A world in crisis needs an engaged church

My wife and I recently returned from Canterbury in the United Kingdom where we attended the Lambeth Conference 2022.

It is a gathering of all Anglican Bishops throughout the world that takes place every 10 years.

The first conference took place in 1887, where 76 bishops were present.

This year marked the 15th Lambeth conference, with representation from 165 countries.

It was a rich experience due to the diversity of the participants.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev and Right Honourable Justin Welby and his wife, Caroline, hosted the bishops and spouses on the campus of Kent University.

His simple prayer for the conference was that all participants leave with a heart full of desire for Jesus Christ; “for to desire Jesus is to desire God, for God’s people and the world”.

It served as a timely reminder because often God is pushed aside because of the “things” we are busy with, yet it is all about a hunger and thirst for God’s righteousness.

In his first keynote address, the archbishop went on to say that as shepherds we are reminded to be aware of the marauding lions as we care for God’s world, God’s church and each of our vocations.

The Biblical text used as a point of departure was from 1 Peter 5 verses 8 to 9a, “Discipline yourselves, keep alert.

“Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour.

“Resist him, steadfast in your faith ...”

Therein lies a responsibility for each one of us in our commitment to good citizenry.

There’s the rub; the world is in crisis, which calls us to deeper discipline.

So, the church that turns inwards — avoiding the roar of the lion — is going to fail.

Hence, we cannot wait for the church to be fixed to be God’s church in God’s world.

Pope Francis said in this regard, “the Shepherd must smell of the sheep”.

By extension, do our civic leaders smell of the sheep they represent in governance forums?

I am simply asking on behalf of a friend because if they did then there would be no crisis of governance or service delivery.

Archbishop Welby went on to enunciate five roars of the lion for us to heed.

Science and technology

It is predicted that in the next 40 years we can expect some of the greatest changes in science and technology in the history of humanity, for example, a Covid vaccination was developed within months.

So, there are two possible ways to go: either the church engages with science and technology or the church continues to depend upon power and wealth where the rich have wealth and the poor suffer the consequences. A church that refuses to engage will have nothing to say to a world being changed by science and technology.

This lion can be transformed and domesticated and developed to save.

Climate change

We have a responsibility to exercise responsible stewardship of the world’s resources.

It is incumbent upon everyone to safeguard creation and the Anglican church worldwide was exhorted to heed this call.

Religious extremism

This often results in wars. It is a disease everyone in the world faces.

It is not a theological but sociological issue.

So, might there be a lesson in it for us and the politics that plays out in our beloved country and metro?

A kindred spirit to religious extremism is political fanaticism and incrementally we reap the consequences of ill-governance.

In the end, it is the poor and marginalised who become collateral damage of an emerging party political extremism.

Economic injustice and poverty

Inequalities lead people to sin and, consequently, inequalities lead us into terrible places.

The church and wider society need to form an alliance to bring together development, relief and advocacy work across our metro.

Far too often the church is only consulted when help is needed in the case of a disaster, but not when it comes to good corporate governance.

Perhaps our political representatives could engage with church leaders in our metro where together solutions are sought and, dare I say it, prayed for as well.

Culture constructing itself without God

This particular roar comes stealthily and its bite is so gentle without realising we’re in its jaw.

This is manifested by:

● Gender-based violence (GBV);

● Access to pornography;

● Child soldiers; and

● Corruption — when it is endemic, it is a reflection of basic injustice, such as saying “yes” to what you should be saying “no” to.

In the church’s case it is about accepting money without knowing where it comes from.

A host of other societal ills

These things consume us cleverly.

We do not even realise that what we are doing is wrong.

As ministers and civic leaders we are called upon to understand the lions for we are co-workers with Peter and the apostles.

We may not see the lions clearly but we can grow in our capacity to deal with them.

So, let us begin with honesty and love as we seek to understand the lions and be a greater movement that by the power of God we begin to defeat the lions, because in Jesus Christ we have one who is:

● Conqueror;

● Redeemer; and

● Saviour of all.

● The Rt Revd Dr Eddie