 |
|
     |
|
|
|
Mbiti tells a disheartening story about an effort to unite Anglicans, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Methodists, and Moravians in Kenya and Tanzania. At a 1965 meeting that lasted several days, the group had come to agreement on all the issues that had been seen as obstacles to union. Mbiti picks up the story:
"It was a wonderful expression of understanding and fellowship which emerged as we reached that point. We prayed. Then we dispersed to our various rooms to catch a few hours of sleep, before coming to the plenary meeting to report our joyful unanimity. But when we met in full plenary after breakfast, one African Lutheran brother announced that his church would not go along with the decision we had reached. Evidently he had been dissuaded by missionary colleagues who warned him that dollars would cease to flow from America to his church if it joined the proposed united church."
This left "church union discussions on an east African basis stone dead." Mbiti puts it graphically: "We went back home - some of us feeling like castrated he-goats."
posted by Peter J. Leithart on Thursday, July 05, 2007 at 05:13 PM
Permission is given to use material on this site, provided the source is cited, blog entries are republished in full, and the author is notified in advance.
1 & 2 Kings
Brazos Theological Commentary
The Promise Of His Appearing: An Exposition Of Second Peter
A Great Mystery: Fourteen Wedding Sermons
Deep Comedy: Trinity, Tragedy, And Hope In Western Literature
Miniatures & Morals: The Christian Novels of Jane Austen
The Priesthood of the Plebs: A Theology of Baptism
A Son To Me: An Exposition of 1 & 2 Samuel
From Silence to Song: The Davidic Liturgical Revolution
Ascent to Love: A Guide to Dante's Divine Comedy
Blessed Are the Hungry: Meditations on the Lord's Supper
A House For My Name: A Survey of the Old Testament
Heroes of the City of Man: A Christian Guide to Select Ancient Literature
Brightest Heaven of Invention: A Christian Guide To Six Shakespeare Plays
Wise Words: Family Stories That Bring the Proverbs to Life
The Kingdom and the Power: Rediscovering the Centrality of the Church
