This study is an evaluative study of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN). It
is presupposed in this study that, although the ELCIN, since it became autonomous in 1954,
has a long history of doing mission and diaconal work according to her Constitution, it has
been recorded that, the Church is more and more lacking in the capacity to meet the
challenges and needs of the Namibian post-independent society and subsequently cannot
effect social transformation, yet it undoubtedly has the potential. This study focuses on the
communities of the Ondangwa and Oshakati informal Settlements situated in the Oshana
Region of northern Namibia, in the former homeland of “Owamboland.”
The study is an overview of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN) with
regard to her public witness before Namibia’s independence that is during 1971 to 1989 and
seeks a better understanding of her functionality fundamental to the Missio Dei. Throughout
its history, the Church has been called to have a deep concern for the poor and oppressed.
The post-Namibian socio-economic problems present a huge challenge to the church, thus
raising questions such as: How well has the Church been responding to the challenges of our
times? How helpful has it been to those who turn to it to seek social justice? How helpful has
it been to those who seek economic and political justice? How helpful has it been to those
seeking gender equality and to the marginalised? How helpful has it been to those infected,
affected and afflicted by HIV/AIDS? In short, how helpful and relevant is the Church in
addressing persons, laws, structures and institutions that degrade and oppress God’s people?
These questions arise from concern regarding the emerging culture of corruption and crimes
in the nation as well as questions concerning the prophetic task of the Church regarding
socio-political and economic issues.