Freedom of expression is certainly gaining ground in all sectors of life, including the church.
Christians at Michiru CCAP Church in Blantyre have expressed this freedom by rejecting Reverend Chigwenembe whom the Blantyre City Presbytery had chosen to replace Reverend Reynold Mmangisa who is heading to Zomba CCAP Church.
In October this year, the Blantyre CCAP Synod shook up its clergy with transfers, which saw Chigwenembe being posted to Michiru congregation.
He was ministering at a rural church in Mulanje.
However, members of the Michiru CCAP Church have vowed that they will not open their doors to Chigwenegwe because ‘he is too old to lead a church’.
“Fellow Christians from where he is serving have told us that his sermons are not inspiring at all. Brotherly, our friends have informed us that his homilies lead worshippers into sleep and we felt we don’t need his services here,” said one of Michiru CCAP members, Lucius Kalimbuka.
He added: “We need an energetic and youthful pastor who can spiritually inspire us. A pastor should not lead worshippers into slumber. If the Presbytery or Synod doesn’t have pastors of such calibre, we can wait.”
A church elder, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said there are even more reasons Michiru CCAP Church is a no-go zone for Reverend Chigwenembe.
He, however, refused to disclose the reasons, saying: “It’s too early to divulge such information. But we have issues with this pastor. When the time comes, we will let you know.”
Synod deputy general secretary Reverend Moyenda Kanjerwa confirmed receiving reports of Chigwenembe’s rejection by the faithful.
Kanjerwa said his office was still waiting for formal communication from the congregation before dealing with the issue.
