Church of Central Africa, Presbyterian
Encyclopedia
The Church of Central Africa, Presbyterian is a Presbyterian
denomination. It consists of five synod
s: one in Zambia
(Zambia Synod), one in Zimbabwe (Harare Synod) and three in Malawi
- Livingstonia Synod in the north of the country, Nkhoma Synod in the centre, and Blantyre Synod in the south.
The CCAP is the largest Protestant denomination in Malawi, with more than 1.3 million members.
, Scottish Presbyterian churches established missions in Malawi. In 1875, the Free Church of Scotland established itself in northern Malawi with headquarters in Livingstonia, while in 1876 the Church of Scotland
set up a mission in Blantyre
. In 1889 the Cape Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church
in South Africa began work in central Malawi. Initially its base was Mvera, but it later relocated to Nkhoma
. These three missions were the start of the three CCAP synods in Malawi. In 1924 the Livingstonia and Blantyre Synods joined together to form the CCAP, with the Nkhoma Synod joining later. The Harare Synod joined in 1965, while the Lundazi Synod (now called the Zambia Synod) joined in 1984.
Presbyterianism
Presbyterianism refers to a number of Christian churches adhering to the Calvinist theological tradition within Protestantism, which are organized according to a characteristic Presbyterian polity. Presbyterian theology typically emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the authority of the Scriptures,...
denomination. It consists of five synod
Synod
A synod historically is a council of a church, usually convened to decide an issue of doctrine, administration or application. In modern usage, the word often refers to the governing body of a particular church, whether its members are meeting or not...
s: one in Zambia
Zambia
Zambia , officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. The neighbouring countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west....
(Zambia Synod), one in Zimbabwe (Harare Synod) and three in Malawi
Malawi
The Republic of Malawi is a landlocked country in southeast Africa that was formerly known as Nyasaland. It is bordered by Zambia to the northwest, Tanzania to the northeast, and Mozambique on the east, south and west. The country is separated from Tanzania and Mozambique by Lake Malawi. Its size...
- Livingstonia Synod in the north of the country, Nkhoma Synod in the centre, and Blantyre Synod in the south.
The CCAP is the largest Protestant denomination in Malawi, with more than 1.3 million members.
History
Following the arrival of David LivingstoneDavid Livingstone
David Livingstone was a Scottish Congregationalist pioneer medical missionary with the London Missionary Society and an explorer in Africa. His meeting with H. M. Stanley gave rise to the popular quotation, "Dr...
, Scottish Presbyterian churches established missions in Malawi. In 1875, the Free Church of Scotland established itself in northern Malawi with headquarters in Livingstonia, while in 1876 the Church of Scotland
Church of Scotland
The Church of Scotland, known informally by its Scots language name, the Kirk, is a Presbyterian church, decisively shaped by the Scottish Reformation....
set up a mission in Blantyre
Blantyre, Malawi
Blantyre or Mandala is Malawi's centre of finance and commerce, the largest city with an estimated 732,518 inhabitants . It is sometimes referred to as the commercial capital of Malawi as opposed to the political capital, Lilongwe...
. In 1889 the Cape Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church
Nederduits Gereformeerde Kerk
The Nederduits Gereformeerde Kerk is a Reformed Christian denomination in South Africa. It also has a presence in neighboring countries, such as Namibia, Swaziland, and parts of Botswana and Zimbabwe...
in South Africa began work in central Malawi. Initially its base was Mvera, but it later relocated to Nkhoma
Nkhoma
Nkhoma is a hill in the Lilongwe District of Malawi. South African missionaries established a mission in 1889 and named mission after the hill....
. These three missions were the start of the three CCAP synods in Malawi. In 1924 the Livingstonia and Blantyre Synods joined together to form the CCAP, with the Nkhoma Synod joining later. The Harare Synod joined in 1965, while the Lundazi Synod (now called the Zambia Synod) joined in 1984.