A Reflection on the Episcopal System of Church Polity in the Context of the African Church
Résumé
The question of church polity has been central to theological discourse throughout the history of the Church. Theological reflections on the most suitable leadership model for the Church have evolved, with scholars from different historical periods expressing varying opinions. These debates generally center around three primary models of church governance: episcopal, presbyterian, and congregational. Though there are many publications on this subject, current scholarly interest in the debate justifies this research, which appraises the episcopal system within the African sociopolitical and ecclesiological contexts. The study critically appraised the episcopal model and its implications for ecumenical relations and interdenominational dialogue using a literature-based research methodology. The study found that while the episcopal system provides organizational stability and continuity, it also presents challenges related to authoritarianism and limited lay participation. The research concluded that contextual adaptations are necessary for the episcopal model to thrive in Africa’s diverse cultural landscape. The paper contributes to the discourse by offering a contextualized evaluation of episcopal polity and suggesting paths for its development in African ecclesial settings.
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