Committed to the biblical call to prayer, peace loving and humility as shown in 2 Chronicles 7:14 which reads;
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins and will heal their land.”
The Methodist Church in Zimbabwe 39th Annual Conference held at Kadoma Hotel and Conference Centre from 24th to 28th August 2016, urges all of us, citizens of Zimbabwe, and authorities in Zimbabwe, to be sensitive to the pain and suffering of the people. The Methodist Church in Zimbabwe is voicing on behalf of the suffering people and encourages that peace and tranquillity should prevail in our beautiful country. The Conference also calls upon all concerned Christians and people of other faiths to rely on prayer and constructive engagement for peace to prevail in the country. We call upon the government to look beyond symptoms and address the deeper challenges that demand serious dialogue amongst all citizens. A conducive atmosphere for multi-stakeholder engagement must be created urgently.
The Methodist Church in Zimbabwe (MCZ) always endeavours to live to its prophetic call of being the custodian of a moral and just society and not blind to social injustices. The Methodist Church in Zimbabwe cannot afford to be indifferent in the face of political and economic decay that has become both a disgrace and a scandal to the goodness of God’s beautiful creation, Zimbabwe. The MCZ believes in a leadership such as that described in 2 Samuel 23:3 which says “He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.” All power and authority belong to God. God should be and is the centre of all just governments of the world. In other words, the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe admonishes the Government of Zimbabwe to govern in the fear of God avoiding unjust and repressive tactics and treating people with dignity.
Today Zimbabwe is at crossroads wherein father is turning against son and against daughter. The nation asks, “Who will heal this generation?” Is there no balm to make the wounded whole and to heal the sin-sick soul? We appeal to those who watch over God’s people and those in authority not to abuse their God given power. We urge all Zimbabweans to turn to God and most importantly, to care for one another. The Methodist Church in Zimbabwe condemns all forms of violence which are taking place. Furthermore, we implore those police officers and other security personnel that are brutalizing citizens to respect citizens’ right to peaceful demonstrations and to desist from perpetrating violence on the people and uphold the rule of law. The Methodist Church in Zimbabwe therefore believes that all forms of violence and destruction of property are deplorable and have no place in a civilised and modern society.
Let those with ears hear! May God Bless Zimbabwe.
For more information please contact:
The Presiding Bishop’s Office, Wesley House,
17 Selous Avenue, P. O. Box CY71 Causeway, Harare,
0712360660 or 0712610202
