Malasusa: Challenges in Africa need special attention from Lutherans

Hundreds attend Marangu anniversary opening worship

(LWI) - Tanzania’s Presiding Bishop Dr Alex G. Malasusa inaugurated African Lutheran anniversary celebrations with a call for greater unity among the churches.

Malasusa urged The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) member churches on the continent to revitalize the Reformation spirit in anticipation of the 500th Reformation anniversary in 2017 and beyond.

“As Lutheran churches in Africa, we need to reach people rather than people reaching us. We need to have a strong base of diaconal activities at the grassroots level,” said Malasusa, who is LWF Vice-President for the African region.

Over 200 delegates from the 31 LWF member churches are meeting 20-24 May, in Moshi, to mark the first gathering of African Lutherans in Marangu, in 1955. The ELCT is hosting the event which is also attended by global LWF leaders and representatives of mission partners.

The ELCT presiding bishop delivered the keynote address at the conference opening worship at the Moshi Lutheran Cathedral. Malasusa called on African Lutheran churches to actively engage people in civic rights “so that our Christians can actively participate in bringing about transformative leadership and good governance in church and society.”

He expressed the joy of African churches in hosting the LWF Twelfth Assembly and the 500th Reformation anniversary in 2017 in Windhoek, Namibia. The current Marangu anniversary meeting symbolizes “African happiness that the most known Reformation anniversary will be taking place on the soil of Africa,” he added.

The LWF vice-president said there are signs that Africa is changing, and encouraged churches to honor and acknowledge such progress. He cited pioneer Africans like NKwame Nkurumah (Ghana) who ignited the vision of uniting Africa. South Africa’s anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela was an outstanding role model, who lived Jesus’ teaching of “loving our enemies and praying for our prosecutors,” the ELCT bishop added.

There are many other reasons to celebrate, he continued. “We congratulate President Jonathan Goodluck, the outgoing President of the Republic of Nigeria, for showing maturity in politics and conceding defeat when it happened.’’

Still, Malasusa said, there are major challenges facing Lutherans in Africa as a growing church. The themes that will be discussed in the conference: ‘creation is not for sale’, ‘human beings are not for sale’ and ‘salvation is not for sale’ need special attention.

He asked the conference participants to discuss one of the major concerns for the church in Africa—commercialization of religious services. “They are no longer a free gift, and not as God’s providence by grace.”

The LWF vice-president asked the church in Africa to make itself available, not only by preaching the Word of God but also by “offering itself as the voice for the most vulnerable of our society, especially women and children.”

Bishop Dr Fredrick Shoo of the ELCT Northern Diocese presided at the opening worship, which was attended by around 400 people. Retired ELCT Northern Diocese Bishop Dr Martin F. Shao delivered the sermon, reminding Christians that they are called to be servants and not masters.

Invited guests included the Catholic Bishop of Kilimanjaro region, Dr Isaac Amani Massawe, who emphasized Christian unity as “we all claim one Jesus Christ and one Holy Spirit.”

ELCT communicator Nengida Lairumbe contributed this report for LWI

 

Read the report Journeying Together: LWF communion in Africa 1955-2015 detailing 60 years of Lutheran work in Africa

 

Find out more about Marangu 2015

Photo Essay: A colorful opening to Africa's largest Lutheran gathering

Over 300 people from across the continent took part in the colorful opening worship in Marangu, Tanzania, on May 20, 2015, for the 60th anniversary of the Lutheran communion in Africa. Presiding Bishop Dr Alex G. Malasusa led the event. Among the speakers were local and international Lutheran leaders and ecumenical guests, who emphasized the importance of church unity and advocacy for social justice. Not only does the consultation pay tribute to the vision of the founding church leaders in Marangu in 1955, it also focuses on African churches' contribution to the Reformation anniversary in 2017. Delegates will also consider the mission of the Lutheran church beyond the 500 years of Reformation. This photo essay captures key moments of the opening worship.

From left: Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania Bishop Dr Fredrick Shoo (Northern Diocese), Presiding Bishop Dr Alex G Malasusa (rear) and Bishop Emeritus Dr Martin F Shao lead worshippers into the Moshi Town Cathedral for the Marangu anniversary opening worship on 20 May 2015. Photo: LWF/Allison Westerhoff

"We are called to be servants, not masters," was the message from Bishop Emeritus Dr Martin Shao of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania Northern Diocese during his sermon. Photo: LWF/Allison Westerhoff

The congregation participated in the service in both word and song. Leaders came from across the continent. Photo: LWF/Allison Westerhoff
 

Dr Mariette Razivelo reads a scripture in French. Photo: LWF/Allison Westerhoff

LWF General Secretary Rev. Martin Junge worships among Lutheran leaders and ecumenical partners from around the world. Photo: LWF/Allison Westerhoff

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania brass band members accompany the hymns with a warm and powerful sound. Photo: LWF/Allison Westerhoff
 

One of the choirs from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania sing with lively voices during the offertory. Photo: LWF/Allison Westerhoff

Participants make offerings that will go towards local Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania congregations. Photo: LWF/Allison Westerhoff

Catholic Bishop Isaac Amani Massawe, chairperson of the ecumenical commission of churches in the Kilimanjaro region, greets participants with a message on the importance of church unity. Photo: LWF/Allison Westerhoff

Tanzanian and global Lutheran church leaders gather for a photo with other heads of churches in Africa outside the Moshi Town Cathedral. May 20, 2015 marked a historic day for all Lutherans in Africa as they remembered their brothers and sisters who first met 60 years ago. Photo: LWF/Allison Westerhoff

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania Presiding Bishop Dr Alex G. Malasusa, with some of the LWF Council members. Photo: LWF/Allison Westerhoff

Members of the Global Young Reformers Network in Africa, and secretary for LWF Youth, Caroline Richter (at rear), with Presiding Bishop Dr Alex G Malasusa of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania outside the Moshi Town Cathedral after the opening worship. Photo: LWF/Allison Westerhoff