REFLECTIONS: Women, work and Church

Women have been in the spotlight across the globe following the recent failed vote on consecration of women as bishops by the Church of England. In Uganda, we continue to witness excellent performance by women. Institutions like Uganda Revenue Authority and Kampala City Capital Authority are flourishing under the leadership of women. Incidentally, in the recent corruption scams, I scarcely hear about the involvement of women, but men with excessive greed. Perhaps these unsuccessful men had people like Delilahs behind the scenes who lured them into prodigal living. There are many Delilahs and Ugandan men have to be very careful lest Samson’s doom befalls them.

Back to the faith arena, I write with regret about the way issues of faith in God have been democratised. I want to remind us that the kingdom of God operates under a theocracy. Women like Deborah were chosen to be judges, and no one could oppose them even in the midst of unfavourable traditions. Were those generations any nearer to God than us? Jesus gave believers the sole command of service by fishing others out of the mires of this world. Before this, they had to be with him, receive His teaching and power to serve. But this does not seems to be the case now. Christians have developed the idea of desiring promotion before doing anything tangible in the kingdom of God, yet they have to build an intimacy with the one who called them first.

This has reduced the church to a democratic institution that sanctions issues depending on a majority. But remember there is a wide way that many will find easy to walk in and such ways could lead to utter destruction. The majority is not always right.

I know Ugandans including myself would have rejoiced to see their own in the highest echelon of the Anglican leadership. He surely would have been a barricade against strange invaders to our culture. But one time in the early 90s, we attended an awesome service at Makerere University featuring this devout man. During his presentation, a man sitting close to me commented that he was not diplomatic when referring to issues about sex and marriage.

When I heard he was not successful because of his shortfall in exercising diplomacy, I thought maybe even after all these years, he had not polished himself on that same spot. So those citing racial influence may not be absolutely true in their conclusions about the subsequent appointment of the Anglican Archbishop. On my part this is an umpire to shape the way I live, speak and write lest some golden opportunities elude me.

To sum it up, a drowning man does not really care about who pulls him out. In this mire of corruption and poverty, if women can rescue our country, Praise God! In church if women are exhibiting self-control, wisdom, patience, good judgment and excellent service to save us from divorce, defilement, ignorance and wrong teachings to escape hell