DIASPORA DISCOURSE

 

Time Churches Must Unite!

with Davison Muropa 

Mbiri kuGwayana for the refreshing Easter gatherings this last weekend. I hear once again the glowing reviews of the blessings and  renewal received everywhere by the Easter revival. Hamheno Mr Ugly kuti makava ita sei wherever he was!

Asi ini I did not attend any Easter gathering. 

Having just arrived back in the UK, I felt that lethargy or jet lag in the aftermath of my long holiday.

 

Rbenso I actually found myself mesmerised by the live online coverage of the ZCC Easter retreat at Mbungo, that Zion shrine in Masvingo. 

It was so refreshing to see how other denominations do these things. The congregation looked so much like a Salvation Army Congress paChombira apo.

With there colourful uniforms (tunics) ranging in colour from gabardine brown, to grey and green for the men and green blue and white for the ladies. They also had their vibrant jumping-jack-flash brass bands resplendent in all manor of festive colours from red, white, grey and black. 

The church has taken brass banding and congregational synchronised dancing to a whole new level with groups of  men, women, boys, girls and YPs articulating the one choice vibrant dance routine in turns and in unison.  

Sadly the ZCC was mourning the sad loss of 39 of their comrades who perished in a bus accident in Chipinge whilst travelling to this august gathering. May their souls rest in eternal peace. Ndoo vanoenda straight kuparadiso ava. 

Among Bishop Mutendi’s guests was the firebrand motivational speaker, Joshua Maponga. Yes the gospel needs to be dragged from the medieval of 2,000 years ago. 

Times and our understanding of this universe have changed. 

And I started to feel this nagging question why churches in all their different varieties and vestiges never see  it fit to do combined gathetings in oneness and togetherness as one body of Christ; vana vemunhu mumwe. I don’t see that ever happening. 

Each church you know, has become an institution unto itself, looking after its own self interest and propagating its own kind and brand of worship and  enhance its own unique social standing. ZvaMwari seems almost a secondary afterthought. Mwari atibatsire for a new vision of His church. 

Till next week, be blessed.