Theseus Shambare
AFRICAN countries must shelve their differences and unite to address their pressing economic and socio-political challenges.
The clarion call was made by representatives from 13 countries who gathered in Lagos, Nigeria, for the week-long Africa Methodist Council (AMC) Heads of Conferences Summit and the second Africa Women’s Conference last month.
The event was running under the theme “A Revitalised Methodist Movement for the Transformation of Africa’s Socio-Political and Economic Landscape”.
AMC general secretary, Reverend Dr Martin Mujinga, lamented the crises plaguing the continent.
“We live in a dangerous world where both natural and unnatural disasters like tsunamis, wars, floods, drought and recession threaten our survival as humanity,” Dr Mujinga said.
The church leaders expressed deep concern over the plight of women, children, persons with disabilities and other marginalised groups.
“We bemoaned the fact that the human rights of women, children, persons with disability, people from lesser tribes and other marginalised persons are trampled upon,” Dr Mujinga said.
Delegates decried the scourge of modern day slavery, including forced labour, debt bondage, forced marriage and human trafficking, which have become rampant across the African continent.
The church leaders acknowledged their own shortcomings as stewards of God, pledging to recalibrate their approach to ministry and mission.
AMC President Revd Dr Paul Boafo reiterated that as God’s stewards, they are entrusted with the stewardship of the earth and all that in it, they have failed in their responsibility through the lack of ethical and moral values.
“We were challenged to re-evaluate our relevance as Wesleyans in the face of Africa’s socio-political and economic realities, to be more gender and youth-inclusive in our approach to ministry and mission and to revisit our understanding of the mission of God,” said Revd Dr Boafo.
The church leaders were urged to prioritise justice and compassion, move away from prosperity gospel and participate actively in the economy to further their mission and ministry.
Recognising the role of the church in addressing the scourge of human trafficking, Dr Mujinga said, the delegates pledged to undertake advocacy and partnerships to combat this global menace.
They were challenged to embrace a new paradigm of transformational servant leadership, characterised by charisma, vision, strategy and high ethical standards.
X:@TheseusShambare
