By Nchendzengang Tatah
The Presbyterian Church in Cameroon is sixty-eight years old. Born from the ashes of the Basel Mission in Ntanfoang, Bali, on November 13, 1957, she has today arguably become the largest indigenous English-speaking church in the country. Conspicuous in the PCC is its men’s and women’s movement (CMF and CWF), generally referred to as “Men of Truth” and “Women of Joy” respectively.
These groups, including the youth movement(CYF) and several choir groups, have become the stronghold of the church’s evangelistic work. But at sixty-eight, despite that a lot has been achieved in spirituality, infrastructural development and sustainability, there remains even more to be done — strengthening the church’s core mission of evangelisation.
For almost a year, the PCC has been at the centre of mediatised controversies. The surfacing of a group of disgruntled Christians, dubbed “Truth House”, is seen as compromising the integrity of the church. Their claims, thin and large, cut through aspects of immorality and materialism of the clergy, especially the church’s hierarchy. They call for immediate structural reforms and transparency in the management of financial accounts.
Nonetheless, the PCC, true to its prophetic and healing mission, can be credited with being a voice of reason in the challenging socio-political dynamics which have characterised post democratic Cameroon. More recently, the outbreak of the Anglophone Crisis in the primary mission field of the church, being the North West and South West, proved the PCC’s dedication to justice and peace through its appeals, prayers, outreach, mediation and negotiations with warring factions.
However, PCC was not spared in the tragic happenings that have characterised the last nine years. Events that have included the burning of church houses, the displacement of thousands of Christians, the closure of its schools and a halt to mission work have seen the church tried and victimised. Unforgettably, in August 2021, armed uniform men shot at a senior pastor officiating a service in clerical attire at PC Ntanfoang— the church’s birthplace. The response of the Church leadership to this and some other circumstances of the socio-political crisis period was considered controversial by observers.
Moreover, in the changing fortunes of global Christianity leaning towards Pentecostalism and the “prosperity gospel” theology, the PCC finds itself at a crossroads. Some church members are either feeling detached from the traditional singing or prayer patterns or carried away by the dynamics of the proliferating Pentecostal groups. The reform tradition of the church’s age-old practices remains under test, begging for revision and revival.
It is probably in this light that the PCC Moderator, Rt Rev Miki Hans Abia, sees its 68th anniversary as a time to reflect on the work, strengthen and edify both Christians and clergy for better outcomes. Speaking on CRTV South West, he explained that the church was not a monument — it was open to reforms. Even though denying a radical breakaway, Moderator Miki called for systematic renewal.
“Let us take this celebration as a call to true stewardship, to own our church, to serve it faithfully and protect its witness. Whether at home or abroad. Let us remain together in Christ and then strengthen through our stewardship,” the prelate stated. Moderator Miki added that the PCC was concerned with the ongoing instability across the country which trailed the proclamation of presidential election results. He affirmed the PCC’s commitment to justice and peace for a better nation.
