Church Leaders On Trial In Nigeria

All over the world, church leaders are revered people because of their honesty, uprightness and service to humanity, but in Nigeria, they seem to have fallen from that lofty pedestal.

Recently, Pastor Tunde Bakare of the Latter Rain Assembly excoriated some pastors in the country for their unholy relationship with political leaders. Bakare accused them of being on the pay roll of some public office holders and, in return, they keep mum even when the country heads in the wrong track.

“God’s judgment will begin from the church,” he lashed out at his counterparts in Christendom. We agree.

Pastors in the country have been lambasted for many reasons. For instance, on 31 December last year, after Christ Embassy Church imposed N1000 gate fee on worshippers who wished to attend the crossover service in their church, many Nigerians were outraged over such predilection to fleece the flock.

The revelations recently that several pastors have purchased private jets for their ministries left many people stumped and enraged. For instance, many Nigerians are still shocked that Winners’ Chapel has four private jets parked at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

The exorbitant tuition fees charged by secondary institutions and universities owned by these churches have also left many Nigerian angry. The anger stems from the fact that the money used to set up these elite institutions was raised from the church or donated by members of the public. Or, in most cases, the church owners-business got donations from overseas on account of their churches. The same public now cannot send their children to such schools because they cannot afford the ridiculous fees.

Many of these pastors and bishops also own several mansions all over the world, the latest cars and a horde of body guards and aides. Their businesses span from publishing, real estate, to hospitality. The capital is raised from offerings, tithes and donations.

After amassing hundreds of millions and sometimes billions in profits, these same pastors and their churches organise some cosmetic charity and public relations events to boost their image and deceive the world into believing that they are using the proceeds to better the lives of the common man.

This is aside stage-managed miracles whose main aim is to make money and attract more desperate members who will enrich them the more. Once they are criticised, these pastors hide under the biblical injunction that says “Touch Not My Anointed and Do My Prophets No Harm”. This is dishonest and must stop.

All over the world, churches are exempted from paying taxes because of their contributions to the society. Churches are seen as entities not just for spiritual growth or salvation preaching, but also for their social contributions on earth.

And since churches are now so rich that they can afford private jets for their pastors, we need to see them more involved in developmental activities. They must sponsor research, empower their members, reduce the cut-throat tuition fees charged by their universities and ensure that their corporate social responsibility is felt not just by members but also the larger society.

After all, pastors use roads funded by the tax payers. They use water, electricity and other social amenities paid for by other impoverished members of the society.

The time has come for the church to go beyond preaching prosperity to its members. There is an urgent need for accountability, responsibility and supervision by the Nigerian government.