Leadership
African Bishops Meet in Nairobi
For three days between November 28 to 30 CEC bishops representing seven east African nations gathered in Nairobi to pray about and plan for the future of the CEC in Africa. Archbishop Charles Jones, Supervising Archbishop of the IDA, presided. Bishop Craig Bates, Diocesan of the Northeastern Diocese, USA, brought reports from the US House of Bishops and the Patriarch’s Council and led the planning sessions. Father Scott Howard, Communications Director of the IDA, attended also.
Bishop Bates facilitated discussions to develop strategic plans to strengthen the church and advance the kingdom in Africa. One thing that became clear is that God has given the CEC many gifted bishops in Africa who have much experience in development and ministry. As the bishops identified their resources and sought God about His vision for the future, they found themselves in such unity. They set up several task forces to address specific needs, set one,
Friday, November 30, 2007
five and ten year goals for each and they appointed chairs responsible for each task force.
One benefit of these meetings was accurate counts of parishes and clergy in Africa. As of this meeting, the ICCEC has 1,312 parishes or missions, 597 priests and 120 deacons in Africa. (Close estimates were given for the four bishops not in attendance, but a survey was sent to them. When these are returned we will update these numbers.)
Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of these meetings was the commitment of these bishops to work together to build the Church in Africa. In one exercise they shared their visions of Africa. Their visions are remarkably similar and as we took stock of what was already being accomplished we all believed that this vision was from God and would come to pass with prayer, planning and cooperation.
Please pray that the task forces begin to work effectively
