Rich Churches: Feeding Big Off Poor Members

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It is an irony. While churches in Nigeria grow big, get bigger, many of their members are wallowing in need, poverty and sqalour. The belief is that the more one gives, the more God gets happy. Thus, while churches have set up schools and other business ventures, a majority of their members find it hard to afford the cost of such church rendered services. In this report, TAI ANYANWU writes that the age-old role of the church as a hope for the hopeless is fast vanishing

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Ifeyinwa was 18, when she got married to Obiefuna Ikpe, a young and prosperous journalist. Ten months after the noise of their glamorous wedding, Obiefuna, an Assistant Editor in one of the national dailies, lost his job.

Their first baby arrived three days after the job loss and the young family was plunged into a sudden phase of hardship. Uncertainty and despair tormented Obiefuna and Ifeyinwa, who incidentally were not the religious type.

Now humbled by the afflictions, the couple found solace in the redeeming faith in Jesus Christ.” “We cherished every single moment our pastor taught the life-changing word of God.

Our energies, time, and what was left of our once buoyant resources were devoted to virtually all church activities. We hinged on the hope that tomorrow will be better and that one day, we will be able to give our child the best in life, including sound education,” Ifeyinwa added.

Obiefuna said a few years later, their local church, Assemblies of God’s Church, Badore, joined other branches of the church in Apapa District of Lagos State to raise funds for the building of Evangel College in Okokomaiko.

“My wife and I were excited, believing that when the project is actualized, our child will have a chance of getting balanced nurturing; in the word of God and sound academic teachings,” he related.

Hence, despite their poor financial standing, Obiefuna and Ifeyinwa never relented in giving offerings, paying tithes and contributing to project levies.

The couple also joined other members in Apapa District to render free labour at the Evangel school site. Obiefuna’s child, Yvonne, eventually got admission into Evangel College, when the school became operational.But their journey of faith was almost shipwrecked when the church management hiked the school’s tuition fee, beyond what the couple could afford.

“After the first year of operation, my child was sent out of Evangel College because my wife and I could not afford the new school fees. ” Obiefuna related.

Estranged from collective heritage

Obiefuna and Ifeyinwa felt unjustly deprived of the right to enjoy the services of an institution that they believed, ought to be the collective heritage of the congregation.

The truth is; they aren’t the only ones who have had cause to feel used and dumped by the church in Nigeria. Sunday Telegraph’s survey revealed that different denominations in Christendom in the country are equally guilty of this kind of extortion, deprivation of privileges, and ungodly treatment meted to church members with impunity.

https://www.newtelegraphng.com/rich-churches-feeding-big-off-poor-members/

Cont'd....

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A social commentator, Mr. James Idemudia, who spoke to our reporter, observed that in addition to the customary collection of tithes and offerings, church leaders across the nation often raise funds to execute a variety of projects. Some of the projects include profit-yielding ventures like Day Care centres, Nursery/Primary Schools, Secondary Schools,

Theological Institutes, Universities, Printing Presses, Pure Water factories, real estate, and a host of other church-operated businesses. Who are the people contributing the funds for the multimillion Naira businesses and facilities being built by churches? Idemudia said: “They are millions of poor church members, who cannot afford to sponsor their wards in school.

They are members who frequently contribute their offerings, tithes, special project levies, and other hardearned resources. But they are eventually are impoverished.” Contrary to the word of God, which enjoins worshippers to give willingly, according to one’s capacity and without compulsion, today’s church operators feed fat on both the rich and impecunious believers.

A visit to any church in session reveals just how wealthy church operators have perfected the act of frisking hard-earned resources and psyching poor church members to give compulsively.

A first-time worshiper, Uju Omenka, who was invited to one of the annual deliverance crusades of King in Christ International held at the National Stadium Lagos, shared her experience: “I went to the crusade in search of a miracle, and I saw some startling miracles take place before my very eyes.

“There was this visiting evangelist. He came on stage and emptied seven full bottles of anointing oil on his head. Dripping all over with the greedy fluid, he called on anyone who wanted divine intervention in their circumstances to come with their seed faith; and also give him a big hug.

‘Once you do that, your miracle is settled,’ the Evangelist said assuredly. “I flew to the altar before anyone else, dropped my seed faith, and gave the ‘powerful’ Evangelist a hug with my full chest because I was believing God for a husband. The session continued for about one hour.

At the end of the day, the Evangelist gathered over seven big bags full of cash plus several free warm embraces from all the ladies, who responded to the altar call,” Uju further said. In the case of Dolapo Oyegun, she was invited to worship at Christ Embassy Church, Ikeja. But efforts to get her to drop every kobo in her possession as offering failed.

https://www.newtelegraphng.com/rich-churches-feeding-big-off-poor-members/

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She explained: “I held out one N200.00 note to give as an offering. A member sitting beside me said ah! that is too small. I said but that’s what I have outside my transport fare. Another congregant suggested that, ‘if you give all that you have, you might see somebody who will give you a lift back home.

