Do Not Close Churches
By Dickson Jere
Yesterday, the Reformed Church in Zambia (RCZ) announced far reaching decisions in Matero during the disjunction ceremony of Rev. Dr Penius Mbewe. The RCZ Presbytery Moderator made these remarks:
1. Three places must never be closed in Zambia. These are Hospital, Police and Church. So, he directed that all RCZ Churches in Zambia must always be open for anyone and at anytime who wants to pray. Do not lock the Churches! Churches are places of refuge…
2. Since we are now getting into political environment, no politician visiting the Church must be given VIP treatment. They must attend like any other visitor without clearing space in front and moving elders just to accommodate politicians. They need to be treated just like any other visitor to RCZ Churches. Nothing special about them.
3. When politicians attend Church, do nit give them pulpit to campaign or address the Church. They can greet the congregation but nothing else. Churches are not campaigning platforms but places of worship.
4. RCZ members belong to different political parties. So, once they enter the church premises, they must remove all the political lenses and become one as a Church. Political parties should not be allowed to breed division in Church. Simply, no party politics in RCZ!