The situation of Nigeria is a disgrace to the gospel. A nation with such a mushrooming of churches and Christians should not be experiencing the kind of corruption, moral decadence, poverty and suffering prevalent in Nigeria. By God’s Help, we have identified several lies accepted by the church in Nigeria. If the church forsakes these lies and accepts the truth, not only will the church be restored, Nigeria will experience transformation and speedily achieve its destiny as the point of reference for the African race, demonstrating that the Negro is not inferior to any other. John 8:32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." We have treated the first set of lies, 6 lies under the theme “Responsibility for the State of Nigeria.” We have posted 20 write-ups addressing these 6 lies. The next set of 5 lies relate to “Faith, Money and Prosperity.” For 20 consecutive days starting 6th November, we are repeating each of the last 20 posts, one per day to provide the platform for the next set of lies. Today, we repeat Lie No 3. Final Part

LIE NO 3 (FINAL PART): THOUGHT PROVOKING PARALLELS BETWEEN THE CHURCH AND THE NATION

LIE NO 3: There is nothing wrong with the Nigerian revival where millions have accepted Christ yet the country remains morally bankrupt and most Nigerians remain poor.

THE TRUTH: There is everything wrong with this current Nigerian Christian culture where we have minimal positive impact on the social, economic and political climate of the country. If the church starts to pursue godliness and shines as light, Nigeria will be transformed.

Christians are the salt of the earth. So Nigerian Christians are the salt of Nigeria. The food derives its taste from the salt. We can infer that if the church moves in the right direction, the nation will ultimately follow. The reverse is also true. In this regard, we think it is worthwhile to ponder a few parallels between the church and the nation, in the hope that we will take the task of arising to righteousness seriously, realizing that God holds us primarily responsible for the state of the nation.

1. There is a continuous mushrooming of churches and branches beyond what is orderly or reasonable. Perhaps many of these churches and branches serve the purposes of the Founders/Pastors more than the purposes of God and His kingdom. Similarly, while less than 10 of the 36 States generate enough Internally Generated Revenue to pay salaries, there is an endless agitation for the creation of more States. Often the agitators for these States are less concerned about development, but are eager to become the godfathers and kingmakers in the proposed States, with substantial access to its Statutory Allocations.

2. Church government often revolves around one man surrounded by sycophants who tell the Senior Pastor what he likes to hear. Similarly government at the different tiers in the federation is bedeviled by impunity of one or two powerful men surrounded by sycophants.

3. Financial management practices of many churches lack transparency. There is no internal check and funds administration is often concentrated in a pastor, his wife and closest associates. Any wonder then that government finances are poorly and corruptly managed. Can the nation live above the standards of the church?

4. Many Pastors’ wives automatically assume the title and office of “Pastor Mrs.”, whether they are ordained by God or not. If the office of “Pastor Mrs.” is extra-biblical, any wonder the nation has an elaborate office of first ladies which is extra-constitutional?

5. Overcentralisation: In many churches, there is a compulsory flow of resources to the centre. In the country, we also have a federation which is weighed down by a heavy allocation of resources to the centre.

6. There is a substantial neglect of rural missions. Sometimes rural branches are shut because they are not “viable”. It is also fair to say that rural transformation is slow in the country.

7. The poor cannot access quality education because the standards in public education are weak; the schools and universities established by the church are unaffordable for most people.

8. There is a wide disparity between the income levels and quality of life between leadership and followership, both in the country and in the church. Some have pointed out that our Lord Jesus needed to be kissed by Judas because he was like the other disciples.

9. Political leaders brood no opposition using all means, fair and foul. In the church, we are taught that “when our Pastor asks us to jump, we shouldn’t ask why but how high. We are reminded to “Touch not my anointed” and “the sins of Korah, Dotham and Abiram”. This is a one-sided teaching that forgets that Paul openly rebuked Peter when Peter was in error. We are also not reminded that the Christians in Borea were praised for checking out what they were taught to be sure they aligned with scripture. Our church leaders also conveniently forget to acknowledge the tragic story of the young prophet whose life was destroyed because the old prophet lied to him.

10. Leadership in the nation is about prestige and access to resources, just as it is in the church. Our Lord instructed that true leadership is about being a servant to those you lead.

