By Amin Kef (Ranger)
Pastors and administrators in Freetown were the beneficiaries of a training conducted on the 21st March, 2023 by the Christian Lawyers Centre hereinafter referred to as LEGAL LINK in partnership with the Pentecostal Fellowship of Sierra Leone on highly critical legal compliance issues bothering on the law.
The highly intensive and mind blowing workshop which was held at the Bethel Temple Church Hall, Tower Hill, Freetown, attracted several church leaders and administrators from different parts of the country.
The overarching objective of the training was to help broaden the horizon of church leaders and administrators on the area of the law and key legal compliance issues as they operate within and outside of the jurisdiction of Sierra Leone.
Executive Director of LEGAL LINK, Rashid Dumbuya Esq intimated this medium that the training was a proactive step aimed at reducing the increasingly devastating statistics of court cases against the church and to mitigate the embarrassment faced by the Body of Christ in Sierra Leone whenever a Pastor comes in conflict with the law.
He added that the Legal and Compliance training was a vision from God to bring knowledge and clarity on legal issues to the church stating that the administration of God’s church is both a legal and a spiritual assignment.
The Executive Director extended thanks to the leadership of PFSL, Bethel Temple Church, and all the trainees for their joint support in making the program a reality.
Seven modules on very critical areas concerning the church and the law were covered by Barrister Rashid Dumbuya together with Bishop Mike C. Obot Esq, the first legal Pentecostal Bishop in Sierra Leone.
These modules include: Legal Process of Church Registration
Acquisition of Church Properties: The Place of Conveyance, Leases and Tenancies, Deed of Gift, Letter of Administration etc,
Ethics and Conflict Management in the Body of Christ in Sierra Leone, Preparation of Church Legal and Governance Documents: Constitution, Administrative Policy Handbook, Finance Policy and Code of Conduct for Choristers. Handling of Staff Employment Matters: Minimum Wage law, Income tax, NASSIT Contributions and Terminal Benefits, the Marriage and Divorce: Understanding the Laws of the land. .Church vs Court Proceedings
Rashid Dumbuya Esq delivered modules 1, 2,4, 5, 6 & 7 while Bishop Mike Obot Esq, the General Overseer of Harvest Field Chapel International Ministries, served as co-trainer and handled Module 2 – Ethics and Conflict Management in the Body of Christ in SL.
Bishop Akintayo Sam-Jolly, President of PFSL, and General Overseer of Living Word of Faith Outreach Ministries, also graced the event and in a short statement, encouraged participants to hold the training with weight and put the knowledge they’ve acquired into practice with careful consideration to their realities and challenges. He also thanked the LEGAL LINK team, Bethel Temple Church and the membership of PFSL for the successful implementation of the program.
In addition, the General Secretary of PFSL, Rabbi Tamba Eric Emmerson Mbayo, while making the opening statement encouraged the participants to pay rapt attention to the different modules being taught so as to mitigate on the chances of them being in conflict with the law in the future.
The auspicious program commenced at 10:00am with registration of participants, a brief praise, worship and prayer session, tea break, and the delivery of lectures on the first three modules.
After that, a brief lunch break was observed, wherein participants were refreshed with delicious meals alongside drinks and water.
After lunch break, the lectures on the remaining four topics were delivered followed by a succinct Question and Answer session.
The training was done through power point presentations and participants took notes on the various topics that were being discussed.
Several of the participants commended LEGAL LINK and PFSL for organizing the legal compliance training, stating that it was timely and impactful, particularly in tackling the rising incidences of land conflicts and court cases involving the church.
Moreover, they encouraged the organizers to roll out similar trainings in the provinces so that church pastors and administrators in those areas could also benefit from the knowledge and awareness that they have secured in Freetown.
As of 2023, the LEGAL LINK team has been able to train about 2,100 church leaders and administrators in Sierra Leone on legal compliance matters.
The presentation of certificates to all the participants was done with the help of Bishop Akintayo Sam-Jolly, the President of PFSL and later assisted by the General Secretary of PFSL.
The training was covered live on Facebook and a WhatsApp group was later created to share the full presentations and materials with the participants for effective reading and implementation in their various Ministries.
Apostle Shaka served as the coordinator of the program.
