Church Associations Struggling with Unity in the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa (UPCSA) between 1999 to 2015

Abstract

This article analyses the conflict which arose as a result of the attempt to amalgamate the church associations in the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa (UPCSA) between 1999 and 2015, following the union of the black Reformed Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa (RPCSA) and white dominated Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa (PCSA) in 1999. This process has been hindered by problems that have plagued the anticipated union of the church associations that appear to conform to former denominational lines. Historically, the associations have been the vanguard of mission in both former denominations. This article will argue that structural unity in the UPCSA has by and large been unable to assist in overcoming some of the old divides between the former two denominations. As a result, this has the potential to test the witness and have a serious negative impact on the mission of the UPCSA.