Revisiting Our Thinking
By Rev. Wesley Litaba Wakunuma, 17th Episcopal District
So here we are now. The 51st General Conference has been postponed based on the communication from the Council of Bishops. COVID-19 has affected some socio-economic activities and some key decisions still need to be taken to reduce the impact it has on global activities.
The communication says “All considerations, however, must include the full participation of Districts 14-20.” This statement sounds loaded; and at another time, I can critically look at its implication as to how these districts are actually regarded by the church.
With the way things are moving, several decisions will need to be made and these may have far-reaching consequences for districts 14–20. I know many decisions and steps have been taken through the Global Development Council.
The AME Church in these districts has suffered calamities and it has been very difficult to respond to any of them. This can be attributed to some weaknesses in the church’s structure in this part of the globe. We do not have the necessary economic and social infrastructure to support any emergency responses. This may not be the case with the USA-based districts.
There are no facilities and services to support its membership in some areas within districts 14-20. There is no meaningful investment of any kind to support health, education, and social services. The worse, of course, is a lack of investment in the training and development of clergy as there are not many institutions of this nature.
The current COVID-19 pandemic and its global impact will evidently upset plans, expectations, and probably make the church begin to redefine itself. Right now, with the world going virtual for worship services, our districts are ill-equipped to effectively take that route because we just don’t have the capacity.
This time presents challenges and opportunities to ask questions on how the relationship of districts 14-20 needs to be with the main church. While it may be argued that the districts are part of the Connectional church, the reality is totally different. This can be seen from the many decisions taken that are normally not in favour of or in the interest of those districts.
Does this postponement mean much for districts 14-20? Can this be an opportunity to rethink our strategies? Could the GDC be reconvened given the postponement to make new proposals? Can this be the moment for Africa? Is it time for Africa to go its own way? Are the delegates adequately prepared to rethink their positions given the situation? Is this a time for the church in Africa to no longer be an enemy of itself and stop living in denial?
All in all, the world will never be the same. We need to rethink our processes.
