| Chapter One The Research Procedure 1.1 INTRODUCTION The rationale for beginning this project was � and is � the firm belief that the church history of Malawi is a major component of that nation�s history, and therefore must not be lost. Nkhoma Synod, Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP), is one of the few entities that have a history reaching beyond the formation of the British protectorate in 1891. It is also one of the nation�s largest church groups. Therefore the preservation of Nkhoma Synod�s history is essential. This dissertation will provide the production of an important back up source preserving the heritage of the Nkhoma Synod of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian, while filling a wide gap in the written record. While there has been a substantial amount written about the early years (of particular importance is Dr. Martin Pauw�s (1980) history of the synod from 1889 to 1962), and then again about recent developments, largely in the past six or eight years, there has been very little resources available for those areas in between. Very little Malawian history of any kind has been written regarding the period 1962-1992, and even less has appeared regarding either political or ecclesiastical developments in the country following the historic 1994 election. Of the historical books appearing on the shelves of Malawian bookshops, many have been produced by a single source - the Kachere Series of the Faculty of Religious Studies and Theology at the University of Malawi. This series focuses on the political changes of 1992-1994, with a very specific orientation. This study endeavours to present a more balanced viewpoint. No historical study ever gives a complete picture of its subject, which is why books about the Norman Conquest and American Civil War continue to be published. There are topics contained within this dissertation that while important, are only lightly touched upon. Lack of availability of primary sources in English may have caused certain topics to receive less attention than they actually deserve. It is the desire of the researcher that this dissertation will serve as a catalyst to students and graduates of African institutions (who are often multi-lingual) in the writing of further works, as research and writing tend to inspire further efforts. 1.2 RESEARCH QUESTION ADDRESSED The research question for the dissertation: �In which way did the Nkhoma Synod develop its self-understanding of being a church since 1962?� In pursuing this, the following secondary questions have necessarily been explored: 1. Does the development in self-understanding of the Nkhoma Synod entail that it sees itself as a confessional church? 2. What is the character of the church polity of the church? John Leith has said, A good starting point is this question: why have the Reformed Christians regarded church polity, or the organized life of the church, of crucial importance? The first answer must be the very deep conviction that God calls the Christian to a life of obedience in and through the polity of the church. The ultimate basis for the organized life of the church is not human wisdom but the will of God. The ministry and the polity of the church is God�s gift to the church. On its simplest level this conviction found expression in the belief that God had revealed one pattern of church organization in the Bible. This belief was sometimes espoused by Presbyterians in their advocacy of the divine right of Presbyterianism. The conviction that polity is God�s will for the church, however, is not necessarily tied to this particular belief. In a more general way it embodies the conviction that God is concerned about the church�s organized life and wills for it to exist in particular ways even though these ways may be diverse and impossible to define precisely. Church organization is never merely functional or a matter of human convenience (Leith 1981: 145). 3. Has the Nkhoma Synod become a Three-Self church, (self-governing, self-propagating, and self-supporting)? Although this should not be used as some kind of litmus test, it can in some cases serve as an indicator of overall denominational health. 4. What is the relationship between the Nkhoma Synod and the Dutch Reformed Church personnel from South Africa? 5. How does the Nkhoma Synod relate to the other synods of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian? 6. How has the Nkhoma Synod developed theologically and spiritually during the years included in this study? 