₦airaland Forum

lomprico:
Chelsea fans deceiving themselves since 1801.

Revelations that worshippers at the headquarters of Christ Embassy Church ‎in Lagos had to pay N1,000 each as gate fee to attend a New Year’s Eve service presided over by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome have shocked many Nigerians and infuriated others.

Worshippers who wanted to attend the crossover service at Christ Embassy’s headquarters on Billings ‎Way in Oregun Area of Lagos on 31 December, 2014, were made to obtain gate passes that sold for N1,000 each.

Those who could not afford such passes were turned back and told that they could go elsewhere to worship or watch the service online for free.

While the practice ‎is not new in Christ Embassy Church, it led to an uproar in January 2011 after it was first introduced on 31 December, 2010.

Many people described it then as extortion, abuse of ‘Jesus’ teachings and another confirmation that some Nigerian churches and pastors are more interested in making money than winning souls for God.

But the church explained, though informally, that it was a way of controlling the crowd and discouraging thousands of people who come to church once a year on 31 December and prevent “real worshippers” from securing seats at the headquarters on that important night.

The argument did not win many fans and under a barrage of criticisms, the church prayed the matter would be forgotten. Nigerians also hoped gate fee collection would stop.

But the practice has continued and is now seen as routine with those who cannot afford the money being turned back on 31 December of every year.

With a sitting capacity of roughly 20,000 seats, Christ Embassy might have made at least N20 million from the sale of gate passes used for the crossover service.

Worshippers in Christ Embassy and former staff have complained in the past that the emphasis was often too much on money in the church rather than on spiritual things Jesus Christ taught his disciples.

While virtually all prosperity churches in Nigeria apply the principles of “giving ‎to the church to receive from God”, many say the level of financial demands and pressures in Christ Embassy Church is unusually high.

Since the revelations about the gate fees collection at Christ Embassy Church were made public last week, Nigerians have continued to express shock, outrage and indignation with many finding it hard to believe it.

Many Nigerians expressed their indignation on the social media, especially Facebook.

‎”Gate fee collection appears good for crowd control in a theatre or secular concert, but not sound enough in the house of God where Christ the head of the church bids everyone to come, even when they only respond once in a year,” ‎said Femi Olulowo on Facebook.

He said the church should rather see their once in a year response as an opportunity to reach out to the loss (non regular attendees) and make disciple of them as Christ commanded.

“Even if the church prefers his already saved members to partake in a particular service, gate pass should have been given to them at no cost and they will have the privilege of going in first.

“The crowd control rationale for gate fee collection in church in my opinion is world based,” he said.

According to ‎Onyeka Daisy Okochi, salvation doesn’t come at a cost.

Daisy said in the Bible, a man who wanted to pay for salvation was refused.

To Oyagha Anthony, Nigerian worshippers are gullible. “Did God come down through him (the pastor) that day?,” he asked.

“I have watched the man preach severally and I don’t know the magic in his sermon and anointing that keeps making people fall for his tricks and gimmicks.

“He quotes one Bible reference and shouts as if he just revealed what no man had ever read or seen in that passage before and then takes a run front and back and they all starts shouting. Just disgusting most times,” he said.

To Clement Ali, “‎does it mean if I don’t have N1000, I won’t be allowed into the service?

In that case, his intentions is the money.”

“Let them continue to pile up riches for themselves here on earth where moths will eat up and where thieves will break through,” Ali said.

He added: “SALVATION IS FREE and cannot be bought with money. Jesus said, freely l gave you, so also, freely ye shall give.”

According to Erijery Reuben Mateta, some people are born spiritually blind, deaf and dumb.

“However you preach to them they will never hear and understand,” Mateta said.

Eyitope Akeju could not believe that gate fees were collected at Christ Embassy Church on 31 December. “Somebody should please tell me this is not true. If it is true it means corruption is now everywhere,” Akeju said.

Patrick Orkuma asked sarcastically; ‎”Are you people just realising now that most of these so called Men of God are con men? People have been paying for prayers, so why can’t they pay for venue?”

‎To Aderibigbe Oluwasanmi; “‎Why are we going to blame a business name for doing his business, he is bussines man not a Pastor for real‎”.

‎Many others who commented on the social media were critical of Oyakhilome and Christ Embassy Church, urging the church to stop the practice.

