Nkhoma V Livingstonia: The gospel is the winner
It’s been an age old ferocious ecclesiastical battle of two synods, Livingstonia and Nkhoma. For many years now, they clamoured with uncharacteristic zeal over administrative boundaries for their so called “synod territories.” All manner of weapons: pangas, stones, unpalatable words, “illegal” land occupations, anger, hatred, including (surprisingly) prayers, flew as part of a flurry of strategies intended to resolve the never ending feud.
I can’t tell the number of physical and spiritual casualties that have fallen by the way side so far as a result of the battle but I bet there must be some, what with all the burning intensity of the offensive commitment offered by the two feuding combatants.
Like many others, I stood anxiously as an active witness in the entire fracas, pondering the difficult reality that was unfolding just in front of my eyes involving renowned men of the white collar. I asked, what and whose war are they fighting? To benefit who? Are they trying to help God? Which God? The same loving, caring, patient, forgiving and powerful one I know? Will there be any more energy for them to preach the gospel after laboring tirelessly and endlessly in the “holy” war?
Going by recent events, I am relieved to see that the hot air seems to be simmering away, what with the Nkhoma synod declaring unilaterally the new “no boundary policy”, not just with their erstwhile “enemy” but across the country and beyond, meanwhile bringing Blantyre and other international synods into the fray.
Some may be asking, who has therefore won the battle this far? Certainly, none of the warring synods but God and the sweet Gospel of Jesus Christ. You ask how? It’s because the Gospel will now be preached to the ends of the earth without any boundary restrictions as espoused by the book of Acts 1v8 of the bible “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth.”
Mark 16v15 also says, “Go into the entire world and preach the good news to all creation.” Do these verses not sound any familiar to you? Let me tell you, those little kingdoms called “synod boundaries” have been broken and for sure, God has prevailed over man’s pride.
See what, when God desired to promote the gospel, others may have been busy promoting their little “synod kingdoms”, leaving the work of God aside. Some of these “synod kingdoms” even turned into quasi-ethnic groups promoting their cultural traditions and languages instead of promoting the gospel of truth, which is the very mission of the church.
For once, I yearn to see missionaries from the synods working tirelessly side by side in love, going to unreached areas of the other synods, preaching the gospel and bringing souls to the Lord and discipling them especially in these end times for this is the will of God.
Do I seem to undermine the role of administrative structures in helping to propagate the gospel? Certainly not. But where administrative arrangements are seen to constrain the very mission of the church, to spread the gospel, I would rather do away with them or review them for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Who needs any more evidence to show the extent of the increasing hunger for the gospel among God’s people with all the numerous marital problems around, immorality, fighting, corruption, homosexuality, hopelessness, and hatred outside and even inside the church? Jesus in Mathew 9v37 says, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.”
And if the workers are busy fighting over boundaries, who will do the work of harvesting the crop that Jesus has worked tirelessly to bring to readiness for harvest? For those belonging to Blantyre synod, why should you get any worried with the unfolding events? If I was part of you, I would start praising God for opening more doors to reach out with the gospel while working side by side with brethren in the other synods for that is exactly what you were called for by God if all of you carry that calling.
All you would need to do is open your spiritual eyes, reflect prayerfully on the challenge before you and grab the opportunity to take the gospel through your missionaries in far places as Nthalire in Chitipa, Lundazi in Zambia and Wimbe in Kasungu district etc. I mean preaching the true gospel of salvation and peace not merely building and filling prayer houses with people without God’s presence in urban or related areas.
You will discover that in most of these rural places, there are many “Christians” yearning to have a deep and personal relationship with God. They go to church religiously without any commitment to the values of God and life of genuine faith in Christ. Their leaders serve the pulpit during the day and gule wankulu or witchcraft during the night. They are dying for the gospel.
In fact the Nkhoma Synod General Secretary, Rev David Chifungo (pictured) sums it all in the nation newspaper saying they made the decision to adopt the “no boundary policy” to ensure peace, forgiveness and reconciliation between the two synods.
I trust he really meant his word for these are the very Christian virtues that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is meant to yield the world over so that the world may once again become a better place to live in as originally desired by the creator, a world ruled by love, righteousness and heart fellowship.
By the way, is the General Synod also hearing this voice?
Email: pjjere@globemw.net
The gospel needs not the Nkhoma Synod to throw in the towel for it to be declared winner. That is a wrong way of looking at things. You are interpreting scripture using the circumstances on the ground. That is wrong. I know you are trying to extract good out of an otherwise unpleasant situation. But the point is you are wrong.
The gospel battle was won at the cross and in the wrangles the two synods were having, the gospel remained the winner. People were being saved and they will continue being saved. Salvation is not depended on the too synods agreeing or disagreeing. Salvation is only in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
As a matter of fact by failing to resolve the issues, these two synods have failed the gospel a big time. The sole purpose of Christ coming was to unite people in himself by breaking down all the dividing walls. These two synods have resigned to the fact that there is a wall between them that cannot be crashed and therefore declaring that there is no power in the blood of Jesus. That is sad.