At that, I said to myself, if I give out all, how do I go back to Festac from Ikeja? This must be brainwashing ooo,” Dolapo reasoned. Ironically, it is not limited to Pentecostal churches alone. A disenchanted Catholic faithful, Onyejiekwe Obinna, abandoned a branch of the church recently.

He lamented: “It is as bad as this; if there is a call for offering in the church, people will fold their palms and dance to the altar with empty hands, drop it into the offering box, then dance back.

It will look as if they have given their offering but what they just did was to avoid the shame of being seen as one who is unable to give an offering.”

“For those of us who are above 40 and have lived part of our lives in the east and Lagos, Catholic Church initially did not take offering row by row. When it is offering time, everybody goes. If you have, you give without compulsion. If you do not have, you sit.

Now, they say let it be organized; people have to go seat by seat and when it’s your turn, everybody will see if you are still sitting, meaning that you do not have money to give.”

“That’s what is forcing people to dance with empty hands to the altar, in order not to appear as one who has no offering to give. Who are you deceiving? As if that is not enough, churches have scaled up their methods of extorting worshippers by calling for first, second, thirds offering collections in one single service,” he explained.

Besides, some things are sacred in the Catholic Church. For instance, during the consecration of the body of Christ, there is expected decorum.

“There is quietness as no one is allowed to enter the church or move around at that time. One can hear the sound of a pin fall to the ground at that time. But today, some influential personalities and yahoo boys are easily allowed to walk into the church during consecration just because they are financially supporting the church,” Elder Kara Joseph said.

Who send una go church?
If mugu no fall guy man no go chop.

As much as we know that some churches are overdoing some of these things, let's look at a part wholistically.

The area of building schools in particular.

It takes a lot to maintain school businesses that is why the fees of private educational institutions both secondary and tertiary are higher than their public counterparts.

That is why it is necessary to work hard o so that you fit afford anything and everything you wish and not be swayed by the poverty mentality of contributing to building schools and not be able to afford to attend

kingphilip:
As much as we know that some churches are overdoing some of these things, let's look at a part wholistically.

The area of building schools in particular.

It takes a lot to maintain school businesses that is why the fees of private educational institutions both secondary and tertiary are higher than their public counterparts.

That is why it is necessary to work hard o so that you fit afford anything and everything you wish and not be swayed by the poverty mentality of contributing to building schools and not be able to afford to attend

Please tell me you are kidding, abeg!

We are taking here of those who put together the money for building of these schools not even being mentioned as shareholders, let alone benefiting in any way , and here you are suggesting they work even harder to afford that which they invested in the building of?

They were fleeced by the churches in the name of God , this against God's own commandment - Ezekiel 34 vs 1 - 16 and John 10 vs 1 - 16 .

Kobojunkie:
Please tell me you are kidding, abeg!

We are taking here of those who put together the money for building of these schools not even being mentioned as shareholders, let alone benefiting in any way , and here you are suggesting they work even harder to afford that which they invested in the building of?

They were fleeced by the churches in the name of God , this against God's own commandment - Ezekiel 34 vs 1 - 16 and John 10 vs 1 - 16 .

The major thing in schooling is mostly not about the building.

The payment of staff salaries are there, maintenance of building, power provision and so many other expenses are required or do you encourage the members to keep contributing to maintain the recurrent expenditure of the school's too?

Giving as the Bible enjoins is to be done willingly and cheerfully and guy e get the kine money wey you go get and all these things no go freak you.

But where I'll find faults with the schools and the members inability to afford them is if they start declaring outrageous profits.

kingphilip:


The major thing in schooling is mostly not about the building.

The payment of staff salaries are there, maintenance of building, power provision and so many other expenses are required or do you encourage the members to keep contributing to maintain the recurrent expenditure of the school's too?

Giving as the Bible enjoins is to be done willingly and cheerfully and guy e get the kine money wey you go get and all these things no go freak you.

But where I'll find faults with the schools and the members inability to afford them is if they start declaring outrageous profits.

How do expect them to declare the bolded when they know how they got the money to start the venture in the first place.
You said the members ought to work harder in order to enjoy what they labour for? Is that how you intend to enjoy your labour? After labouring to achieve something you now labour harder to enjoy your labour, ehen? Is that so?
I am not saying they shouldn't take money from members so that their kids would have quality education infact that's the desire of all right thinking parent but they need to make it affordable for the members who dropped contributions and some even added physical labour to get the job done.
You are talking about the money needed to keep it in operation shouldn't they have thought about it before telling them to contribute money? Let's face it, they tried to do something but the way they did it is wrong. You collect money from those who are poor to erect a venture and the poor whom you fleeced to start can't enjoy their efforts. That's wrong

kingphilip:

The major thing in schooling is mostly not about the building.

The payment of staff salaries are there, maintenance of building, power provision and so many other expenses are required or do you encourage the members to keep contributing to maintain the recurrent expenditure of the school's too?

