Minoring on Majors - The Church of Christ has a mandate and a focus, independent of what the basis or foundation of a ministry or church is built upon. We find ministries with the mandate to make people rich, some to make people fight battles on their kneels, some others to heal and deliver, and a host of others. In spite of all these, the primary aim of the church is to evangelize and build up the saints. Eph. 4:11-13. This building up of the saints has lost its high priority in our cChurches today. Emphasis has shifted far from evangelism and discipleship. We don't go out on evangelism to preach Christ anymore, but to preach our cChurches.
We give out fliers inviting people to come fellowship with us and hardly mention a word on the salvation of their souls. Souls are perishing, harvest is ripe. The God of harvest has sent labourers but few are willing to go. We organise crusades here and there, souls are saved but left to their shallow roots only to find them withered for lack of water (the word). True evangelism and discipleship has lost its place. Messages on topics like Holiness are fading away gradually. Men of God have suddenly become scared of telling their congregation that they should seek to please God first and all "these" things shall be added unto them (Matt. 6:33). Fear of hurting and loosing members has aggravated this.
The cart has been set before the horse. Rapture messages that used to keep us on our toes have faded. Nobody is talking about Christ's second coming anymore. People are gathering to hear soothing messages from the altar. Pinching messages that would spur one up to live a godly life and check to see if one is still in faith are now scarce. I don't know if cChurches still discipline members. The church has become worldly and the world is becoming churchy too. Some years back, Christians were scared of getting involved in sin because of the shame and discipline that would emanate from the church. The church now condones sin and does no open rebuke to deter others from doing same. • Majoring on Minors - I had a very nasty experience in the University some 9 years ago in my third and final years. This experience "pushed me" to associate with people I ordinarily wouldn't have associated with. I joined a fellowship as a jambite (a fresh entrant) and got actively involved and dedicatedly too that in my second year, I was made a Hall Representative (popularly referred to as a Pastor since we literarily were in charge of the fellowship members in our respective halls of residence).
Not long after, we had a new set of Executive Members (Excos) who came in with certain perceptions and started serious condemnations on some issues. One that affected me was the perming of hair. A lot of sisters immediately stopped this act and within a very short time, I was the only sister among workers that had her hair permed. In fact, I was just waiting for my tenure as a Hall Representative to elapse because I started feeling uneasy and self-conscious in meetings especially when issues like that cropped up.
I have never been a cowardly especially on issues I am convinced of, but was almost one in this case. I just kept combing my hair and couldn't go to the salon until my tenure expired. It got worse and worse that people started confronting me personally to the extent that the fellowship concluded that Sisters who had permed hair were not Born Again. At this stage, I packed my baggage and left the fellowship cause I just couldn't fit in and was no more actively involved (though I had more commitments in my local church in town).
But that need for a place to belong was there, we all want to be accepted somewhere. I decided to join a fellowship I ordinarily wouldn't have joined. I needed a sense of belonging and I actually got it there. Maybe I actually shouldn't have left the fellowship then, I should have stayed to fight the battle especially for those like me coming behind.
But one thing that amazed me was that years after graduation, I had the opportunity to meet a number of sisters that condemned me in school and such brothers' wives with permed and even weaveons with makeup and jewelry heavier than I wore in school and even wear now. I smiled and wondered, who now knows what he believes???!!!! I decided to go into this because we have misled a lot of Christians with our condemnations and criticisms. Some people have withdrawn from the race because of such minor issues like what we eat and drink, wear and don't wear, which I see as minors (Rom. 14). This is majoring on minors. Perming, wearing of jeans, wearing of jewelry, eating pork, etc are minor things but could be very sensitive and should be handled with care.
People have been scared off from God because they're not ready to let go of certain things that could be dealt with after salvation but were presented to them before they're saved. Cases like this abound and we have unknowingly led people astray. Let us start accepting each other. If somebody claims to be Born-Again, let us accept him as a brother, not minding what we don't like about him. He may need that fellowship and warmth more than any other at that time. Paul encourages us to accept one another in love, and not to judge ( Rom. 14:4) because he's another man's servant and God is able to make him stand. Prosperity
Another minor that we have so dealt on is Riches . We're meant to be rich, yes. Christ was poor that by His poverty we may be rich (2Cor. 8:9). Of course we've got to show forth His praises and we definitely can't do that with poverty spelt round us.
