Some missiological challenges facing the Reformed Church in Zambia (RCZ) after Umwini (Church autonomy)

Abstract

Autonomy) which brought about the ownership of the Church by Zambians,was a turning point for the life, ministry and mission of the RCZ. Gerdien Verstraelen-Gilhuis (1982) has done a very thorough objective historical study from the perspective of looking at the scope for African leadership and initiative in the history of a Zambian mission Church. This is up to Umwini (April 1966 ). On the other hand Foston Dziko Sakala has examined ( MTh- Church History. Thesis Unisa 1996 ) the development of theological education since the missionary era. A critical analysis is therefore necessary on how the RCZ reacted and continues to react to some of the missiological challenges posed to it after Umwini.

Our second purpose is to point out certain challenges which must be pondered seriously by upcoming theologically sensitive young ministers of the Gospel in the RCZ, who desire to have 'a truly African, Contextual Reformed Church In Zambia', indeed a Church that is contextually consistent with the' writing on the wall'. The political independence (1964) of Zambia from the British colonialists created an environment were the RCZ demanded for its autonomy from the Dutch Reformed Church missionaries from South Africa who had established and were running the church with all its services in education and health since 1899. challenge to the Christian Church. The consequent developments politically from colonialism to multi- party politics (which did not live long - 1964 to 1968) to one party participatory democracy( from 1 968 to 1993 ) and since 1994 up to the time of writing this dissertation, to a liberalised economic market system and democratic governance and the declaration of Zambia as a Christian nation all pose specific challenges to the Church's mission. Political, cultural and social changes of Zambia have given a clear on the mission and life of the Reformed Church In Zambia. The Zambian environment has not been the same before and after its political independence and consequently the mission of the RCZ has had its various challenges before and after umwini. It was no longer missionaries directly responsible for determining the mission and growth of the RCZ, it was and has been Zambian people themselves.