To me Nkhoma Synod throwing in the towel does not reflect the precepts of the gospel in as much as their fight with the Livingstonia Synod did not. I applaud the Nkhoma Synod though for choosing not to waste any more time with the Livingstonia Synod. If it was doctrinal issues the two were arguing about it would have been different. But the issues sound to me like are founded upon the Livingstonia Synod’s beliefs on tribe, a type of people and language that should be associated with which synod. That is a very difficult place for the Nkhoma Synod to be as it is only the Livingstonia Synod that sees things that way in Malawi. A good case of analogy is the yucky way the Livingstonia synod branded the northerner as a victim of the QS.
To me just like the Livingstonia Synod cannot be one with Nkhoma Synod in anything, the Livingstonia Synod cannot be one with itself. Money, tribe, language and politics in as much as those people think unite them; they are equally very good recipe for more confusion in that camp. Mark my words; the north is not only Tumbuka and who wouldn’t want his tribe to be represented in key positions especially where money is involved.
leave livingstonia synod. To the one who has written the article – Amen Brother. To Yobu, are you a malawian and you leave in Malawi? strange
“But the issues sound to me like are founded upon Livingstonia Synod’s belief on tribe,…”
True the fight between Livingstonia and Nkhoma synods is not based on doctrine. In your comments I observe a struggle between intellectual/factual drive versus tribal inclinations to drive home a point, I don’t whether this struggle in you is influenced by sheer lack information in which case it’s good to keep quiet on issues you have no knowledge of, or purely tribalism.
Firstly, Free Church of Scotland (Livingstonia), Church of Scotland (Blantyre Synod), Dutch Reformed Church (Nkhoma synod), Anglican, Roman Catholic as an intellectual should ring a bell to you that although with some doctrinal differences here and there, at core this is European tribalism. Dr. Livingstone though Scottish was not presbyterian but anglican yet Blantyre and Livingstonia, presbyterian churches are named after him, that is Scottish nationalism which you can call European tribalism.
Secondly, understand the foundation of CCAP in this part of Africa, Blantyre and Livingstonia did not have financial muscle to compete with the Catholics who had just occupied central region then. When Livingstonia heard that the Dutch Reformed Church wanted to come to Central Africa, due to doctrinal similarities they asked them to occupy the chewa speaking central region while Livingstonia concentrated on tumbuka speaking area from Bua river North-wards.
When we became independent in 1964 under MCP, the boundary between the centre and the north was shifted northwards to Dwambazi river. With the sugar factory at Dwangwa and tobacco estates around Nkhamenya area, Nkhoma synod invaded these areas that are predominantly tumbuka and tonga speaking claiming that they wanted to minister to chewas who had come to work in these areas but Livingstonia argued they have tumbukas working in Lilongwe but they can not open churches their according to their earlier agreement, Nkhoma was adamant for over 50 years. Nkhoma decided to rescind their decision based on money, when Livingstonia retaliated they realised the collections dwindled with the little tumbuka’s that left, pareto principle at work!
If it was not for your pathological hate of Northerners, in the quote above you should have singled out Nkhoma as the one driven by tribalism and greed at first.
We as intellections we should be thinking of how do we move forward to creat a united nation from the historical mess due to our own tribal differences and those other external differences forced on us. You will find that it’s the educated elite who encourage tribalism so that they can not compete with fellow educated elite from other tribes when it comes to power. But I am optimistic though as we become more urbanised we will become united as people from different tribes will interact at a tender age more and more therefore shading off tribal affiliations, so those who play tribal card to get power their days are numbered, Obama is a good example.
There is no way we can achieve unity when the president is a tribalist.
You Nkhoma people started the whole issue and you have now repented it seems.
This conflict was a concern at administrative levels of the two synods. Not the folk. We used to mix freely,never talked about the wrangle at all when meeting and even forgot that there was such a wrangle.Tension was there at managerial levels and midea only,I think. As you have rightly put it,the gospel is the real winner.Co existence and freedom of worship will be enhanced.But for Nkhoma to say there are no borders even to the other synods,is not being serious and going overboard.Is Nkhoma,implying that the other synods need to be punished also.For what? For being neutral on the matter? Zikhale momwe zilirimu koma ma boundary angochoka pakati pa Nkhoma ndi Livingstonia basi.
They say the truth shall prevail, the row is between Nkhoma and Livingstonia, why take it to Blantyre and beyond? Malawians who have been made to believe that Northerners are trouble makers can now see the aggressor, the gospel truth has been revealed to Malawians!
The best these synods can do is to change names i.e Church of Livingstonia and Church of Nkhoma. They shld not operated under CCAP because they are not one. We are tyred of these wrangles and their potential to disunite Malawians. Livingstonia synod does not represent the views of all the notherners. There are so many people who are not members. Similarly Nkhoma doesnt represent all people coming from Central Region.
I Thinks that’s agood idea i support that one.
