PCC election knockout: Who will occupy Synod Office?

By Nchendzengang Tatah

Since autonomy in 1957, the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC) has yet to have a female leader though provisions are said to be made for it, in its present constitution. The elections of the two top officials of the PCC, an indigenous Christian group headquartered in Buea holds this November. The Church which is the seventh largest employer in the country has a five-year mandate, renewable once, for its Moderator and Synod Clerk, the first and second personalities of the church, respedtively.

Nine members make up the Synod electoral committee who pilot synod elections. Four of these are ordained pastors, while five are unordained pastors, chaired by a retired pastor. They are said to be in charge of compiling a list of eligible candidates to be sent to all 31 presbyterial secretaries, at least a month before presbytery meetings. (A local conclave of parish representatives in an area known as presbytery) Which will this time hold on October 12, 2024.

Point G of the recent electoral manual from the church’s constitution, signed by the outgoing Moderator, Rt. Rev. Dr. Fonki Samuel states that eligible candidates shall be ordained PCC pastors. Who hasn’t defaulted or been disciplined. It also states that they should not be indebted to the church and not less than 45 or more than 60 years.

Official drafted ballot papers from the electoral commission are prescribed to be used during a floor nomination on the day of the presbytery meeting. It is ascribed only to ordained PCC pastors to carry out. The manual further explains that the three highest nominations for positions of Moderator and Synod Clerk will be retained and forwarded to Buea. From where a sum of all scores should be done. Preceding subsequent elections from the three highest nominations by the synod, the church’s most decisive group.

As it stands, the only fact is that the next PCC Moderator will originate from the North West, while the Synod Clerk will be from the South West as insinuated by the rotation in the church’s constitution.

So who will the North send to be Moderator in an era where epistolary battles have begun as the date for elections draws near.