A Traditional Luo Elder As A Pastoral Minister in Reference to I Timothy 3:1-7 (Impact on Evangelization in Luo land Kisumu)
Loading...
Date
2005
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Tangaza University College
Abstract
Over the centuries, the Luos lived together and managed their socio-political
and religious affairs internally. They had their elders who were entrusted with
different duties and roles. Among the duties, these elders chaired and maintained the
traditional worship. The elders became the light to the community whenever
darkness fell over the entire community. The common figure, that is, Ker/Ruoth, had
the duty to see to it that the community and its activity progressed smoothly. In fact,
Ker/Ruoth was the highest position in the land performing the role of traditional
"pastoral" ministry. The Ker had good and valuable qualities that reflected the
nature and the culture of the community. In brief, the qualities are such factors as
wealth to begin with. In this case, wealth was considered a factor that enabled the
elders to support the less privileged. This was used to prove the degree of the person
to give, that is, whether he was a cheerful giver or one whose sight did not transcend
his family relations. During famine, people turned to the elder for assistance. He had
to be a respected man. This respect was earned first by the manner in which the
person managed his house. If he had a good wife then his home became a pillar of
righteousness among his contemporaries. He had to be brave, a factor that pointed to
the idea that he was able to face the invading enemy and rescue his people. Others
included calmness, not unmarried, an elder son, and not a witch, a native and one whose mother was not a different tribe. Other qualities would be considered later in
this work.
For St. Paul in his first letter to Timothy, he outlined the qualities that a
person would need to qualify in his case as a minister. These qualities are also
applicable to a traditional Luo elder. For Paul, an elder had to be an irreproachable
person. This necessitates the spirit of welcoming and straight forwardness. He must
be married once. Marriage suffered infidelity during this time Paul wrote the letter
and as such, he looked for those who followed the right teaching in marriage. Selfcontrol
according to Paul made one to approach different situations with the right
attitudes the situation would deserve. Hospitality was also called for in the sense of
giving and welcoming, one whose heart bore no grudges. He must be one who
managed his household well, not a recent convert, not a lover of money and has a
good reputation.
One quality considered among the Luos, especially polygamy would be seen
as a point of conflict but given the mind of the community, it is as good as
monogamy if not better. This was the point of clash between the early missionaries
and the Luos.
This intercultural clash between the idea of the missionaries and the traditional Luo
leadership hastened the spread of Christianity among the Luos of Western Kenya.
The traditional elders among the Luos were just as good as the ones Paul wanted to
lead. A Christian leader is in some ways considered a pastoral minister, one who
attends to the flock of Christ.
Description
Keywords
Traditional, Luo Elder, Pastoral Minister, I Timothy 3:1-7, Evangelization