When Christian citizenship is tough

In June, John Redekop, political science professor at Trinity Western University and a leading Canadian evangelical writer on Christian involvement with the state, travelled to DR Congo with MB Mission and Service International program director for Africa, Nzash Lumeya. He related to politicians and taught in Mennonite Brethren churches about understanding and responding to their government. His report on the trip, carried in MBMSI’s “Global Bridge,” reveals the “peace challenge” and more as experienced daily by our sister church in Congo.

(l–r) Nzash Lumeya, Bernard Kasai (a Congolese church leader), and John Redekop. Photo courtesy of Nzash Lumeya

“Should full freedom be given to all minorities, including Muslims, who, if they were the majority, likely would not give full freedoms to us?” “Should Christians accept government positions when some of the policies are not acceptable to a Christian?” “Should a member of an MB Church accept any leadership role in the national military establishment?” “How shall we ‘pray for those in authority’ if our goal is to remove from office those who are ‘in authority’?”

These are some of the many questions posed during my sessions with Christian leaders and politicians while I was in the Democratic Republic of Congo, June 9 to 23. My trip got off to an interesting start given that a coup was underway when our airplane landed. My associate and I took cover in the walled yard of a friendly Presbyterian taxi driver.

Although I have served as advisor and consultant to individual politicians and to government agencies in North America, I have never had opportunity to address such a large number of national policy-makers and religious leaders, in this instance including a good number of Mennonite Brethren. It was my privilege to interact with political leaders, including cabinet members and Vice-President Zahidi Ngoma, as well as religious leaders. The press conference following my session with the vice-president was a special time to underscore some key ideas. In addition there were private, informal discussions and opportunities to speak in several churches. Of special significance was the fact that a senior cabinet minister assisted me in various ways. His role was key in setting up some of the most important meetings with national political leaders.

During most of this time, Nzash Lumeya served as my translator and facilitator. With his Congolese roots and expertise, not to mention language skills, his contribution was invaluable. In some sessions, other translators assisted me.

Position papers

In consultation with my hosts, I had prepared 12 position papers that had been translated and served as the basis for the seminars and workshops. Some of the titles my Congolese friends seemed to find most interesting were: “Biblical Guidelines Concerning Government and Church–State Relations”; “Can Civil Governments Govern According to Christian Ethics?”; “What does God Require of Christian Citizens?” These papers and my responses were to be the basis for some critical discussions in the weeks following my visit.

I tried to emphasize several themes: political leaders should set aside corruption; political leaders are God’s agents and are accountable to Him; Christians should pray diligently for governments as the Bible teaches; and Christians should see political activity, to the extent that Christian discipleship permits, as an arena of Christian service.

The political leaders of the Democratic Republic of Congo face truly daunting questions. Revenues are scarce and needs are gigantic. Expatriate corporations send much of their profit out of the country. There is no national income tax system; unofficial “arrangements” are negotiated by various government officials. The country has only a tiny middle class, a small elite class, and a very large class of poor people. I was told that aside from the employees of expatriate companies, the average income of policemen, soldiers and employees generally was about $20 US or $30 Cdn a month.

For most Congolese, it wouldn’t make any difference if there were an income tax system in operation – they have no income to be taxed! I was amazed how most people manage to get by. Given that a supply of manioc, the staple food, costs about $45 US a month for a family of four and the average monthly salary for the common people is less than half that amount, I wondered how they managed. The standard answer had two parts: the extended family shares what they have and the women, especially, try to make things to sell. Evidence of the latter abounded along many streets.

Unemployment

The difficulty for the governments, as well as for Christians and other Congolese citizens, is further exacerbated by the fact that the unemployment rate exceeds 70%. Concerning one church I was told that of all the men I saw in the benches, 90% were unemployed. I marvelled that they could be so dynamic, happy and spiritually committed while experiencing such severe economic hardships. I first thought it was a good thing they are not sitting in the back pews of our churches or denominational conventions when we hear again and again that we have no money for missions, and that our giving “is maxed out!” On the other hand, maybe it would be good for them to be present. Maybe their presence, and especially their reports, would help us refocus our Christian vision and rearrange our personal and collective priorities.

During this trip, I observed clearly how significant our pioneer and later missionaries were. I observed again that material well-being is not a requirement for either spiritual well-being or happiness. I saw again that it is easier to hold possessions loosely if you do not have much to hold. Once again I observed that this world is not a fair place – some Christians and some countries have much while other Christians and countries struggle to keep body and soul united. Especially sobering is the fact that the gap between the rich and the poor is growing. What does that say about our so-called “Christian West”?

Let us continue to pray for our Congolese sisters and brothers, to listen to them, to learn from them, to support them, and to stand with them.

John Redekop attends Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford.