Memorandum

From : The Chairman and Secretary of the CBC Constitutional

and By Laws Review Committee
To : The Members of the CBC Constitutional and By Laws Review
Committee
________________________________________________________________
Subject: Evangelical Response to the Letter captioned “Unconstitutionality and Illegality
of the Procedure applied or Being Applied to Amend the CBC Constitution and By
Laws” from the Chairman of the Legal Advisory Committee of the CBC Addressed to the
General Council, Shared in the Constitutional Review Committee Forum by the Executive
President.

Dear Committee Members,

Maurice and Emmanuel, Your servants in Christ, serving by the will of God respectively as
Chairman and Secretary in the CBC Constitutional Review, bring you greetings in the
precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ and trusting that Grace and Peace from God our
father richly abides with you.
1. We make reference to the General Council Decision No GC 23168 MSC dated on the
10th of December 2021 putting in Place a CBC Constitutional and Bylaws Review
Committee, which composition included the Chairman of the CBC Legal Advisor
Committee and the Executive President and CBC Chairman also participating fully in the
capacity of Ex-Officio members. As Committee members upon receipt of the decision of
the General Council notified by the Executive President, we were conscious of the fact that
the General Council is the Governing Body of the CBC endowed with the responsibility to
uphold the Distinctive Principles of Ministry, Spirituality and Governance which constitute
the pedestal upon which the CBC and her Local church stand. On the score of the
foregoing backdrop, the committee went to work with all confidence and energy believing
that there is only one goal in everything that we should do as a church which is “Glorifying
God in All Things”. So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory
of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

2. On the 12th of March, 2023 at exactly 12:27 PM WAT, the letter mentioned
Supra was shared by the Executive President in the Social Media Forum which was created
to facilitate the work of the CBC Constitutional Review Committee, with a note indicating
that the document is trending in various CBC Whatsapp Forums. The content of this letter
from the Chairman of the legal advisory Committee addressed to the General Council by
every means reveals the spirit and atmosphere with which the Constitutional Review
Committee worked up to the stage where the draft revised constitution and bylaws were
transmitted to the General Council by the Executive President.

3. We wish to state in very unequivocal terms that the kind of dark clouds we see
looming in the atmosphere throughout the work of the Committee and after the submission
of the draft to the General Council portend a dangerous omen for the church and should
make each and every one of us involved in the process and more especially the leaders of
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the Convention to do everything in this process with trembling hands before God to ensure
that every idea and contribution we make is seeking first the Kingdom of God and His
Righteousness because God is watching at us and knows every secret thought and ambition.
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his
commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work
into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil”.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.

The Scripture in James 3:13-17 is clear that every wisdom, idea or deed that is tainted
by vaulting ambitions, envy, jealousy, pride, falsehood, hypocrisy, etc, is not from
God and will ultimately lead to divisions in the Church and only wisdom from God
which is fueled by truth and humility will bring about peace and the ultimate growth
of the church. “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by
their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you
harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny
the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly,
unspiritual, and demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you
find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is
first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good
fruit, impartial and sincere” James 3:13-16.
4. With regards to the form and procedures, we are certain that as far as the
admissibility of the procedure taken to revise the CBC Constitution is concerned, there is no
mincing of words. We are a church and for the church to be the bearer of light to the world,
it must be different from the world. The procedure for the amendment of the CBC
Constitution as laid down in article 33 of the constitution and operationalized in section 23
of the By Laws was not observed. This was echoed by the Chairman of the Legal Advisory
Committee during the deliberations of the Constitutional Review Committee.

It should be underscored that the Legal Advisory Committee is represented in the General
Council. The one million dollar question to be answered is, “Where was the Legal Advisory
Committee when the General Council took the decision on the revision of the Constitution
in violation of the same Constitution? Was the Legal Advisory Committee Consulted?
What was the input of the Legal Advisory Committee? Is it not prudent that in taking such a
decision on very crucial governance matters in the Convention which are susceptible to
make or mar are the image of the Church and compromised the testimony of the Church, the
opinion of the Legal Advisory Committee should be sought at each stage and incorporated?
Also, why did the Legal Advisory Committee did not draw the attention of the General
Council while they were taken the decision for the review of the Constitution?

As members of the Constitutional Review Committee we feel that we are being confused
and misled by the same institutions and leaders we expect to guide the work of the
Convention and give it a sense of direction to ensure that everything is done orderly in the
house of God.