Do you see other instances where it appears the blight in the church is replicated in the nation? Please share it.

SCRIPTURE: 2 Chron 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. KJV

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Wife of the General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God RCCG, Pastor Mrs. Folu Adeboye has said about 70 percent of Nigerians are suffering from hardships.

She said there was need to seek divine assistance for the nation to witness change from poverty, diseases, violence, blood shedding among other problems.

But she was optimistic that the country would soon experience genuine turnaround.

Mrs. Adeboye spoke at the closing of the 12th Abuja Special Holy Ghost Service held along Abuja – Keffi Expressway, Nasarawa State.

“Nigeria is shining outside. It is known to be flamboyant but 70 percent of the people in the nation are suffering. All forms of sickness we have never heard before are happening.

“What an evil is happening in this nation, greed, fornication, shedding of innocent blood, idolatory. Tonight we should be sober.”

Speaking on the theme of the service, Who can be against us, If the lord be for us, she referred to 2nd chronicle 15 assuring the congregation of God’s mercy.

The clergy who congratulated Champions of the U-17 World Cup Football Competition, explained that if the team can be victorious, there is high indication that the country will still overcome its challenges.

According to her, in Judges 10 vs 10-15, the clergy said when Israelites were in trouble like the nation, they prayed for deliverance and the lord answered them.

In a special prayer session for the country, she urged the congregation to cry for mercy from sin and for God to cleanse the nation.
She prayed for the youths and peace to reign in the country.

Mummy Adeboye as she is fondly called prayed for President Goodluck Jonathan and the Vice President, Arc. Namadi Sambo to have “a good grip” of the country. She emphasised the President must not fail.

The General Overseer RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye said God was ready to fight the battle bedeviling the nation.

He led the huge congregation to prayer session and assured them of their breakthrough.

The clergy in his sermon “If God be for us”, he read the scriptures; Ephesians 4 vs 1, James 4 vs 7, Revelation 12 vs 11, Philipian 2, Mark 1 vs 23 among others.

Jonathan who was represented by the Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe said the proposed national dialogue would be beneficial for the people.

Mrs Adeboye speak about flamboyant nigerians, but her own husband is one of this so this flamboyant nigerians.

Australia and new sealand don't want her husband that he visit the countries.

Adeboyes jet is not registered in nigeria, so why because it is easier to fly with a jet where no body see at the first sign that he comes from nigeria to bring money outside the country.

nora544:

Mrs Adeboye speak about flamboyant nigerians, but her own husband is one of this so this flamboyant nigerians.

Australia and new sealand don't want her husband that he visit the countries.

Adeboyes jet is not registered in nigeria, so why because it is easier to fly with a jet where no body see at the first sign that he comes from nigeria to bring money outside the country.

It's really laughable that the leadership of rccg is talking about poverty being 70% rate in the country whilst a few people live flamboyant lives. Whilst I don't want to dwell in the extreme nature of flamboyance daddy GO's private jet symbolises, I want to state that if the rccg and other pentecostal churches were living up to their responsibility of bringing succour to the poor as instructed by Jesus poverty would be a thing of the past in this country. Imagine if the 35 billion naira being planned to build another USELESS auditorium in Camp is used to empower poor members within the rccg and set up little businesses for them or the billions of naira used to buy and maintain 'daddy's' private jet is used for some more christ like venture of positively touching people's lives. Poverty would indeed decline in this country cause the rccg indeed has the resources and means to empower hundreds of thousands of Nigerians if only they cared. God is not going to come down and fix Nigeria's problems, he would at best use people/churches as channels of blessings. It is up to rccg and other churches/individuals if they decide to be God's instrument to bless others.

Keep up the good work. What I would say is this, Around the world we think we worship the same God, but it is not true.

Every society fashions it God in the mirror image of that society. The church in Nigeria is first and foremost a product of an inherently corrupt society, our perception of God is corrupt, the modes of worship are existentialist.

You can no more expect an incorruptible church leadership or laity drawn from our society any more than you can expect, for instance, an incorruptible police force or judiciary. A society where church leaders spend all their hours screaming and reinforcing the misery of their congregants in the name of God is a recipe for disaster.