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The
Eighth General Assembly: Yaoundé, Cameroon
Theme: Come,
Let Us Rebuild
Nehemiah 2:17-18
22-27 November 2003
Sub-Themes of the
Assembly
• Partnership in Rebuilding: Given the AACC’s
current situation, organization and reliable management are
paramount. Also important are better representation and
channels of feedback. Resource mobilization and management
must be strategic. While offices streamline and revise gender
policies, the AACC must focus on faithfully implementing its
programs. Visiting partners is a high priority that is already
beginning in earnest at the AACC.
• Setting the
Continental Agenda: One way to bridge development theory and
practice is through NEPAD. The committee proposed that the
Church engage NEPAD’s goals of eradicating poverty and
creating sustainable development. The group recognized that
peace is integral for development and that all churches must
work together to realize the goals of peace and development.
The group also said that women’s issues need to be a
priority for the church, including women’s attendance at
theological institutions and their subsequent ordination. All
churches can engage this issue by ensuring that gender
discrimination is prohibited in their constitutions.
The statistics regarding African children’s
malnourishment and lack of education are astounding. Over ½ of
new HIV infections occur in young people between the ages of
15-24. The church needs to advocate on behalf of children and
youth. The church can step in by increasing sex education and
opening lines of communication with young people. Acting on
its responsibility towards people impacted by the disease, the
Assembly adopted the HIV Covenant.
The issue of
Christians with disabilities was widely discussed at Yaoundé.
Isolating those with disabilities hinders church unity; the
Church must strive to be inclusive. 32 Greater education about
disabilities and lobbying for better services are also
important steps the Church can take to support the rights of
people with disabilities.
• Globalization: In an age
of multinationals, this group recommended resisting existing
trade agreements and providing better plans for Africa’s
self-reliance.
• Promoting African Culture: Creating a
relevant theology for HIV would increase the Church’s
authenticity. Reconciliation and daily life are other areas
that need their own theology and liturgy; there should be no
disconnect between theology and praxis.
• Strategies
for Rebuilding: Examining the divided status of the church,
this group wondered if the church was a sustainable
enterprise. Calling for better personnel policies and less
bureaucracy, this section recommended:
• More action and
governance on the regional level
• Outline what each part
of the constituency does
• 2004-2005 will be a transition
period for reassessment at the AACC
• When the transition
is over, the AACC must provide a report and revise the
Constitution
• Celebrate in Hope: The AACC has many
ready ecumenical and secular partners who faithfully support
its mission. The launching of the AACC’s Foundation Fund to
mobilize resources is another point of hope and
excitement.
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