Others even asked for tax officials to step in.

With over 70 per cent of Nigerians living in abject poverty and on less than two dollars a day, many believe that demons are responsible for their financial, physical and emotional problems.

They run to pastors for healing, miracles, blessing and protection.

But once in church, pastors often tell worshippers that to prosper and be blessed by God, they need to give ten per cent of all their income as tithe to God. Some also say they need to give ten percent of all their increases.

By giving to God, they mean, they need to “sow a seed in the church”. When they give money to the church, worshippers are ‎told, the “money goes into their future” to transform their lives.

To refuse “to sow a seed” is “to condemn oneself to a life of hardship and misery”, pastors say.

But while few worshippers eventually prosper, it is the pastors who end up becoming extremely rich.

Many Nigerians pastors now own businesses, cars, houses, and investments within and outside the country. Some even own private jets.

Many say with his business model and financial strategies in the church, Oyakhilome was named by Forbes as one of the richest pastors in Nigeria.

He travels around the world in a jet and moves around Lagos with bodyguards and heavily armed policemen.

http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2015/01/05/crossover-service-nigerians-blast-chris-oyakhilome-over-gate-fees/

Billyonaire:
OP, I must be frank here. You are the cause of the problem. I do not see anything wrong in wearing a butt-pad. Women use most of these artificial beauty-aids to augment their self-confidence and 'look good', it doesnt suggest she is cheating.

I will like to be blunt here; Your wife has done a lot to put up with a man who didnt plan well before engaging in a traditional marriage. You didnt couldnt even afford your rent after traditional marriage and you went ahead to impregnate your wife. Are you silly ? Now the poor woman helps to buy foodstuff, pay rent, and in fact buy herself cloths and butt-pads which is actually your responsibility as a man 100%.

You are NOT financially and psychologically stable enough to get married. I am sorry, this is just the plain truth.

I see nothing wrong in her actions, except ofcourse the curses and abuse, which are actually caused by your actions and inactions.

cococandy:
Are you the type that like your wife to work and deposit her salary in your personal account so that you will allocate to her how much she can spend on her bra and pant.

If she gets money you guys will build the house in your name alone so that one day when you're tired you will marry a new sisi and chase her out as the house is "your house" alone.

Most of you have slave master mentality. Tell me why you won't have rebellious wives?

mystiqueDZ:
This lady must be beautifulllllll for you to overlook her bad mouth and still married her....

felicity111:
what God has joined together let no man,church,behaviour,insults; put assunder

MissMeiya:
OP, you sound like a dumbass. What do you want us to tell you.

born2boink:
Hi Seun/Moderators/ Administration

With respect and not insult this time, I wish to know the reasons why my identification handle on nairaland was changed from born2fuck to born2boink
I felt deep in my heart that this is inappropriate to change the ID without my concept or agreement.
Nobody is above the law but nairaland law did not specify that such ID was void before or after registration, and the same ID has matured for more than 3 years.
I have been member of nairaland ranging from different ID till born2fuck for 7 years, I do not see any reason why someone who just come in thereafter my registration and have been given power to moderate or enter nairaland system could do anything he wishes to torment membership of this site, knowingly that some even go beyond penalising people who comply with the law for personal interest.

I want my ID reverse back to born2fuck immediately with apology, even if you want to re-change the ID, you may then contact me for negotiation and reason for change.
Yours faithful

Walata
Aka Dobodobo
Master of Ashawology
The Born2fuck

joseph1013:
Does anyone have any idea when market closes today?

cococandy:
Not just a bad husband. A criminal too. Tax evasion is a crime that earns prison sentence. He's lucky he's doing that in Nigeria .

PHIPEX:
This is a bit funny. Since Oyakilome preaches tithe, where does he expect these workers that have not been paid since June to get their tithe from. If any of these workers is his member, has such a person sinned if he failed to pay tithe?

unmask:
the difference between all you mentioned and a homo is that homos don't hurt people.... If an homosexual forces a person to have sexxx, then it's rape.... If it is a child, then it's pedophilia.... So you can't compare a homo with those

unmask:
there in lies your prejudice..... You don't believe anybody was born gay then please prove it.... I too don't believe anybody can be born blind, an imbeci.le, as a siamese, as a deaf-mute..... But then people are born that way.... Does it make them less human?

anselm791:
If it's really petrol, the report would have 'half a congregation dies from chemical pneumonitis' and I would have been laughing my ass off.

anselm791:
Cause you don't die from eating grass, but I do know it's possible to brainwash people and that's where I'd get a good laugh when they die, there are far too many foolish people as it is walking the earth.

