The Sunday Mail
Desire Ncube
ANGLICAN bishops, priests and laity will next week meet in Lusaka, Zambia for the 16th Anglican Consultative Council (ACC-16) whose agenda is how Christians ought to remain faithful in a world of changing cultures.
The Anglican Church of the Province Central Africa will host the two-week conference under the theme “Intentional Discipleship in a World of Difference”.
This is the first time such a significant international Anglican gathering has been hosted in Africa under the CPCA which consists of Zimbabwe, Botswana, Malawi and Zambia.
The ACC is held every four years. The chair of ACC-16 is Bishop James Tengatenga of Malawi, deputised by Canon Elizabeth Paver from England.
Anglican Diocese of Harare’s Bishop Chad Gandiya told The Sunday Mail Religion the CPCA was privileged to be the first African province to host such a big event.
“Our province will send a lay and a clergy representative and fortunately our very own Zimbabwean, Mr Arthur Mutonziwa, will be the lay representative while a Zambian will be a clergy representative for CPCA.
“And as the host province our Most Reverend Bishop Albert Chama will also attend because he is the leader of the host province,” he said.
“The issues to be discussed by the ACC-16 will develop from discussions around emerging themes and priorities emanating from the provinces.
“Prayer, worship and Bible-study underpin the work of the ACC, and this year’s meeting, which begins on Friday 8 April and continues until Tuesday 19 April, will begin with morning prayer in the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka before the first in a series of Bible studies on the book of Ruth.
“There will be extended discussions on environmental issues – a major concern for many Anglicans, especially those in parts of the world where their very survival is threatened by the effects of climate change.
“(They will also look at) how Christians can be faithful to the gospel in all aspects of their lives in the different cultures and situations that Anglicans find themselves in.”
Bishop Gandiya said before the conference, an international gathering of young people from Anglican churches of the Province of Central Africa and Southern Africa would meet for a conference on leadership for discipleship.
“During the five-day advocacy training for environmental ministry and intentional discipleship, based on the Micah Challenge Change Makers Programme, participants will have a chance to hear from and speak with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Bishop Justin Welby.
“And as usual, members of ACC-16 are expected to draw up and agree on a number of resolutions on various issues following their discussions. They will also elect the new chair and vice-chair of the ACC,” he said.