7. What part, if any, has Nkhoma Synod played in the political developments of the country during its first thirty-eight years of independence? As regards the politics, the Calvinist vision has a two-fold effect - first of all, cutting politics down to size, and then commissioning the politicians with a divine mandate. With its insistence that all of life is subject to the sovereignty of God, Calvinism first destroys the hubris which tends to creep in to all political ideologies and authority structures. It offers the constant reminder that no prevailing political order is absolute. Whatever its achievements may be; it remains provisional and is subject to criticism and reform in light of the criteria supplied by the Word of God. Should the political authorities demand unconditional obedience, the believer will be obliged to point out that the authority of the state is relative and its commands must always be measured in terms of the higher obedience that is due to God. In extreme situations this can mean defiance of political authority (Ross 1993: 3). Throughout the progression of this research, the development and the history of the synod have been systematically evaluated, examining the major happenings of the Nkhoma Synod in the time since its transition into an autonomous church in 1962, as documented by the records of the Synod itself as well as those of the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa. Attention was directed towards the impact upon the synod of such tumultuous events as the granting of political independence in 1964 (see chapter eleven, �The Challenge of Church-State Relations�); the moving of the capital from Zomba to Lilongwe in the 1970�s (also in chapter eleven); the presence of a regime that was not always sympathetic (also in chapter eleven); and the political trauma of the nineties (also in chapter eleven). Consideration was given to the rise of new religious groups (see chapter thirteen, �Relations with Other Denominations�), along with the accompanying significant demographic shifts (see section 4.3, �Representative Urban Congregations�), in addition to developments, which inevitably caused the leadership of the Synod to make decisions, some of which must have been exceedingly difficult. In this study, a comprehensive look at the development of the body as a whole, as well as all the constituent parts, such as committees on education (see chapter five, �Education�), evangelism (see chapter eight, �Evangelism�), missions (see chapter nine, �Mission Beyond Malawi�), etc., have been addressed. Other topics considered include: Women�s Guild (see section 4.4, �Women�s Guild�), laity training (see section 6.4, �Training of the Lay Leaders of the Church�), adult literacy (see section 5.3, �Literacy Programs�), literature (see section 10.2.2, CLAIM, Printing Press, �Literature and Printing�), Bible translation (see section 10.3, �Bible Translation Work�), and relations with the other CCAP synods (see section 12.2, �Relations with Other CCAP Synods�). These are given as examples; they are to be understood as representative of the Synod�s development and activities. Also during this period there were the leaders involved in studying outside the country, in service training, and in post-graduate studies (see section 3.5.1, �The Ministers of Nkhoma Synod,� and section 6.2, �Education for Pastors�). Here it is suggested that this constitutes a commitment to upgrade the qualifications of the Nkhoma clergy. These areas of development of ministry led to the formation of questions addressed in this dissertation such as: � How did these institutions change the way Nkhoma Synod found its leaders? � What is its missions program; how did it develop in the years following 1962? What of the hospital, which is located at Nkhoma, has it continued to rely upon South African (and other) personnel ? � What has been the relationship between this Synod and other Reformed bodies, especially the Dutch Reformed church in South Africa? � What role do expatriates play today? � How much progress has been made to make a truly �self-governing, self-supporting, self-propagating� church? 1.3 RESEARCH PARAMETERS AND THE IDENTIFICATION OF THE DOMAIN PHENOMENON This theological study will not emphasize political developments within Malawi, with consideration to recognition regarding the fact that there can be ultimately no complete separation of church and state. As such, this dissertation has strived to remain as apolitical as possible, seeking to avoid political bias and therefore maintain neutrality. The researcher is an American who has no particular preference for any specific Malawian political party. As a historical study, this work has sought to delve into theological matters as they overlap with history, such as the development of synodical polity and its conformity or lack thereof with the Reformed understanding of being a church. That understanding of being a church says that the church �consists of all those throughout the world that profess the true religion; and of their children: and is the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ, the house and family of God, out of which there is no ordinary possibility of Salvation� (Westminster Confession of Faith 25:2). As such, it was necessary to provide descriptions regarding the doctrinal issues that arose within the pertinent time frame, presenting all discussions of theology as objectively as possible. The researcher attempted to maintain objectivity by reading a range of Reformed theologians, from Louis Berkhof to Paul Tillich. The focus of this study is the development of Nkhoma Synod of the CCAP, and therefore discussions regarding other denominations (including international and ecumenical ties) and parachurch groups (including CHAM, CLAIM, SCOM, Bible Society, etc.) will be introduced only insofar as they impact upon the Synod. In this work, the term �synod� includes the congregations and presbyteries that are its components. 