By Staff Reporter
A shocking scandal has emerged at United Church of Christ in Zimbabwe (UCCZ) Highfields Church in the North West Conference, where the pastor has been accused of making arbitrary decisions that result in the abuse of Church facilities and incapacitation of the executive.
According to numerous sources, Rev Hebert Cheinacho, has been using the educational facilities at the Church for personal gain without regard to Church procedures and regulations.
The church established a school within the church premises for the purposes of generating income, but it has generated controversy through the manner in which the pastor has been conducting himself.
It has been established that students attending lessons at the school have resorted to sleeping at the school that has no boarding facilities, a decision that is attributed to the pastor and not the executive that has the oversight mandate on the affairs of the church.
“It is unacceptable but we have been ignored whenever we call for accountability and adherence to stipulated regulatory requirements,” said a concerned church member, who wished to remain anonymous.
“We fear that this arrangement may be channeling extra funds directly into an individual’s pockets.”
The grievances by contacted members of the church not only bemoaned the issue of the students sleeping over but the generality of running the Church affairs.
The pastor’s decision making process has been questioned as it appears to disregard the congregational polity of the Church. This polity emphasizes collective decision – making and accountability.
“It is alarming that the pastor is unilaterally making decisions usually by – passing the church’s governing structures,” said an elderly member of the church.
“He has been undermining the principles of congregationalism and even to the extent of intimidating any member who dare challenge his decisions.”
Rev Cheinacho’s number went unanswered when contacted for a comment.
The generality of church members calls for an urgent investigation into the allegations and also to provide clear educational facilities guidelines as well as urging the pastor to uphold congregational polity. The church’s reputation hangs in the balance
