Book Description

""This book proposes that Christian theology in Africa can have a significant impact if a critical understanding of the socio-political situation in contemporary Africa is taken seriously. The Christian leadership in post-colonial Africa has cloned its understanding and use of authority on the Bula Matari model, which issued from the brutality of colonialism and political absolutism in post-colonial Africa. This model has caused many problems in churches, including dysfunction, conflicts, division and lack of prophetic ministry. The book proposes that Life-Community ecclesiology can liberate authority, where leadership is a function, not a status and 'apostolic succession' belongs to all the people of God. This is a superb book on leadership, which has implications for all in church leadership beyond the Congo. Ande analyzes how church leadership has often mimicked secular models in an unhelpful way. He critiques the use of power and privilege and offers an alternative model of life-community ecclesiology. This is an informative, instructive and compelling read."" Cathy Ross J V Taylor Fellow in Missiology, Oxford University, Manager, Crowther Centre for Mission Education, CMS ""Dr. Ande's book is a very important addition to the history of Christianity in the eastern Congo Democratic Republic. His careful study of the growth of the Anglican church in Boga and Aru clearly and vividly explores the different dynamics of church growth in these two areas. He is sensitive to the differing ways in which Ugandan Anglicanism has provided models for the development of the church in Congo, by a study both of the original evangelism from Buganda associated with Apolo Kivebulaya in Boga, and the more recent impact of Revivalist Christianity mediated through the West Nile during times of political confusion in both countries. The historical material is used with great insight to develop a constructive theology of power and authority in the church, and to critique existing structures of clerical and episcopal power."" Kevin Ward, Senior Lecturer, Department of Theology and Religious Studies, University of Leeds Rt. Rev. Dr. Titre Ande Georges, Congolese, is currently the Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Aru, Democratic Republic of Congo. He is a former principal of the Anglican Theological College, ISThA, at Bunia, and still lectures at the college. He has a PhD from the University of Birmingham.