EQUIPPING THE PEOPLE OF GOD FOR CHRISTIAN WITNESS: AN ANGLICAN ACCOUNT

Abstract

South Africa has long demanded (and got) world's attention. It was South African controversy that, in part, prompted first gathering of Anglican bishops from around world in 1867 at Lambeth Palace. At centre of storm was John Colenso, outspoken Anglican bishop of Natal from 1853 to 1883.(1) When, more than century later, Anglican bishops gathered for 1988 Lambeth Conference, South Africa was again on their agenda. But heresy they condemned was far more serious than Colenso's views on atonement or on who wrote Pentateuch: it was apartheid and its destabilization of region. However, if 1988 Lambeth conference is remembered for anything, it will probably be for its call for Decade of Evangelism from 1991 to 2000 -- largely on initiative of third world bishops.(2) Anglicans worldwide, Lambeth said, had to recognize that their mainly pastoral model of church had led to maintenance mentality. It now needed a to 'mission' in which a revolution in attitude to role of laity ... would enable us to see every Christian as an agent of mission.(3) Describing evangelism as the primary task given to Church, they urged Anglicans, with other Christians, to adopt a renewed and united emphasis on making Christ known to people of his world.(4) This article describes some of ways in which Anglican people in Southern Africa are equipping themselves for Christian witness in subcontinent that faces extraordinary challenges and problems.(5) Context The need for effective, authentic Christian witness in Southern Africa is great. South Africa's oppressive apartheid policies have dominated subcontinent for decades; and Southern Africa as whole has to deal with their awful legacy, which will linger long after South Africa's first free elections in April 1994. But there are other complex challenges. Unpredictable climates bring either flood or drought to many of its inhabitants. AIDS/HIV ignores national boundaries.(6) Powerlessness and marginalization are at core of many regional problems, especially rural poverty and large-scale urbanization.(7) Large numbers of people have yet to hear in an effective way good news of God's reign.(8) And each country in region has to confront its own hopes and fears in often uncertain journey to peace, stability and participatory democracy. Nancy Charton's contribution to this issue sets out Anglican church's witness in midst of this complexity. It is story not without honour and courage. But what part have parish churches played? They have continued to gather for worship, instruction, fellowship, meetings, and all other features of institutional church through many decades of socio-political upheaval. And, I fear, great number of them have carried on their business with their backs to world: either impervious to conflicts and needs surrounding them, or trying desperately to shut them out. The main concern of average Anglican parish in Southern Africa has been to survive,(9) confirming Lambeth 1988 observation that Though there are notable exceptions, dominant model of church within Anglican Communion is pastoral one. Emphasis in all aspects of church's life tends to be placed on care and nurture, rather than proclamation and service.(10) In almost all workshops I have led in past five years all over Southern Africa, that analysis of church's condition has rung true for Anglican laity and clergy. Yes, they say, our parishes are like that. How, then, is 1988 Lambeth call for massive shift to mission orientation being realized? Are local churches growing in their ability to witness integrally to love and justice of God in Southern Africa? Are they responding to vision of 1987 CPSA Partners-in-Mission (PIM) consultation, which called for the building of democratic, non-racial and non-sexist societies, and declared CPSA's priorities to be working for justice and reconciliation, renewal of local church, and inclusion of young? …