History of Congo
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| History of the CLC in Congo |
| Initial Contact Pastor Mutombo Muzakuza was baptized Catholic and joined a confessional Reformed Church in 1978, ordained as a bishop in 1977. He left and sought to form a new church in the Lutheran mold, as suggested by a Methodist bishop. The chairman of the CLC Mission Board corresponded with Pastor Muzakuza in April 1998. The correspondence was turned over to the missionary. A quantity of French and English doctrinal and devotional materials has been sent. |
| October 13, 1998 As of this date, Pastor Muzakuza’s group called itself the Eglise Lutherienne de Confession du Congo, ELCC, basically us in the Congo. |
| May 2001 Doctrinal discussions were held on a variety of subjects between Pastors Koenig and Muzakuza. There appeared to be no doctrinal differences. Previously, questionaires and specific doctrinal statements had been sent with no disagreement evident. The delay in any face-to-face meeting was due to the war raging in the Congo. French catechisms have been sent and are being used. During this visit a new congregation in Kinshasa was started. Pastor Koenig held two doctrinal meetings with this group to explain our teachings. |
| January 2002 A planned doctrinal visitation from the USA was cancelled. Membership was 980 souls in 26 congregations reported by Pastor Muzakuza. In 1999 it had been 394 in 10 congregations and in 2001 it was 589 souls in 18 congregations. |
| May 2002 In the ELCC there are 27 pastors serving 1063 souls divided into three districts. It was not possible to go easily to the unstable countryside, so the discussions were held again in Kinahasa with Pastor Muzakuza and his two preachers in Kinshasa. The desire of a declaration of fellowship was sent by letter to the CLC. Many problems in getting materials to them and translated and duplicated were worked on. There continued a clear willingness to abide by the Word in all matters commanded or forbidden. The original and a second congregation in Kinshasa were visited by the missionary. |
| June 2002 The CLC in convention declared itself in fellowship with the ELCC, based on doctrinal discussions between the missionary and the ELCC President and lengthy correspondence. The ELCC appealed for a fellowship relationship with the CLC to the CLC President. |
| October 2002 A visitation was finally carried out in south Katanga centered in Lubumbashi, by the missionary. This being the first visit to the area where the bulk of the ELCC congregations are, there was much to be reported. The church’s head, Pastor Muzakuza, with aid from the CLC, is working to train his pastors through visits, classes and printed material. Catechists are being trained to teach the catechism. A translation committee is working on translating confessional Lutheran statements. |
| November 14-16, 2002 The first meeting of representatives of the Etago CLC, LCEA and ELCC was held at Uchira, Tanzania, to enjoy fellowship, discuss the starting of the seminary, and to study God’s Word. Pastors Muzakuza and Mbayo attended. |
| November 22-27, 2003 The first visit by the missionary to Katanga Province was carried out with the visiting of congregations. Meetings were also held with ELCC women, a translation committee and catechists. The meeting with ELCC pastors of south Katanga was to try to orientate them to us and our help for them. |
| 2004 This year marked the first assistance from the CLC to seven churches for roofing. The missionary was on the field in November. We continue supplying Pastor Muzakuza financing and teaching materials to teach his pastors. Their translation committee finished the Swahili catechism for printing. There are 1990 members served by 24 pastors and 18 assistants. |
| 2005 Seven roofing projects helped - Translation work progresses well - Increased numbers require tests of all pastors - French materials being made available as well as Swahili - Church Registration and Farming Project fail to prove workable. |
| November 6-16. 2005 Mission Board members B. Naumann and L. Hansen with missionary held meetings with pastors, catechists, translation committee and leaders as well as visiting several congregations. |
| 2006 From Nov. 15th to Dec. 9th Pastor David Povolny was in the DRC beginning his work to replace Pastor Koenig who was only present for one week. Pastor Povolny carried out teaching, preaching and advising as the new man under the limited call from the Mission Board for Congo |
| 2007 A visitation was held of missionary and Martin Essien from the NCLC in Nov. Plans were made for next year on: self-help, training, catechist teaching and translation work. While the statistics reflect a growth, there has to be taken into account that many are not in confessional fellowship yet. The base is 40 pastors and assistants and 12 catechists serving 1001 souls in 26 congregations. Adding to this the inquirers and it is 91 pastors and assistants serving 3102 souls in 45 congregations. 2008 September - Pastor Koenig visited the ELCC in Lubumbashi. Discussions were held with: Pastor Muzakuza, translation comm., catechists, pastors. It is hoped that a loan program can be started for pastors this year. |