The church has the responsibility to be the prophetic voice that speaks to rulers and leaders and point out the weaknesses and threats, North West Premier Thandi Modise told the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa’s (UCCSA) 37th Assembly at the St Joseph Pastoral Centre in Lomanyaneng village outside Mahikeng on Friday afternoon.
Premier Modise said the church must be the voice of reason and must also lead by example. “The church must be able to reconcile people. We see succession battles in churches, we see discrimination based on gender in the church, and it is time again to change. Is the church there in our daily lives, do we preach against domestic violence, corruption fraud and theft,” Modise asked.
“The church must be glue that binds us together. The church cannot look at things that happen in politics and say oh no we are not politicians, we are the church. The church has the responsibility to speak to the rulers and leaders and point out the weaknesses and threats. Is the church in 2013 strong enough to call us to order?” pondered Premier Modise to a thunderous applause from the congregants.
“We thank Premier Modise for welcoming us to the province and for taking her time to come here and be the prophetic voice, reminding the church of its responsibility,” said UCCSA’s Denominational President, Reverend Basil Manning.
Premier Modise who is a firm believer in the church’s power to bring about peace, stability, spiritual restoration and development in society said the church must do more given the social ills such as corruption, greed, gender based violence, HIV-Aids and other challenges that continue to grip Southern Africa.
The UCCSA, which was formed in 1967 through the amalgamation of the London Missionary Society (LMS), the Bantu Congregation Church (BCC) and the Congregational Union of South Africa is meeting in the North West for its seven day Assembly which ends on Wednesday.
The church operates in five countries across Southern Africa, namely South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe.The church prides itself of having had among its long list of Congregationalists leaders such as Rev John Dube and Pixie ka Seme and Chief Albert Luthuli who were prominent in the struggle for liberation.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele (spokesperson)
Tel : 018 388 3705
Cell : 083 629 1987
Fax :018 388 3157
E-mail : LKgwele@gmail.com
