I have severally thought of writing on why having a Past Moderator, especially Very Rev. Jesse Kamau Macharia, is not good for a volatile transition, but I have shyed away. I know the committee is already constituted but I am very uneasy with Bwana Jesse as the Chair to the Nomination Committee.
There is no doubt that this transition into the 24th GA is quite volatile. Any keen ear must have noted the subtle political undertones during the 2nd TEE Conference in WOGET, Mombasa, unintentional as they may be. We might be unclear on any unclear motivations, but we have been in PCEA long enough to know when to open our eyes during prayers.
Transitions have never been easy, but PCEA must forever be grateful to God and the forefathers and foremothers who drafted a sober and often seamless transition. While reading the works of Very Revds. Gatū and Gathanju leave us with knowledge that there have always been silent power battles, we have never come out ashamed, at least publicly. This has even been a point raised by the heads of State especially when compared to our first born prodigal daughter, the Independent Church.
The Githii transitions were the hardest. Although there were Gatū – Muindi battles that were more concrete and philosophical, the Githii ones were most ridiculous. He was constitutionally undue for re-election after the first term. Later on, if Gathanju’s Memoir is anything to go by, Githii almost refused to hand over the office of Moderator after the election of Rev. Gathanju but the Secretary General, Rev. Murigu came in to rescue the situation.
Now, what is the essence of all this write up? At the center of the Githii – Gathanju transition, a Past Moderator was at the center of the equation. It was no other than the revival brother, Very Rev. George Earnest Wanjau. Anyone who has cared to read about that murky transition knows that Ministers, some who are still serving, wrote letters in protest and declared ‘Very Rev. Wanjau is misleading the Business Committee.’ Rev. John Gatū was the last man standing to defend the Practice and Procedure even when others who agreed with him feared to oppose Githii’s team openly. Some will recall that Very Rev. Benard Muindi had written to the Business confirming that he would not be attending its meetings and sought to enjoy the tranquility of Nyeri County that face ridicule before the onslaught of all Past Moderator (with exception of Wanjau) but the Githii led GA. I digress.
Now, those who do not read history are bound to make mistakes of the past. While we cannot pre-meditate on how the Jesse-led committee will conduct the nomination, we might conclude that having a Past Moderator at the center of transition can negatively affect the conduct of such a task. Members of such a committee might find it difficult to disagree with a Church Father who perhaps ordained or Licenced them.
While the ship has already left the harbour, the Business Committee should think critically about this matter even as the Presbyteries do God’s work of giving the Church the next set of leaders.
MD
Critical thoughts here…
It has been the tradition to have a past moderator chair the nominations committee. In the current case, I am informed that the choice was made based on seniority…
We pray for grace and look foward to 29th when the nominations sub-committe will present their report, and nominated candidates to the BC…
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Our prayer as well. It is a long held tradition that has often worked well but like all other traditions, can be reviewed going into the future.
The Constitution does not expressly insist on the same. Chapter 18 on the Standing Order usually outlines the membership of the subcommittee but does not dictate who the leaders should be. Also, in the 17th GA, Very Rev. Wanjau was chairing most of the sittings although Very Rev. Gatū was still in active service and was his senior. It was perhaps deliberate for obvious reasons. As such, to remove such past occurrences, it is my thought that the Business should choose the Committee and from among them a Minister or Elder who is not affected by the election direction Chairs. The Tacoma dedication event also informs my thoughts
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