A model of leading a multi-ethnic church into a United Christian body in Rwezori Field of the Seventh-day Adventist church

Abstract

Rwenzori field of the Seventh-day Adventist Church has members who are from different ethnic groups. The membership is categorised as multi-ethnic. There is need to represent the interests of each ethnic group at all levels of Church leadership. The purpose of study was to develop a model for a multi-ethnic church leadership in Rwenzori Field which will be inclusive of the existing membership, the diverse ethnic groups in the church community. The study used systematic random sampling involving respondents from different levels of the church with in Rwenzori field and purposeful sampling targeting the administrators and departmental heads. The sample also included 31 district leaders and church members from 17 districts whose membership is composed of more than one ethnic group of different age and gender. Quantitative design was applied in data gathering and analysis. The results indicated that at most the church leadership is composed of one ethnic group thus the Bakonzo. Only one district leader out of 31 is non Mukonzo. Also that all workers employed at field level are Bakonzo. However, there are associate pastors who are not Bakonzo who operate alongside the main district leaders. There is also a deliberate ongoing plan of training people from all ethnic groups in Rwenzori field at a ministerial college in Mitandi. Following the grouping of the multi-ethnic leadership demonstration study groups, I discovered that members can work together without ethnic discrimination. The strategy involved a multi-ethnic groups in church leadership and activities to minimize ethnic vendetta. Also the Rwenzori field has indicators in operation which can facilitate multi-ethnic unity among the church members. The study recommended that it is time to put in place a deliberate plan to emphasise a multi-ethnic co-existence in all congregation where more than one ethnic group exist and the respect of cultural values, and languages prevail. The strategy should be reflected in all youth activities, women ministries, and Sabbath School activities and studies, where the talents and potentials of all church members are tapped. Finally there should be a continued teaching about the positive attitude of one ethnic group to the other.