06 Feb 2019

Churches have been advised to comply with the Societies Act because failure to do so will lead to their de-registration.

In an interview on the side lines of the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC) executive committee meeting recently, director of Civil and National Registration, Ms Caroline Okello-Wendi, expressed concern over churches that failed to comply with the act.

She said though church administrators performed their roles voluntarily, it was important for them to ensure that churches adhered to regulations.

She said leaders must ensure that all was in order and more importantly, submit annual returns on time.

“All this is to acknowledge the existence of the church” she added.

Ms Okello-Wendi further noted that some churches were still struggling to submit returns dating as far back as five years, adding that such churches would be de-registered for defaulting.

She also emphasised that it was important for churches to adhere to constitutions, which were guiding tools in the running of their affairs.

She explained that for a new church to be registered, the ministry would require a theological certificate from an accredited institution, an ordination certificate as well as release letter from the previous church if it was a break away from another church.

For his part, OAIC president, Bishop Phillimon Motlhagodi urged executive committees to be accountable to the church members and for the resources of the organisation.

He said though some churches were doing a commendable job, others still lacked coordination, supervision, accountability and have poor record keepings.

“There should be a data base of the proceedings of the church because failure to do so hinders the churches’ efforts to attend to sustainable human lives and social development,” said Mr Motlhagodi.

He also advised leadership to network and strengthen relationships with other churches as well as benchmark from each other as that coukd help achieve their mandate. ENDS