Newly-elected CCAP Blantyre Synod Moderator the Reverend Reynold Mangisa has highlighted promotion of unity in the church and improving utilisation of resources to increase revenue as key priorities during his tenure.
The cleric, who also served in the role between 2009 and 2011, said this after his induction in Blantyre yesterday following his election on Monday evening.
Mangisa observed that the church tends to be divided along political and tribal lines.
“We have to realise that even though we can have different ideas, we can pool all those together and work in unity to the glory of God,” he said.
Mangisa also stressed the need for the synod to utilise its resources such as land to generate revenue rather than relying on offerings from Christians.
He said he decided to return to the role to help the church navigate through new challenges, including social media, which have impacted the synod.
“The dynamics have changed because 15 years ago the population was more elderly while today it is more youthful. Helping the church navigate through these changing times is one thing I would need to think about as a leader,” said Mangisa.
In his speech, new deputy general secretary the Reverend Jimmy Banda said his role is not to command others but to coordinate efforts guided by the church constitution and common purpose.
He further encouraged fellow ministers to leave behind the bitter past and work towards building a better future for the church.
Mangisa and Banda were elected together with the Reverend Missy Kananji Spiki, moderator of Namaka CCAP congregation in Chiradzulu, as the new vice-moderator of the synod.
Emeritus general secretary the Reverend Misanjo Kansilanga advised the new leaders to be torchbearers of the cross of Christ and to refrain from indulging in politics.
“The church is a monitoring agent for Christ so people should be seeing Christ in the preachers, not politics,” he said.
Mangisa was ordained in 1997 and has led congregations in Phalombe, Machinga, Zomba and Blantyre. His latest assignment was as moderator at St Columba CCAP in Blantyre which he completed last year.
On the other hand, Banda was ordained in 2010 and served in Mulanje, Chikwawa and Blantyre before being transferred to Ulongwe CCAP in Balaka.
The CCAP Blantyre Synod 35th Biennial Conference started on Monday and ends tomorrow. It is being held under the theme ‘Be doers of the word in love, not listeners only’ adopted from James 1 verse 22.