1.4 NATURE OF RESEARCH AND RESEARCH HYPOTHESES The first hypothesis of this dissertation, �The Nkhoma Synod has achieved a prophetic role in Malawian society�, caused the following question to arise: Does the synod act as a corrective to society and address itself to difficult issues, or does it retreat from this role and merely reflect society? The second hypothesis, � Nkhoma Synod has come full circle from being a missionary church to a missionizing church�, led to the formation of the question: Does the Synod�s efforts in missions and evangelism equal or exceed the missionary input that it receives? This is not intended to be the universal definition of a �missionizing church,� but rather a measuring rod for detecting a general trend. The nature of the research has been that of examination and evaluation regarding historical documents relating to the pertinent period, drawing upon primary sources such as Synod and Sinodale Sending Kommissie minutes, committee reports, letters, General Synod (Assembly) minutes, the 2001 General Synod Policy and Strategic Plan, the constitution, the partnering agreements, Zolamulira, personal interviews, dissertations of other researches, the Internet, and pertinent journals. It was envisioned that this dissertation would be as much as possible a continuation of C. Martin Pauw�s (1980) earlier work, The History of the Nkhoma Synod of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian 1889-1962. It will not duplicate any of Dr. Pauw�s work, but in order to ensure a smooth transition from the earlier work, it will give a very brief synopsis of the state of the Synod and of the country circa 1962. 1.5 RESEARCH PRESUPPOSITIONS The theological convictions of this researcher reflect an allegiance to the Westminster Confession of Faith, and he considers himself a conservative evangelical. While every effort has been maintained to maintain objectivism (he has read, as stated earlier, such progressive theologians as Paul Tillich), it is conceded that the research has been interpreted from this vantage point as the primary research question has been addressed. This dissertation is written from the perspective of the personal worldview of the researcher, which is accurately described in the following passage: God is infinite and personal (Triune), transcendent and immanent, omniscient, sovereign and good (Sire 1988:26). God created the cosmos ex nihilo to operate with a uniformity of natural causes in an open system (Sire 1988:28). Human beings are created in the image of God and thus possess personality, self-transcendence, intelligence, morality, gregariousness and creativity (Sire 1988:30). Human beings can know both the world around them and God himself because God has built into them the capacity to do so and because he takes an active role in communicating with them (Sire 1988: 33). Human beings were created good, but through the Fall the image of God became deface, though not so ruined as not to be capable of restoration; through the work of Christ God redeemed humanity and began the process of restoring people to goodness, though any given person may choose to reject that redemption (Sire 1988:36), For each person death is either the gate to life with God and his people or the gate to eternal separation from the only thing that will ultimately fulfil human aspirations (Sire 1988:39). Ethics is transcendent and is based on the character of God as good (holy and loving) (Sire 1988:40). History is linear, a meaningful sequence of events leading to the fulfilment of God�s purposes for humanity (Sire 1988:41). 1.6 PRELIMINARY STUDIES ALREADY UNDERTAKEN In 1994-1995 the researcher wrote a 10,000-word essay, �The Church History of Lilongwe�, sending Church History students out as �research assistants� to interview pastors, elders, and laypersons regarding the founding of their respective churches. In conducting their research, the students were instructed to ask the following of their interviewees: � Why was the church begun? � When was the church founded? � Who were the founders? � What problems were encountered in starting the church? � What were some conflicts experienced by the church, and how have they been resolved? Can you describe the leadership structure of the church (Leadership style, what type of church polity)? Each student (between thirty and forty of them) then submitted a paper approximately five pages in length, which was then compiled into a single report by the researcher. Some of the information gathered at that time has been relevant to the proposed study and has been evaluated for that purpose. In about the same period, the researcher personally interviewed several American missionaries regarding the history of American missions in Malawi, and much of the information so gathered was incorporated into the emergent database. The researcher also attended several colloquiums sponsored by the University of Malawi. These were relevant to the topic insofar as they expanded the researcher�s understanding of Malawian Christianity. In addition to the above mentioned research, a study of African Independent Churches (AIC�s) within the Lilongwe area was also completed, using similar methods by the researcher. He used African Bible College students to gather information, through both interviews and surveys, and then the researcher compiled it into a 10,000-word essay. The researcher wrote another essay, �Response to Chewa Culture: A Comparison Between the Baptists and Other Denominations�. It used the same method of sending out students to conduct interviews using questions given by the researcher, who then compiled the students� reports. It is listed in Religion in Malawi: An Annotated Bibliography, J. C. Chakanza and Kenneth R. Ross, editors, published as part of the �Kachere Series� of the Faculty of Religious Studies and Theology of the University of Malawi. 