Original Research - Special Collection: Practical Theology

An evaluation of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian General Assembly and poverty alleviation from a koinōnian perspective in Malawi

Qeko Jere
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies | Vol 74, No 2 | a4787 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v74i2.4787 | © 2018 Peter M.Q. Jere | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 22 August 2017 | Published: 28 November 2018

About the author(s)

Qeko Jere, Faculty of Theology, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, Malawi

Abstract

This article argues that the adoption and practice of koinōnia is critically important to the poverty alleviation process. Koinōnia empowers, as both the poor and the rich exist in the other and for the other, modelled on the immanent and economic Trinity. Koinōnia is the very engine of the Godhead and the heart of a Christian gospel. It was the enforcement and institutionalisation of koinōnian practice that contributed to the growth of the early church despite the economic hardship of the time. The lack of church koinōnian life today has led to socio-economic disparities amongst congregations and congregants. This article aims at finding out whether the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian General Assembly (CCAP-GA) is a koinōnian community. This article evaluates the koinōnian life in the CCAP-GA as a way of making the church an effective koinōnian community. Thus the article examines whether there has been Presbyterian fellowship and koinōnian practice within the CCAP-GA. This article is informed by koinōnian theoretical practice in probing the question of poverty within the CCAP-GA. Until the church and Christians begin to live and practise koinōnian life, equally share and give at all levels, poverty will continue to be a challenge in the home, society and the church.

Keywords

Trinity; Poverty Alleviation; CCAP General Assembly; Cappadocian; Augustine

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Crossref Citations

1. Zambezi Evangelical Church’s role in addressing poverty in Malawi: A public practical theological reflection
Vhumani Magezi, Patrick Nanthambwe
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doi: 10.4102/ids.v56i1.2894