₦airaland Forum

From Pastor E.A. Adebayo (who I respect so much) to Bishop David Oyedepo, virtually every pastor in Nigeria has most or all of their children as Pastor's.
It is often acknowledged that Pastoral ministry is one of the fivefold (Eph 4) and therefore requires a special calling (Heb 5:4). So why the frequency of occurrence within the family.
Is it that Pastor's raise Godly children more? or the anointing of the Father is working for the children? Or Pastoral call is now intra-generational? Or the church is now a business organisation?

MY TWO CENTS: I think that just like a Father who is a manager in a bank will want to work his son/daughter to work there and so tailor his/her life and academics in that line, Pastors now tailor their children and relatives (calling or not) to take over from them.
Many of these pastors were truly called but as the church grew bigger, they began to see it as a company rather than God's property and so they take it upon themselves to choose a successor.
I also think, Nigerian labour market being as it is, the children also see the the easiest way to survive is to follow Father's footstep and become a Pastor, at least there is no job issues.
This mentality has led to a lot of hitherto mega churches collapsing or being a show of their former selves when the founder dies.
I believe that there will be a change in heart of Pastor's to allow God's decision on who will lead His church, at least He said 'I will build my church'.

P.S. I am not biased against anyone, and I only mentioned those above because they are prominent. virtually all Pastors are guilty of this, especially in Nigeria as opposed to other developed countries.

@topic, I think its common amongst the pastors who are the founders 'owners' of the church they pastor. This is so because they want their family to continue to head the church (Just like family business).
But not all of them are like that. Eg Adeboye is not the founder of redeem and neither was his father, I don't think his son will be the next g.o if/when he retires. I cant say such from "other" g.o's though.

If you see the church as a MONEY-SCAM CENTER, then you wouldn't be asking this question.
The scam has to stay in the family.
Is there any other way

lomprico:
@topic, I think its common amongst the pastors who are the founders 'owners' of the church they pastor. This is so because they want their family to continue to head the church (Just like family business).
But not all of them are like that. Eg Adeboye is not the founder of redeem and neither was his father, I don't think his son will be the next g.o if/when he retires. I cant say such from "other" g.o's though.

I agree with you and I know his children may not become the G.O., but why are they all Pastors. Is it coincidence or they just want to be Ike their father called or not. I am a prominent lawyer does not mean all my son's should be lawyers ( although it's a possibility) .

plaetton:
If you see the church as a MONEY-SCAM CENTER, then you wouldn't be asking this question.
The scam has to stay in the family.
Is there any other way

I don't see it as that.

Family business.