1.7 RESEARCH PROCEDURE AND METHODOLOGY The researcher obtained permission from Rev. A. A. Sasu, former General Secretary of the Nkhoma Synod, and Dr. WR Kawale, current General Secretary, to open the archives that are contained in the Synod offices. These have served as the necessary primary sources for the dissertation. The researcher has also attempted to access the National Archives that are located in Zomba, the former national capital. In addition, the researcher has spent time in the Cape Town/Stellenbosch area for the purpose of availing himself of the archives of the NGK�s Sinodale Sending Kommissie (the material that is pertinent to Nkhoma Synod). An excellent place to begin any research project involving the development of Nkhoma Synod is the library at the Faculty of Theology at the University of Stellenbosch. Rev. HA Kamnkhwani received the DTh degree from the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa. His dissertation, which is found in that library, is entitled; �An Evaluation of the Historiography of Nkhoma Synod of the CCAP� The researcher is monolingual, being restricted to English. Much of the archival material in Malawi is in Chichewa, and most of the archival material in South Africa is in Afrikaans. The researcher hired an African Bible College student to help in translation and in research. He is the son of an Nkhoma pastor who works in the Synod office, has himself been employed in the synod office, and is familiar with their archives. However, the researcher discovered while working through the NGK archives in Cape Town that there are vast amounts of Nkhoma Synod minutes already in English, thus making the Chichewa language problem greatly diminished. The researcher has studied Afrikaans, with the aim of acquiring a reading ability in that language, in order to obtain first hand research among the DRC archives. The researcher also utilized computer translation software for the task of translation from Afrikaans into English. The researcher has in his possession photocopies of the following primary sources: Nuusbrief Uit Malawi (newsletters issued by the Dutch Reformed Church personnel in Nkhoma, starting in 1962). These were found in the library of the Faculty of Theology at the University of Stellenbosch. Notule van �n Vergadering van die Spoedeisende Kommissie van die ASK (minutes of the Dutch Reformed Church missions committee in Cape Town). Also starting in 1962, they were found in the archives of the Dutch Reformed Church in Cape Town, along with English translations of minutes of Nkhoma Synod meetings, from 1962 to 1983. Minutes beyond 1983 were found in the library of Nkhoma Synod (but were much more sparse; the early eighties seem to be a cut-off point for English translation). Kuunika, the newsletter of the Nkhoma Synod, published bi-lingually, in English and Chichewa, were also found in the Nkhoma Synod library. The researcher found his written primary sources at primarily three places: the DRC headquarters in Cape Town, South Africa (where the researcher found DRC records in Afrikaans, very little in English, and a significant amount of Nkhoma Synod minutes in English up to the early eighties), the library at Nkhoma Synod (which largely duplicated what found in Cape Town, although there was some useful additional material), and the Office of the General Assembly in Lilongwe (minutes of meetings of the CCAP General Assembly). The researcher has donated all of his research materials taken and photocopied in the DRC headquarters in Cape Town to the library at Nkhoma Synod, and he has returned to the Synod library those sources, which he borrowed. All future researchers would do well to consult with the current General Secretary, Dr. WR Kawale, the Principal of NIFCOTT, Dr. Hennie van Deventer, the librarian at Nkhoma Synod, or the General Secretary of the CCAP General Assembly. The researcher has also been aided by the Public Affairs Committee (PAC) and by the Malawi Council of Churches, both headquartered in Lilongwe. They graciously furnished material about their organisations. The researcher has learned through experience that using translators and CDs has severe limitations. Others may not feel free to devote extensive time toward the project, and translator CDs as yet lack the sophistication to translate from Afrikaans into comprehensible, idiomatic English. Retrieval of documents and records by those who have access to them proved to be a special challenge. The meticulous filing system that one finds in the DRC offices in Cape Town, South Africa, has not exactly been duplicated in Malawi. Another problem that a researcher will run into is that Malawian record-keepers may be loose with non-Malawian names. For example, for many years the manager of the Building Department was Mr. Dick van der Wilt. He is referred to in minutes of meetings as �Mr. Dick�. A trip by the researcher