Africa Gospel Church allows elderly pastors to conduct mass
African Gospel Church in Section 58 in Nakuru Town in this picture taken on July 10, 2020. The church has developed stringent guidelines to beat Covid-19 ahead of the opening of the places of worship. PHOTO | FRANCIS MUREITHI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- All crusades, funds raising, conferences, district meetings, mid-week services, camps, workshops, in the AGC churches remain suspended until further notice.
- Every local church is required to establish a Covid-19 response committee that will be responsible for implementing the guidelines in collaboration with the relevant government authorities.
In a new twist of events Africa Gospel Church (AGC) has allowed elderly pastors aged over 58 years to conduct mass in its churches across the country.
This comes after President Uhuru Kenyatta said all pastors aged 58 and above should pray from home to beat covid-19.
In a circular addressed to all churches in Kenya, Bishop Rev Dr Robert Lang'at on behalf Central Management Council of AGC, said the new protocols will be implemented in areas where no advanced replacement has been made when the church service resume on July 14.
“For pastors over 58 years of age, if no other pastoral arrangement has been made, may offer pastoral leadership," said Rev Lang'at.
However, the church has put stringent measures that the elderly pastors must strictly adhere to while on pulpit." said Rev Lang'at.
Other measures the church has put in place include keeping record of all people attending all service by writing their full names, telephone numbers and their current residential areas.
At the same time, every local church must have a thermo gun to measure body temperature before every faithful enters the church.
The churches are also expected to observe high hygiene standards and must disinfect the church sanctuaries.
“All pastors must also ensure that cleaning and disinfecting of the church sanctuaries and amenities is done immediately before and after every service,” added Rev Lang’at.
Meanwhile all crusades, funds raising, conferences, district meetings, mid-week services, camps, workshops, in the AGC churches remain suspended until further notice.
The church is encouraging pastors to make arrangements to offer prayer services to the elderly and children below the age of 14 who are not allowed to go to the churches.
“Pastors are encouraged to use every available alternative format to minister to the vulnerable including the elderly, particularly those with underlying health conditions and children,” said Rev Lang’at.
Every local church is required to establish a Covid-19 response committee that will be responsible for implementing the guidelines in collaboration with the relevant government authorities.
Even before President Kenyatta made his pronouncement to flatten the Covid-19 curve, many of the mainstream churches were facing a pulpit crisis due to ageing pastors who were not replaced as young people shunned the pulpit. Many pastors are over 60-years- old.
