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Roger SanerJan 18,2010
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Amahoro: a gathering exploring post-colonial Christianity in Africa

2010 is a big year for us South Africans - World Cup and all. It's also the 4th Amahoro Gathering, in Mombasa from May 3 - 10. I've been to two Amahoro Gatherings and have found them immensely significant, since Amahoro is on the other side of the coin to the emerging conversation (taking place in Western contexts) as it looks at the impact of the colonial narrative on the Gospel, and where that leaves us now.

Brian McLaren spoke about "Post-modern and post-colonial": two sides of the same coin, in Johannesburg just before the first Amahoro Gathering, in 2007. It's one of the 3 best talks I heard that year.

There are many things I like about Amahoro: the family reunion feel, the people, the diversity, the topics we address, and that we're taking theology developed in Africa by Africans seriously. Kenzo Mabiala is the resident theologian of Amahoro; he completed his doctorate under D.A. Carson before returning to the Congo to head up a theological college.

Carson asked him why he was interested in the emerging church conversation (primarily happening in the West), and Kenzo answered that the emerging church is asking the right questions.

For more information: The Amahoro website.

And now to encouraging comments on this post: why is it important to understand how the Gospel was shaped by the rise of the colonialism, and what are the implications for those who live in post-colonial contexts?

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Roger SanerJun 10,2009
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Talks from the Amahoro Gathering (so far)

The Amahoro gathering is going really well - we've had some fantastic conversations and some demonstrations of deep reconciliation. I'll post more about that later. I've been recording the talks - here they are so far (in order) with:

Edward Simiyu - The ministry of presence (2.67 MB)

Kelly Nikondeha - The Amahoro story (2.44 MB)

Transfiguration - Claude Nikondeha (17 MB). Claude's notes are here and his powerpoint presentation is here.

Postcolonialism and why it matters - Dr Kenzo Mabiala (21 MB). Kenzo's notes are here: What Is Postcolonialism.pdf.

Intro to "New Wineskins" - Monte Wilson (1.12 MB)

A 10 minute broad sketch of Apartheid - Muzi Cindi (4.08 MB). This is a commentary which runs alongside this presentation.

The Church and Apartheid - Moss Nthla (8.63 MB)

The legacy of the TRC and the reformation of SA society - panel with Adriaan Vlok (25 MB)

[Added: 10 June 2009]
The African Reformation - Brian McLaren

Questions to Brian McLaren about his talk - The African Reformation

The Reformation of the Church - Paul Verryn (13 MB)

Panel discussion on Xenophobia (chaired by Trevor Nthlola) (19 MB)

Amahoro in a global context - Brian McLaren (1.94 MB)

[Updated: June 11]

Meet the Amahoro board - Claude Nikondeha (1.50 MB)

The Del Camino Network for Holism - Roberto Guerrera (3.58 MB)

The Transformation of the African Child - Spiwo Xapile (9.68 MB)

[Updated: 12 June]

Women and the reformation of communities - Rene August (17 MB)

Mohinda's story of the Congo (6.34 MB)

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Roger SanerJun 03,2009
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Hitchhikers Guide to Amahoro

The Amahoro conference is happening next week - and I can't wait! To get some fantastic minds into the same space to dialogue around post-colonial church is a wonderful, creative opportunity. It's not just the upfront speakers either, but the chance to work out the theory and theology with on-the-ground pastors for whom this must make a difference, or it's all talk. Plus there are some people who have a big influence on the wider scene in South Africa.

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Roger SanerJun 03,2009
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My take on the Amahoro conference

This conference is going to be interesting, especially from the South African side, since I think many/most of the participants are white. Perhaps the concept of "post-colonial church" is a little too "out there" for most South Africans, where "post-Apartheid" is closer to home, but it's still a case where from the white side the idea is, "Apartheid is over and racism is no more - just get over it already." And from the black side it's, "White people haven't a clue what it was like, and what it continues to be like." And then there's everyone else (Coloured, Indian, Asian, etc) who aren't in the white-black polemic, and can easily be excluded from this debate (and this is an over-simplification, of course).

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