The calling is not enough: a look at the legal requirements to serve God in Rwanda

 

 

In my conversations with my friend Pastor Jonathan, we often delve into the fundamentals of the Christian faith and the trends shaping the church today. As a pastor who combines both formal education and deep faith-based training, he fully understands that serving God requires more than passion—it demands strong leadership skills and God-given wisdom.

While many pastors—especially in rural areas of Rwanda, and even in some urban communities—depend solely on their sense of “calling” to serve God, the law on faith-based organisations takes a more structured approach. Article 22 of Law N°72/2018 of 31/08/2018, which governs the organisation and functioning of faith-based organisations, clearly outlines the conditions an individual must meet to preach within such institutions. According to the law, a preacher must be an adult and a person of integrity. In addition to personal character, the individual must also satisfy the internal requirements established by their own faith-based organisation for that particular level of preaching.

To be officially recognised, a preacher must hold a formal statement confirming that the organisation has authorised them to preach. The law also introduces criminal history restrictions: a person cannot be a preacher if they have been definitively sentenced to a principal imprisonment term of six months or more, unless that conviction was removed through amnesty or rehabilitation. Additionally, anyone definitively convicted of crimes related to genocide, genocide ideology, discrimination, or sectarianism is barred from serving as a preacher.

Regarding academic qualifications, the law requires a degree from a higher learning institution in religious studies, or any other degree accompanied by a valid certificate in religious-related studies issued by a recognised institution. This educational requirement applies specifically to preachers serving at levels of the organisation that have subordinate levels under their supervision.

The law also grants the Board the authority to issue additional regulations that may further specify the requirements for becoming a preacher.

In response to the rose problem of increased churches and prayer houses that seemingly the  government lost control. Some  of them which evidently exploited people, the government through the Rwanda Governance Board, put in place  REGULATIONS OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF RWANDA GOVERNANCE BOARD No 01/2025 OF 06/03/2025 RELATING TO ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS. One of the captivating things in these regulations is in Article 3 on Additional requirements for an organization for application for legal personality, obliging a proof of payment of a nonrefundable service fee of FRW 2,000,000 as a requisite for the legal personality application, paid to the national treasury. And for those who studied theology abroad, to show an equivalence certificate of a certificate or degree in theology obtained by the Legal Representative and his or her deputy from foreign higher learning institutions, issued by the competent authority.

What do these legal instruments tell us? It's clear that the calling is not enough to start or run a faith-based organization in Rwanda.  

Both the Bible and the Rwandan law set standards for those who wish to serve as preachers or church leaders, although each focuses on different areas. The Rwandan law, specifically Article 22 of Law N°72/2018 of 31/08/2018 governing Faith-Based Organisations, states that a preacher must meet two basic requirements: they must be of majority age—which in Rwanda means 21 years—and they must be a person of integrity. These legal requirements are designed to ensure that anyone who leads a religious community is both an adult and morally upright in the eyes of society.

The Bible, on the other hand, provides a far more detailed list of spiritual and moral standards for church leaders. In passages such as 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:6–9, Scripture emphasizes that a preacher or elder must be above reproach, self-controlled, respectful, faithful to their spouse, and able to manage their household well. They must not be violent, greedy, or addicted to alcohol, and they must not be recent converts. Instead, they should be spiritually mature, able to teach sound doctrine, capable of correcting error, and respected both inside and outside the church. The Bible also calls for humility, willingness to serve, and a genuine calling from God, as highlighted in 1 Peter 5:2–3 and Ephesians 4:11–12.

Not only Christians but also muslins are required by the law to have qualified leaders of mosques.  In an interview with The New Times, Sheikh Musa Sindayigaya, the Mufti of Rwanda, revealed that the Rwanda Muslim Community is intensifying efforts to ensure that leaders of all 320 mosques meet the new academic standards required for faith-based organisations before the March 2026 deadline set by the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB).

Under the revised national policy, religious leaders are now required to hold at least a bachelor’s degree. Currently, only 130 of the country’s 450 mosque leaders meet this requirement, leaving a significant gap that the community is racing to close.

To fast-track compliance, the Rwanda Muslim Community has partnered with regional institutions, particularly the Islamic University in Uganda, which is already training 130 mosque leaders. According to Sheikh Sindayigaya, leaders who possess degrees in other disciplines are required to undergo a minimum of 1,200 hours of theological studies to meet the standards. Additionally, intensive six-month training programmes are being organised to support those who need accelerated preparation.

“Ultimately, the long-term solution is establishing our own university with a faculty of Islamic Studies,” the Mufti said, emphasising that while short courses offer temporary solutions, long-term compliance requires fully qualified, degree-holding religious leaders.

He added that the community is also seeking scholarships from international universities to further speed up the training process and ensure that all mosque leaders are fully equipped to meet the national requirements in time.

In a recent press conference, President Paul Kagame spoke candidly about the state of churches and church leadership in Rwanda. He expressed strong concerns over the proliferation of churches that, in his view, contribute little to national development or societal progress. Kagame argued that some of these institutions have become centres of misconduct, describing certain church leaders as engaging in theft or other criminal behaviour rather than serving their communities.

He emphasized that the focus of citizens should be on productive activities—like farming, raising livestock, and building livelihoods—rather than endless religious debates. On the matter of churches that had previously been closed, Kagame indicated that if it were his decision alone, many of them would remain closed, highlighting that the mere existence of a religious institution is insufficient without tangible contributions to society.

Kagame’s statements reflect the legal framework governing faith-based organisations in Rwanda. The Law N°72/2018 of 31/08/2018 requires that religious institutions operate transparently, with leaders of integrity who are properly qualified and capable of serving the community responsibly. The law also expects faith-based organisations to contribute meaningfully to societal development, including education, health, and livelihoods. In this sense, Kagame is reinforcing the law’s emphasis on accountability, ethical leadership, and practical societal impact, stressing that faith alone is not enough—churches must actively support national development rather than exist solely for worship or profit.

Serving God in Rwanda today requires more than a personal calling; it demands adherence to both spiritual and legal standards. The law sets clear requirements for integrity, age, qualifications, and societal contribution, while religious texts provide moral and spiritual guidance for leaders. President Kagame’s recent statements underscore that faith-based organisations must operate responsibly, with leaders who are accountable, qualified, and committed to tangible contributions to society. Across Christian and Muslim communities alike, compliance with these standards is essential to ensure that religious leadership supports national development and genuinely serves the people.