AFM cannot resist change and survive

EDITOR — I am an Elder in AFM in Zimbabwe, having worshipped in that capacity for the past 23 years. I also have a strong attachment to the church, having worked in various positions and making many sacrifices and interrelationship fellowships and social investments over the past two decades. I am therefore a convicted and qualified stakeholder in this church of God.

It might also be useful to reveal that I was, at some point, privileged, to write a thesis on change management in one of my two Master’s degrees.

Being an elder in the church, I have a burning sensation inside my heart to put my opinion or advise pertaining to the image damaging developments in our cherished AFM in Zimbabwe church.

It is notable that I may be far-fetched from the national administration of the church and perhaps not very close to the seemingly ‘bizarre’ incidents that unfolded at Rufaro in Masvingo.

I am writing in good faith without any intention to prejudice any one of the feuding parties. Any statement that might offend anyone is sincerely regrettable, but, however, the drivers stirring the troubled AFM ship might get moral support and workable strategies to deal with the situation where the points are viable.

At the same time, this article also attempts to convince those rebelling from the church authorities to introspect.

WORD OF ADVICE

In this era of democracy, it is ill-advised for the process to be confined to the board of elders only and the process need to be gradual noting that the majority of human beings fear change.

They sometimes needlessly fight change viciously. Technically they go into a freeze, particularly when proposed changes threaten traditional securities and material privileges.

On a different thematic area, the unfortunate development at Rufaro on September 23, 2018 demands the legitimate church authorities to react with urgency to avoid the damaging effects of misleading and malicious religious propaganda, by those fighting constitution renewals.

The legitimate church authority needs to protect and serve the innocent followers, particularly women and children, from confusion and blind following of renegades with ultra motives. The authorities need to be innovative and create public relations and publicity teams in all provinces. These teams have to be inclusive – a mixture of pro-reform minds and those moderates, pastors, elders, ladies union and youths.

The PR and publicity teams should physically visit all assemblies making pronouncements about the official position of the church.

Flyers can be useful to disseminate the official church position.

This strategy is good enough to neutralise the renegades as fast as possible before they do great damage.

I humbly submit to the authorities to wisely take note that some of the leading rebelling crews are real stakeholders of the church and have also invested their efforts and time to build the centres where they became so much attached.

Let this one be a recognised fact that is given attention, and perhaps innovate partial compromises, as people negotiate for adjustments in the draft constitution.

To all the parties, understand and accept that change is the only factor of life that is constant.

No individual or organisation can stop change and survive. If AFM ignores the need to change its legal and administrative framework, it will collapse earlier than expected. Our grand children will not live to see AFM. AFM in Zimbabwe has grown in breath and bounds tremendously over the decades. It now requires concepts of public administration on the non pious activities, such as monetary, projects and assets management. Because of its enormity there is need for such professional skills in running the church. I am not seeing wisdom in clinging to an archaic, outdated and retrogressive old constitution. It is mainly because of its terrible shortcomings that we are in this messy today. The centre is too weakened.

It has difficulties in stamping authority as pastors and Overseers, undermine authority as they wish. A church is seated in the physical world where reality has to be accepted. The earthly environment surrounding the church has rapid changes going on in the form of technology, politics, demography, social issues, ecology, national laws and upheavals in the economy.

The church’s earthly legal and administrative systems need to be constantly amended to be in sync with those changes. Current challenges, where the centre is now easily challenged by the periphery is clear testimony that the church is behind schedule in its legal and administration frameworks. There is indeed urgency for a modernised and professional constitution to introduce checks and balances in the systems. This will bring in accountability and transparency.

When the church succeeds to create good corporate governance, underlined by inclusivity in decision making, financial accountability and transparency, more resources will flow in and be used efficiently for the benefit of the church at large.

Our vision to see our children learning at AFM colleges and universities can be a reality.

In conclusion, I am urging my fellow elders and deacons in this platform, as well as all those who wish AFM to stabilise not to tire up.

Please continue praying for the spirit of wisdom to enter the hearts of our esteemed national leadership of the church whose doctrine we cherish so much, as they stir it out of turbulent waters.

We should also pray for those who differ with us on constitution renewals and pray for convergence of minds. I believe it is not too late. God bless AFM in Zimbabwe.

Elder Nehemiah Deure AFM in Zimbabwe, Chimanimani