The Theological Grounding of CAPA
In 2015-2016 Professor Jesse Mugambi, with the help of the Foundation, was Consultant Theologian for CAPA. He has accompanied the Secretariat in the articulation and clarification of the core theological foundation of our work. This accompaniment has continued as CAPA begins to implement the new Strategic Plan.
Theologically, CAPA is rooted in the Five Marks of Mission formulated by the Anglican Consultative Council:
To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom
To teach, baptise and nurture new believers
To respond to human need by loving service
To transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and pursue peace and reconciliation
To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth
The contextualization of the Marks of Mission requires comprehensive appreciation of the complex particularity of the Anglican Provinces in Africa. Professor Mugambi has summarised this complexity in his chapter, titled “Ecumenism in African Christianity” in The Routledge Companion to Christianity in Africa (London: January 2016), p. 233:
. . . Africa remains a Continent where the relationship between religion (Christianity) and culture is not definitive. All possibilities are tested, and remain in creative tension from nation to region, nation to nation: Christianity for local Culture; against local Culture; above local Culture; independent of local Culture; identifying with foreign Culture; transcending Culture; operating as a cult. All possible polities for the institutionalization of Christianity have presence in Africa: Centralized Hierarchy; Centralized Assembly; Decentralized Hierarchies; De-centralized Assemblies; Individualized Entities. Africa is a “market‐place” for Christian doctrines, derived from: Historical creedal formulae; Biblical precepts; Views of Founders; Views of Preachers; Views of Theologians. Africa is also a marketplace for various theologies, derived from: scriptures; Councils; theologians; preachers. From the outside, African Christianity seems superficial; but from within it is very complex and phenomenal.
In view of this contextual complexity, CAPA is the inter-provincial service agency that provides visible and united expression of African Anglicanism, rooted in the Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral, that the Lambeth Conference of 1888 approved:
The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the revealed Word of God.
The Nicene Creed as the sufficient statement of the Christian Faith.
The two Sacraments - Baptism and the Supper of the Lord.
The Historic Episcopate.
The CAPA Commissions have been established for facilitating effective contextualization of Anglican presence in Africa, while affirming the unity of expression that pervades the Anglican Communion. In another chapter titled “African Heritage and Ecological Stewardship” in the book The Routledge Handbook on Religion and Ecology (New York & London: Routledge, 2016), Prof. Mugambi emphasises the important contribution - of the youth who are the majority of Africa’s population - towards this continent’s ecological rehabilitation. For such rehabilitation to be timely, relevant and effective, the input from religious perspectives is essential. The CAPA Secretariat has included the global ecological crisis among its program priorities.
In the face of contending and conflictive debates within the Anglican Communion, CAPA takes cognisance of at least four emphases, each of which ought to be taken seriously without jeopardising the rest:
a) Doctrinal considerations: the Creedal formulae that the Anglican Communion affirms.
b) Institutional considerations: the “hierarchical” and “horizontal” polity of Anglicanism, which ensures hierarchical order within the dioceses, and collegiality across the Provinces.
c) Pastoral considerations: the essential role of the ordained leadership in provision of pastoral care for both those within and outside the Anglican Church membership.
d) Theological considerations: Anglican theologians have a responsibility to research and reflect on the contextual and global challenges we face, taking into consideration biblical insights, historical precedents, interdisciplinary expertise and current ecclesiastical priorities.
In its work the CAPA Secretariat will continue to facilitate the deepening of theological reflection, within the limits of available resources.