Kenya Konnexion
March, 2010
MAILING ADDRESS: PO Box 64930, 00620 Mobil Plaza, NAIROBI, KENYA
EMAIL: ardesroches@desroches.home.co.ke
INFORMATION ON BECOMING PARTNERS IN MISSION WITH US: emoorecrispin@cbmin.org
Who Pastors the Pastors?
This is a question that has often been put to me while working here in Kenya with the African Christian Church & Schools (ACC&S). It has been asked to me by pastors on the Executive, from pastors who have served for many years and from pastors who are fresh out of Bible School. The ACC&S has about 160 churches which are divided into 35 parishes and these parishes are then divided into 9 bigger regions. There are Parish Ministers and Regional Ministers who lead their various clusters of churches with other pastors helping them. The ACC&S does not have one trained pastor for every church so most parishes have more churches than pastors to serve them. In the rolling, fertile hills of Central Province, some churches are 2 hours away from each other and pastors must travel by foot because public transport is not available or too expensive. I only know one Parish Minister who has a small motorbike; none of his other Parish or Regional colleagues have their own vehicles.
Therefore, “Who pastors the pastors?” is a very relevant question because having times of fellowship together as pastors and church leaders is not as easy as jumping in your car and going out for breakfast together.
In light of this need for pastoral fellowship, I have begun “The Leadership Link.” As I mentioned in our December newsletter, I had been in consultation with the General Secretary and the 9 Regional Ministers of the ACC&S to hold Regional Meetings for church leaders. The participants were to be the graduates, both clergy and laity, of the Certificate of Ministry and Bachelors of Ministry programs offered through CBM and Carey Theological College. All ACC&S pastors who had not been involved in either of these programs were also invited.
It is an encouraging answer to prayer to tell you that during three weeks, from February 16 to March 5, I was able to facilitate meetings with graduates and pastors in the 9 regional church centers; 1 in Nairobi, 2 in Rift Valley province (Naivasha & Nakuru) and 6 in Central Province (Thika, Githumu, Ndakaini, Kigumo, Ichichi and Kangari).
In total, there were 101 pastors and lay leaders who attended the 9 meetings, with the biggest group being 21 and the smallest 5. The pastors and leaders contributed to lively discussions in our groups as we spent time studying Romans 12.1-21 together under the theme, “Reviving Our Relationships.” We looked at four aspects of our relationships and these were some of the insights shared in the groups:
Our Relationship with God: Several pastors confessed that it was hard to keep their daily devotional time with the Lord since they had to get up early to start their day and had to travel long distances to serve the churches in their areas. We talked about redeeming the time as they traveled by praying and even working out sermon outlines in their head while they were walking between churches.
Our Relationship with Our Self: From John 3.22-30 we learned from John the Baptist that we must accept and use the gifts that God has given to us as we seek to know who we ARE and also to accept who we are NOT. Many pastors shared that too often in the church both clergy and laity try to work themselves into a leadership position for which they are not really gifted in order to have the prestige of the position. We talked a lot about the need to not see the church in terms of positions in an unholy hierarchy but rather, as Paul described it, as interconnected parts of a living body. Several male pastors also said that living apart from their wives and children during the week affected their relationship with God and also how they saw themselves as leaders in their homes.
Our Relationship with Others: There was a lot of discussion around the question, “In the church, do you see more cooperation or competition?” One pastor observed that there was not just competition upwards (younger leaders trying to push their way into higher positions) but also competition downwards, (older leaders who keep other leaders down because of their youth, their desire for change and also because the pastor is a woman). However, doors are opening for younger leaders in the ACC&S as 6 out of the 9 Regional Ministers are under 45 years old; there are about 20 women pastors; and more churches are being led by younger lay leaders.
Our Relationship with Those in Conflict with Us: The pastors in the Upper Rift Valley Region (Nakuru and beyond) have been greatly affected by the post-election ethnic clashes that erupted in that area in late 2007. One pastor commented that the town where he serves is strongly divided between the two main ethnic groups in the region. He said there have been workshops on reconciliation held in the town and the clergy are seeking to build bridges. However, a church member finds it hard when he sees a cow that was stolen from him grazing on his neighbour’s land, being milked by his neighbour and then this man has to cross the road to his neighbour and buy milk that was milked from his own cow. For these Christians it is tough to apply Paul’s words, “Do not take revenge … as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone; Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.” (Rom. 12.18-21)
There was very positive feedback from the leaders to these meetings with many groups asking how soon we could meet together again. I am hoping to have a second meeting in each Region between mid-April to mid-May.
Family News: Changes Ahead
Songwriter Bruce Cockburn says, “Sometimes the best map will not guide you/You can’t see what’s round the bend.” Sometimes you don’t go looking for change but it comes at you around a bend in the road.
Rebecca reached such an unexpected bend recently. After much thought and prayer, Rebecca has accepted a position in Middle School Mathematics at the International School of Kenya for the next school year. After four years of teaching at Rosslyn Academy she will be moving schools but will be continuing to work with a multicultural staff and student body in a role she loves.
Sam is winding up his final semester of High School. He has decided to enroll in the Civil Engineering Co-op program at the University of Waterloo. The Waterloo representative who recently came to Rosslyn Academy just happened to be the former Dean of Civil Engineering which was interesting and hugely encouraging for Sam’s parents (!). Sam is just coming off his best basketball season at Rosslyn as his team won the Rift Valley Academy tournament for the first time in living memory and also the International School League title. The months ahead promise to be a whirlwind for Sam as he plays drums for the high school musical, takes part in the week long senior trip to the coast, gives his oral presentation for his senior seminar paper, writes his AP exams and flies through several graduation celebrations.
Davita continues to work hard at being the Mayor’s wife in Whoville for the musical Seussical and singing with her brother in the High School choir. She was also the manager/scorekeeper for Sam’s basketball team. She was recently inducted into the National Honors Society at school. A few weeks ago Davita realized how Canadian she was and what it meant to be outnumbered at an American School when she went to school on the Monday after Canada beat the U.S. 3-2 in the Olympic gold medal hockey game. Fortunately, she had the “defense” of some Canadian teachers and no serious physical infractions occurred!!
THANKSGIVING
Thank God for great Regional Meetings and such a positive, open response from all church leaders.
Thank God for His continuous guidance in our life as He answered your prayers for us while Rebecca and Sam have had to make some major decisions in these last few weeks.
Thank God that because of your faithfulness in giving to us we finished 2009 with very strong support.
REQUESTS
Pray for the students at the Bible School in Thika to finish the semester well as classes end April 8.
Pray for guidance as I work with Regional Ministers to plan further Regional Meetings in April and May.
Pray for Rebecca that she would finish well at Rosslyn and make a good transition to ISK.
Pray for Sam as he maps out his future in university and prepares to live back in Canada. Pray that he would sense God’s hand leading him, even without knowing what is around the next bend.