needs of their people and contribute, substantially and practically, to their material and spiritual growth, development, unity, justice and peace, said Kameeta, who is chairperson of the LWF National Committee in Namibia. In July 2003, he also became LWF Vice-President for the region of Africa.
Call to Renewal Process
Kameeta said it was "God's call and the mission of the church in Africa today," to enter a dynamic process that would include renewal, repentance, and healing from fear and being neutral. In this process, that should focus also on working against the high infectious and destructive diseases of division, corruption, tribalism, violence, especially against women and children, and the idolization of human beings, among other concerns, the church should begin with itself, the ELCRN bishop said.
Based on Ezekiel 37:1-14, Kameeta described Africa as a continent of unending civil wars, destruction of the infrastructure of cities, towns, roads, water and electricity supplies, education and health systems in shambles, crippled democracies, ruling and opposition parties at war with each other, [and] economies destroyed by dictatorships and corruption. "And, to add insult to injury: HIV/AIDS [is] killing more [people] than the civil wars!" he added.
He reminded the audience of the high hopes that the African Union (AU), the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), and the idea of the African Renaissance brought to Africans. "However, we have to concede to the terrible reality: Africa is dead!" he declared. "The church is not anymore the salt of the earth and light of the world but the mirror of what is happening in this world."
But the Lord does not forsake the church, Kameeta stressed, God's strength is revealed in her precisely when she is wounded and weak. The fate of Africa lies in the hands of the African churches. African church leaders are prophets for Africa today, as Ezekiel was for Israel. "You are the salt of the old earth of Africa and the light of the continent, which has suffered for too long!" (554 words)
If you want to edit this article yourself and adapt it to a given format, follow our editing information
