Stewart 5

have you ever noticed how there are some people that seem to understand things, maybe even know what to do in most cases and there are OTHER people who just seem to “do it” and don’t really seem to have an understanding or plan for what they are doing?

case in point: a theology of a transformational gospel.

western/northern people understand this gospel.  they have well thought-through  theologies of a holistic gospel, one that is more that just “heaven after you die.” (of course, there are many who don’t embrace this as well).  they have thought about oppression, and their churches/denominations may even have powerful statements or programs to this effect.

southern churches don’t always think it through.  in fact, they often have pretty crummy theologies when it comes to things like this (the extreme popularity of the “health and wealth gospel” here bears this out).  BUT, they actually deal with it, on a daily basis.  a transformational gospel isn’t a matter of theory.  it’s a matter of necessity.  nice sounding theologies don’t feed people.

i propose that we learn from one another!

revolutionary, i know.  of course, we all know what the 2/3 world church can learn from their experienced/wise neighbors to the north - they’ve got everything figured out ;)  but - and i tread on thin ice here - is it possible that the west/north could actually learn something from the south???  is it possible to put aside everything the big powerful people “know” to actually learn from people who don’t seem to know much?

i have this feeling God smiles a lot on the “foolish of this world.”  because God likes those who “do” - who may not have everything figured out, but listen to God’s voice and respond in obedience.  Those who love God and neighbor, who care for widows and orphans,  who make disciples.

Plans, strategies, theologies, and books are nice.  and those in the south can certainly benefit from some of these resources.  but i would encourage those of you in the north/west to learn something from those who are getting their hands dirty with the business of the gospel on a daily basis.  The best teachers aren’t those who have everything figured out, they are the ones who are learning and invite others to join them in the process.

may we all learn from one another this way.

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One critique of many perspectives on the gospel is that they reduce the effects of the Good News (what it is supposed to do/produce) to the future.  Someday things will be better.  You’ll go to heaven and be with God.  Everyone will be happy, etc.  At the Amahoro conference, Claude Nikondeha talked about growing up hearing that life as a Christian now is all about getting ready for the afterlife, because that’s what really mattered.  Nice to hear when you are poor, sick, marginalized, etc.

But Jesus came to make a difference NOW.  He said, “I have come that you might have life - life in its fullest!”  That’s a present statement.  And when he talks about knowing and following God, and the difference it makes, he talks in the present tense.  Dallas Willard adds, “the question is, are we alive to God now?”  Jesus shows us what this life can be like.

I don’t minimize that this full-life reality is not entirely realized.  There are still plenty of things wrong with our world, with our lives.  But it’s all about what we expect, ask for, hope for.  God has the capacity and desire to come through.  Let’s not aim too low.  Instead, we must ask God for transformation now.  For us, for others, for our world.

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ok, i have a lot to write on this subject, for a couple of reasons

1. this was one of the major subjects of the Amahoro conference I attended in Uganda
2. i was supposed to lead a workshop on this subject at the Amahoro conference, things changed, and I have lots of thoughts I still want to get out
3. In NieuCommuities South Africa we are now entering the Contending Posture, focusing on joining God in working toward making His Kingdom a reality
4. this is what it’s all about… there is no Gospel (good news) without transformation

So, since this is the first of several posts, just some initial thoughts:

Anyone who is following Jesus does so because their life is being changed. Richard Foster, in Celebration of Discipline, appropriately says “to encounter God is to change.”

God’s deep love for me has changed me from the inside out. Hearing God’s voice has opened me up to an unseen world. Deciding to follow Jesus has absolutely altered the trajectory of my life. I have been transformed by the Good News.

So, I hope to explore a couple of things, including…

• what is this good news?
• what makes it so transformational?
• what does transformation look like?
• why is this so important?
• why do we so often miss the point?

Stay tuned!

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One of the speakers at the Amahoro conference, Robert Kenzo (from DRC), gave an excellent talk on African post-colonial theology and the imperative to differ.  He advocated for African theological exploration, particularly that there should be no shame or inferiority when contextualized theology differs from “the norm.”

Something that he said that has stuck with me, though I am paraphrasing, was:  The west considers its theology to be the center around which other theologies are done. 

So, we find all these theological traditions that are described by their uniqueness: feminist theology, postmodern theology, liberation theology, etc.  Essentially, these are therefore considered specialized types of theology proper.

Why?  Why is systematic/western/male theology considered the norm, and anything that differs is  [blank] theology?  Why aren’t those simply theology.  Asked another way, why don’t we find sections in the library labeled “modern American theology”?  Why isn’t that a category?

