Last Thursday I attended the burial of Dr. Gershon Mwiti, a prominent leader and prominent member of the Methodist Church. He’s known me since I was a kid and he always gave me strong advice. He often told me in no uncertain terms that “only through the Sword of Courage can you defeat the Dragon of Corruption”. Declared words that should resonate.
Incidentally, during his burial, hurtful remarks were made publicly regarding the ongoing controversy in the Methodist Church. While it is easy for other non-Methodist Christians to dismiss these public controversies in the Methodist Church indifferently, the truth is that several other mainstream denominations also experience divisive strife. am.
Last year’s Church of England Lambeth Conference saw a clear difference stemming from the issue of sexuality. These differences were so pronounced that Episcopal leaders from Nigeria, Rwanda and Uganda boycotted the conference.
Clearly, there are serious differences in doctrine and leadership within and between Christian denominations. These differences are being played out in public, further dividing the congregation.
When the church is dedicated to putting out the fire within, they lose sight of the hearth of society that needs to be extinguished.
For example, our country is experiencing a silent epidemic of mental illness, and this situation is reflected all over the world. . Such disorders are characterized by states such as depression and extreme anxiety. Just last Wednesday, I attended the funeral of a close male friend who committed suicide. Thankfully, his family honored his legacy, including his struggles, by openly addressing the cause of his death. should.
Men are more likely to commit suicide than women. A World Health Organization (WHO) report revealed that in 2017, 421 Kenyans committed suicide. Of these, 330 are men. The trend remains the same six years after him, as men continue to take more lives than women. In the last week alone in the village of Kiambu, he had three suicides and one murder of his in one night. No wonder the WHO says 730,000 people commit suicide each year.
Churches and other religious groups must be on the front lines to put out the fires of this recession before it consumes more lives. Religious leaders are spiritual guardians charged with ensuring the spiritual well-being of their congregations. Mental health like this is a powerful antidote to depression and anxiety.
The Church cannot assume this great responsibility if it is experiencing constant internal conflict.
In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul advises them to stop splitting into factions claiming to follow him or Apollos. In his 6th verse, he reminds them, “I sowed the seed and Apollo watered it, but God made it grow.”
Therefore, the main focus of a faith body should be God, not leader X or Y. Even legitimate leadership disputes need to be resolved in a way that does not pressure believers to side with either leader X or Y.
Given the enormity of the mental health challenges we face, religious groups really need to rally their efforts to combat mental disorders.
We cannot afford to lose more lives to mental illness. Religious leaders and adherents must work hand in hand to promote mental health, which is at the heart of spiritual well-being. Even if we follow different paths of doctrine and religion, we should never lose sight of the fact that it is God who waters our spirits and protects us from the depressions and anxieties that claim our lives. is not. We care about the environment and act in an environmentally responsible manner.
Doctor. KALUA GREEN He is the Founder and Chairman of the Green He Africa Foundation, an organization founded in 2000 and advocating for sustainable development in Africa.
