The Monday Issue

Jubilee Centre December 6th, 2008

This weekend at the Christian Arts Promotions Awards (CHAPRO) ceremony we saw religion and politics mixing. Who on earth would have thought of a day when Zambian Christians would shout partisan political slogans at a Christian gathering? Who would have thought that an invited high-ranking government leader would be jeered at a Christian gathering? What happened at this ceremony is a wake-up call for Christian leaders.

First, it is a wake-up call for Christian leaders to start asking why and how they should engage politicians in Christian activities. For example, what did CHAPRO leadership want to achieve by inviting the Minister of Community Development to give a speech?  By nature, politicians respond to invitations to Christian gatherings that would give them the greatest impact politically, not spiritually. When late President Mwanawasa became ill, many politicians visited our churches. How many politicians were saved during the visits? By this we are not suggesting in any way that politicians are engaged in a sinister scheme to corrupt the church. This is simply the way political systems work. Politicians use power to keep themselves in power. Even if they are legitimately interested in your ministry and you agree with their position on issues, they will use that association for everything they can get out of it.

Second, it is a wake-up call for Christian leaders to understand that they are not leading a church or ministry that is a mere Non-Government Organization (NGO). During the Chiluba era we saw that certain church groups and Christian leaders were measured and honoured according to their political and not moral principle. The church’s great strength is seen when it is not linked to a partisan cause. A church that serves God’s purpose does not boycott the State House, the Cabinet and the Parliament. It knows however, that political action takes place in those institutions, and Christians need to influence policies for justice and righteousness. Therefore, next time you invite a politician, remember the biblical tradition of the prophets, Amos, Jeremiah and Micah, who where sent to prophecy to Israel ’s political leaders.

Third, it is a wake-up call for Christian leaders to understand the political tension facing our nation. Again we ask: when did we hear of a Christian gathering shouting partisan political slogans in the past? Men, women and young people are  confused, angry and disturbed because of the shortfalls in the way the presidential election was conducted. Unless church leaders help their members through preaching reconciliation, peace, unity and justice, we will see Christians from our pews expressing their misgivings in unorthodox ways.

Since independence, Zambia has been one of the few countries in Africa that has enjoyed political peace. The church, by the grace of God, has played a significant role in sustaining this peace. Through prayers and encouraging dialogue the church can again rise to the occasion and guide the nation in this difficult time. The church can do this only when it becomes more concerned about being God’s mouth-piece than being invited to dinner at State House or inviting politicians to speak at church gatherings.

Lawrence Temfwe

• Church , Governance , Leadership , Spiritual
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