International Coalition of Fellowships (ICOF), has expressed displeasure over government’s decree to stop churches from worshipping in classrooms.
The coalition has observed that the move is not only ill conceived but unfounded.
According to a statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka today by ICOF General secretary Lackson Banda, he said many churches are now questioning the reason behind the creation of the Ministry.
This follows a recent directive made by Minister of religious Affairs and Guidance Godfridah Sumaili to evict churches using classrooms for worshipping.
However Dr. Banda feels that churches should continue worshipping in classrooms until such a time that government through the ministry of local government and city councils allocate land to duly registered churches as iis the case in many countries.
The ICOF has started discussing with the Minister of religious Affairs and Guidance on how best the churches can work together with schools for each party’s benefit.
The move by the body would also ensure that schools are protected and maintained through effective administration approaches from both the churches, PTA and school management.
Dr. Banda noted that it is therefore misdirecting for the minster of national guidance and religious affairs to utter such statements.
He called upon all churches in the country to pray against the stock boilers and army worms that have attacked and ravaged maize across the country.
Dr Banda thanks alot otherwise this ministry seems to have no job description. She is supposed to b protecting churches and not antagonizing them. What’s her motive for this? Has she never worshipped in a classroom?
No one should be worshiping in class rooms except for the children and teachers, plus staff that attend and work at these schools.
I am a born again Christian. The government banning churches from worshiping in Class rooms is a welcome and great move. The destruction and ware on property is minimized. If we need churches, let us the congregants and bigger churches provide support to the little ones.
Sensible Christians, please comment on this topic. Our future generations need a new leaf, as their education and spiritual growth are both vital.
ACADEMIC CLASSROOMS ESPECIALLY FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS MUST BE FOR LEARNING AND NOT WARSHIPPING. ANY TIME A PUPIL WISHES TO USE ANY CLASSROOM FOR OFFICIAL OR EXTRA PERSONAL INITIATIVE LEARNING ANY CLASSROOM OF CHOICE SHOULD BE AVAILABLE TO A PUPIL AND NOT TO A CHURCH. PUTTING CLASSROOMS ON HIRE FOR THINGS OTHER THAN BEING USED FOR LEARNING DISADVANTAGES PUPILS AND MAKES SCHOOL AUTHRITIES MORE CORRUPT AND NEGLECT TEACHING PUPILS WHILE PUTTING MUCH EMPHASIS ON RENTALS FROM CHURCHES WHICH DO NOT EVEN BENEFIT THE PUPILS BUT ONLY BUILDS TEACHERS’ PERSONAL HOUSES. DECLARING ZAMBIA A CHRISTIAN NATION DOES NOT MEAN THAT EVERY FACILITY MUST BE FOR CHUCHES.
Good move. Serious churches not the Ntemba type will built there own structures. This will help distinguish the real churches from the fake ones. Besides schools are built for a purpose and it should be kept as such. This ban will also help reduce the wear and tear on school infrastructure
“Suffer not the little children” so that also means do not deprive the kids from advancing and improving their lives – why should a church take over classrooms meant for the kids to study in order for the same kids to improve their lives? Classroom must remain for the pupils and not for wandering churches whose agendas are questionable.
Well said
Too many liars in churches just build your own. Schools are for students so get your own buildings. If you don’t have join those who have structures . God is not poor but you want to live in the name of God whistle you just waiting to collect money from the poor. No no no
Government cannot fund schools and many schools get revenue from churches using classrooms to pay watchmen and extra workers. In addition they help with maintenance of classes.
Its indeed surprising that such s directive would come from the ministry of religious affairs, clearly the ministry has nothing to do.
Its important to note that virtually all churches are registered with the Registrar of Societies even those meeting in classrooms and pay annual returns.