Resident Bishop Eben Kanukayi Nhiwatiwa

Transcription

1 THE SEVEN EBENEZER 2014 CONVENTION REFLECTIONS BY RESIDENT BISHOP EBEN KANUKAYI NHIWATIWA 1 Resident Bishop Eben Kanukayi Nhiwatiwa The United Methodist Church Zimbabwe East Annual Conference 14 th session kicked off with hundreds of congregants composed primarily of the clergy members and lay member or members from each charge converging at Old Mutare Mission on the 19 th of December The Bishop s Episcopal address set the tone for the start of the 2014 edition. He highlighted that the Ebenezer spirit continues as we make disciples for Jesus Christ. Within the address he

2 emphasized on the analysis of Ebenezer Convention when he said that we can all come up with different and even better analysis. He said that he has just happened to have the privilege of doing so at the seating of this annual conference. He highlighted on the seven findings which are as follows: Some of the delegates listening to the presentation First The Ebenezer Convention demonstrated clearly that if we accept whole heartedly that we want to do something we will do it irrespective of the challenges involved. It was amazing to see how all districts were able to pay in full their allocated budgets. Organizations, our congregations overseas all did their best in availing their contribution. Our take from this experience is that as a church we are poised for greater things to come as we pull our resources together. May this spirit of oneness continue among us. Second The event showed us that we have able leaders from among ourselves. The way the convention was planned and run was superb. The confirmation we get from this experience is that we, the United Methodists can plan and organize any event regardless how big it might sound in peoples ears. If ever the General Conference 2024 will come our way, you the present and future leaders of this church will be able to rise to the occasion and do it in style. Third The Ebenezer Convention rebranded our name as a denomination in Zimbabwe and beyond. The use of the media both our own website and the national media catapulted us on the front row of churches in the country. So you must go and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to obey everything I 2

3 We were surely true to the call: Go and tell It on the Mountain.. We may want to think strategically and make use of those opportunities where the media may be helpful in telling our story. In those notations we surely do not leave out our artist Fungisayi, what a happy surprise to the congregants Thank you organizers. The preachers lived up to the occasion. We have all we need as a church. We thank God for that. 3 The delegates listening attentively to the presentation Fourth The Convention brought in the lime light a variety of rich ministries talent which the church has. The children Youth ministries, organizations, MUMC and RRW and UMYF. The fruits of the Music festivals were harvested in the 1000 Voices Choir. That choir mesmerized many more so our partners who clicked cameras one after another. Some of the delegates Fifth This Convention brought us together and consolidated our fellowship as one family. It was an affirming experience of who we are even as we departed to go back to our own respective places of residence. The memory that one is not alone will linger among us for a long time.

4 Sixth One thing which came out from the people almost as they were leaving the stadium is that they would like to have another Ebenezer. I would like to think that you would agree with me that there is no problem with that. The only thing which needs to be worked administratively is after how many years interval. Cabinet One can go further and say Ebenezer can be adopted as a recurrent feature in our church. The conferences can agree on the number of years which should pass before another Ebenezer Convention. Of course we should know that it was an expensive undertaking which took a lot of time, energy and resources to plan. But it can be done. My humble request is that for now and the foreseeable future we should all work tirelessly on the construction of the head offices. Time for Ebenezer will always be there for us. Seventh, Another thing which came out as an isolated aspect about the convention from the people is that, they would not like to carry provisions to cook at conventions. Leaders can pick on that observation and see how we can change some of our practices for the better to align with what our people are aiming at. Could it be that all the provision of food be left to caterers? What about at the annual conferences? Is it possible to experiment with the approach we used at the Ebenezer Convention in the provision of food? Let us deliberate in our various fora. Hopefully, come 2016 we will be ready to implement some of these changes. The Ebenezer Convention will find its perfect place in the annals of the church s history following its resounding success. Extract from the Bishop s Episcopal Address So you must go and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to obey everything I 4

5 PICTORIAL PRESENTATION 5 Holy communion ZEAC Conference Secretary DS. Rev. Daniel Chitsiku Proposed ZEAC Hoy communion Head Office 2015 Guest Choir RRW St James Mutare By Kudzai Chingwe reporting from the ZEAC 14 th Session, Old Mutare THE END