From cathedrals to streets: Why Church falls short in times of need

 

A section of Gen Z who attended House of Grace Church in Kakamega Town on July 21, 2024. [Mary Imenza, Standard]

Kenya’s church wears a deceptive smile – making you think that in it, you have a friend. Until there is a crisis. Then, you realize the church does not do streets; it only does cathedrals. Its artificial teeth offer a great smile, but those teeth do not do bones.

After the crisis passes, Kenya’s church sighs in relief, as if to say, “Phew, glad that’s over!” It seems unmoved by the fact that it had little to do with the resolution of the crisis. It appears oblivious to the credibility it loses with its scattered press conferences that lack a tangible strategy. It doesn’t take much to prepare a tough-talking speech, but it takes far more to develop a plan – a real way out of the mess.

For instance, the church might say, “We condemn police violence in the strongest terms possible.” Well said, tough talk. But what does it take to make IPOA function properly? Does the church have a strategy? The “saying church” will speak of corruption: “Corruption is ravaging this country – stop all corruption!” Nice words. But the country’s situation has gone beyond the “saying” phase. It’s at the stage of creating solutions. Don’t just speak; process and bring to life what you say!

The battle in Kenya is between the sayers and the doers. Those in power say what they are supposed to say, but they create what they truly desire. They deliver speeches against corruption while ensuring professional fraudsters are strategically placed in state institutions, and snipers lurk in the streets to eliminate their threats. When the enemy is a doer, the saviour cannot be a mere sayer!

Jesus moved beyond words when he embraced the act of being pinned to the cross. That act has become the greatest influence in history since. So what makes the church believe it can live a soft life, cruising in state-fueled limos, down the same streets where their youth are being shot at? Shame! Wake up!

The church is not meant to simply watch the news – it is meant to make the news – like its Lord! But now, the priest watches the news alongside his congregation. Together, they shake their heads at the government's oppressive acts, then go to sleep, hoping for a better day. Hoping?? Or making? The church’s hope is tied to action. The church doesn’t just hope for a better morning; it is a morning maker!

Unfamiliar frontline

But if the church wants to play in a league far beneath its calling, so be it. It has no place among the morning makers. Priests cannot hide, only to reappear after the crisis, saying, “God has done it.” Where were you when God was doing it? If God is doing it without you, then you are unnecessary!

Some in the church may argue that strategy is not their responsibility. So their work ends with just speaking? What a soft job – simply leaning over a microphone and reading prepared words! But ask the people – that is not what they expect of the church. They expect strategy, its execution, and, when necessary, dying for the cause. Yet we have a church unfamiliar with the frontline. Church leaders pray for the youth to take to the streets while they remain safely behind walls. But they’ll be there to bury them if they die. And even as they do so, they’ll use the same age-old liturgy – a routine ritual that lacks words for the reality of persecution.

The last few months have offered the church “to die for” opportunities to step up. The people have even cried out, “Church, help us!” But the church looked around, almost wondering, “Are they calling us?” Then, when asked why they didn’t show up, they claim they didn’t hear properly. In reality, they didn’t need to be called in the first place. They should have been the ones calling for backup and reinforcement.

When Gen Z families were mourning and burying their dead, the only images the country saw were of graves and funeral services. Some civil society leaders attended many of the funerals, but no collective church action stood out as memorable. A chance lost.

When the police shot peaceful young protesters day after day, a perfect opportunity emerged to address police brutality, excessive force, and the right to protest. Beyond words, clergy in black robes, accompanied by willing Christians, could have marched in protest. But because the Kenyan church is street-averse, another chance was lost.

Imported clergy

When Gen Z was overwhelmed by government pushback, they needed a friend – a big brother – to support their call against oppression and infuse the system with integrity. Some politicians came back into the spotlight, belittling the movement, and dismissing it as mere youth frenzy. This was a clear handshake moment between the church and the youth. But the church "zoobed" – chance lost.

When the president constituted a recycled cabinet in the name of a new spirit, the country was shocked and heartbroken. Did the president hear us right? What informed such a people-defying selection? He needs to know he's a heartbreaker. Bishops and pastors were in a prime position to reject this and mobilize the masses. Now it's clear why the government was recycling – to cover up "Adanism." Chance lost.

When Gen Z moved the "Occupy the Church" campaign, it was the perfect moment for the church to separate worship from politics, as long desired. Even politicians admitted their misuse of the church and agreed to respect it by sitting and worshipping. Yet ironically, the church didn’t let them sit and be fed. Politicians are back in the church as if they never left!

Some parts of the church have daily access to State House. They have the ear of the highest political offices. They should be telling the president, repeatedly, that God is not pleased with Kenya’s corruption. In the past, these "parrot pastors" seemed to tell the president, “God is with you!” even when it was clear the glory had long departed. Chance lost.

Evangelists have been imported into the country as state guests. With all due respect, there has been no clear link between these imported clergies and a “powerful national move of God.” In contrast, the state is in a sorry state.

Is the church truly interested in making an impact in the nation? It won’t happen by being invited to open government events in prayer or by being hosted at special tables during political receptions. Shame! That is the perfect way to miss opportunities yet again – so close, yet so far.