by Conrad Mbewe
….by “Nigerian religious junk” I mean the phenomenon of churches that are personal-to-holder.
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits… So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit…Thus you will recognize them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:15-20).
The result of this phenomenon of personal-to-holder churches has been the selective nature of church discipline. You do not discipline a Sangoma (i.e. witchdoctor)—or a chief! It is a known fact, even among the church members, that a number of these pastors have serious moral problems. However, “you do not touch the Lord’s anointed” and so they are not disciplined, even when they have impregnated girls in the church. One such anointed one in Zambia changed wives three times through divorce in less than six months and still remains the apostle of his church. To be fair, this man is a Zambian, but he has imbibed this personal-to-holder phenomenon from Nigeria. There must be accountability from everyone in the church—including the church pastor.
Read this article in A Letter from Kabwata
Op-ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija.
False prophets and self ordained leaders are indeed to blame to a certain(huge) degree, but so are the people who are ‘milked’. On the day of judgement, we are going to be accountable for our choices. The average christian is educated and/or smart enough to sit and read the Bible and self-discover its truths, but due to laziness and a hurry to attain, achieve and obtain- time is not taken to STUDY God’s word and GROW. As a result, no discernment. In essence what I’m saying is its a mindset issue- not just in the leaders, but in the commoner. Let we who see, and understand continue to intercede. Change can come.
This article is so on POINT, I can’t actually remember when last I heard a message about rapture and d second comin of christ in any church, all they talk about is prayer for blessings and breakthrughs. I’m Nigerian and I know that this is really becomin a problem.
Seun A. May u not be lost and be insensitive to d move and the things of God.are u not reading ur Bible to know dat the man’s observation is true?
This article is totally on point! Well written and factual. If you actually go into the system, you will be disgusted. It’s sad really that people go to church for solace and are being fleeced & milked! It’s however not totally stange cause even Jesus spoke of this. And Uche dear, this isn’t a 9ja vs zimbabwe thing. Its just the truth. Try an open mind, it will help you!
Churches have of course become business ventures in Nigeria.
I just love this. I wish people who are blind to this glaring truth about what is happening in Nigeria, will suddenly find their sight and see .
But at least in moral rating, we Nigerians are better than Zimbabwe.
Christianity is nobodys father property neither does it belong to a Nation. So nothing like our Christianity. Instead of attending meetings on how to fault certain doctrines you personally don’t agree with, why not be proactive and start envangelism the way the spirit leads you.
Many knows the truth,and they are very much aware that the bubble will soon burst. Its just a matter of time.
I am Nigerian too and still in awe. When I go down the roads in various cities and see the number of churches I can’t come to terms with it. If we truly believe that God is everywhere, then why do we keep creating churches at such a rate. And the posters actually get me confused, I get confused sometimes as to whether its an advert for a photo studio or something related then I realise its yet another church! *sigh*
This article is so on point! I’m Nigerian n I must say, it’s very annoying, but God is God n he knows his own.a lie can only go on for so long…
Go ye therefore and be disciples of all nations; instead of condemning the gospel we preach, preach yours. If its the true gospel it will stand like ours is spreading with Gods hand.
What kind of gospel do you preach? Our Christianity is a disgrace. I’m ashamed.