The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

NEWLY-elected Grand Bahama Christian Council president Rev Peter Pinder said he welcomes the many non-traditional churches that have emerged on the Christian scene. He is calling on all churches to embrace the diversity of church bodies that are reaching people and winning souls for Christ.

Rev Pinder, pastor of Zion Baptist Church, was speaking at the official installation banquet held on Tuesday evening in Freeport for the new executive council members who were elected last month.

During his address, Rev Pinder noted that there is a movement away from the traditional organisational structure of the connectional church. He said many individual churches have emerged and are not subject to authority outside of their immediate structure, except the authority of God.

“In the midst of this great diversity we must find unity,” he said. “Many have made the mistake of thinking that we need uniformity to achieve unity. I say we ought to celebrate our diversity because it puts us in the position to reach all kinds of people with all kinds of backgrounds.

“We need to recognise, however, that very often those who have come out of a background of conformity often have difficulty embracing their freedom, and sometimes tend to hold others hostage or complain about what others are doing or not doing.”

Rev Pinder said there is nothing wrong with being different. He stated that “one of the greatest barriers to progress has been our failure to take advantage of the many opportunities available to us to reach people where they are.”

Rev Pinder believes that the traditional church will eventually cease to exist. “We cannot be afraid of change and we must not be afraid of technology. If people can find their mates through the internet, people can find Jesus through iPad, iPhone, iPod, Facebook, Twitter etc,” he said.

He stressed that the GBCC must embrace those churches that are on the fringes and bring them into the mainstream in an effort to increase its membership. “Everyone needs to know that there is room for all – small, medium and large,” he said. “The council must empower churches.”

Rev Pinder said the church is called on to win people to Jesus Christ. He added that when the hearts of people are changed by the blood of Jesus, crime would decrease. “Let us all allow the Holy Spirit to work through us so that the spiritual landscape of this island will be changed for the good. What we call a crime problem is a people problem.

“The church must speak up for justice. The church must declare the need for people to live in dignity. We must address anything that goes against the will of God,” Rev Pinder said.

On the new executive council Pastor Robert Lockhart of Calvary Temple Assembly of God Church, is the first vice president; Apostle Anthony Grant of Agape House, is second vice-president; Apostle Rita Stuart of Community Holiness Church is Secretary; Pastor Cedric Beckles of Life Community Church is Treasurer, and Prophetess Quinty Sears is Commissioner of Mass Communications.