The Catholic Church is growing wildly on the continent of Africa. One report (click on link below) says that in the past ten years, the Church has grown 33%. One can only ask why.
Perhaps the easiest answer is that God is at work there for his greater purposes. No doubt that is the case. What then do we need to learn from the Catholic Church in Africa?
I believe we in the United States need to fan into flame the fire of the Holy Spirit. The American Church has been given no less of the Spirit’s gifts than anywhere else in the world. But like a dam in a mighty river, we are holding back. We need to open our hearts, open the flood gates and boldly proclaim our faith, let loose the Spirit that has been given to us.
We have so much in terms of brick and mortar, money and material. We live in a country of religious freedom where, despite the anti-Catholic bias in our contemporary society, we are in fact at liberty to fully live out our faith.
I am afraid though, that we are not disposing ourselves well to bear the fruits of the Spirit, and thus, we erode our credibility and our persuasiveness. We clergy need especially take a look at this.
The African Church from what I understand, is a church who is intent on spreading the Gospel. They are on fire with the Holy Spirit, and allow that Spirit to penetrate their lives and local faith communities.
We could learn from them.
Click on this link for another view. African Church
