The People, The Church, and The Ministers -By Richard Okunola

It is no longer news how so many people have fallen victim of fake pastors, churches and other prophets, all in the name of searching for miracle hand of God. Many have been duped and still would not believe it because the men in white gown has not only scam them, but also invoke the terrestrial spirit of fear and delusion in them.

Some churches now operate like joint ventures where there are directors and trustees, some operates like business ventures with lots of apprentice pastors, others unveil themselves like companies where acquisition of so many physical properties is one the principal goals of the ministry. In fact, do not be surprised to know that some churches now have shareholders of whom they pay dividend to after the financial year, these are those set of people that finances the major activities in the church, they are made deacons and deaconesses in no time irrespective of whether genuinely born again or not.

Many of the 21^st century church no longer focus on members welfare but rather how the church will grow its crowd, increase the auditorium capacity and alas its wealth. It is true that everyone wants to be associated with a clean, all padded church with quality sound system, good musical instruments, fantastic teachings on prosperity and motivational speech at every Sunday services, very short sermon, batches of services and good connection with influential people in the church, where the pastor or the coordinator tries to impress the crowd by quoting a rhyme using the scriptures. It is all good, it is a fair play but is this the only thing God has created the church to do.

Have you tried staying in your room, playing a good gospel hymn with quality sound system and a genuine heart of worship then observe how you will soon start to shed tears without being ministered to? Have you sat down in your room to pray about a situation genuinely and hear God speak to you? Have you desired a true intense relationship with God without anyone compelling you to? The truth is, all these things are what the churches ought to take opportunity to talk about.

Creating a personal relationship and hearing from God directly is what every Christian should desire, however some of these churches knows this truth and they believe that if you have this access to God directly by yourself, you may not end up coming for counselling or requesting the pastor’s help anytime you have a problem.

To be concluded in The People, The Church and The Ministers (Part 2).