by Tim Wambunya
Kenya Church Association
It has been a sad week reading about the unfortunate events surrounding the visit of Bishop John Gladwin and his team to the dioceses of Mt Kenya. Sad because this is probably the only 'working' link between a UK and Kenyan diocese and where the diocesan Bishop is actively involved in promoting it. Usually, this kind of thing is left to one or two former missionaries who slave away trying to raise awareness and support until they and the link drop dead. This link has withstood the test of time and has benefited literally 'thousands' of people in Kenya and the UK. Bishops have come and gone but the link has continued.
Established at the time David Gitari the former Archbishop of Kenya was Bishop, the Chelmsford and Mt Kenya link has grown and been sustained by successive Bishops, Clergy and lay Christians for close to 26 years. There have been several exchange visits over the years resulting in the growth of gospel ministry, poverty relief and development projects. Only last month, Joseph Nyagah the MP for 'Gachoka' - one of the constituencies in the dioceses of Mt Kenya - spoke at the Annual General Meeting of the Kenya Church Association in the UK and listed the many benefits of such partnerships and urged Christians in the UK not to abandon them.
Across the Anglican Communion, diocesan links have come to complement and add value to the historic connections through the national mission boards and missionary societies. At their best they expand awareness of the experiences of Christians in different parts of the Communion and encourage mutual support, challenge and learning. The face to face meeting these links encourage is of great value in providing cohesion and flesh to the bones of the Anglican Communion's structures. This is why the number and variety of diocesan companion links has expanded considerably since the 1960s as more UK Christians have become aware of the benefits of engaging with other Christian brothers and sisters around the world. Patterns and periods of linking vary among provinces although some links such as the Chelmsford and Mt Kenya link have become more or less permanent.
The Kenya Church Association (KCA) hopes the Chelmsford Mt Kenya link will survive the current crisis even if Bishop John Gladwin's personal views are being challenged. Any diocesan link is surely bigger and more important than the Bishops or even the person who has helped establish it. We in the KCA are always encouraging UK Christians to help provide practical and financial support to the Christian Church in Kenya in order for it to further its mission and ministry of the Gospel. We do not think current disagreements with Bishop John Gladwin should be allowed to kill the enthusiasm Chelmsford Christians have for this long established link. We believe this kind of partnership encourages churches in the UK to learn from the Church in Kenya. We belong to a worldwide church and so it is not just about money but people and the Kingdom of God. A genuine partnership can bring mutual encouragement and stimulus to local mission - Chelmsford Mt Kenya link is a genuine partnership.
Resources: PWM, Anglican Communion and Chelmsford and Mt Kenya Covenant
Revd Tim Wambunya is vicar of Emmanuel Church, Hornsey Road, London and Chair of the Kenya Church Association UK
These posts are by guest authors for Fulcrum