I hope that in this ‘policy’, there will be no conflict of interest. To me, I find it very shameful when those guys go ku tchalitchi kukalalikirana in the other language. And this shame, not that I do not like the ither language, koma kuti it clrealy shows kuti the reason behind is to say, “we are different from you”.
Luke 18:8 “… However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” …
Yobu 10:10 take note that the struggle was based on money not langauge. I do not belong to CCAP but I could clearly see it that those of you who were emphasizing the langauge were simply hiding the truth and your Livingstonia counterparts discovered this and that is why they have succeeded.
2. Robs waku Malawi take note that the rangle is over. Those of you who are still arguing it shows the money issue that the Livingstonia discovered is still painful in your minds. Do not hide in language.
3. To all coleauges, the rangle between the two Synods is over. Nkhoma has honourably surrendered. Even in war once one foe surrenders the war is over. Now the Synods will coexist and mix properly. After all one member has already indicated that them as members were coexisting well. If there is any one who sinned against God in the course of this battle this is the time amend ways with the Creator. The goodness with God once we ask for forgiveness he gives it abanduntly.
Let preaching have no boundaries please !!!(and indeed let Malawi be one, without looking at regions one is coming from) Whoever wants to preach(and go to school let them go, let him/her undergo necessary local area approval procedures and mechanisms and examinations…MANEB exams) to stage preachings then thats all!!! Thats what is done in Tanzania -they obtain authorization to preach!! Let preaching have no zones!!
and indeed let Malawi be one with no political as well as ethnic divisions
IT’S GOOD THAT NKHOMA HAS GIVEN UP. LETS FORGET ABOUT THIS AND MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER AS ONE NATION.
I KNOW NKHANI IYI THE ROOT CAUSE IS MONEY. LIVINGSTONIA IS FOLLOWING ITS DUAGHTERS AND SONS WHO ARE RESIDING IN THE CENTRAL REGION. SO THERE IS NOTHING WRONG IN FOLLOWING UR CHILDREN, BUT ADMINISTRATIVELY THEY WERE WRONG AND NKHOMA WAS ALSO WRONG TO INVADE THE NORTH.
TIYENI TIYIWALE ZAKALE TSONO TIYANG’ANE PATSOGOLO.
Waaaaaaaaaaauuuuuuuuu!Thats admirable sentiments from Nyirenda.No wonder.Your comment has given me a true picture of you.By the way,are we Churches’or God’s Children?I know where exactly this is coming from.Soon we will see Livingstonia Synod in Blantyre,take it from me.No wonder in our Churches,three quarters of announcements is about money and less on spiritual issues.Lets promote Love.Curse to those who bring destruction among God’s Children,for they are evil.BOGGIE.
I wanted not to comment, but if I don’t then shame on me.
The issue here should not be confused, this is not about the Gospel or the good news so to speak. The wrangle is not even spritual this wrangle is human and from flesh. It’s just that they are hiding behind the church of God. The bible clearly says what we have agreed on earth shall also be an agreement in heaven. We agreed to work within our boundaries. So it was supposed to remain so. Whatever we unbind on earth so shall it be unbound in heaven. Those who feel can not take it could have just make a break away. These spiritual decision are not by human might nor strength. Truly speaking here the solution is based on the survival of the fittest. Pali chichewa chakuti kuzembaitsa, samalani. If they want to satisfy there personal gains as we have so far heard issues of tithes and offerings they should just resort to change the names of the synods. Each synod to operate independently. And not bring shanme to the name of the church. They can concentrate either on HIV/AIDS, Poverty , Education, Quota System or the famous Politics as better Malawians are good at.
The collar should not be taken as a weapon to haraass the elite. We are being harrassed by these well educated and knwoledgable General secretary with there own wisdom and knowledge of church administration. For sure what you do with our tithe and the offering in the vestry we make on Sundays is none of our business. We give them to God for the spread of the Good News.
And in this case to judge who is the winner, it’s a fallacy, all these sects are losers. they have lost the game and should be careful that the owner of Ecclesia is not amused. They should also know that a day is coming when a fair judgement will be given.
Personally, zimandiwawa kwambiri kuti zimenezi zikuchitika mu nthawi yathu.
I would suggest to the General Secretaries of these two synods the following;
1. Pray and fast over this our Reverends Chonde.
2. Call for a General Assembly forthwith.
3. Make a final decision collectively.
4. Avoid broadcasting our differences to the evil and wicked world.
5. Remember that you are the light and the salt of the world.I love that.
6. Remember that God hates divorce, Malachi say so. Please don’t you break the only remaining Church of God that preaches and teaches the true word of God.
7. Remember that a prophecy was said of the end times concerning the same. Are you the ones to fulfill it.
8. This issue resist and rebuke it wholeheartedly to connect it to tribe, race, or regions.
9. Seek knowledge from fellow believers who truly pray in spirit for guidance.
10. Meditate on John 3:3. May all the practicing Vicars in our church follow this Golden and Holy principle. BE BORN AGAIN.
God bless you and I wish you well in your deliberations. Anusa. (Machinegun Man)