19 Jul 2017

Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Development, Mr Nonofo Molefhi says government views churches as partners in nation building.

Speaking at the official opening of the Pentecostal Holiness Church (PHC) in Serowe, Minister Molefhi told church members that the churches responsibilities had been extended beyond the church, and that they should be seen to be playing a significant role in unifying as well as building the nation.

He urged members of the PHC to devise ways to utilise the available land in their premises to erect more structures for community activities such as counselling and an economic empowerment centre.

He reminded PHC members that their church belonged to the community and not the pastor, adding that it should be seen to be playing its role in the community.

He said the church must keep abreast with modern lifestyles so that it could help in addressing challenges.

Minister Molefhi also appealed for the modernisation of some church operations, saying they could open entertainment centres within churches to appeal to and attract the youth.

Mr Molefhi informed pastors who had been appointed marriage officers by government that they were public officers who had no right to turn down couples who wanted them to conduct their marriages.

To church members, Mr Molefhi said they had a duty to carry their responsibilities of evangelising and allowing their pastor to play his shepherd role.

He reminded members of their responsibilities within and outside the church, saying they had the responsibility to contribute funds towards the extension and upgrading of their church structure to meet the set requirements by government.

By so doing, he said churches would be moving from where the missionaries left them to an independent status.

Visiting South African preacher, pastor Reuben Rachidi spoke against turning the house of God into a business entity and appealed to the pastors to “clean the house of God” of the habit if it existed in their churches.

He also warned the PHC against over celebrating their achievement, arguing that there was danger in celebrating too much.

Pastor Rachidi said in celebrating their success, they must be mindful of the challenges lying ahead and as such should spare some energies to do battle. BOPA