Church of Central Africa Presbyterian - Blantyre Synod
The Church of Central Africa Presbyterian - Blantyre Synod is a Reformed Protestant church it exist as a regional body of southern Malawi of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian - General Synod.
History
Beginnings
This was a mission of the Church of Scotland. The first missionary was Rev. Henry Henderson accompanied by a freed slave. He chosen the mission ground suggested by Livingstone. The Blantyre Mission was founded in 1876. When Henderson left there were a small church and school. Dr. Stewart took over the mission. Rev McDonald translated the New Testament into Yao language. He formed friendships with local chiefs and headmen. The mission was a refugee of slaves.[1]
Growth
McDonald left Dr D.C. Scott become the head of the mission. The number of Christians grew, in 1888 the St Michael and All Angels Church, Blantyre, Malawi was founded, in 1891 the church was dedicated. By 1891 services were held in 15 neighbouring villages. By 1904 there were 7 ordained African ministers. In 1914 Blantyre Presbytery had 20 congregations 6,500 members. By 1926 there were 26,000 members and 360 schools Rev Matecha become the first African moderatot elected in 1939 by Blanryre Presbytery. Till the late 1920s Scottish missionaries maintained full control of the church, however in villages African evangelists spread the Gospel. In the late 1920s more responsibility fell onto African leaders.[2]
- 1926 - United Synod of the Church of Central African Presbyterian (CCAP)
- 1956 - CCAP General Synod was established
- 1961 - Student Christian Organisation in Malawi formed
- 2002 - new constitution of CCAP was adopted[3]
It maintains a theological seminary.
Interchurch organisations
- Church of Scotland
- Presbyterian Church (USA) - Pittshurg Presbytery
- Protestant Church in the Netherlands
- Presbyterian Church in Canada
- Presbyterian Church of Australia[4][5]
Theology
- Apostles Creed
- Nicene Creed
- Westminster Confession of Faith
- Westminster Larger Catechism
- Westminster Shorter Catechism[6]
References
- ↑ "Livingstone and the Scottish Mission - CCAP BLANTYRE SYNOD, Malawi". Blantyresynod.org. Retrieved 2013-09-08.
- ↑ "From Mission to Church - CCAP BLANTYRE SYNOD, Malawi". Blantyresynod.org. Retrieved 2013-09-08.
- ↑ "Past and Current General Secretaries - CCAP BLANTYRE SYNOD, Malawi". Blantyresynod.org. Retrieved 2013-09-08.
- ↑ "Current Partnerships - CCAP BLANTYRE SYNOD, Malawi". Blantyresynod.org. Retrieved 2013-09-08.
- ↑ "Australian Presbyterian World Mission". APWM. Retrieved 2013-09-08.
- ↑ "What We Believe - CCAP BLANTYRE SYNOD, Malawi". Blantyresynod.org. Retrieved 2013-09-08.