Anglican Bishop urges church to introspect, embrace #AreChencheng
Parishes must embrace transformation in praise and worship – Rev Dr Mokgatlhe
It can only be Christians themselves, especially those of the Anglican parishes in Botswana, to spiritually self-introspect so that they may be able to grow the church membership. But that can only be possible if they were to also change their traditional Anglicanism (sechache) mindsets, in embracing each other’s livelihood challenges as a way of healing and giving hope to their communities and the nation at large.
The sermonic message was stressed by the Anglican Church, Botswana Diocese, and The Very Right Reverend Bishop Metlhayotlhe Beleme at the diocese’s South region revival held at the Cathedral on Saturday.
In his sub-themed #Are Chencheng sermon under the general theme, “Anglican Rise and Shine”, Bishop Metlha as he is fondly known, called for the Anglicans to embrace deep prayer hope for the underprivileged, the broken souls in faith, the sick, the disgruntled in the workplace, the unemployed, saying most of the challenges that people, as Christians too, encounter on their daily basis, are not deliberately planted by God in ignorance of His people’s prayers but are a sign that God’s Glory continues reign to rebuild people’s faith and trust in Him, whilst challenging Christians to wholeheartedly follow the gospel as proclaimed in the Holy scriptures.
The Bishop stated that the last three years have been the most confusing, troubling and heartbreaking for many Christians in Botswana, Africa and the rest of the world, especially for the younger believers.
He said the period raised probably more questions and fears than most answers and solutions, leaving many people asking more often if God exists as it seems he is no longer watching over them. The Bishop said there were times when Christians noted dark waves of reasons to be discouraged and leave in despair.
On national and global issues that contributed to the despair of Christians, he said political tensions, wars, coups, post COVID-19 devastations propelled the trials and sorrows of not only Christians in Botswana but globally.
Tying the sermon with the scripture from the book of Nehemiah 2:17, Bishop Metlha shared that God sent Nehemiah to pluck up, break down, destroy and overthrow everything in the face of Jerusalem, saying that kind of destruction and judgement makes up most books of Jeremiah but God’s communication to Jeremiah does not end with destruction: “I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms to build to plant”.
Metlha read Nehemiah’s words which state: “Then I said to them, you see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire.
“Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” The Bishop told the gathering that the message from the passage teaches Anglicans in their context that, to do anything well, in all the church structures, they must always seek God’s help regardless of how prolonged and long situations and hardships they have been through.
The Bishop warned against the old days of Sechache, saying the time is now to pray and worship differently while prioritising evangelism with instrumentation not only during revival gatherings but also during routine church services, a sentiment that was also shared by Rev Dr Mooketsi Mokgatlhe who also emphasised the need to transform the church to modern day era.
Mokgatlhe also noted that there are Anglicans and other potential believers who have varied skills that can help in rebuilding the church but they can only contribute if they are offered the opportunities through love, care and support through God’s admiration.
The revival was graced by representatives from the parishes of St Simon of Cyrene in Tlokweng, St Michael and All Angels from Broadhurst, St Paul from Molepolole to mention but a few, with musical performances by Phempheretlhe Pheto, Elizabeth Lizzy Emisang, Arthur Nteda, and Gabo Thothobolo.