The relevant Christian ministry is rooted in the church’s Kairos moment. Kairos signifies a sense of urgency, the crucial moment (Kittel 1968, 456). 

The Kairos moment mission, therefore, becomes the destiny that calls the church to decisive action in its salvific work. 

Through the church, “God issues a challenge to decisive action……. It is a dangerous time because if missed, and allowed to pass by, the loss for the church, for the Gospel” (Kairos Documents 1985,1) and for humanity will be immeasurable. 

Therefore, from Christ’s message, the abiding motive for mission “is love, and we have seen that Christian love is self-giving that lets-be’ (Macquarie 1977,444) 

For the church to realise its mission, it must acknowledge that the modern order has sought to be independent of God, hence the chaos and disorderliness of our times. 

Therefore, in this regard, the church’s mission must always shine with new, radical light and activate new insights to a broken world. 

The church’s role in promoting democracy and good governance in Namibia must be driven by the desire to make this world a better place for all. This role of the church (her calling and her mission) is clearly stated in Luke 4:18 ‘to set free the oppressed.’ 

This aspect of the mission must be visible and audible through the church’s social gospel movement. 

As to the nature of the church, it is a living and loving community, a manifestation of the Kingdom of God on earth. This understanding of the church reveals that it is a transforming and empowering community, representing the continued presence of Jesus Christ on earth. 

From this realisation, the church cannot afford to be indifferent and isolated in the face of the glaring socio-political and economic situation in Namibia. 

Bonhoeffer says the church is truly the church when it fights for the salvation of others (Bonhoeffer 1993, 174). The church must appreciate the reality that the world needs its ministry, and it must pray to the Lord of Life for divine help as it seeks to bring peace where humanity has failed to live by these principles of life. 

If the church takes a back seat in the journey of human existence, then it loses its taste as the salt of the world. 

Such a church becomes irrelevant to the people because it is perceived as part of the structure of exploitation and exclusion. 

Therefore, the message of the church should promote the total liberation of humanity from all structures and forms of evil that deprive people of the enjoyment of their God–given life, freedom, and peace. 

Bonhoeffer’s theology in the crisis of World War II declares that the church is the place where testimony and serious thought are given to the reconciliation of the world, which it seeks to save (Bonhoeffer 1993, 127). 

Therefore, in the face of socio-political conflicts between the powerful and less influential, the church should not pretend to be neutral. 

Instead, the church must act like Jesus Christ, who stood up against the powerful Sadducees and Pharisees without fear or favour. In the words of Oscar Romero, “The Christian faith does not separate us from the world”. Therefore, all of us must take up challenges, citizens and churches alike, as we strive together in partnership to build a better life for all. 

*Reverend Jan A Scholtz is the former chairperson of the //Kharas Regional Council and former! Nami#nus constituency councillor. He holds a Diploma in Theology, B-Theo (SA), a Diploma in Youth Work and Development from the University of Zambia (UNZA), as well as a Diploma in Education III (KOK) BA (HED) from UNISA.