to the National Archives in Zomba, the former national capital, taught that the archival material contained therein is full and complete up until one reaches the year 1964, the year that national independence was achieved. Beyond that point, however, available resources become dramatically sparse. Up until the early nineteen-eighties, minutes of Synod, Synodical Committee, and Moderamen meeting were diligently translated into English. After that, English-language copies of minutes became very sparse, as already stated. The researcher has made strenuous efforts to fill the void through personal interviews. The field remains wide open to Malawian researchers of the future who can make good use of the existing Chichewa-language records. Expecting that several strategies of enquiry would actually be utilized, research design and methodology for this study was developed as the research progressed and evolved. A primary source for data collection and obtaining information was the process of interviewing Synodical leaders. This involved unstructured interviewing with a view to obtain research-relevant information from sources such those are currently serving or have served in the past in positions of leadership in such areas as moderator, women�s guild, etc. Although the researcher is familiar with the existing literature, still it was anticipated that in-depth interviewing would take place to produce lived experiences, personal narratives, and personal histories of those who have been involved in the study. Mutual trust between interviewer and interviewee was ensured by the fact that both the researcher and his organisation are known and trusted by the leaders of Nkhoma Synod. The result of this has been to ensure the cooperation of the interviewees, as well as create a milieu, which has aided the quality of the collected data. Efforts have been made to elicit participant accounts of meaning, experience, and perceptions; these have at times involved identifying the individual and the Synod�s beliefs and value systems. Empirical or participatory action was used throughout the course of this research. The research paradigm for this study, therefore, has been principally done by using a qualitative mode of enquiry, with the �dominant-less-dominant model�. The study is presented within a single, dominant paradigm (qualitative) with one small component of the overall study drawn from the alternative (quantitative) paradigm, as discussed by Creswell (De Vos 1998:360) and described in the surveys presented above (1.6) as past research. Human behaviours and attitudes, which have been brought to light from the quantitative analysis, have been studied interpretatively. Using this concept of triangulation has worked towards warding off obvious biases that might not have been obvious to the researcher. The historical story of the development of Nkhoma Synod was developed after baseline information had been obtained, studied, and interpreted, 1.8 DISSERTATION OVERVIEW Chapter 1 The Research Procedure Chapter One describes the objectives of the project. This is crucial, as it then makes it possible to evaluate whether the objectives were reached. It also describes the procedure by which the research was conducted, as well as the difficulties encountered. Chapter 2 Preliminary History The second chapter briefly surveys the history of the CCAP prior from Malawi�s earliest Christian roots in 1865, to 1926 when what became Nkhoma Synod joined the two Scottish Presbyterian missions, Livingstonia and Blantyre, which had come together two years earlier to form the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP). Growth continued until the Dutch Reformed Church Mission was dissolved in 1962, creating the autonomous Nkhoma Synod. This gives the necessary background, without which a description of the study period, 1962-2004, would be less understandable. Chapter 3 Administration and Personnel Issues. The various major decisions that had to be made, policies that had to be set, and why, are described in chapter three. Such vital issues as financial difficulties, a proposal to move to Lilongwe, stewardship initiatives, and the role of women are included. It also describes the various key personnel, the contributions that they made, and the issues that they faced. Chapter 4 Congregational Life and Church Officers. Key issues regarding church officers and how this affects the life of congregations are explored in chapter four. Included here are the calibre of teaching found in �prayer houses�, the Women�s Guild (Chigwirizano), and the pattern of consistent Synodical growth. There is a brief look at �prayer houses� and a focus upon the development of urban congregations of Lilongwe because of the enormous pull they have upon the Synod as a whole. Chapter 5 Education Chapter five discusses the various aspects of education � primary, secondary, post-secondary, vocational, education for women, Religious Education (and how this has changed and why this is a problem), and matters relating to teachers. Nkhoma Synod�s developing interest and continuing involvement in the field of education will be explained. Chapter 6 Ministerial and Lay Leadership Training The challenge of providing an adequate number of competent church leaders, both lay and ordained, is explained by chapter