THE founder of the Upperoom Shekinah Ministries International, Fabian Phiri, has ordained his son to take over the church leadership and be responsible for its daily activities.
Phiri told Southern Eye that they had realised that most of the indigenous churches were facing succession challenges, especially when the church founder passes on.
“We are ordaining pastors here today (Saturday) and one of the pastors is my son. I have raised my son to take care of the day-to-day ministry while I assume the presidency of the Upperoom Shekinah Ministries International.
“Most of the indigenous churches are experiencing succession problems whereby after the church leader has died, the members, especially those who would have been following the visionary, begin to fight for positions in the church,” he said.
Phiri said he decided to pass on the baton to his son, Terrance, while he was still alive, considering that other pastors were junior to him.
United States-based Pastor Level Thomas of the Acts Inspired International, who has travelled across Africa for more than 15 years, training and developing generations, hailed Phiri’s decision.
“Succession is good to happen when the father is still around because it allows him to see where the son is failing or succeeding at,” Thomas said
Founding president of the Council for Churches in Africa, Rocky Moyo, expressed concern over succession wars within the churches' leadership.
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“Some wars end up in courts and others end up lying using the holy spirit. We love this because it is according to their constitution and it is prophetic as well,” he said.
