–– Jonathan Klimek
The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.
In our world, where individualism often overshadows community, the African philosophy of Ubuntu offers profound wisdom. Rooted in the Nguni Bantu languages, Ubuntu translates to “I am because we are,” capturing the essence of interconnectedness and shared humanity.
Ubuntu teaches us that our humanity is intertwined with that of others. It calls us to a depth of care and concern for one another that goes beyond surface-level interactions. Paul echoes this sentiment in Romans 12:15–16, where he calls us to empathy, unity, and humility that demand not just mere presence but full emotional, spiritual, and sacrificial involvement in each other’s lives.
In Africa, the values of Ubuntu, are still prevalent in rural communities, but in the urban environment where children are moving further afield from their families, there has been a growing shift to the nuclear family. The result of this is that the support systems inherent in the more familiar extended family relationships are declining. In addition to this challenges such as poverty, unemployment, and inequality are increasing. In South Africa alone, the unemployment rate exceeds 30%, and over 60% of the youth are unable to find jobs. These economic hardships have a severe impact on families, causing increased stress, fractured relationships, and social isolation.
The church in Africa is not immune to these pressures. Many believers face financial instability, deteriorating health, marriage struggles, and faith crises, compounded by a growing shift towards self-reliance and individualism where struggles are hidden and support is weak. Going a step further than the spirit of Ubuntu, Scripture calls us to counteract this fragmentation by embracing Biblical support, love, and care.
Scripture calls us to share in both the highs and lows of each other’s lives and to do so with love and humility.
In an era where individualism is rampant, this kind of selfless loving relationship is often missing. Neighbours remain strangers as technology—television, video games, and smartphones—envelops us in isolation. Social media compounds this issue, creating virtual realities where we craft controlled personas, often at the expense of genuine, face-to-face relationships. Our walls are high, our doors are closed, our neighbours are strangers, and our faces are glued to screens.
This isolation extends into the church, where many merely attend services, contribute just enough to appease their conscience, and then retreat to private worlds, neglecting the Biblical call for mutual responsibility and love within the body of Christ. The African church members, while generally more connected to one another, nevertheless are not exempt from this regression. This is a far cry from what characterised the early church.
Jesus and the apostles spoke much about this topic. Jesus said we are to “be at peace with one another” (Mark 9:50). John, the apostle of love, exhorted believers to “have fellowship with one another” (1 John 1:7). The apostles Peter and Paul, alongside others, repeatedly commanded believers to practice mutual care and humility in their relationships (Romans 12:10; 1 Peter 5:5).
These commands are not just theological principles; they are urgently needed applications for a continent facing significant social challenges. According to the World Bank, nearly 40% of sub-Saharan Africa’s population lives in extreme poverty. In countries like Nigeria, over 87 million people live on less than $1.90 a day. And the church in Africa is a part of these horrific statistics.
How will the world know that we are Jesus’ disciples? By our love for one another (John 13:35).
In Romans 12:15–16, the apostle Paul highlights three Christlike characteristics essential for cultivating loving relationships within the body of Christ:
- Shared Sympathy: Sharing in Joy and Sorrow (Romans 12:15)
Paul issues two commands: “Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.” This call is to enter fully into both the joys and sorrows of others. In communities suffering from economic hardship and family breakdown, true empathy can be a powerful tool for healing.
In a society where competition and envy often accompany success, Paul’s instruction challenges us to rejoice with others, even when our own circumstances are dire. Can you celebrate someone else’s promotion when you’re struggling to make ends meet? Can you mourn with those grieving, not just out of duty but with a sincere heart of compassion?
- Harmonious Humility: Cultivating Christlike Unity and Destroying Demonic Pride (Romans 12:16)
Paul calls for humility in relationships “by being of the same mind toward one another, not being haughty in mind, but associating with the humble.” True unity does not demand uniformity but requires a Christlike attitude that values others above ourselves.
In African communities where social hierarchies can be rigid, this teaching is radical. The church is called to transcend cultural norms and treat all people—regardless of their status—with equal respect and love. Reflect on how you can actively pursue humility and serve those whom society often overlooks.
- Guarded Guidance: Rejecting Self-Reliant Wisdom—Relying on God’s Wisdom (Romans 12:16)
Paul warns against self-reliance with a third command: “Do not be wise in your own mind.” Pride in our understanding isolates us from both God and others. In the African context, wisdom is highly valued when it comes from older family members. However, counsel from Godly men and women is even more critical.
Are you open to seeking counsel from God and others, or do you overestimate your own understanding? Are you able to receive correction with a humble heart, or are you defensive when corrected? One of the strengths of the church lies in its collective wisdom, but only if believers are willing to lay aside pride and seek guidance.
Practising the “one anothers’” and cultivating unity and humility is crucial for fostering healthy, Christlike relationships within the church. When we willingly and joyfully die-to-self while serving in the local church, we truly demonstrate love for the Lord and our neighbour.
The church in Africa has a unique opportunity to stand as a beacon of hope in the midst of our social and economic challenges. By embracing these Biblical principles and a sanctified Ubuntu, we can become a community marked by genuine empathy, sacrificial love, and a deep commitment to one another’s well-being.