Mission and "Black Herstory"
On African Women in Mission
Welcome to “Global Witness, Globally Reimagined,” where we dream about mission in a postcolonial world. Every Thursday, I share one thought that has spoken to me in the week, some resources I trust will be helpful to you, and three exciting quotes about mission. I pray one of these will energise you in the coming week.
1. Thought I Can’t Shake Off
African Christianity is a young people’s religion. Its median age is around 18 (and going down). It is also a religion that has consistently attracted more women than men over the decades. Anecdotal research suggests that between 60 and 65 per cent of African Christians are female. (Of course, it is an incongruency that its leadership is male-dominated). This reality that most African Christians are young and female has many implications for its sense of mission. Here, in the African Diaspora, there is no difference. In some congregations, women form up to 75 per cent of members. Often told from men’s perspectives, stories of African Christianity fail to highlight the experiences of African women. I can only imagine the stories of the African women I have seen in the diaspora: Sudanese women in Sydney, Congolese women in Dusseldorf, Nigerian women in London, Ghanaian women in Glasgow and Malawian women in South Bend. It may not look like it when we read church magazines and see conference posters. Yet, both the present and the future of African Christianity are shaped, to a large extent, by the life-stories of these African women: their silence and invisibility, their vulnerabilities and worries, their prayers and hard work. May we, in this Black History Month, also hear from the African women among us. Here in the UK, I have in mind African women like Shumi Kupara, Lisa Adjei, Wonuola Adefala, Sheila Akomiah-Conteh, Ify Alexis, Jacy Mai, Bose Onaboye, among many others. There are many others scattered around Africa and in the African diaspora. Plugin to some of their conversations, read their blogs and books, and find them on YouTube because they have something important for us all.
2. Resources I am Enjoying
Podcast: Eunice Momah: Christian Mission(s) in Africa Led
This conversation took place when Eunice Momah was a first-year doctoral student at the Center of Missiological Research, Fuller Theological Seminary. Eunice comes from Nigeria and is passionate about God’s mission, especially when it is carried out in the context of accurate and relevant biblical interpretation. In this conversation, she begins her reflections by surveying the “character of Christianity” in Africa, which she believes is a product of “the nature and content of our biblical interpretation.” Eunice notes that the biblical interpretation that will aid God’s mission in Africa cannot be foreign to its context. Also, beyond evangelistic activities, holistic training of every member of the church in mission, and intentional discipleship of new members are necessary consolidatory steps to preserve the gains of evangelism. Eunice’s discussion is multi-layered and laden with helpful tips for engaging in God’s mission in Africa. She represents some of the voices we must amplify in her missional conversations.
3. Quotes I am Pondering
The church has to be consistent with its own vocation of being the champion of justice in society. The church has to be in solidarity with the women. These efforts should be made out of genuine concern for justice for women and the restoration of their dignity, a prior condition to the effective education of society on the issue of women and violence, the church to be seen to treat women with justice and uphold their dignity. — Teresia Hinga
“African women discover ... the Triune God as liberator of the oppressed, the rescuer of the marginalized and all who live daily in the throes of pain, uncertainty, and deprivation.” — Mercy Amba Oduyoye
As the African church worldwide embraces and steps into a new age of grace, privilege and destiny as the ‘dark continent’ now prepares to become God’s beacon of light to an ever-darkening world, the role of women in this move of God cannot be overlooked. … Theology without the faith expressions of women is like a bird with only one wing, disabled and unable to take to air. — Sheila Akomiah-Conteh
I pray that you will be faithful to the mission God has for you this week.