Should the Church’s involvement in Politics in Africa be passive or evaluative?, by Musede Paul J

MUSEDE PAUL. J
JOB11/1453


Suggested guidelines for the Church’s political involvement.
Should the Church’s involvement in Politics in Africa be passive or evaluative?

In this aspect church refers to both individual believers and the corporate body or institution.
Politics is about power. Its business is to manage and try to resolve conflict, not just over access to scarce resources notable in Africa, but also conflict of opinion of how society should be organized and about matters of the life in general. The manner in which power is acquired is bound to influence the way in which it is exercised.
In my view politics means all activities that are related to the governing and to the building of civil society.

There have been two approaches to the Church's involvement in politics in Africa. The passive approach of non involvement and regards politics as worldly business. The second approach is for evaluative critical engagement and regards politics as a spiritual affair.
As a guide in my discussion, I need to clarify on the essence of Christian church in Africa and is there something definitely African in the churches involvement in politics.
However I would suggest the following as regards the churches involvement. The church’s involvement in politics should be rooted in scripture. Although Christ’s church is beyond time and space, He called it to go into the world and, like him, be an active participant in the history of humanity. However, for the church not to be identified as just another political interest group, it should never allow its pulpit to be usurped by any political agenda. If it does, it endangers its role as the voice of God.

The church should be informed and involved in the issues of the day, and encourage its members to exercise their right to vote and hold political offices. Those who hold political offices should seek to be the best citizens possible, as a witness to the integrity of Christ and his gospel. St Augustine, in city of God called God fearing rulers blessings bestowed ...upon mankind
Godly nations come from Godly citizens, who come from Godly families, led by Godly parents. Here is where the church can do its greatest work focusing upon the redemptions of individuals and there families. Godly laws are important. They set an external standard by which people can measure morality. However godly and godly leaders are only as part of answers. If citizens are unwilling to submit to godly laws or to follow godly leaders, the nation’s moral foundations will deteriorate. What is needed are godly hearts, Only God can give a man or woman a godly heart.

Christians should involve themselves in the political issues of their society because it is their right and responsibility as citizens. But the church as an institution has a higher calling than individual Christians. The church is not to be drawn into the pettiness of candidates and issues unless a clear, compelling moral principal is at stake.
The church has a legitimate role in public policy debate. It has a right and duty to call attention to the moral and religious dimensions of secular issues, to measure policies against gospel values, and to speak out on issues involving social justice, human dignity and the common good.
Politics must be about the search for the common good, a commitment to the dignity of every person and reconciling diverse interest for the wellbeing of the whole of society.


Different perspectives of churches involvement are analyzed such as Henry Okullu makes clearer when He says, "the gospel of Jesus Christ is not a private religion, just tolerated by certain citizens. It must press its presence in the centre of societal life.

Conclusion
In my discussion I have highlighted the two approaches in the church’s involvement in politics.
The question one needs to ask is, to date has the church in Africa made great impact on the way the African countries are governed? Possibly not. There is therefore need for the responsive approach. This is the situation in which the church understands herself as part and parcel of society and then responds constructively in regard to every circumstance which church and society are going through. The church should not get involved passively.