Redefine Leadership: Bishop Kameeta

TODAY’S church and political leaders are more concerned with personal ambitions and positions than serving the masses, Bishop Zephania Kameeta says.

Addressing a consultation on poverty and the mission of the church in Africa in Tanzania recently, Kameeta said dictatorship and corruption were not the only problems on the continent – so were leaders who were far away from the people. “Being in the right position, cashing in on that position and impressing others seem to be more important than to serve the people and to tackle the most pressing issues at hand.A manner of leadership has emerged that is extremely good at making beautiful talks and beautiful promises.”But this type of leadership is ‘talking upstairs’ with no elevator to take them down to the people they are supposed to serve.The promises get stuck up there somewhere and have nothing to do with the realities of the people.”The Evangelical Lutheran Church Bishop said too many leaders were idolised and the truth was withheld from the people.”Our churches are also too often stuck ‘up there’ somewhere.We are thinking in hierarchies and in positions – we only talk to the Bishops, far too seldom to the cleaners.We are concerned what to get out of it, but we neglect the calling of the church to serve.We are not addressing the real problems on the ground, but are busy supporting the status quo, which in most cases perpetuates poverty,” Kameeta said.He said the church had become too dependent on donor funding and also referred the responsibility for transformation and upliftment of the people to the government.”If things then go wrong, we do not speak up, but out of the fear to take clear positions, we are trying to stay ‘neutral’.But such an attitude is not neutral and it clearly does not improve the situation, it cements the status quo,” Kameeta said.Even worse, he said, church leaders limit themselves in what they are doing and working for, which, in turn, negatively affect the hopes and expectations of the poor towards a better life.”Is this just and fair? Is this supposed to be the role of the church? Is this in accordance with the Biblical witness we are meant to proclaim?” he asked.Kameeta said the ELCRN had set up the Bishop Office Development Committee (BODC) to find ways to ensure the future financial sustainability of the church and its success had been overwhelming so far.”The process to take ownership for the development of our church has resulted in great commitment and financial contributions by our members that was truly unexpected.In the process, we have collected over N$3 million within 18 months.We have started a funeral scheme and are busy reactivating our medical fund again,” Kameeta said.However, he was more impressed with the spirit in which it was done.”Our church members are taking responsibility and ownership for the church and this renewed spirit has empowered many congregations,” he said.He called for a new generation of leaders to tackle the problems experienced by the communities.”Leadership that is people centred, not personality centred; leadership that is concerned about issues at hand and not about positions and hierarchies,” he said.”Being in the right position, cashing in on that position and impressing others seem to be more important than to serve the people and to tackle the most pressing issues at hand.A manner of leadership has emerged that is extremely good at making beautiful talks and beautiful promises.”But this type of leadership is ‘talking upstairs’ with no elevator to take them down to the people they are supposed to serve.The promises get stuck up there somewhere and have nothing to do with the realities of the people.”The Evangelical Lutheran Church Bishop said too many leaders were idolised and the truth was withheld from the people.”Our churches are also too often stuck ‘up there’ somewhere.We are thinking in hierarchies and in positions – we only talk to the Bishops, far too seldom to the cleaners.We are concerned what to get out of it, but we neglect the calling of the church to serve.We are not addressing the real problems on the ground, but are busy supporting the status quo, which in most cases perpetuates poverty,” Kameeta said.He said the church had become too dependent on donor funding and also referred the responsibility for transformation and upliftment of the people to the government.”If things then go wrong, we do not speak up, but out of the fear to take clear positions, we are trying to stay ‘neutral’.But such an attitude is not neutral and it clearly does not improve the situation, it cements the status quo,” Kameeta said.Even worse, he said, church leaders limit themselves in what they are doing and working for, which, in turn, negatively affect the hopes and expectations of the poor towards a better life.”Is this just and fair? Is this supposed to be the role of the church? Is this in accordance with the Biblical witness we are meant to proclaim?” he asked.Kameeta said the ELCRN had set up the Bishop Office Development Committee (BODC) to find ways to ensure the future financial sustainability of the church and its success had been overwhelming so far.”The process to take ownership for the development of our church has resulted in great commitment and financial contributions by our members that was truly unexpected.In the process, we have collected over N$3 million within 18 months.We have started a funeral scheme and are busy reactivating our medical fund again,” Kameeta said.However, he was more impressed with the spirit in which it was done.”Our church members are taking responsibility and ownership for the church and this renewed spirit has empowered many congregations,” he said.He called for a new generation of leaders to tackle the problems experienced by the communities.”Leadership that is people centred, not personality centred; leadership that is concerned about issues at hand and not about positions and hierarchies,” he said.