The Independent Churches of Zambia (ICOZ) has called on the Registrar of Societies to harmonize the Act of registering Faith-based organizations in the country.
ICOZ says this is one way of getting rid of illegal churches mushrooming in the country.
ICOZ Board Chairperson Bishop David Masupa observed that illegal activities occurring in some churches are a disgrace to a Christian nation like Zambia.
Bishop Masupa urged government through the Ministry of Home Affairs to come up with measures to ensure that all churches are registered with the Registrar of Societies.
Bishop Masupa in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today said the Society should thoroughly screen people intending to establish churches in compounds and townships before registering them to operate in the country.
The Clergyman regretted the Chibolya and Kabwata incidents in which two churches were yesterday shut down by government for operating illegally saying they painted a bad image to churches that have been operating in Zambia for many years.
Meanwhile, Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) Executive Director Pukuta Mwanza has called on government to be conscious in handling matters surrounding the banning of faith based organisations.
Rev. Mwanza says issues that concern the clergymen and women should be separated from that of the name of a church.
He said closing the entire church is not a solution as other innocent members would still want to congregate and continue worshipping in the church building.
Over the weekend, a joint team of Police, Immigration and Registrar of Societies officers apprehended more than 200 illegal immigrants and refugees in Chibolya and Kabwata township without permits, among them church leaders on suspicion of conducting illegal activities such as abductions and sexual abuses.
The operation resulted in the ban of the Free Pentecost Assemblies operating from Kabwata Community Hall with more than 600 members.
The team led by Chief Registrar of Societies Kakoma Kanganja and Ministry of Home Affairs Public Relations Officer Moses Suwali raided some churches from where suspects were taken to Immigration Offices for further screening .
Mr. Suwali said Government is also concerned that some churches were harbouring illegal immigrants which was against the laws of Zambia.
He said the operation was a wake-up call for other churches, institutions and individuals who were using churches as a frontlines for conducting illegal activities.
Ban these shameless beggars who are ripping off hapless Zambia.
You don’t have to belong to a church to be a Christian or to worship God. Stop making pastors rich in the name of tithe while you eat katapa everyday!
In fact this mosaic law (under which Malachi 3 falls) called tithe is not even mandatory in the New Covenant.
The mosaic law has been replaced by grace (offering in place of tithe, 2 Cor 9:6-8), but fake pastors are going back to the law to get a tithe!
Dont close churches, just sort out the wrong doers, some countries dont have churches but zambia is a blessed nation hence God is blessing you , the only one who would want churches closed us satan, and he has out alot of plants in the church , including some so called men of God who shout on top of their voices, they serve satan in what they do , they hate what God is doing in zambia people every where love God .God has blessed zambia so greatly . We need to be very careful how to handle the problem, what is happening is spiritual can only be solved by spiritual men and womencarnal men cant help solve this problem
No carnal man can help solve this problem , just arrest wrongdoers and brin them to book you can’t judge spiritual things they belong to praying men and women of God who can dicern don’t just shout talk to God ask where satan is in the church some clegymen are even workin with satan in hatred towards the church of Jesus Christ , in some countries churches are closed they have lost God satan rules , satan hates to see how Gods work is flourishing in zambian , prayers every where he hates it he is looking for means to sop it
many come in the name of Jesus Christ, just to get tithe from poor hardworking people who truly believe in God, lazy people using a pulpit to feed themselves using a sacred name, yes some of these churches need to be scrutinised.
The Government has the duty to protect the integrity of the country by regulating the formation and existence of churches in the country.
“Bread of Life” must be shut down!
aposle paul said ,some preach christ with good intentions,some with bad,when we first got born again in 19s ,pentecostal churches woul preach and ground believers in the true word of God,nowadays all people want are miracles and fast answers.alot of pastors who appear on TV dont know the word so they blind people with fake miracles,some are even intiated in evil practices.if u read z word every day u will be able tell fake prophets and pastors.i cant moved by any of the miracles on TV,I can also cry to my God OF abraham and get answers.when i pray GOD SHOWS ME VISION S and tells what is to happen. i dont have to depend on pastor.yes they are here to led us to christ ,but most of them nowadays preach,prosperity, miracles deliverence. preach jesus on the cross and resurrection
what i mean is that not all pastors are fake,their real genune men of God like pastor Sunday Sinyangwe,pst panji chipeta prof.apostle jonson suleman ,i salute them keep up Gods true work.people plse read z word of God and pray.when u see psts performation miracles the bible says test the prophets.most of the things they tell us to do are not biblical.like anoited water,hanks,towels,stickers coats,etc. you cat add anything to jesus.open yuor eyes pipo.jesus alone does the job without any material thing add to him
They should close illegal bars and brothels in townships not harassing innocent worshipers that’s as good as fighting against God
@ Nubian Princess the more I pay tithe the more I “eat” well actually, am not a pastor but since this biblical principal works for me I also go out and preach to others so that they tithe and give offering to whichever Bible believing church they belong to. Actually if you can find time and attend one of these churches you will be surprised at the number of educated people who are born again and understand the bible, not that we are hapless and dump, but we simply have had our spiritual eyes opened! God bless Zambia.
We are indeed in the last days and the spirits if deception have been unleashed(2 Timothy 3:1).All Christians must walk in the fear and reverence of the lord and not man.
Some of these so called ministers of the gospel are satanic agents sent to mislead the flock.
If you are truly born again and Spirit filled person ,I urge you to intercede for your church especially your overseer whether .
And whats more harmful to a nation an illegal bar/night club or illegal church?
MOST OF US MUST KNOW FROM THE BOOK OF REV. AND Z GOSPELS THAT THESE A Z LAST DAYS. ALL WHAT IS HAPPENING WARS WITHIN FAMILIES COUNTRIES,DEFILIMENT CASES,WIFE BUTTERY, HUSBANDS KILLING WIVES SHOULD NOT TAKE US BY SUPRISE,BCOZ THESE A Z SIGN OF END TIMES,Z