A letter from Bob and Kristi Rice in Congo
April 2012
Unity, the Oil of Blessing
How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!
It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard, down upon the collar of his robes (Psalm 133:1-2).
Nearly 100 delegates gather in Mbuyi-Mayi from various regions for the annual laity congress
The annual congress of laity of the Congolese Presbyterian Church (CPC) had just finished. A collective sense of accomplishment coupled with smiles-all-around filled the sanctuary. Two and a half days of worship, breaking bread, hot discussion, and warm fellowship finished with the unifying act of communion. After officially closing the congress, the president of the laity for East Kasai introduced a guest. He was tall and slender. He spoke a few words of greeting and the congress received him mildly. I later learned that this man serves as the legal representative of the Presbyterian Church of East Kasai, autonomous from the CPC. In 1967 he led several churches out of the CPC community due to a troubled political climate that fostered tribal tensions. Unable to reconcile with another tribe of the West Kasai region, he and others left the larger CPC body to form a “safer” and more homogenous community.
Pastor Mulaji Kabukayi serves communion, an act of unity, as the congress closes
For 11 days in March Kristi and I traveled with members of the CPC Evangelism Department to different parts of the East Kasai Province. We slept in mud houses, sat under trees with church leaders, traveled long distances on bumpy roads, and were greeted with a royal reception every place we went. We witnessed awesome sacrifice. We heard inspiring stories. Yet the one theme that stands out is unity. Sadly, the CPC community in East Kasai has been fractured. Everywhere we heard of “Bena Autonomie,” or those who have left the CPC. Many churches have left within the last 10 years due to a controversial figure, Rev. Mbaya, a former legal representative who was suspended for the misappropriation of a large sum of funds. Though his guilt is undeniable, he was able to convince many churches to leave with him. The stain of this dispute still blemishes the CPC community in East Kasai, leaving an unhealed rift.
These brave elders serve a rural presbytery which currently has no pastors
Reading the Scriptures, we learn that brothers have not always lived well together in unity. Cain killed Abel. Lot quarreled with Abraham. Joseph’s brothers threw him in a pit and sold him as a slave. The Lord’s disciples quarreled over who was the greatest. Paul and Barnabas broke company.[1] And the list goes on. Yet Psalm 133 tells us how good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity. The psalmist draws on the rich image of oil being poured upon Aaron, the high priest. The agreeable odor of the fine spices serves as a metaphor of the “exquisite excellence” of unity and brotherly love.[2] Unity is a blessing that comes from God alone. Jesus, in his high priestly prayer (John 17), prays for unity. The Apostle Paul exhorts the Ephesian believers to make every effort to be unified in the Spirit by the bond of peace (Eph. 4).
Bob listens to the challenges faced by the leaders of Mujila Presbytery, which has no pastors
Yet the sad reality is that we struggle as God’s people to be unified. In Africa, tribal affiliations often trump Christian brotherhood. In the United States, different perspectives on the authority of Scripture and divisive social issues drive a wedge between God’s people. The legacy of the Reformation has been a history replete with schism. So, what are we to do as God’s people? We must pray for and seek unity. We are not to seek uniformity, for we will always have our differences regarding certain views and perspectives. Yet on the essentials of our Christian faith, namely, the Lordship of Jesus Christ, we have the basis for unity. For unity is where God’s blessings can be found.
I feel sad for the pastor described in the first paragraph. In the 1960s he and others were swept away by the political and social forces of their time. Perhaps if they had taken more time for reflection, they would have recognized that their Christian faith supersedes tribal loyalties. Thirty-five years later they find themselves outside the CPC community, which spans many tribes and a few different tongues. I also feel sympathy for the "Bena Autonomie" of East Kasai. They have allowed a morally bereft leader to take them away from a rooted and strong community of faith. Regarding my own denomination, I also feel bad for churches now leaving the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), a historically strong and mission-minded church that seeks to honor the Lordship of Jesus Christ and has ecumenical ties to the worldwide church.
Kristi is greeted with incredible joy in Bibanga, East Kasai
I mentioned in the first paragraph the pastor’s desire to form a "safer" and more homogenous community. As Christians, it behooves us to know that our only safe place is upon the rock of Jesus Christ. Community, despite its benefits, does not promise safety. Our weaknesses and our fears will inevitably be discovered, we will always find subjects to disagree on, and ultimately we are likely to face betrayal in some form. Jesus himself was betrayed in his own community of 12. Opening ourselves to community and seeking unity is risky, but it is worth it. For that is where the blessings of God can be found.
Thank you for standing with us in prayer and financial support. We could not serve in Congo without you. May you experience the blessings of God as you seek unity through brotherly love during this season of the Resurrection!
Bob and Kristi Rice
The 2012 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 102
Blog: Adventures of Bob and Kristi
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[1] Wiersbe, Warren W. The Bible Exposition Commentary. Colorado Springs, CO: Victor, 2003. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
[2] Clarke, Adam. A Commentary and Critical Notes. New York: Abingdon-Cokesbury Press, 1826. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
