A self-regulating body has been launched in the Eastern Cape in an attempt to eradicate “ungodly incidents” at charismatic, non-traditional churches.
The Pentecostal Charismatic Body (PCB) was launched at the Abbotsford Christian Centre in East London on Saturday night following consultations with church leaders in various regions across the province.
The body, headed by a group of church leaders, aims to build a united voice for charismatic churches and ministries based on accountability, relationships and transparency.
It is a structure set up to regulate the mushrooming charismatic churches, which are believed to number just over 600 around the Buffalo City Metro.
PCB founding member Mangaliso Matshobane said the need to establish the body was a result of “ungodly incidents” happening in and around the province.
The body plans to extend its influence and affiliate itself with other like-minded international organisations. “We felt there was a vacuum. Individuals have spoken out on what is happening especially in Gauteng. We felt we need to come together to speak with one voice. We need to self critic ourselves,” Matshobane said, adding that the body would not act as a watchdog.
The launch comes amid government’s plans to look into the conduct of churches.
Some of the “ungodly incidents” included pastors instructing their congregants to eat snakes, drink petrol or jump on fellow congregants’ bodies.
Other pastors started their churches because they were led by the “spirit”.
“We will also train our pastors in theology because some of them have not been trained,” said Matshobane.
The group is in the process of formulating a code of ethics that will be approved by members before it is adopted.
A workshop on the code of ethics will be held at the New Hope Fellowship in East London on November 12.
Data on existing churches will be collected and visits conducted including listening to recordings of church sessions. “If you don’t want us to visit that means that you are doing something wrong,” said Matshobane.
The body also plans to work closely with legal practitioners to assist in dealing with legal matters.
Workshops, seminars, conferences, and research on policy formulations will be conducted to assist the body and help church leaders understand and interpret the word of God better.
Delivering a speech on behalf of BCM mayor Alfred Mtsi, mayoral committee member councillor Nomiki Mgezi said the metro supported the initiative.
Mgezi said the body would assist in halting moral degeneration in the metro. “As the metro we are concerned about the drop in morality, and about corruption, rape and theft.”
Mgezi said they were concerned about churches erecting tents on open spaces without seeking approval, playing loud music and not caring about noise pollution.
In many cases congregants were also falling victim to unscrupulous pastors who demanded outrageous things like women not wear underwear, or exorbitant amounts of money.
“Pastors should allow congregants to have a one-on-one relationship with God ,” Mgezi said. —msindisif@dispatch.co.za
Eastern Cape churches under microscope
The Pentecostal Charismatic Body (PCB) was launched at the Abbotsford Christian Centre in East London on Saturday night following consultations with church leaders in various regions across the province.
The body, headed by a group of church leaders, aims to build a united voice for charismatic churches and ministries based on accountability, relationships and transparency.
It is a structure set up to regulate the mushrooming charismatic churches, which are believed to number just over 600 around the Buffalo City Metro.
PCB founding member Mangaliso Matshobane said the need to establish the body was a result of “ungodly incidents” happening in and around the province.
The body plans to extend its influence and affiliate itself with other like-minded international organisations. “We felt there was a vacuum. Individuals have spoken out on what is happening especially in Gauteng. We felt we need to come together to speak with one voice. We need to self critic ourselves,” Matshobane said, adding that the body would not act as a watchdog.
The launch comes amid government’s plans to look into the conduct of churches.
Some of the “ungodly incidents” included pastors instructing their congregants to eat snakes, drink petrol or jump on fellow congregants’ bodies.
Other pastors started their churches because they were led by the “spirit”.
“We will also train our pastors in theology because some of them have not been trained,” said Matshobane.
The group is in the process of formulating a code of ethics that will be approved by members before it is adopted.
A workshop on the code of ethics will be held at the New Hope Fellowship in East London on November 12.
Data on existing churches will be collected and visits conducted including listening to recordings of church sessions. “If you don’t want us to visit that means that you are doing something wrong,” said Matshobane.
The body also plans to work closely with legal practitioners to assist in dealing with legal matters.
Workshops, seminars, conferences, and research on policy formulations will be conducted to assist the body and help church leaders understand and interpret the word of God better.
Delivering a speech on behalf of BCM mayor Alfred Mtsi, mayoral committee member councillor Nomiki Mgezi said the metro supported the initiative.
Mgezi said the body would assist in halting moral degeneration in the metro. “As the metro we are concerned about the drop in morality, and about corruption, rape and theft.”
Mgezi said they were concerned about churches erecting tents on open spaces without seeking approval, playing loud music and not caring about noise pollution.
In many cases congregants were also falling victim to unscrupulous pastors who demanded outrageous things like women not wear underwear, or exorbitant amounts of money.
“Pastors should allow congregants to have a one-on-one relationship with God ,” Mgezi said. —msindisif@dispatch.co.za
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