Story by: Taurai Emmanuel Maforo
During the just ended Annual Conference 14th Sessions in the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area, the Resident Bishop Eben Kanukayi Nhiwatiwa took time to reflect on the Ebenezer 2014 Convention which has been described by the majority of the church’s membership as a memorable success. The Ebenezer Convention was held on August 15 to 17 at the National Sports Stadium, Harare and attended by a record 55 000 congregants.
During the launch of the Ebenezer vision at the 2013 Pastors’ School and Laity Academy, the bishop implored the United Methodists in the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area to go on a “Safari” and hunt for disciples. The vision was embraced by all and sundry – children, youth, young adults, women and men. The Ebenezer Convention was part of the ongoing BEB focus. BEB is an acronym for; Bringing more souls to Christ, Ebenezer Convention (E now stands for Evangelism), and Building Head Offices.
This story presents the full text on “Ebenezer Reflections” from the Bishop’s Episcopal Address to the Zimbabwe West Annual Conference (ZWAC) seating at Murewa Mission – 12-14 December 2014 and the Zimbabwe East Annual Conference (ZEAC) held at Old Mutare – 19-21 December 2014.
REFLECTIONS ON THE EBENEZER CONVENTION
We can all come up with different and even better analysis. I just happen to have the privilege of doing so at the seating of this annual conference.
First
The Ebenezer Convention demonstrated clearly that if we accept whole heartedly that we want to do something we will do it irrespective of the challenges involved.
It was amazing to see how all districts were able to pay in full their allocated budgets.
Organizations, our congregations overseas all did their best in availing their contribution.
Our take from this experience is that as a church we are poised for greater things to come as we pull our resources together.
May this spirit of oneness continue among us.
Second
The event showed us that we have able leaders from among ourselves. The way the convention was planned and run was superb.
The confirmation we get from this experience is that we, the United Methodists can plan and organize any event regardless how big it might sound in peoples’ ears.
If ever the General Conference 2024 will come our way I have no doubt that the church will rise to the occasion.
Third
The Ebenezer Convention rebranded our name as a denomination in Zimbabwe and beyond. The use of the media both our own website and the national media catapulted us on the front row of churches in the country.
We were surely true to the call: “Go and tell it on the Mountain…..” We may want to think strategically and make use of those opportunities where the media may be helpful in telling our story.
Fourth
The Convention brought in the lime light a variety of rich ministries talent which the church has. The Children, Youth ministries, organizations, MUMC and RRW and UMYF.
The fruits of the Music festivals were harvested in the 1000 Voices Choir. That choir mesmerized many more so our partners who clicked cameras one after another.
In those notations we surely do not leave out our artist Fungisayi Zvakawapano Mashavave, what a happy surprise to the congregants. Thank you organizers.
The preachers lived up to the occasion. We have all we need as a church. We thank God for that.
Fifth
This Convention brought us together (as ZEAC and ZWAC), and consolidated our fellowship as one family.
It was an affirming experience of who we are even as we departed to go back to our own respective places of residence.
The memory that one is not alone will linger among us for a long time.
Sixth
One thing which came out from the people almost as they were leaving the stadium is that they would like to have another Ebenezer.
I would like to think that you would agree with me that there is no problem with that. The only thing which needs to be worked administratively is after how many years interval.
One can go further and say Ebenezer can be adopted as a recurrent feature in our church. The conferences can agree on the number of years which should pass before another Ebenezer Convention.
Of course we should know that it was an expensive undertaking which took a lot of time, energy and resources to plan. But it can be done.
My humble request is that for now and the foreseeable future we should all work tirelessly on the construction of the head offices. Time for Ebenezer will always be there for us.
Seventh
Another thing which came out as an isolated aspect about the convention from the people is that, they would not like to carry provisions to cook at conventions.
Leaders can pick on that observation and see how we can change some of our practices for the better to align with what our people aiming at.
Could it be that all the provision of food be left to caterers?
What about at the annual conferences, is it possible to experiment with the approach we used at the Ebenezer Convention in the provision of food. Let us deliberate in various for a.
Hopefully, come 2016 we will be ready to implement some of these changes.
Taurai Emmanuel Maforo is a Communicator in the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area