The church in the season of scarcity (1), By Ayo Akerele

I’ve been an avid crusader for a compassionate church a church that doesn’t exist to serve the financial curiosity of the founders alone, however of the physique of Christ and the bigger society. Yesterday, I stumbled at a YouTube video interview of Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo with a TV station in Nigeria. The subject of dialogue attracted my consideration. In consequence, I beckoned on my spouse to observe the temporary interview with me. Each of us have been shocked to see a few of the unimaginable social helps that Pastor Matthew is bringing to quite a few communities in some components of South West Nigeria. In truth, he’s participating a group of medics to offer “on the spot” free medical consultations and coverings to 1000’s of individuals. The statistics of the variety of free medicines and prescriptions for varied sorts of medical challenges have been startling. They run into tens of 1000’s of individuals.

Equally, many different church buildings have been concerned in varied shades of philanthropic gestures throughout the nation. Our ministry, Voice of the Watchmen Ministries along with a few of our foundations has over the previous fourteen years supported 1000’s of individuals throughout Nigeria, most of whom we had by no means met not collected choices from. God’s identify be praised. These efforts should still be a far cry from the expectations of majority of Nigerians, given the enormity of the socio-economic challenges which have not too long ago been heightened by the perennial failure of the political class. Nevertheless, issues have truly improved within the church on a major scale relative to how the church fared up to now 20 years.

Nevertheless, you all will agree with me that there have been many outcries towards the church up to now ten years particularly.  Church buildings are anticipated to take over the position of the federal government by constructing roads; constructing colleges; feeding the poor; constructing well being care services; and sponsoring the residents for every part and in any respect ranges.  First, this expectation isn’t unconnected with the palpable flaunting and expression of humongous wealth by many church buildings in Nigeria amid a grinding poverty among the many overwhelming majority of the inhabitants. Secondly, this expectation additionally traces its root to the truth of the day, many church buildings accumulate tithes and choices from members, and consequently, there’s a social expectation from the people who they need to give again to the identical people who have as soon as given to them.

This text is geared toward addressing these points with a blended method to carry some stability to the notion of the church when it comes to our expectations from the church at a time of grinding poverty and lack within the nation. Secondly, it’s geared toward encouraging the church to step up her sport, change gears, and return to the Biblical mannequin of church administration.

First, the “main” goal of the church of Christ in any nation or group isn’t social interventions or philanthropic actions. These are the bi-products of the primary product. The primary goal of the native church is to evangelise the true gospel of salvation to the misplaced, groom and nurture converts into disciples, and stand as an ethical compass of reality to the nation with out concern or favor. Social interventions ought to observe religious transformation. Not the opposite manner spherical. The church isn’t a enterprise heart. The church isn’t a profit-making enterprise. The church isn’t a political platform for selling political pursuits. The church isn’t a film or comedy heart. The church isn’t a multinational company for creating franchises of different profit-making restricted legal responsibility corporations.

Right here is why the church has come underneath huge scrutiny and criticism. Numerous church leaders in Nigeria have turned their backs towards the Biblical mannequin and customary for the operations of a neighborhood church, turning it to a full-blown enterprise enterprise the place secular enterprise ideas are utilized, upheld, and promoted above scriptural ideas. Many leaders use the controversial guide, “48 Legal guidelines of Energy” to develop and nurture their management expertise which are sometimes dictatorial and abrasive in nature. A buddy informed me that he was shocked when he noticed the 48 legal guidelines of energy guide on the desk of a servant of God we respect a lot. That guide doesn’t mirror the dominion sort of management mannequin that Jesus preached, servanthood and repair.  To be continued.

Ayo Akerele is the Senior Pastor of Rhema Meeting and the founding father of the Voice of the Watchmen Ministries in Ontario, Canada. He might be reached by way of ayoakerele2012@gmail.com