‘Religion, politics inseparable’
Last weekend, the Salvation Army ordained 13 pastors, better known as cadets among church members. But what role will the pastors play in ensuring their members are enlightened on the importance of participating in political and governance issues? Our reporter WATIPASO MZUNGU JNR finds out from the church’s public relations of officer, Captain Dyson Chifudzeni.
You are ordaining 13 pastors a few months before Malawi goes to the polls. What will be their role in promoting political life and good governance at the grassroots level?
The church has a great role in promoting political life and good governance. The Bible is so clear on the roles the body of Christ has in ensuring that there is peace in the country. Peace is very critical if God is to reign.
First, we must understand that it is God who appoints our political leaders to bring joy, love and gentleness among his people (1Timothy 2:1—2). God desires good governance for his own reverence.
God calls us to value human dignity as his own image. The only way to do that is to ensure we have a leadership that protects and promotes human rights and good governance. However, it is our responsibility to institute such a government through our ballots. It is the church and pastors’ role, therefore, that not only in theory, but through daily living, to educate believers on the need to participate in political as well as governance issues.
As Salvation Army, what role have you assumed in consolidating democratic rule in the country?
By virtue of its belief and mission, it is the Army’s obligation to see that its membership is participating in various forms of democratic rule of any country where such rule exists through elections, ensuring that the oppressed have a voice in matters that affect them.
The Salvation Army sees itself to be contributing positively, as a the body of Christ, to good democratic rule first and foremost by committing itself to life of prayer for the wisdom of democratic leadership among our political leaders. Of what importance would the Salvation Army be if it doesn’t become salt and light to the world? (Mathews 5:13-16).
Why is it necessary for the church to participate in political life, especially elections?
The church is a community of believers. The same believers are citizens of the state or a nation, which means religion and politics are somehow inseparable.
Therefore, the church must take elections as a noble duty and obligation for every believer. When people do not participate in elections, chances of creating bad governance in a country are very high.
There are some faith groups that are discouraging their members from participating in political life. They are arguing that theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Do you think this is the correct interpretation of the Bible?
Failure to participate in political life under the cover of being the heirs of the kingdom of heaven is sinful. By the way, where is true heaven? Who can enter heaven between the church ritual observer and the promoter of welfare of the human being, an image of God? If the answers to these questions are sincere and honest, most importantly just and true, then you will agree that the church that promotes positive participation in political life is a neighbour of Jesus the Lord himself.
