The General Secretary of the WCRC has called on churches and Christian communities to be at the forefront of modelling empowering leadership that contribute to transforming African communities. He was speaking at the third African Forum for Religion and Government (AFREG 3) that was held in Lusaka, Zambia from September 24 to 27.
The AFREG forums are organised by the International Leadership Foundation under the leadership of its President, Dela Adadevoh. It brings together church and church leaders as well as Government and business leaders from all over Africa as well as constituencies with large representation in Africa. The theme for AFREG 3 is “Empowering leaders for transforming Africa”
Setri Nyomi, talking on the theme “The church and societal transformation” pointed out 7 areas in which the church needs to get its house in order and contribute to societal transformation. The seven areas are: Staying focused on its mission and calling, being prophetic, fostering justice especially in the areas of (the economy, climate, gender, race and tribe), peace and reconciliation, accountable leadership, nurturing a new generation, and conducting free, fair and transparent elections.
Nyomi stated emphatically, “For the church to be faithful agents of transformation, it needs to first practice excellence in each of these areas in its own operations. This will give the church credibility to be prophetic in its actions that lead to life giving change.”
Nyomi called on African Christians to be at the forefront of fostering justice. He said to the gathering, “In our days, these evils include the burdensome economic systems that lead to increased suffering for people, corruption at every level, oppression by people on account of race, tribe, gender, economic status, etc. If we as Christian leaders do not speak out against these, who will? We need to speak out on these injutsices in a manner that gives those who feel voiceless the power to stand up for themselves.”
Other speakers at the forum included Dela Adadevoh, the President of the International Leadership Foundation, the Honourable Lord Paul Boateng of the United Kingdom House of Lords, Rev. Suzanne Matale, General Secretary of the Christian Council of Zambia and Rev. Azarias Ruberwa Manywa, former Vice President of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The forum ended on the note of hope for Africa as many leaders committed themselves to modelling and advocating for empowering leadership on the continent of Africa and to being agents of transformation in their communities.