The story of Anglican growth in Africa and decline in the West is very familiar, but this is often spoken of as if it were simply the result of underlying social, economic and cultural forces, without giving sufficient attention to the role that leadership plays, for good or ill.
The Anglican Church of Kenya, which has just celebrated its 50th anniversary as an independent Province, is an interesting example. The current Archbishop and Primate, Jackson Ole Sapit, may not yet be as well known outside Kenya as some of his predecessors (such as David Gitari who was a prominent opponent of President Moi’s attempt to entrench one-party rule, and Eliud Wabukala, who was Chairman of GAFCON from 2011 to 2016), but he too is bringing courageous and creative leadership to the Anglican Church of Kenya.
On 25 October, beginning a series of special services to mark the anniversary, Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit warned against politicians using churches for party political purposes, saying: ‘We must guard the pulpit in the church so that, even if somebody comes to worship, then their space is in that pew.’
