SELF-SUSTAINABILITY AS A TRANSFORMATION PROCESS OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN CAMEROON

Abstract

The withdrawal of external and internal sponsors to church projects in African Churches in general and the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC) and her institutions in particular in the recent past is a whistle blower and eye opener to churches to think out of the box. The PCC Administration has seen the urgent need of self sustainability as a means to combat not only the present financial, spiritual, social, environmental and economic challenges but to be pro-active for future benefits. As such, there is a need to establish more developmental, spiritual, social and economic interventions as preparations for the unforeseen financial and spiritual breakdown of the system(church). This article is qualitative in methodology. It addresses three broad areas of self sustainability which is seen as a process for transformation. The three areas are: Spiritual, social and economic development. Three areas are suggested to be the core practices in the attendant of self sustainability as transformation process. The areas are: 1) Biblical texts supporting self sustainability. 2) The activities that the pastor need to do with him/her self, to the Christians and community in order to instill and sustain spiritual and socio-economic self sustainability as a transformation process. 3) The role of the Church and its institutions in the community whose members are spiritually, socially and economically challenged. The conclusion arrived at is that it is mandatory for the church representing religious institution, government institution, economic institution and the family to work together in synergy for a better self-sustainable society. This can only be achieved when the spiritual, socio-economic and environments are managed holistically.