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Staff Writer
The Apostolic Christian Council International (ACCI) interim Grand President, Archbishop Johannes Ndanga has called upon churches to adopt succession plans to avoid succession disputes that usually arise after the death of a church visionary.
Archbishop Ndanga made the remarks on Saturday in Harare in an interview after presiding over the ordaining ceremony of Arch Bishop Elijah Mafukidze of the Apostolic International Eguel Jekenisheni.
In his remarks, he said that most churches are struggling to solve their own succession matters as they end up resorting to seeking legal assistance from the courts.
“As Apostolic Christian Council International, we have noted with concern that most churches are facing succession challenges and we are saying this should be avoided. We are urging all churches to adopt succession plans. This is the reason why we continue to see non-Christian organizations and bodies such as the judiciary are now presiding over succession disputes in churches.”
Against this background, the ACCI Grand President castigated the courts for resolving church disputes. He further said that church matters should not be resolved by non-religious organizations.
“It’s high time the courts should stop getting involved in church doctrines and matters. The Bible is clear on how church matters should be dealt with. We cannot continue to have succession matters of a church presided over by a non-Christian body. This is the reason why we are saying church issues should not be handled in courts.”
The African Apostolic Church led by Paul Mwazha has seen an escalation of legal fights over who will succeed the founder who is advanced in age. In similar fashion, the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) in Zimbabwe is in bitter legal fights over the control of the church.