By Rev. Charles Matlobo, 20th Episcopal District
The State of the Church report presented at the just-ended Southwest Zimbabwe Annual Conference has called upon the church to embark on an intentional radical transformation if it wants to avoid losing more church members and see growth in numbers and infrastructure.
Presenting the State of the Church report at the Southwest Zimbabwe Annual Conference, which took place on the 6-10 November 2024 at Young Chapel Matebeleland East District, The State of the Church Committee comprising of Sister Blessing Mpande, Sister Dambudzo Siwela, and The Reverend Majahanyana Ndlovu told the Conference that then church in the southwest Zimbabwe Annual Conference risks losing more members unless the church radically transforms itself to suit the needs and expectation of the church members.
The Committee stressed that their report was compiled after excessive consultation with members of the clergy, members of RAYAC, YPD, and all other conference components. The report received a standing ovation from the Conference. The report noted that the culture of doing things in the Southwest Zimbabwe Conference was a major obstacle to church growth. The report noted that our world has fast embraced technology, yet the church liturgy is lagging behind. The way the church is being conducted is no longer appealing to the younger generation. The report also emphasized a need to embrace more of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in our churches. The report noted that most of our young members are moving to Pentecostal churches, which is a sign that our young members are starved of the fruits of the Spirit.
The report further highlighted that lack of unity in the church is a major factor in negative church growth. The Committee reiterated that individualism and discrimination, though social wealth is a contributing factor, drive the less privileged members of the church to other denominations, where they are warmly welcomed as members of the body of Christ. The Committee recommended that the church immediately desist from discriminating against other church members.
The report noted with great concern that the church is not growing. There are no new buildings. The current buildings are old and dilapidated. This state of the current infrastructure was blamed on the nature of our church business. The church was accused of focusing more on the church reports rather than evangelizing and bringing more people to Christ. Every local, district, and annual conference is about business. The Committee recommended that if we focus more on the Spiritual business of the church, the church will grow, and there will be new buildings.
The report also noted a shortage of clergy as another factor affecting church growth. Most pastors are part-time pastors, and some live below the poverty datum line. This then forces some pastors to migrate to neighboring countries like South Africa in search of greener pastures. Those few remaining pastors have little or no say in the running of the church, as that is left solely to the presiding elders. Having an opinion different from that of a presiding elder is perceived as insubordination. It is punishable by being appointed to a more rural church with little or no pastoral stipend. The Committee recommended pastoral rotational appointments to keep all pastors renumerated. The Committee also recommended that the current presiding elders have an open dialogue with the pastors serving in their districts, as there is an undertone of discontentment from the pastors. Such open dialogue can help to iron out any issues hindering church growth.
The Presiding Bishop of the 20th Episcopal District, The Right Reverend Gregory V. Eason, commended the State of the Church Committee for the report. The Bishop likened this committee to Prophet Micah in the Old Testament, who was fearless in his prophecies and messages against injustices. The Bishop encouraged the Southwest Zimbabwe Annual Conference to embrace the gifts of the Spirit and even quoted scriptures in support.
In response to the issue of pastors’ poor renumeration, the Bishop stated that the church should seriously consider venturing into business that would generate residual income. The Bishop also promised to consult some land developers to assist the church.