The global Church needs to redefine its norm, especially by letting those in the east and south have more voice.  Here’s a good talk Oscar Muriu gave at Urbana (click on the Global Church link) about what that looks like.

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When I was in Rwanda, I was humbled by the number of people I met who have seen needs and taken action. We are blessed to have quite a few friends in South African who do the same. Too often, I see needs and start making a plan. Sometimes I even get around to doing something.

I want to be quicker to action. I don’t think that means you don’t ever think. But when you think so much that you don’t do anything, what good is it? The world is changed by people who act. God help me to move faster and more often. God help us all.

Some who are doing it: Pastor John in Kigali &  Pastor Jane with her daughter (l) and Diana (r)

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At the Amahoro conference, my friend Trevor Ntlhola was talking about racism and reconciliation ( podcasts are becoming available as Graeme has time to post them). At one point, Trevor had this indictment against the colonial/western missionaries who brought Christianity to the continent…

“The white missionaries taught us that God loves us. They didn’t tell us that THEY loved us.”

Does the content of our good news match the “delivery”?  If not, the message is impotent, isn’t it?

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When I was in Rwanda in 1995, people were not talking about the genocide from the year before. It was too recent, people were still numb, many were in refugee camps. It’s different now. So, there are memorials, you read about the lasting ramifications in the newspaper, etc.

While there last week (in the midst of the Amahoro conference), a question kept running through my head, a question that I can’t answer, a question that makes me confused and mad:

How could anyone who follows Jesus participate in this, or allow it to happen? Frankly, I wonder how ANYONE could participate in this or allow it to happen. But I am especially frustrated that the Church didn’t make a difference at the time.

I don’t expect answers, but this question is on my heart and I feel like I need to get it out…

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Quote from the wall at the Genocide Memorial in Kigali.

My time back in Rwanda (and the Amahoro conference in Uganda) were shaping beyond what I can put into words at this point. My heart and mind are again undone, in the best of ways. I believe this will be one of those moments in my life I will look back on as a major turning point. I hope to share the resulting journey through this website in the upcoming weeks.

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I am writing this because of a very unique opportunity I have been given. On May 7-18, 2007, the Amahoro Africa Gathering will be taking place in Kampala, Uganda. This will be a first-of-its-kind “conference” for leaders from across the continent to talk together about being a faithful and effective Church for God’s Kingdom. I, along with my teammate Luc Kabongo, have been invited to attend!

Amahoro

The Church around the world is considering how to best address the cultural changes taking place around us. In the West, the Church must adjust to the different expectations and understandings of reality that are prevalent in the emerging postmodern worldview. In Africa, we are figuring out how to be a vibrant, effective, and AFRICAN Church for the post-colonial generation.

While each context is different, we are finding that our processes, and possibly even solutions, are not so far apart. Around the world, a conversation has been growing among an emerging generation of younger Christian leaders. This conversation isn’t just about exploring ideas; it is also about building relationships and building networks. That’s why Amahoro exists – to learn and share together.

With Amahoro, many African (and some non-African) Christian missional leaders will gather for constructive dialogue, planting seeds of thought and preparing the soil for new partnerships. We are seeking to define and embody what it means to “be the church” in the emerging post-colonial/post modern world, particularly here in Africa. We believe that as we do, we will enrich the Church worldwide.

Why this is significant

This gathering is important for several reasons:

• First, it is being led by Africans. Not Westerners, Northerners, or all the “experts.” Instead, it is Africans gathering to talk about Africa. Are there any better “experts” than these? From the margins of the world’s society, these leaders are assembling for a milestone in the development of the African Church.
• There will be missional Christians from across the continent. Leaders who are earnestly seeking God on how to reach out to this generation in ways that will nurture healthy, strong, joyful followers of Christ. How do we help those in physical and spiritual poverty? Perhaps our answers will provide insight to others asking the same questions around the world.
• We will be gathering with like-minded/like-hearted Africans. This is a unique opportunity to learn from and share stories with others who are on the same journey as us. May God reinvigorate His Church in and through us.
• On a personal level, it is a great honor to be invited to attend an African leadership conference. I have been asked to come as a representative of South Africa! This is a significant “thumbs-up” to NieuCommunities SA.

How you can help

This conference will cost $1200 for airfare to Uganda, conference costs, meals, accommodations, and local travel in the area. I need help covering this amount. Would you consider giving money specifically for this conference beyond your normal financial support? Every little bit will help toward the total amount.

If you click on this link, it will take you directly to a webpage where you can give online

I encourage you to check out the Amahoro website for more information. It is sure to be a valuable and important conference for the Church in Africa. I hope you can help me get there!

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