Blantyre Synod of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) has come under fire after its recently elected general secretary (GS) made remarks through which he blocked Nkhoma and Livingstonia synods pastors from ministering at its congregations in South Africa.
Reverend Anderson Juma’s recorded audio, in which he was instructing members at Berea CCAP congregation in South Africa against accommodating pastors from the other two synods, has gone viral on social media.
In the audio, Juma is heard instructing the members to stop pastors from Livingstonia and Nkhoma synods from preaching or performing any other duty at the church.
He says this is breaking Blantyre Synod’s protocol.
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Juma, who visited the congregation in South Africa, says when he is back home, he will officially write the two synods stopping them from serving Blantyre Synod Christians.
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“We don’t want to see pastors from Livingstonia and Nkhoma synods here [at Berea CCAP]. They came with their churches and we also have our own churches.
“We are saying this because we have realised that to have our own minister here is expensive and you think using ministers from Nkhoma and Livingstonia [synods] is cheaper because you only give them little,” Juma is heard saying.
Our investigations indicate that the ministers are given R500 (approximately K30,000) when officiating a wedding and another R500 as pulpit allowance.
Livingstonia Synod GS Reverend William Tembo said they were shocked with the remarks by Juma and disclosed that they will soon meet and discuss the way forward and announce their decision on the matter.
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“It is unbelievable. You will hear from us about our relationship,” Tembo said in a brief reaction.
Nkhoma Synod GS Reverend Vasco Kachipapa also expressed shock at the remarks by Juma.
In a letter from Kachipapa, which we have seen, the GS has suspended a visit by Mvama CCAP Chigwirizano Choir to Berea Congregation because of the matter.
Kachipapa has told the choir to wait until Nkhoma and Blantyre synods review their relationship.
When contacted, Juma confirmed having uttered the sentiments but indicated he was in the process of apologising to Blantyre and Livingstonia synods.
“The sentiments were not intended to injure anyone, but I really appreciate inconveniences and the dangers they has caused.
“I am in the process of apologising to both Nkhoma and Livingstonia synods because we are one family,” the GS said.
Some Blantyre Synod Christians in South Africa, whom we got in touch with, indicated that they normally use pastors from Nkhoma and Livingstonia synods because they are closer to their Berea CCAP Church.
The Christians said their parish minister lives at Bosburge, which is about 70 kilometres from the church.
Rivalries between CCAP synods in Malawi are not new.
Sometime back, border disputes between Nkhoma and Livingstonia synods ended with a resolution that each synod should be allowed to have establishments in the other’s “traditional territories”.
So, Livingstonia has congregations in Nkhoma’s territories and vice versa.