The first willing taster said: "It has a lot of fumes but I
don't have any side effects."
According to health experts the petrol is dangerous if
consumed as it is poisonous and can be very harmful.
If swallowed, it can also lead to dizziness, a feeling of
being drunk, extreme fatigue and can lead to
unconsciousness.
It can also cause lung problems and can cause damage
to the lining of the throat.
Some symptoms seem to be displayed by some of the
congregation in the video.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/watch-pastor-turn-petrol-pineapple-4332348

anselm791:
If it's really petrol, the report would have 'half a congregation dies from chemical pneumonitis' and I would have been laughing my ass off.

anselm791:
If it's really petrol, the report would have 'half a congregation dies from chemical pneumonitis' and I would have been laughing my ass off.

anselm791:
I fit bet with your lives that it's not petrol.

Controversial South African Pastor Daniel Lesego of the
Rabboni Centre who once made his church members eat
grass is in the news again.
This time, he reportedly asked his congregants to drink
petrol.
A video circulating online shows the man of God praying
for a bottle which according to him contained petrol, to be
turned to pineapple juice.
He then offered it to his congregants to drink. Some of
them were exclaiming how ‘sweet’ and ‘nice’ it tastes,
some said it tasted like the blood while some others
begged for more.
Some of the followers are seen collapsing after drinking
from the bottle of petrol turned into juice.

http://www.naij.com/296579-faith-congregation-drinks-fuel.html

watch video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JKqbNOGeqA

KoloOyinbo:
Yes I promote tolerance. Intolerant people ARE uneducated savages!

Do YOU feel intolerance is educated? Do civilized people preach hatred - of course not? Should you no be promoting tolerance and education?

Sigh, I have travelled the world and seen much over my 58 years but always despair at those (in ALL cultures and ALL races) that promote or passively accept intolerance.

KoloOyinbo:
Sigh! Pathetic attempts at self justification.
I have not tried to FORCE acceptance of anything merely to condemn all forms of intolerance. Try READING what was actually said.
I only bother with this Nigerian Forum not other ones due to my strong links with and love f Nigeria.
Not interested in American Forums.
Most people find gays or otherwise irrelevant to them.
Where have I pretended to be pure and holy? (Do you even read or just rant randomly? ) As I keep saying I merely condemn all forms of intolerance against Gays, Blacks, Any religion etc etc etc.

What is your issue with people that promote tolerance and condemn hatred?
I suspect you may have some issues but do wish you a happy life anyway.

KoloOyinbo:
And I don't hate you, I only condemn your irrational fear and condemnation! LOL

Seriously I don't want you to be upset, angry or fearful. There have always been a small proportion of people who are gay and always will be a small proportion. That does not make the rest of us less 'straight' - I promise you this. You will be happier if you just relax and live and let live! I have many gay friends and straight friends and friend I don't know what their sexuality is. I don't actually care!

I just care that I get my two weeks in Lagos next month to make my pepe and chop my little babe who I will marry! Its sad that there is so much hatred on Nairaland - if it is not anti gay then its tribal etc. I accept that after all nobody is perfect - (although I do come close ).

KoloOyinbo:
I insult no one. I just point out hatred and ignorance for what it is - the act of poorly educated savages.

I neither support or oppose the gay act. I have said nothing to contradict this as anyone who can properly read will easily see. I merely recognise that the are different from myself and most others but have a right to live their life as they chose.

Do you feel so fearful and threatened that you must rant not only at the gays but at those who refuse to blindly follow a howling mob and condemn them? The Nazis were very good at whipping up hatred and fear of the Jews!

KoloOyinbo:
Check you posts for ignorance and hatred just because someone is different.

I don't hate anyone. I point out ignorance so that people may address it and thus improve themselves. I call hatred savagery. Those who hate ARE ignorant Savages!

Tolerance of others is highest among the best educated and lowest among the poorly educated who know no better.