Ubuntu Eucharist as Solution to the ‘Open Table Debate’ In Africa

Abstract

The definition of sacraments and its notion is that through them God channels his grace to humankind. Despite this understanding, some churches deny some of their members access if they have not met certain conditions like being baptized, confirmed or when they have been judged with some form of sin and they are put under discipline. Some Churches in the West, practice Open Table while others adhere to Closed Table. In Africa, many Churches with links to missionary roots e.g. Roman Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian, Methodist and the Evangelical Congregational Church in Angola (IECA), practice Closed Table. This article considers the debate on whether the Eucharist should be open to all regardless of their status or closed and only offered to those judged as right. Although the debate is a concern of all churches worldwide, this article will use the situation in the IECA as a case study. The article assesses the consequences of closing the table and or opening the table and borrows the African philosophy of Ubuntu to argue that administration of the Eucharist should be aligned with the principles of Ubuntu philosophy in Africa, if it has to achieve its intended purpose of being the conduit of channeling God’s grace to all for the purpose of salvation.