The ManicaPost
Samuel Kadungure and Tendai Gukutikwa Post Reporters —
THE Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) in Zimbabwe has reshuffled its pastors across the country in a move to help parishioners and priests avoid negative developments such as factionalism, discord and financial scandals.
AFM president Dr Aspher Madziyire said the transfers, which are immediate, are not part of the “reshuffling of the deck” but meant to ensure a stronger and more doctrinally robust evangelical church.
In Mutare, the church removed Reverend Tinashe Shumbambiri from the citadel of Mercy City and redeployed him to another assembly in Harare, in a move that sparked off a protest from a section of the congregants. The main reason why Rev Shumbambiri was moved from Mercy City in Chikanga, was that the priest had frequent conflicts with parishioners and the local church board.
He was replaced by one Rev Muziwa, a dynamic preacher from Zvishavane.
Mercy City had become a battleground of conflict and one hopes the arrival of Rev Muziwa, from Zvishavane, will see members enjoying stability and unity.
Though parishioners at Mercy City did not want to part with Rev Shumbambiri, and put up spirited attempts to block his exit and arrival of Rev Muziwa, he could not stay because there was tension at church.
The AFM policy dictates that whenever conflict rises at any of its assemblies dotted across the country, the pastor will be moved 300 kilometres away from the troubled assembly, to allow swift healing of the body of Christ.
Dr Madziyire and his executive also blocked an arrangement between the Mercy City church board and the provincial executive to have Rev Linos Mutongoreva, of River of Life Assembly (Rusape), to replace Rev Shumbambiri, and instead relocated him to Ruwa.
River of Life is now being pastored by a youthful Rev Ernest Muwandi, formerly of Plumtree. Rev Mutongoreva’s move to Mercy City was vetoed by the AFM presidium as it was deemed likely to perpetuate instability at the assembly.
Dr Madziyire said the changes, not only done in Manicaland, but nationally, were “extremely important” as they facilitated improvements in the local church´s pastoral work by enabling priests to develop a variety of pastoral approaches and activities to suit different situations.
“This big sorting that’s happening is designed to ensure that the church is not only a place to worship, serve and learn about God, but also a community where believers can practice love toward their brethren as the Bible requires,” he said.
Dr Madziyire added, quoting 1 John 1:7: “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin”.
Dr Madziyire said pastors who err must submit to the censure meted by his office as deserving punishment for a loved child.
“Pastors should have a humble and meek attitude like Christ. Besides, being obnoxious and arrogant will set you up for a fall. Don’t promote yourself, incite violence to attain an appointed or elected position. God is the one who puts persons in such positions, and unless He does it, stay away from it. Do not lift up your horn on high; do not speak with a stiff neck. For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another,” said Dr Madziyire.
He added that AFM will continue to relocate its priests as well as appoint newly ordained ones to parishes to lead, teach, protect and guard the flock.
Rev Shumbambiri said he had no option but to toe the church line.
“I am under the leadership of Dr Madziyire, and defying him is out of the question,” said Rev Shumbambiri, urging his former congregants to observe peace and to submit to the leadership of Rev Muziwa.
Meanwhile, property worth $15 000 was reduced to ashes when the AFM Miracle Centre church building in Rusape caught fire in the wee hours of Monday.
The fire destroyed, among others valuables, a state-of-the-art public address (PA) system, interior decor material, ceiling, electricity wiring cables, trusses, carpets, pulpit, utensils and chairs, leaving the authorities appealing for financial and material donations to refurbish the cathedral.
It is suspected the fire was caused by an electrical fault following a lightning bolt that shook Vengere Township around 2am.
AFM Manicaland Central Overseer Reverend Benson Katakwa confirmed the incident saying focus was on refurbishing the building and replacing the destroyed property.
Resident cleric Rev Paul Musasa said separate reports were made to the police and Zimbabwe Electricity Distribution and Transmission Company and investigations were in progress to establish the actual cause of the fire.
There were no reports of injuries as the church was unoccupied when the incident occurred.
