02 Dec 2019

Local Government and Rural Development assistant minister, Mr Setlhabelo Modukanele says good leadership in a church helps in aligning worshipers to the vision and objectives of the congregation.

Mr Modukanele who is MP for Lerala/Maunatala constituency was officially opening a workshop organised by Balatedi ba Letswe la Morena Faith Mission Church leadership at Malaka over the weekend.

He said government acknowledged the role the church played, in developing the country and national building efforts such as poverty eradication, assistance to the needy, youth empowerment, crime prevention, community development, engagement in combating HIV/AIDS and marriage counselling among others.

Mr Modukanela stated that the first schools to provide formal education were run by churches, the church was part and parcel of decision making processes.  

He said the convention theme: The Importance of Good Governance in Church and Nation Building, resonated with the notion of good leadership, a starting point to achieve good governance in the church and ultimately nation building.

Mr Modukanele urged the leadership to work hand in hand with the congregation in concluding issues pending and implementing action items from the workshop.

“Every member holding a leadership position should therefore explicitly understand his/her role and responsibilities in building of individuals, the church and the nation,’’ he said, noting that a church was where people of different characters and behaviour met for common good of worshiping and spiritual growth.

Mr Modukanele further stated that leaders should be adequately capacitated to enable them to manage and govern different characters.

He encouraged leaders to observe the constitution of the church which stipulated procedures and specified mandates of different committees.

With the surge of passion killing incidents, theft, juvenile delinquency, alcohol and drug abuse, Mr Modukanele appealed to the Archbishop and Bishops to ensure that the church made a positive impact on personal, family, social and economic development in Botswana.

He said the government embraced the freedom to worship and association hence the proliferation of churches in the country.

He however, expressed concern about the youth ill behaviour, appealing to parents to address the challenge. 

Area councilor, Ms Pinny Morupisi appealed to parents to instill good manners in the children and the teach them Gospel while still young.

She appealed to church members to obey God, be respectful and faithful all the time and not be discouraged by challenges. Ends