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 5. With regards to the content, we will like to underscore two facts:-

5.1. The first main proposal for revision of the Constitution received by the
Committee was submitted by the Ministerial Council through the Executive
President. If in fact, if these proposals truly came from the CBC Ministerial Council,
then we consider it as strong evidence that the Ministers of the Gospel in the
Cameroon Baptist Convention on who the church depend as shepherds to lead the
flock, at least saw the need for the CBC Constitution to be revised to enhance
ministry which they are at the forefront. We wish also to note that proposals were
also received from some two local churches.

5.2. The second main Constitutional amendment proposal received by the

Constitutional Review Committee was submitted by the CBC Legal Advisory
Committee through the Executive President. Our understanding of this is that, the
Legal advisory Committee, knowing fully well that the procedure that set on motion
the revision of the Constitution was unconstitutional and illegal, still went ahead to
submit proposals to a Committee they knew was set up in violation of the
constitution and operating illegally. We will not be wrong if we conclude that this act
(submission of constitutional amendment proposals) by the Legal Advisory
Committee legitimized what they now refer to us unconstitutionality and illegality?

It did not end here, the Chairman of the Legal Advisory is a statutory member of the
Constitutional Review Committee set up by the General Council and has been
participating fully in the deliberations of the Constitutional Review Committee
meetings. It should be noted that almost a quasi-totality of the proposals for
amendments of the CBC Constitution submitted by the Legal Advisory Committee
were judged admissible by the Review Committee after deliberations.

5.3. Integrity requires that if the Ministerial council knew that the procedure
Supersets the need, they would not submit any proposals until the procedure is
respected. In the same token, it bits our imagination that the CBC Legal Advisory
Committee after submitting proposals for revision and participating actively in the
deliberations of the Constitutional Review Committee that received and examined the
proposals, now comes back with this letter which by every understanding says that
whatever has been done was not only unconstitutional and illegal but a senseless
wastes of time.

We consider this behavior a betrayal because we saw the presence of the Legal
Advisory Committee Chairman in the Constitutional Review Committee as a strength
to ensure legal and procedural probity. If the Legal advisory Committee indeed
advised the instances of the CBC that are responsible for taking decisions in the CBC
on behalf of the church on such crucial matters and the advice was scorned, then

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integrity means that the Legal advisory Committee would have declined membership
of the Constitutional Review Committee at that time, talk less of going forward to
submit proposals for amendment to a Committee you are a member and knowing
fully well that the work of the committee is illegal by virtue of the fact that the
process through which the committee came to existence in your watchful eyes was
unconstitutional.

5.4. Within the backdrop of our understanding and opinion in paragraphs 5.1,
5.2, and 5.3 above and taking into consideration the equity principle we can plausibly
conclude that the motivation and intention behind the decision of the General Council
was good. That is, there was need for the CBC constitution to be revised and that the
process could only have been militated over by or tainted with personal interest and
selfish ambition.

We must submit here that if Christ was the only focus in every thought and
suggestion at all levels in the process, we would not have come to this point
where polemics, strife, anger, dissention, pride, power tussle, etc, have
transformed into principalities that are gradually sliding the Convention,
General Council, Ministerial Council, Ministers Fellowship, Ministries and local
Churches into another epoch of crisis that have the potential of dividing the
church AGAIN. “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder
and every foul practice. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then
peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or
insincerity”. James 3:16-17.

We want to urge all us in this Committee to take a moment and reflect on the
following scriptures which speak directly to what seems to be going on in the
Convention at the moment regarding this constitutional review process.

Romans 16:17-18
I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create
obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such
persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and
flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

1 Corinthians 1:10-13
I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree,
and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind
and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is
quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, “I
follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” Is
Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of
Paul?

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Titus 3:9-11
But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law,
for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after
warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that
such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

Luke 11:17
But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is
laid waste, and a divided household falls.

Jude 1:16-19
These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-
mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage. But you must remember,
beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you,
“In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” It is
these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.

Ephesians 4:3-6
Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and
one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one
Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through
all and in all.

Mark 3:24-26
If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is
divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up
against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but is coming to an end.

Proverbs 6:16-19
There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him:
haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that
devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes
out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.

Colossians 3:12-15
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness,
humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a
complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you
also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in
perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you
were called in one body. And be thankful.

Romans 16:17

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I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create
obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.
1 Corinthians 1:10
I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree,
and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind
and the same judgment.

