Meeting Delegates & Friends

I thank the Lord that I did not attend the first two days of the AGM. There was simply too much at stake, although I was unaware of what was happening. I received several text messages and even had my phone put on silence. Someone called me two hours before the close of nomination. This time I was unmoved by any pleas or advice by friends or delegates. I was not going to stand for any post. Even if I stood, my nomination might not be accepted. I did not know that fierce battles were being fought in the hall and outside the hall on Thursday night and whole day Friday until the early hours of Saturday when voting started at 8.30am.

I arrived as a visitor, standing outside the main door of the Hall just after 8.30am when the Chairman called the delegates to order and the election was about to begin with the post of the President, the most important post in our denomination as the person elected is considered the head of the denomination and he holds sway over the Executive council and the general council as chairman. 

The former general council was packed with the President's men. But there was a sea change, though I would not it a landslide, as the majority delegates wanted change - a new President was elected first time in 19 years and two months. The AGM was delayed for nearly 2 months. The general council was evenly divided with old and new faces. I think the President can bring changes if he could persuade his executive members and more than half of the general council. 

Time will tell if real change comes about. From what I gathered that a majority of delegates voted the way they did was due partly to the state of our Bible College. The student enrolment dropped to all time low. There is not a single doctorate as part of the Faculty while in my time in 2016, we had four, one with a PhD and three, DTh. 

We cannot afford to turn a blind eye any longer and the majority of delegates were courageous to vote for change. I do not know whether I will be a part of that change that the grassroots and district leaders wanted. I am ready to serve and may the President choose his men wisely for the advancement of God's kingdom. 

As an aside, after standing outside for 2 hours, one delegate pulled me into the hall, and I sat beside two of my close friends who were standing for the general council. The third person on my right was the newly elected Treasurer-General. I must have chatted with my two friends for more than half an hour and as delegates moved to the back or the main door, at least ten of them who saw me came over to me and greeted me and not a few stayed for a few moments to chat with me. They seemed genuinely happy to see me. My presence there was enough encouragement to them that I still cared and that I am one of them just like more than 30 years ago when the delegates elected me Treasurer-General.