United Reformed Church Northern Synod

About our Global Partner

The Presbyterian Church of Mozambique - Igreja Presbiteriana de Moçambique (IPM) - was founded in the late nineteenth century through the work of the French-speaking Swiss Mission.

As the Portuguese colonial power strengthened in the area in which the Mission was operating, Protestant church activity came under increasing attack. Some of those early struggles are still remembered in the IPM, but so too are the more recent struggles of the 20th century liberation movement. One of the main thoroughfares in Maputo is named after a Presbyterian evangelist who was one of the first to be involved in calls for independence - Eduardo Mondlane.

Independence allowed the Church to operate in the whole of the country for the first time: previously the Portuguese had confined its work to the southernmost provinces. Tragically civil war prevented the development of the nation that so many had hoped for; but even during this time IPM pastors and evangelists were active in founding new congregations in the north, and also ministering to refugees who had fled to neighbouring nations. Also IPM leaders were among those who played a significant part in the negotiations that finally led to the end of the war in 1992.

The Church seeks still to be significant force within the life of Mozambique. People are proud that the current President, Armando Guebuza, is a member of their Church; and there is a strong sense of Presbyterian identity, seen particularly in the uniformed women's and men's organisations. These national bodies are matched by children's and young people's organisations, and also a group called the Activists, who ensure that young marrieds do not get lost from the life of the Church.

There are now congregations in all eleven provinces, but the church remains strongly southern-based. In Maputo and Gaza provinces it encourages the use of African languages in worship and church life, but further north it is noticeable that Portuguese, the national language, is used far more. Singing - a capella - is an important ingredient in worship, and most services include praise items from a youth choir and maybe the women's or activists' group too.

At present there are about seventy active pastors in the IPM, most of whom care for a parish which may have a sizeable number of separate congregations. Pastors are expected to move every five years, as directed by the Synod. The Church is divided into presbyteries whose work, especially in the north, is handicapped by lack of transport over long distances. The central offices of the Church are at Khovo, in the centre of Maputo, housed in what was originally a Swiss Mission hospital.

The annual synod meeting is the governing body of the Church: all pastors are members of synod, and every parish is entitled to send representatives. The Moderator of Synod also serves for a five year period, as do other departmental heads. The General Secretary of the Church serves as President of the Synodical Council, which meets on a more or less monthly basis throughout the year in an executive role.

The IPM continues in its commitment to evangelism throughout the country, and is also active in variety of social and development projects - often in partnerships. The threat of AIDS is a as great in Mozambique as anywhere in Africa, and the IPM plays a significant role both nationally and often at a local church level.

Our Global Partnership provides us with opportunity to work with a Church that is rich in human resources and strong in faith and enthusiasm. Everyone I have met and talked with in Mozambique is keen that we should strengthen the links that we have, so that we can encourage one another as together we become more committed to God's mission in our world.

John Durell

 

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