UNDERSTANDING THE CHURCH  

The Gathering of the People: Understanding “Church” in an African Context

Within the vibrant tapestry of African life, the concept of “church,” as it has been introduced and adopted, takes on unique nuances while also resonating with traditional understandings of community and spiritual gathering. To truly grasp its meaning in an African context, we must consider both the imported understanding and the indigenous values it interacts with.

The Introduced Understanding of “Church”:

The term “church” often arrives in Africa carrying the weight of its New Testament origins. It speaks of ekklesia, a gathering of those “called out” – individuals set apart by their belief in Jesus Christ to live as God’s people under his authority (Ephesians 1:22-23). This gathering is understood to have begun on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2) through the power of the Holy Spirit and continues until the anticipated “rapture.”

So, who are these “called out ones,” this “church”? The powerful image arises: “The most sacred moment of our gathering is not just within these walls, but when we, strengthened by the Word and the sacraments, step out into our communities to be the church. We don’t just go to church; we are the church.”

Therefore, “church” in this understanding transcends a physical structure. It is not merely the building, the location, or the specific denomination. It is the collective of believers, the people of God, united in their faith.

The purpose of this gathering is often presented as two-fold:

• Coming Together for Spiritual Growth: To assemble and nurture each member towards spiritual maturity (Ephesians 4:13). This echoes the traditional African emphasis on communal learning and the transmission of wisdom.
• Reaching Out to Share the Message: To disperse and share the love of God and the gospel with those who do not yet believe (Matthew 28:18-20) – the “Great Commission.” This call to outreach can resonate with the African value of sharing good fortune and extending hospitality.

Drawing from biblical scholarship, the understanding of ekklesia as a “meeting or assembly” of people, rather than a building for worship, further reinforces this idea that the church is fundamentally about the people. As Matthew 18:20 reminds us, “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” And in that gathering, the church exists.

One Gathering, Many Expressions:

The understanding often acknowledges that while there is one universal body of believers under God’s authority, this “church” manifests in numerous local gatherings wherever people come together in His name. The New Testament itself speaks of “churches” in various regions and even within individual homes (1 Corinthians 16:19, 2 Corinthians 8:19). This resonates with the diverse expressions of community and kinship found across Africa.

The Meeting Place:

The biblical accounts often highlight the early believers meeting in the temple courts (Acts 2:46, Acts 5:12) and, significantly, in homes (Acts 2:46, Acts 8:3, Acts 12:12, Acts 20:8, Colossians 4:15, Philemon 1:2). This emphasis on gathering in communal spaces, particularly homes, can find parallels in traditional African social structures where significant gatherings often occur within family compounds or designated community spaces.

The relative absence of specific “church buildings” in the New Testament narrative often leads to reflection on the importance placed on physical structures today. While buildings may serve a purpose, the core emphasis remains on the people who constitute the church.

The timing of gatherings, often noted as “the first day of the week” (John 20:19, Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:2), is sometimes adopted as a customary time for Christian assembly. However, the biblical text also shows gatherings at other times (John 20:26, Acts 2:46), suggesting that the spirit of coming together is more crucial than rigid adherence to a specific day (Romans 14:5). This flexibility can align with traditional African approaches to community gatherings, which often adapt to practical needs and rhythms of life.

What Happens When the Community Gathers:

The New Testament provides glimpses into the activities of these early gatherings:

• Encouraging One Another: Stirring up love and good works, offering mutual support and exhortation (Hebrews 10:24-25). This resonates deeply with the African emphasis on communal support and shared responsibility.
• Learning and Fellowship: Devoting themselves to the teachings of the apostles, sharing life together, breaking bread (often a symbolic meal), and praying (Acts 2:42, 46-47). These elements mirror traditional African practices of communal learning, sharing meals as a sign of unity, and collective engagement with the spiritual realm.
• Hearing the Word: Receiving teaching and preaching (Acts 20:7-12, Acts 11:26, 1 Corinthians 4:17). The importance of storytelling and the transmission of knowledge through oral tradition in Africa provides a cultural context for valuing the spoken word in spiritual gatherings.
• Sharing Resources: Collecting and distributing offerings to support those in need (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). The African principle of communal sharing and care for the vulnerable aligns with this practice.
• Sharing Testimonies and Missionary Accounts: Reporting on the work of spreading the faith (Acts 14:27, Acts 15:4). The African tradition of sharing stories and experiences within the community provides a framework for understanding the importance of these reports.
• Praying for Healing: Seeking spiritual intervention for the sick (James 5:14). Traditional African healing practices often involve communal prayer and spiritual rituals.
• Exercising Spiritual Gifts: Recognizing and utilizing various spiritual abilities for the benefit of the community (1 Corinthians 12:28, 1 Corinthians 14:4-5, 26-31). While the specific gifts mentioned may differ, the African understanding of individuals possessing unique spiritual talents for the community’s well-being offers a point of connection.
• Commemorating the Lord’s Supper: Sharing a symbolic meal in remembrance of Jesus Christ. This act of communal remembrance can resonate with African traditions of honoring ancestors through shared meals and rituals.
• Praising God: Expressing collective adoration and gratitude. Music, dance, and communal expressions of joy and reverence are integral to many African spiritual practices.

The question of whether it is wrong for the church today to engage in practices not explicitly mentioned in the New Testament often arises. Considering the absence of specific instructions on singing in early church gatherings, yet the clear biblical encouragement to sing praises, suggests that the underlying principles of worship and community building are more important than rigid adherence to specific forms. This allows for the integration of culturally relevant expressions of worship within the African context.

In essence, understanding “church” in an African context involves embracing the core idea of a community of believers called together, not confined by buildings or rigid structures, but actively living out their faith in their daily lives, drawing strength from their shared gatherings, and reflecting the values of community, sharing, and spiritual connection that resonate deeply within African culture.