…Why I am Involved- Prelate Mbang
The crisis that held sway between Qua Iboe Church and the seceded faction of the church, United Evangelical Church, UEC may soon be a thing of the past as both parties have agreed to return to one church.
It could be recalled that the 133-year-old church in Nigeria split into two factions about 20 years ago when some members, uncomfortable with the name Qua Iboe, pushed for a change of name to United Evangelical Church.
But the lingering crisis appears to wind down towards its end during the fourth reconciliation meeting convened by the former National President of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, and Prelate Emeritus of Methodist Church, His Eminence Dr. Sunday Mbang on Thursday in Uyo.
Briefing newsmen immediately after the reconciliation meeting with the General Superintendent of Qua Iboe Church, Rev. Ekpedeme Moffat, General Superintendent of United Evangelical Church, Rev Samuel Ebukiba among other senior officials from both churches, Prelate Mbang noted that the leadership of the both factions together with 400 delegates that had earlier attended peace talks have all agreed for a reconciliation into one fold.
He said that in the spirit of the reconciliation, both parties have fixed either ending of September 2020 or first week of October 2020 as deadline for the ratification of the reconciliation effort through a name that would be acceptable by both parties.
Prelate Mbang stated that he has recommended two names for the reconciled parties to include; United Qua Iboe Evangelical Church and Qua Iboe United Evangelical Church.
He said ” The reason for the second name was that nobody will need to change his signpost or anything. But then, they will have one administration, one leader. One Board of Trustees, one constitution and then one Church.”
Offering insight into the reason the final lap of the reconciliation involving acceptance of a unified name could not be attained on the meeting day after three other meetings, the Former CAN President said ” I sent them to go and come back because at that stage, we thought we were very close to the church coming together. But COVID-19 came in and members of both churches are spread all over Nigeria.
“Travelling was stopped thus they couldn’t get all their standing committee members to come and deliberate the decision of that general group of 400 delegates.
“Today, they are asking for a little bit of time since the lockdown has been lifted and people are free to travel. They have promised that either the ending of September or early of October this year, they will be back and each of them will tell what they have done to bring the church together. As a leader, I thought I should agree with them on the basis of COVID-19. If there was no COVID-19, perhaps, I would not have agreed with them.”
Commenting on the reason he has decided to play the Mediator role, Prelate Mbang noted that besides taking up the responsibility as a Senior Clergy in the country, his early Christian life is rooted in Qua Iboe even as his father was a clergy there, thus the sentiments to step-in during their trying moments.
He however added that the most important reason for mediating is anchored on the fact that as a clergy, God has given him among other clergies the duty of reconciliation in imitation of Him.
While expressing optimism over the expected result from the reconciliation, the Clergy said he has been involved in several successful reconciliations and he has seen indication that this particular one will yield positive result and most importantly would be lasting.
Mbang added ” I don’t believe these leaders will want to fail. They know as servants of God, we all have a ministry of reconciliation. I have gathered experience in reconciliation. When I took over the leadership of Methodist Church in Nigeria, the Church was divided into two. Very badly too. But we took it upon ourselves to bring the church together and we succeeded.
“When you are carrying out reconciliation, you take time because if you are too fast, the one that will come will be too bad. And I am not seeing any indication that we will not get a positive result.”
