Kenya Bishop Cites Growth Factors
Episcopal News Service. [84180]
WEST HARTFORD, Conn. (DPS, Sept. 13) -- It is impossible to count the Christians in the Diocese of Mount Kenya East because the numbers change so rapidly. During the week that Mount Kenya's bishop, the Rt. Rev. David M. Gitari, spent at the Pan-Anglican Symposium on Mission Theology, the diocese probably grew because the diocese increases by an average of two congregations each month. While western churches are losing adherents, African churches are gaining members at the rate of 16,400 per day, according to some studies.
Gitari, a second generation Christian, became the first bishop of the Diocese of Mount Kenya East nine years ago. There, reflecting the experience of much of Africa, the Church has experienced phenomenal growth. In 1975 Mount Kenya East had 19 parishes with 19 priests; there are now 75 priests and 260 congregations in the diocese.
Gitari annually confirms about 6,000 persons, and his clergy baptize another 10,000. On one afternoon he confirmed 895 people. After the first 400 he took a break for tea, then continued on into the night with the rest!
What accounts for such growth? There are a number of reasons, but chief among them is the fact that African culture knows no individualism. There are cases where a whole village community makes a community decision to accept Christ. Secondly, evangelism is not regarded as a program of the Church; rather it is understood as part and parcel of the very meaning of being a Christian. In Gitari's words, "by evangelism we mean going out and proclaiming the Kingdom; winning people to Christ." And while all Christians are considered evangelists, Gitari's diocese has also set aside 30 missionaries with particular responsibilities for taking the Gospel to areas of the country where it is not yet known. And finally, the Church is seen by the people as being with the poor in their strivings for justice. Gitari explains: "The program of the mission of Jesus has special attention to those on the periphery -- the poor, the captives, the blind and the oppressed. The Church must, at all times, take the side of the poor and with them struggle for justice."
Challenges remain for the Church in Kenya: Gitari's diocese has already trained 120 community health workers. More are needed. Theological Education by Extension (the education and ministry program of the School of Theology in Sewanee) was initiated in 1978, but many more educational opportunities, especially for the laity, are needed.
Certain canonical changes aimed at spreading authority throughout congregations would encourage further church growth. Gitari would like the Anglican Consultative Council and the Lambeth Conference in 1988 to consider the possibility of lay presiders at Eucharist so that more congregations could receive Holy Communion more regularly; as well as certain instances in which senior diocesan priests could administer confirmation on behalf of the bishop and together with the bishop.
How exactly the African Church will meet its challenges is not known. But one thing is certain, the mission of the Church in Kenya will continue to be, to quote Gitari, "... the continuation of the Mission of Jesus in the world; to evangelize, witness, heal, feed the hungry, challenge the injustices of this world and bring about reconciliation."