1 Peter 1:22-25
Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly
love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again,
not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of
God; for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass
withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this
word is the good news that was preached to you.

1 John 2:9
Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.

Matthew 18:15-18
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him
alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen,
take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the
evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church.
And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax
collector. Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven,
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

John 17:21
That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also
may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

Proverbs 14:12
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

1 Corinthians 14:33 ESV / 75 helpful votes

For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,

Romans 16:17-20
I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create
obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such
persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and
flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. For your obedience is known to all, so
that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as

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to what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

John 8:32
And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

1 Corinthians 3:1-23
But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh,
as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it.
And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is
jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human
way? For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you
not being merely human? What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through
whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. ...

Galatians 5:19-21
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,
idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions,
divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned
you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 4:6-7
I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers that
you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed
up in favor of one against another. For who sees anything different in you? What do
you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you
did not receive it?

Jude 1:19
It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.

Ephesians 5:11
Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.

1 Corinthians 11:18-19
For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are
divisions among you. And I believe it in part, for there must be factions among you in
order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.

1 John 4:20

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If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not
love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.

James 3:18
And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

1 Corinthians 1:10-12 ESV / 51 helpful votes

I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree,
and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind
and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is
quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, “I
follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.”

Titus 3:10
As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have
nothing more to do with him,

Philippians 2:1-30
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation
in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind,
having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish
ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, To execute
judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that
they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly
sinners have spoken against him.” These are grumblers, malcontents, following their
own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain
advantage. But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our
Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following
their own ungodly passions.” It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid
of the Spirit. ...

5.5. It is unthinkable that such high instances of decision making in the

Convention (the Executive President, The CBC Chairman, and the Legal Advisory
Committee) cannot agree on such critical issues that have the potential to make or to
mar the church. If things could unfold to the extent that important church business
which could be handled within the family is being spilled out to the public through
the social media, then it is not exaggeration to say that the credibility of the Legal
Advisory Commitee leadership instance in the CBC at such a time is questionable
and that should constitute a major cause for concern to the church because it is the
image of the church that is at stake.

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The scripture which the Convention upholds as the source of supreme authority in
matters of faith and practice clearly lays out the procedure for resolving
misunderstandings amongst Christians.
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him
alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen,
take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the
evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the
church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile
and a tax collector. Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound
in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Matthew
18:15-18
As people of faith and church leaders whom we are, where is the place of this
scripture in our relationships with one another in Ministry? Did the Chairman of the
Legal Advisory Committee in keeping with this Scripture move up to the Executive
President and the CBC Chairman to confront them on the issues spilled out to the
public in the letter mentioned supra?
This is certainly a challenging and testing moment in the life of the church and how
we navigate through as leaders will tell the world whether our Christianity is real or
nominal. This is because true Christianity will necessarily show forth in our actions
making our faith established not only in our hearts but in our lives for the world to
see. As Christians, we not only follow Christ but we put on the “mind of Christ” in
every assignment we are called to accomplish.
At this juncture, as the Committee continues with its work, we can only launch a
strongly call within this Committee for sincere Prayers. This means for us to pray for
the true love of God to be established in our hearts. That we should love and think of
others first/ build them up, that we will continue to be faithful stewards of the
Father’s calling for us in this Committee and in our individual lives, be
compassionate, seek justice, truth and equity in everything we do. It means for us to
be kind, merciful, and pure in heart: honest, responsible, of highest integrity,
vulnerable and accountable to others. It means for us to be peacemakers wherever we
are and especially in the church, be joyful in the Lord, knowing that He loves us,
knows us by name and cares for us, as we do with those with whom we relate. When
we enter every assignment we are called to accomplish in this spirit of humble trust in
God and love for others, the truth of Christ will be adorned, bridges will be built for
the gospel through our work and not create divisions. We can only have our prayers
answered if we sincerely allow our hearts to be transformed, then we can know the
will of God wherever He has placed us and be able to perform humble service.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your
bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper
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worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will
is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 3 For by the grace given me I say to every
one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think
of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed
to each of you. Romans 12:1-3
In Christ we trust

___________________________
Ndeh Emmanuel Esichiwuh,
Secretary, CBC Constitution and Bylaws Review Committee

_______________________________
Rev Yomsi Maurice,
Chairman , CBC Constitutional and By Laws Review Committee

Yaoundé, April 2nd 2023

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