History exhumes CBC structural problems

The denomination’s 50-year old history was the focus of a Ph.D thesis defence on August 19, 2014 at the University of Yaounde I.

One of the country’s foremost Christian denominations, Cameroon Baptist Convention (CBC), has come under criticism for impeding its growth through an archaic structure that has put the congregation above clergy throughout its 50-year old history, making it impossible for the clergy to lead the congregation to God.

Making these revelations during the defence of his Ph.D thesis on August 19, 2014 in the History Department of the University of Yaounde I, Richard Tanto Ndi suggested that CBC’s structure be revised and replaced with an organization that will uplift the pastors, strengthen local churches and forge a federation of all Baptist churches in the country amongst others.

“The Baptists were the first to introduce Christianity in Cameroon but today they are among the least,” he argued.

The student received a “Mention Très Honorable” after deliberations by the jury headed by its President, Prof. Daniel Abwa who applauded the thesis with theme, “The Processes of Affiliation and Integration in the Cameroon Baptist Convention: 1954-2004”, for exhuming problems faced by the CBC.

They equally appreciated his efforts in the consultation of human and bibliographic sources. However, the jury noted some setbacks in the pagination and methodology.

Amidst applause and cheers from his friends and relatives, Richard Tanto Ndi was granted the Doctorate Degree and clothed like one.