kimbanguist church

The Kimbanguist Church is the largest independent African church and the first to be admitted (in 1969) to the World Council of Churches. It follows Kimbanguism, which is a branch of Christianity founded in what was then the Belgium Congo (now the Democratic Republic of Congo). The believers are variously estimated at from 1,000,000 to 3,000,000. It takes its name from Simon Kimbangu, a Baptist mission catechist, who in April 1921 inaugurated a mass movement through his miraculous healings and biblical teaching. The Belgium authorities treated the faith with suspicion and imprisoned Simon Kimbangu for most of his life (he died while in prison). Kimbanguism gained membership of the World Council of Churches in 1969. Kimbanguism gained membership of the World Council of Churches in 1969. The church eschews politics and embraces a puritan ethic, rejecting the use of violence, polygamy, magic and witchcraft, alcohol, tobacco, and dancing. Its worship is Baptist in form, though the institution of Communion was not introduced until 1971. The three key dates in the Kimbanguist are April 6 (marking the date of the start of the ministry of healing), October 12 (marking the day Simon Kimbangu died) and Christmas day. The church is largely non sacramental with large services only loosely organised. Some other smaller, more loosely organized groups in Central Africa also regard Kimbangu as God's prophet.

External links

http://www.gospelcom.net/dacb/stories/demrepcongo/diangienda_joseph.html

Simon Kimbangu & Kimbanguism

Kimbanguist Church

External links

Further reading