BT Synod Moderator calls for dialogue

The moderator of the CCAP Blantyre Synod, Reverend Rabson Chimkwezule on Tuesday afternoon extended an invitation to the Very Reverend Silas Ncozana and Reverend Stanley Chimesya to a roundtable to amend differences between them and the synod’s leadership.

“We are complaining about the attitude of indiscipline portrayed and we need contact and dialogue between the re-elected synod leaders, the prison chaplain as well as Rev Ncozana to a roundtable to sort out the differences. Discipline is paramount in the house of God,” said the moderator.

On the issue of indiscipline, the moderator admits lack of discipline in the church, citing as examples what has been happening between the GS and the Prison Chaplain and even during the 2015 Biennial conference where two senior church ministers Reverends Ncozana and Mac Donald Kadawati walked out of the conference in protest over which constitution to follow during elections.

Chimkwezule also admitted political interference in his synod, saying it is unfortunate that government is penetrating into the church.

“We are encouraging people to separate between church and government even though we are partners in development. Unfortunately, government is penetrating into the church,” he said in relation to wrangles that surfaced between the re-elected general secretary Reverend Alex Maulana and prison chaplain Reverend Chimesya.

Chimkwezule said if somebody receives a gift in the name of the synod that is not his/her personal property, but for the synod.

He also clarified his role as the ‘Spiritual Father’, saying it is his role to counsel all manner of groups in the church, including families and ministers.

He said it is disappointing to see some youths leaving the church for one reason or the other and hinted that the church will soon conduct a research to get reasons why this is happening and map the way forward.

“We have to retain our youths in the church and one way is to allow them to do what they think helps them to enrich their spiritual lives.

“We introduced contemporary service, but this is not helping. I think the solution is to acknowledge and respect their gifts in the church,” said the moderator.

On his part, Maulana said now that elections are over, it is time to bury the past and rebuild the church for the betterment of the faithful.

“We have to proclaim and maintain peace as a tool of the church. We have to preach peace and reconciliation.

“I have no grudges against Chimesya and I don’t think there is an issue, as servants of God we have to move forward and work together. It is now time to rebuild the image of the church,” said Maulana.

Chimesya could not be reached for comment. n