COVID-19 : extract from proposal and action plan of the LECSA
We, as the Lesotho Evangelical Church in Southern Africa (LECSA), have taken heed of the Lesotho and RSA Government guidelines as well as those of WHO, in trying to com-bat the spread of this disease.
The first case of Covid-19 in South Africa was reported in early March 2020 and it has increased at an alarming rate with 1358 cases and 5 deaths reported as of 1st April 2020.
Suspected cases were tested in Lesotho but by the grace of God came out negative. However, Lesotho being an enclave within Republic of South Africa, and with strong economic, cultural and family ties to Republic of South Africa; the country has to take preventive measures and be prepared for the disease transmission to the country. As the church (LECSA), it is our duty to contribute to this national initiative. We cannot afford to sit back, but make our contribution to the control of the epidemic.
The Church responded to the National Lockdown in both Lesotho and RSA by issuing a statement to all our congregants, giving them guidelines on how to conduct themselves and God’s work without compromising their health and that of the nation at large. This was in addition to reiterating the necessity to comply with WHO and two Governments’ guidelines.
The Church is made up of Parishes which are administered by Pastors with assistance of Consistories. Parishes are accountable to the Presbyteries and the Synod respectively. The operational responsibility is vested in the Synod Committee which is headed by the Synod Moderator.
The Action Plan of the LECSA Strategic Plan works to attaining a healthy nation physically, mentally and spiritually. The Lesotho Evangelical Church in Southern Africa (LECSA), as part of its Healing Ministry, provides not only on the spiritual well- being of the people but also supports their emotional and physical needs. The Health Commission was established by the Church to provide oversight and guidance in the health and healing Ministry of the Church.
The Standing Committee and Presbytery Moderators are fully informed and cognizant of the facts on COVID-19. The church has already implemented specific measures to reduce the risk of transmission. COVID-19 activities shall be integral to evangelizing as well as comfort for believers.
We are now living during the 4th Industrial Revolution where the world has become a village. Communication is very fast and easy. The use of WhatsApp, You-Tube, Facebook, etc. have become so common that the Church should not be left behind to spread the word of God through these channels. Even beyond the lockdown the Church is seriously exploring the use of these channels by conducting church services at times outside the normal services. The Church has the expertise from its congregants who will provide the necessary technical advice on how this can be implemented; it will only require finding funding for these new developments. We are aware that certain individuals do take videos of some church activities, e.g. the sermon given from the KEL Radio on 5th April 2020 and others before and these are already trending on social media like Facebook.
It has surfaced that the sermons are not only benefiting and being enjoyed by LECSA members but individuals from other denominations. All we need to do now is to institutionalize these and have official broadcasts on these media platforms.
Nelson Khethang Posholi,
Executive Secretary of LECSA (Lesotho Evangelical Church in Southern Africa)
https://www.facebook.com/jeunessecevaa/videos/629125720999572/