Emphasis however has been on riches for a long time now that little emphasis is placed on right living. He wishes above all that we may prosper and be in Health even as our soul prospers (3Jn. 2). |
Speakers tell us of God's plan for us to prosper but leave out the fact that God would be happier with us if we live to please Him which can be achieved only by obedience. A rich man will get to be an elder or a deacon or even a pastor easily without anybody bothering to know the source of his wealth or the way he lives his life and treat people who work under him. We're supposed to give honour to whom it is due, yes, but we should treat everybody equally, wealthy or not. God is not a God of favouritism. If there is no fair play outside, we should get it in the kingdom. MIRACLES ! Yes Miracles. The working of Miracles is no longer seen as a gift. It's a gift of the Spirit and should be so identified (I Cor. 12:10). On the contrary, a man of God is not believed to be truly one unless he can perform miracles. A lot of believers have been led astray in their search for miracles.
Some have gotten initiated into cults unknowingly because of this miracle adventure. Some "men of God" have gone in search of demonic powers to be able to do miracles.
It's high time we got our bearings right, miracles or no miracles, God is still God and the ability to work miracles is not a yardstick to measure spirituality. One may do miracles and yet not be in right standing with God, may be classified by God as a worker of iniquity (Lk. 13:27). Crowd
Another issue in the Nigerian Christendom is that of crowd-competition . Men of God are so crazy about crowd!!! People preach on TV and it looks like they're preaching their church and not Christ, the reason for the church in the first place. They tell people how wonderful their church is and condemn other cChurches in a bid to attract their hearers to their own church. We're supposed to work together because we're in the same vineyard, working for same master only using different strategies. Stories have been told of cChurches where the sand from the soles of members after service are swept and used for diabolical atrocities in the name retaining members. Often times, Im tempted to feel that some men of God get so obsessed about crowd because of the financial gains that come with it. Surely numerical increase is a measure of church growth, but care should be exercised in its pursuit. OUR PLUSES
In all these, Nigerian Church still has a lot of Pluses, a lot of things to be appreciated. In comparison with Nations that started their Christian experience before Nigeria we're ahead, making waves and blessing lives all over the world. Christ Awareness : I don't think the awareness of Christ has ever been this much in the history of Christianity in Nigeria . It's no longer "shameful" or a thing to hide when one is born again. In fact, it's fashionable now to be Born-Again. On television, radio, newspapers, Internet, everywhere, you find the fragrance of Christ sweet smelling. Positive Impacts : Christians are now affecting this generation. In our offices, we find Christian fellowships, Tea Breaks with the Word, etc all in a bid to encourage one another and touch lives around.
Poverty used to be associated with Christianity, but it's no longer so. Christians are rich and their lives attractive that unbelievers want to associate with them and follow them to their God.
A lot of testimonies abound to this on the altar where you find new converts testifying that the ever joyfulness or comportment of someone led them to church and then to Christ. In every sector of the economy and even in government, you find Christians distinguishing themselves in their chosen career, yet without compromising their faith. (That does not mean we don't have a lot failing too). Charity : Right now, we find a lot of Christian charity organizations blessing souls daily. Feeding the poor, clothing the naked, helping the needy, sending children to school, taking care of and even adopting motherless children, etc.
A lot of these abound so much that it makes one feel fulfilled being a Christian. Christianity is about touching lives. No Christianity without charity. Heart for God : It amazes me when I see how dedicatedly some people serve God. It gingers me so much. I am not talking about show-biz Christianity now. I mean you'll see somebody who has no money for transportation to church waking up very early to start a long walk.
What is he going to church for? To sweep and clean up the altar! That is service that only God can reward. This kind of service abounds in our cChurches today. Service to God without expecting a thank you or acknowledgement. That's a heart for God. Conclusion: The Nigerian Christian Church has come a long way and is moving on, with greater challenges everyday and everywhere. But one thing I think should be a challenge to everyone of us daily is "What if Christ comes today, or what if God decides to call me home today, what have I to show for these years of being a Christian? Can He call me home to rest truly? What have I done that I deserve a rest from?" Stay Blessed and remember to touch a life today.
Readers' comments are highly welcomed. |