six. It will describe the various methods used in order to produce more trained church personnel, so desperately needed, today as well as in the past. It will be shown how tensions between synods added to the challenge. Chapter 7 Medical and Relief and Development Departments Chapter seven discusses this key department, operating in a land where relatively few have access to adequate health care. It will be illustrated why this continues to be one department in which expatriate personnel and resources continue to play a pivotal role. The relatively recent scourge of HIV/AIDS will be seen to present a special added challenge. The development of the Relief and Development Department is a relatively recent but very important addition. Chapter 8 Evangelism Chapter eight will show how the Synod pursues the crucial function of evangelism with great alacrity. The Synod has consistently used a multi-faceted approach to evangelism, recognising how vital it is to the Synod�s future development. Youth, broadcasting, and outreach to Muslims are all given attention. Chapter 9 Mission Beyond Malawi How Nkhoma Synod partners with older South African churches to bring the Gospel the long-troubled land of Mozambique is the subject of chapter nine. It will further show that a Reformed daughter church has been successfully transplanted there. There is also take a look at Nkhoma Synod�s involvement with Chichewa-language churches in South Africa. Chapter 10 Literature and Printing Why the printing department has declined in relative importance is explained in chapter ten. It describes the various measures taken to halt the decline. However, it will also be shown that important work continues with such activities as CLAIM, and Bible translation. Chapter 11 Relations with the Government Chapter eleven will show relations with the Malawian government in the post-independence era have produced a number of special problems. It will be shown too, that the advent of a new regime provided an opportunity for the Synod to find its prophetic voice. How that voiced is being developed is also discussed. Chapter 12 Relations with other Synods Chapter twelve explores how relations unfolded regarding other synods with the CCAP. It will also discuss the impact of a new denominational constitution, intended to draw the various synods of the CCAP closer. It will also describe a formal statement of policies and strategies that was drawn up by the Standing Committee of the General synod (now Assembly). The ramifications of this new approach are many. Chapter 13 Relations with other Denominations This chapter takes up the issues created by relations with the DRC, other Reformed churches and bodies, non-Reformed churches, and with ecumenical bodies. It is described how interaction with other bodies can create new, and sometimes unforeseen, challenges It is recognized that events transpiring in South Africa and outside of Africa have an impact upon Nkhoma synod. Chapter 14 The Spirituality of the Synod The major components of the Synod�s spirituality - styles of worship, meeting the challenge of continuing traditional belief, and the issue of alleged legalism, are all dealt with by this chapter. It is explained how this is an essential topic of investigation, as it provided a window into the development of the soul of Nkhoma Synod. Chapter 15 Final Conclusions The final chapter brings together all of the information presented with a focus on the interpretation of the data and the conclusions that can be drawn regarding the evolutionary development of the Nkhoma Synod since 1962. The initial research questions, in concert with the accompanying secondary questions will again be visited. They will be examined in light of the conclusions described above as the course of the research developed as described in this dissertation. The study opens with �Preliminary History� in order to give the reader the necessary background for understanding the period 1962 � 2004. �Administration and Personnel Issues� follow this because this has important bearing on all subsequent chapters. Closely related to this is �Congregational Life and Church Officers�. The next chapter is �Education� because such a prominent part of the Synod�s life deserves to be found early in the dissertation. �Ministerial and Lay Leadership Training� is obviously a closely related field. �Medical and Relief and Development Departments� follow as it does because, next to education, no other area has illustrated the priorities of the Synod. The next two chapters, �Evangelism� and �Mission to Mozambique,� demonstrate that in addition to meeting man�s physical needs, meeting his spiritual needs has also been a key concern of the Synod. �Literature and Printing� occupies the position that it does because this department played a complementary role in evangelism and in missions. The next three chapters, dealing with relations with the government, other synods, and other denominations, show that after addressing the ministry agenda of the Synod, it was recognized that it was part of a greater whole. This called for dialogue with other bodies. It is appropriate that the penultimate chapter is a discussion on the development of the Synod�s spirituality. This will leave the reader with an indelible impression regarding the soul of the Synod. |