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.”
Peter Leithart
Peter J. Leithart is President of Theopolis Institute. He is the author of numerous books on theology, literature, and culture, including Theopolitan, Defending Constantine, and Baptized Body.
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