A semicentennial of the development of indigenous leadership in the Anglican Church of Kenya (1970-2020): Challenges and opportunities

Abstract

The Anglican Church was planted in Kenya by the Church Missionary Society (CMS) in 1844, but it was not until 1970 when it became autonomous with the formation of the first province and election of Bishop Festo Olang’ as its first Archbishop. The first 5o years (1970-2020), were characterized by massive evangelization and tremendous numerical growth. There were also numerous challenges in local leadership development. While the success of any organization is dependent on its ability to develop its personnel, the ACK has faced challenges in that it has not been able develop sufficient and well-equipped clergy for its ministry. This has continued to hamper evangelization in that the few and the less-equipped clergy are not able to effectively the spiritual needs of the ACK Christians in the twenty-first century. For the success of its mission and ministry, the ACK should address the issue of training and retaining which has remained a real challenge over the last 50 years.