Written by: DR Pearl Kupe
Article source: JOY! Magazine
If you ask believers about the Kairos Document, most are clueless – and yet it is one of the most important documents in the history of the Church in South Africa. The Kairos Document is a Christian / biblical commentary that was written regarding the political crisis in South Africa in 1985. It was issued by an ecumenical group of theologians and pastors in Soweto, based predominantly in the townships. It was a call to action. The document challenged the Church’s response to the prevailing political environment of the time. The word ‘Kairos’ was used to reflect “a moment of truth and moment of grace and opportunity”.
A critical lesson taken from the Kairos Document
The Kairos Document urged the Church to take responsibility and to be accountable. It was a call to the Ecclesia to take up its salt and light mandate and provide direction. It was a wakeup call for the Church to line up with its original mandate and be a voice and platform of Kingdom expression on earth. After independence, the Church became a recluse again and its voice was no longer heard and presence no longer felt.
The Church needs to take responsibility and be accountable.
Ecumenical Leadership Council
The Ecumenical Leadership Council of South Africa (ELC) is an association of church organisations which offers leadership development programmes, training resources, and networking opportunities for its members. Its mission is “to maximise the impact of churches and church organisations, develop their leaders, and strengthen the community”.
The ELC – ably led by its President, Pastor Sipho Mahlangu – recently hosted a conference, which ran from the 3rd – 4th May. The theme was ‘Revisiting the Kairos Document & Reimagining the Prophetic Voice of the Church of South Africa’. Over 70 leaders were in attendance, all of whom were active and vigorous in their participation. The conference was hosted in partnership with Prof Puleng LenkaBula (UNISA Principal and Vice-Chancellor), and Prof T. D Mashau (UNISA Chair of the Department of Christian Spirituality, Church History, and Missiology).
Conference speakers & topics
Speakers included Rev. Frank Chikane (World Council of Churches), Father Smangaliso Mkhatshwa, Rev Moss Ntlha (The Evangelical Association of South Africa), Bishop Mpumlwana (South African Council of Churches), Pastor Sipho Mahlangu (ELC), Pearl Kupe (Global Forum of Women Entrepreneurs, also representing Christian Leaders Forum), Prof Kobo (UNISA), Prof Masenya (UNISA), and Prof Manganyi (UNISA). Topics included gender based violence, drug and alcohol abuse, pandemics, corruption, service delivery issues, poverty, inequality, unemployment, racism and xenophobia, ecological degradation, global wars, and more. The ELC will release a conference report to be circulated articulating and proposing a way forward. The conference ended with a clear consensus that there is a great need for the Church to organise herself going forward and strategies on how to be a prophetic voice to the nation.
The voice of the Church
The Church is not called to just be a voice in times of crisis, but at all times. May the Church of Yeshua be reminded of its mandate to express Kingdom principles and facilitate transformation in the communities and nations of the world. The Church must embrace the notion of being agents of change. Bishop Mpumlwana’s closing remarks were to say that the Church has lost her sense of purpose and will be judged by posterity if she does not embrace the mandate given to her by God. The conference concluded with the thought that the Church cannot allow her prophetic voice to be swallowed up by worldly systems. The voice of the
Church must be heard!
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Date published: 18/05/2022
Feature image from left to right: Prof Manganyi (UNISA), Prof Klippies Kritzinger (UNISA), Rev. Frank Chikane (WCC), Prof Masemola(Exec Dean UNISA), Prof Mashau(Host UNISA), Rev Moss Ntlha (TEASA), Pearl Kupe (Christian Leaders Forum) (Behind Pearl Kupe Pastor Sipho Mahlangu, ELC), Pastor Moatlhodi (ELC)
DR Pearl Kupe – attorney and consultant to world leaders / international organisations. She is the international president of the Global Forum for Women Entrepreneurs. Email pearl.kupe@gmail.com or visit pearlkupe.co.za
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This article at first glance appears to be supporting a Christian world view when it fact it is promoting ecumenicism?
Has Joy Magazine changed its editorial stance? What compromises have been made? The biblical world view is very clear on the exclusivity of Jesus Christ.
The term “Kairos’ appears to have been hijacked to serve this cause. If I have misinterpreted your article please be so kind as to explain how you appear to have wandered off the straight and narrow.
Kind regards
A Believer in Christ