22 Apr 2019

Permanent Secretary to the President, Mr Carter Morupisi says government is concerned about churches that impoverish congregants by profit-making.

Mr Morupisi, who was officiating at the Seven White Angel Church in Zion (SWACIZ) on  April 19 in Selebi Phikwe cautioned that a church did not exist to make profit nor enrich its leaders at the expense of congregants.

He said the church instead existed to better the lives of the congregants spiritually, adding that often times some churches found themselves on the wrong side of the law by impoverishing the congregants.

“I therefore urge you to be a church of God which serves God truly, faithfully and honestly,” he said.

Mr Morupisi also cautioned the churches, especially independent churches against conflicts within their respective leadership, urging them to abide by their respective constitutions and other statutes set by government.

He encouraged the church committees to be transparent, especially on issues of finance, adding that most churches were falling apart as a result of misuse of funds.

Mr Morupisi further said society was grappling with social ills that continued to plague this nation, citing passion killings, alcohol and drug abuse as a result of loss of cultural and Christian values.

He urged the Seven White Angel Church in Zion to provide psycho-social support to help members deal with such issues.

Government, he said, would continue to foster dialogue with faith based missions in the country in an effort to reverse the moral degradation with a view to promoting the desired moral fabric embedded in the Setswana culture.

He also raised a concern over the culture of indiscipline, which was a cause for concern in schools and had resulted in poor academic performance, adding that ‘your concerted efforts as pastors together with dikgosi and other stakeholders is critical’.

Finally, he urged them to register for elections so that they cast their vote in the upcoming general elections.

He said registering for elections would give them the opportunity to vote for the government of the political party they wanted in power.

The church celebrated Good Friday under the theme; A Year of Sowing the Mustard Seed: We Expect More Harvest.’

For his part, Archbishop Molebalwa Godirwang of SWACIZ said his church ‘does not only preach the word of God,  but also helps government take people out of poverty through various initiatives’.

He said his church also helped build the nation by spreading the word of God, encouraging love and peace among members of the society.

Kagiso ward leader, Kgosi Gunny Moses shared the sentiments with Mr Morupisi, also raising a concern over Christians who did not respect their leadership and failed to abide by the constitution.

Kgosi Moses urged the congregants to follow the footsteps of Jesus Christ, adding that such would make the church run smoothly without any infights. ENDS