Giving as the Bible enjoins is to be done willingly and cheerfully and guy e get the kine money wey you go get and all these things no go freak you.

But where I'll find faults with the schools and the members inability to afford them is if they start declaring outrageous profits.

The way you process information astounds me.

Kobojunkie:
Please tell me you are kidding, abeg!

We are taking here of those who put together the money for building of these schools not even being mentioned as shareholders, let alone benefiting in any way , and here you are suggesting they work even harder to afford that which they invested in the building of?

They were fleeced by the churches in the name of God , this against God's own commandment - Ezekiel 34 vs 1 - 16 and John 10 vs 1 - 16 .

Na these your 3 doghead Pastorpreneurs who fleece you, you dey compare with JWs in the other thread?

Your daftness is very luminous.

Janosky:

Na these your 3 doghead Pastorpreneurs who fleece you, you dey compare with JWs in the other thread?

Your daftness is very luminous.

I am atheist, I rather become a Taliban than a witness. You guys are insane

Workch:
I am atheist, I rather become a Taliban than a witness. You guys are insane

You are not sane for sure.
My comment was not addressed to you.
Why drink Panadol for kobojunkie headache?

Hmmm. That applies to most religions actually.

Abi, when the sheppishs have stopped making use of their free gifted senses

helinues:
Abi, when the sheppishs have stopped making use of their free gifted senses

Absolutely, it's quite unfortunate that people can't think and stick to the thinking, rather they let someone dictate thinking for them

A Muslim crying more than the berieved but if those churches construct roads you would still go there to smash head on the roads

You would still line up in synagogue etc with your plates finding free food

You would still be crying to attend the schools they build

kingphilip:


The major thing in schooling is mostly not about the building.

The payment of staff salaries are there, maintenance of building, power provision and so many other expenses are required or do you encourage the members to keep contributing to maintain the recurrent expenditure of the school's too?

Giving as the Bible enjoins is to be done willingly and cheerfully and guy e get the kine money wey you go get and all these things no go freak you.

But where I'll find faults with the schools and the members inability to afford them is if they start declaring outrageous profits.

Which money was used in funding the school project.

It won't be bad if members can be asked to pay at least 60 or 70% of the fees.

Keep shut there.

Kobojunkie:
The way you process information astounds me.

He is right. Teacher salary are not onetime expenses. It means there has to be a recurrent input to cater for those salaries and similar expenses. You cannot use the fact that you paid a token at construction stage of the school to justify demanding free education that involves continuous funding.

RICHES AND WEALTH ARE THE FOREBEARS OF THE FAITH.

RICHES AND WEALTH ARE THE FOREBEARS OF THE FAITH. JESUS MAKES CHURCHES RICH AND POWERFUL.

Only if the rich in our society can give back to the society, the poverty will not be this high....
Greed and selfishness is common in majority of us blacks/Africans

This is one the reason we are suffering/dying of hunger in the midst of plenty

Sibrah:
He is right. Teacher salary are not onetime expenses. It means there has to be a recurrent input to cater for those salaries and similar expenses. You cannot use the fact that you paid a token at construction stage of the school to justify demanding free education that involves continuous funding.

He is wrong! Investors are shareholders and ought to expect returns on their investments, this whether salaries are paid to X many employees or not.

Kobojunkie:
He is wrong! Investors are shareholders and ought to expect returns on their investments, this whether salaries are paid to X many employees or not.

You must be unbalanced to call undocumented donations shares or donor, investors.

Sibrah:
You must be unbalanced to call undocumented donations shares or donor, investors.

First you pretended the issue was the need for money for payment of teachers salaries. Now your complaint is that the contributions were undocumented..... you folks never quit with the illogical, do you?

Kobojunkie:
First you pretended the issue was the need for money for payment of teachers salaries. Now your complaint is that the contributions were undocumented..... you folks never quit with the illogical, do you?

You are clearly a malicious mudslingers. You are the one feigning deep imbecility and not me pretending. Salary is a contious expense while construction is largely a onetime expense where donors aren't documented, how you manage to muddle those two simple fact up to arrive at what suits your known inclination on Nairaland is what I cannot tell.

Sibrah:

You are clearly a malicious mudslingers. You are the one feigning deep imbecility and not me pretending. Salary is a contious expense while construction is largely a onetime expense where donors aren't documented, how you manage to muddle those two simple fact up to arrive at what suits your known inclination on Nairaland is what I cannot tell.

Again....Investors are shareholders and ought to expect returns on their investments, this whether salaries are paid to X many employees or not.

How did you come to the conclusion that the project levies paid by Obiefuna and Ifeyinwa where undocumented?

Religion in Nigeria is especially callous. Strangely enough, some Nigerian religionistas would not attend a church that does not focus on prosperity gospel. People are poor and are hoping for a miracle or lottery.

Gambling, debt, drinking, and drug use are all very high in our country.

I fear for we future.

The sad reality