Church and Politics

CHURCH AND POLITICS STUDY GUIDE PUBLISHED

The Church and Politics Steering Committee, comprising several senior church leaders in Kenya, recently produced a Study Guide on Church and Politics. Titled ‘The Role of the Church in Politics’, the guide consists of 12 studies beginning with an introduction which seeks to answer the question, ‘Where is the voice of the church?’ The last study concludes with a ‘Way forward’ tasking the church with the role of a ‘midwife’ to deliver the ‘baby’ of its vision of political engagement, as expounded in the studies in the book and initially inspired by the more than 30 speakers at the Church and Politics Summit, which was held in June 2021.

The Church and Politics Study Guide has been produced by a technical team of writers led by Rev. Lucas Owako and Wilson Kiuna on behalf of the Church and Politics Steering Committee Chaired by Bishop Dr. David Oginde and Dr. Joshua Wathanga as the Secretary.

In his foreword, Bishop Oginde opined that, “In proclaiming the onset of a new Kingdom, Jesus’ teaching offered a strong alternative to the Roman and Jewish status quo. His was a Kingdom whose principles and practice were set to alter the politics and governance of nations. To this end He commissioned His followers to be the transformative agents in nations as salt and light. For this reason, if the church is committed to the cause of Christ, we cannot afford to ignore political involvement.”

The Guide has been endorsed by church leaders Reverend Calisto Odede, the presiding Bishop of Christ Is the Answer Ministries (CITAM), Mr. Simon Kande, the National Director of Fellowship of Christian Unions (FO- CUS) Kenya, Dr. Esther Obasi-ike, the Pastor In charge- Redeemed Christian Church of God Solution Centre Nairobi and Founder and President of Queen Esthers’ Generation and Rt. Rev. Thegu Mutahi, the Moderator, PCEA General Assembly.

Each of the 12 studies in the Study Guide is divided into three sections: a Perspective, a Bible study and an Application Challenge. The Perspective elaborately explains some of the attitudes that have been developed about politics and provides opportunity for reflection and space to jot down one’s thoughts. This then leads to the Bible study quoting Scripture references and guiding questions with ample space to answer them. Every study ends with an Application Challenge where individuals can practice, or commit to well thought out steps of action.

PDF soft copies are available free of charge thus providing a good opportunity in this election year to make use of this timely resource. To get copies of the Church and Politics Guide, contact the Church and Politics Secretariat by sending an email to: summit@churchandpolitics.co.ke, or call during office hours, mobile number: +254 768139267. The website is www.churchandpolitics. co.ke