Indigenous churches must invest in health, education

THE Council for Churches in Africa

is working with all indigenous churches to suit global development standards and ensure that they operate within the confines of the laws of the country.

Speaking during the tour of St Luke Apostolic Ejwel Jekenision Church in Chipinge recently, leader, Dr Rocky Moyo said their organisation is on a whirlwind tour of all indigenous churches, sensitising them to respect the country’s laws and human rights.

Dr Moyo said indigenous churches need to invest in impactful infrastructure like schools and clinics.

“We want our churches to suit the global standards that we see happening elsewhere. This means changing the whole system and moving along with the laws of the country. Some indigenous churches are now abusing church congregants in the name of freedom of worship and that is why we need to educate our members on how to worship in line with the laws of the country.

“Some of our indigenous churches now have social welfare departments taking care of widows, orphans and less-privileged children which need to be formalised. We are encouraging them to follow Government protocol so that their institutions are registered by relevant arms of Government,” he said. Speaking during the same event,

director for research, strategy and liaison, Dr Davison Gomo said the party will continue lobbying for laws that promote freedom of worship for all church denominations.

He also encouraged them to take part in all economic activities.

“We have witnessed how your church has transformed the less-privileged members of the community in this area. Everyone is being taught about the essence of education, freedoms and rights.

“As a party, we do not own churches and the churches exist separately. However, there is some collaboration between the party and churches. What binds us together is that we have people to look after. As a party, we will continue creating an enabling environment for freedom of worship,” said Dr Gomo.

St Luke Apostolic Ejwel Jekenision church leader, Archbishop Dr Phillip Pferedzai welcomed the development and said his church has made strides in transforming itself to meet expected standards.