Gathering - Monday, May 7
Throughout the Amahoro Africa Gathering in Kampala Uganda, we will be posting daily summaries of the conversation written by Aryantungyisa Otiti, a freelance journalist from Uganda. Enjoy!
Opening
The conversation started today with a lively time of praise led by the Worship Harvest Team.
Claude and Brian welcomed participants. Claude greeted them with ‘Amahoro’ – a wish for peace and a call to share peace.
Devotional Note – Edward Simiu – Kenya
Edward noted two aspects about the African culture that make this gathering a unique event – Africa loves conversation and Africa values presence.
The Amahoro Gathering puts these two aspects together, Edward said - we may not all be able to write books, but we can talk and presence ministers and speaks to us. Presence is worth 10,000 words in Africa as a picture is worth 1,000 in the West. He thanked all those who traveled long distances to share the ministry of presence in this conversation.
Brian invited Mabiala Justin – Robert Kenzo and noted that what is most gratifying about this conversation is that it is no longer Western voices being heard alone but now people are listening to one another.
Robert Kenzo presented the first address: On African Postcolonial Theology: The Imperative to Differ
Kenzo was frustrated with Christianity until he started reading Postcolonial theology and realized there is a different way to being Christian.
He noted that the church in Africa is at the crossroads poised to become a major player but will only do so if we have the courage to be different.
The world is becoming a global village and reason has entered its postmodern era. Post modernity is here in Africa too but is being lived under the guise of ‘post colonialism’, which is not a historical period but an attitude. Those whose history has been affected by colonialism cannot move forward until they have dealt with the demons of colonialism. There is a need to deal with colonialism even within the church, Kenzo asserted, ‘if we do not define ourselves, others will define us’ he emphasized. Identity is created and not inherited and we are free to take from the sources and recreate ourselves. Kenzo can for example be both Congolese, an African, modern and a Christian. In Christ we are being recreated.
Kenzo went on to challenge that post colonialism is in reality politics of difference and it is okay to be different as Africans. We need to have the courage to denounce Western theology for, he argued, all theology is contextual. He emphasized the need for Africa to realize the relevance of post colonialism to Africa.
The West has borrowed a lot from us and it is time we reclaimed what they took from us. Post modernity values uniqueness, distinctiveness and we in Africa need to re-state, defend and protect ourselves. Christians need to ask themselves the question ‘What does Jesus Christ mean for us today? Where is the church? And to address the challenge in Africa, Kenzo called on Christians to be bold and creative.
Participants continued the conversation in small groups the rest of the afternoon.
Opening
The conversation started today with a lively time of praise led by the Worship Harvest Team.
Claude and Brian welcomed participants. Claude greeted them with ‘Amahoro’ – a wish for peace and a call to share peace.
Devotional Note – Edward Simiu – Kenya
Edward noted two aspects about the African culture that make this gathering a unique event – Africa loves conversation and Africa values presence.
The Amahoro Gathering puts these two aspects together, Edward said - we may not all be able to write books, but we can talk and presence ministers and speaks to us. Presence is worth 10,000 words in Africa as a picture is worth 1,000 in the West. He thanked all those who traveled long distances to share the ministry of presence in this conversation.
Brian invited Mabiala Justin – Robert Kenzo and noted that what is most gratifying about this conversation is that it is no longer Western voices being heard alone but now people are listening to one another.
Robert Kenzo presented the first address: On African Postcolonial Theology: The Imperative to Differ
Kenzo was frustrated with Christianity until he started reading Postcolonial theology and realized there is a different way to being Christian.
He noted that the church in Africa is at the crossroads poised to become a major player but will only do so if we have the courage to be different.
The world is becoming a global village and reason has entered its postmodern era. Post modernity is here in Africa too but is being lived under the guise of ‘post colonialism’, which is not a historical period but an attitude. Those whose history has been affected by colonialism cannot move forward until they have dealt with the demons of colonialism. There is a need to deal with colonialism even within the church, Kenzo asserted, ‘if we do not define ourselves, others will define us’ he emphasized. Identity is created and not inherited and we are free to take from the sources and recreate ourselves. Kenzo can for example be both Congolese, an African, modern and a Christian. In Christ we are being recreated.
Kenzo went on to challenge that post colonialism is in reality politics of difference and it is okay to be different as Africans. We need to have the courage to denounce Western theology for, he argued, all theology is contextual. He emphasized the need for Africa to realize the relevance of post colonialism to Africa.
The West has borrowed a lot from us and it is time we reclaimed what they took from us. Post modernity values uniqueness, distinctiveness and we in Africa need to re-state, defend and protect ourselves. Christians need to ask themselves the question ‘What does Jesus Christ mean for us today? Where is the church? And to address the challenge in Africa, Kenzo called on Christians to be bold and creative.
Participants continued the conversation in small groups the rest of the afternoon.
posted by LukeMiller at 10:48 AM
2 Comments:
keep blogging ... this has been most refreshing (and challenging) for a morning read!
Awesome Start! I am here with you praying and reading the blog every day. Please list any other individual bloggers. I wanted so bad to be there, but please pray as tomorrow we launch nationally the New Sanctuary Movement - churches giving sanctuary to undocumented workers being deported and families split. I've been working on this for months and along with young church plant responsibilities I just couldn't make it to Amahoro - but I am with you! Say hello to all the African brothers and sisters and tell them I will meet them some time in the future.
Many blessings, Jeff
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