Moderator laments over Social Media attacks on PCC: "Insult me but keep the church safe"

The Rt. Rev. Fonki   giving communion to his fellow colleagues at his Induction on March 15, 2015 in Buea. Photo credit:Chris Ambe

By Christopher Ambe

Following is a pastoral letter dated July 8,2019 and  written by the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon(PCC),the Rt. Rev. Fonki Samuel Forba, in the heat of  sustained Social Media attacks, supposedly by insiders on  the  church. 

The Moderator believes such attacks on the PCC are meant to destabilize the church, and calls  for the attackers to exercise restraint.

It would be recalled that when the PCC Webmaster, Synod Office Chaplain and (pioneer) Parish Pastor of Synod Office  Congregation Rev.Numfor Godwin, was last March 24, instituted and inducted in Buea , he was particularly assigned the mission of  rescuing PCC Christians from social media misinformation and disinformation.

Rev. Besong Johnson Tabe, Secretary of Committee of the Ministry, while inducting Rev.Numfor Godwin as webmaster, had noted:

“The PCC is passing through a crisis period and as Webmaster, you (Rev Numfor) have the power to change mindsets in the church and Ministry.

 “The Social Media has complicated the crisis situation, making it difficult to manage.”
But it now appears the social media attacks on the church are only increasing 

Read on:

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To All Presbyterians, PCC

(To be read in all Institutions and Congregations)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

Pastoral Letter: A Call for Peace

Our Lord Jesus Christ who is the Head of the Church underlined amongst others four beautiful attitudes of the Kingdom of God. Permit me use them as my greetings to you:

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Mt. 5: 4, 7-9).

At a time when we are being consumed by the ongoing armed conflict that is destroying the lives and properties of thousands of our brothers and sisters in the Northwest and Southwest Regions of Cameroon, and almost the entire community faces complete destruction, and our hearts are bleeding as blood is flowing on a daily basis; it’s unfortunate that our church that is supposed to provide hope is rather supplying unedifying information that bears no semblance to the good news of Jesus Christ.

The history of the Christian Church tells us that the Church, for all times has often and remains under attacks, not necessarily because she has done any wrong, but because she stands as light in the midst of darkness. The same history tells us that the Church is not always persecuted by a majority of people, but by a selected few who have allowed themselves to be used by the Prince of darkness and can manipulate many to see darkness instead of light in the Church.

 We strongly believe that the insults and counter accusations is a deliberate attempt to destabilize the church. The idea is to pollute the mind of the people, keep repeating those lies until they become acceptable truths. But as we have often said, if it is the truth, it will be said with love, to heal, to build and to transform. Also, if it is the truth, it would be said at the right place, the right time and in the right tone. 

Protestants always protest. Our Presbyterian democracy is our strength but also our weakness. It seems that we have to learn to live with hostilities every five years when we carry out elections in the church. In 1985, because of elections, some Presbyteries in the Forest region were at the verge of a break away from the entire PCC. Thank God for the spiritual maturity of some of the key persons who put the interest of the church of God above personal interest. Some years back, it was a local tabloid that was used to maligned church leaders. The owner of that tabloid died (Lord have mercy) and the tabloid disappeared from the stands. This year the insults have multiplied because of the wrong use of the Social Media. It suffices for someone to describe the corrupt state of his own mind and attribute it to someone somewhere on the Social Media. “To the pure all things are pure but to those who are corrupted and do not believe nothing is pure” (Titus 1:15). These are trying and tempting times but as Paul says, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (1 Cor. 10:13).

Final Appeal

 Jesus Christ said, “From the days of John the Baptist; until now, the Kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing and forceful men lay hold of it” (Mt. 11:12). He Himself suffered all false accusations and was crucified falsely. Many of you out there have certainly at one time or another in your life or often been falsely accused. That is happening to our great church today and to some of her leaders. During such moments of great persecution, adversity and attack, those with weak and fainthearted faith would easily give up. But we can only encourage and urge you that “Don’t be moved, the God of truth and justice is in firm control and will vindicate the innocent.”

We have exposed ourselves enough on the Social Media. In the Name of Jesus, stop all these insults on one another. When we insult and accuse people falsely, it is the sacred image of God that is desecrated, when we cast doubt on our most cherished faith, it is the Body of Christ we afflict. We undermine our own very mission when we cast doubts on the church and cause the weak to fall. When disciples or God’s children run away from the church because of our character, we deny them God’s gracious gift of salvation. We accept all the insults and bad reports with a forgiving spirit. Insult ‘Fonki’ but let us not insult the church of God. Insult ‘Fonki’ but do not insult faithful Presbyterians and hardworking servants of God. Inflict pain and bruises on ‘Fonki’ but keep the church of God safe. For it is the last place of hope for many hopeless people. We ask for forgiveness for any Presbyterian who has been insulted or misunderstood and misrepresented in this current situation.

Persistence, patience and perseverance in prayers, love and forgiveness is what the PCC needs from every genuine member of this Great family.

 Way Forward

 “The Synod is the supreme authority of the Church. In spiritual matters its decisions shall be final and shall not be subjected to litigation by any civil court” (Art. 107 (i) P 40). Concerning the Board of Trustees and its Chairperson (Art. 155.1 P56), they are appointed by the Synod and therefore cannot be above the Synod or act in lieu of the Synod. Anyone or group of persons who are calling for amendment and revision of the PCC Constitution should follow the procedures as started in article 165 (I – vii P 60).

On the responsible use of the Social Media, a code of conduct is about to be completed for Pastors, Congregational and other church leaders on how to use the Social Media and other means of communication. But before this comes out, Pastors, Elders and other leaders of the church using the Social Media to inflame and defame individuals and institutions of the church are advised to desist from doing so.  May we respect ourselves and others.

 “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual favour, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayers. Share with God’s people in need. Patience hospitality” (Rom. 12: 11-13)

Yours for the Sake of the Faith,

 Rt. Rev. Fonki Samuel Forba,

PCC Moderator

cc:

 -      The Synod Clerk, PCC

 -    The Financial Secretary, PCC