Eldership in Traditional Africa as a Core Definer of Ubuntu Ecclesiology in Configuration to Pauls’ Conception of Eldership Institution

Abstract

The growth of Christianity in Africa comes with a strong demand on biblical African ecclesiology that is keen on strong and trusted leadership. There have been multiple of accusations labelled against the African church that centre around her quality of leadership. In the formulation of an Ubuntu ecclesiology, we are keen to have an ecclesiology that is most friendly to the African conceptual framework and one that canindeed be of use in the articulation of theology in Africa. This is in the spirit and letter of contextualization that is bent on an incarnational theology. This is only achievable through an understanding of the eldership framework from an African mindset and the biblical concept of eldership as is captured in the Old and New Testament. The benefits that African Ubuntu ecclesiology can obtain with regard to quality leadership from the concept of eldership in traditional Africa is well articulated to combat the leadership ineptitude that has characterized African ecclesia. Lastly the study at the conclusion has presented a theological reflection on eldership as a core definer of accuracy of leadership within Ubuntu ecclesiology by the observation of church leaders as representatives of the church in the model and pattern of Christ who is the character par excellence in the institution of eldership.