Healing the Body of Christ: A Theological Reflection on the Church’s Schism, Leadership, and Peacebuilding Role in Ethnically Polarized South Sudan

The Church in South Sudan is at a crossroads where its actions could lead to further division and conflict or toward peace, healing, and reconciliation. The ongoing conflict, uncertainties, and schisms within the church have caused continued division along ethnic lines, especially at local levels such as in churches and communities. This has further eroded trust in church leaders, challenging their trustworthiness, as some leaders are complicit in conflicts and divisions that affect the people. This could be a result of deviations from ethical teachings, a lack of adherence to theological foundations, and the weakening practice of servant leadership that eroded social ethics, hindering efforts of social transformation and promotion of the unity Jesus prayed for in John 17. The failure in exercising humility, servanthood, and Christ-centered leadership of powerlessness among the Christian leaders is to blame. As a result, the church struggles to influence society as it should. This paper analyzes the role of the church in perpetuating either division or conflict in society, with a focus on South Sudan. It offers a biblical and theological vision for unity, peacebuilding, and social transformation, providing the basis for the church's expected role. Drawing from the Scriptures, theological insights, and transformational development approaches such as those of Bryant Myers’ Walking with the Poor, the paper calls for a church's review of its positions and ways including through repentance and embrace the missional approaches, and servant leadership through renewed commitment to Christ’s great commission to contribute effectively to peacebuilding, healing, and holistic social transformation of the society.