₦airaland Forum

'Social distancing in church is like blasphemous infidelity’ — Okotie disagrees with CAN

Chris Okotie, the pastor of the Household of God Church, says the proposed guidelines by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for reopening of churches are “unbiblical”.

Like mosques, churches have remained closed in several states across the country for weeks as part of measures to combat spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

But according to The Sun, CAN had last Thursday said it released a 10-point guideline to be presented to the federal government for approval.

Samson Ayokunle, CAN president, said the guidelines, drafted in compliance with the government’s efforts to tackle the COVID-19, would determine the operations of churches when they reopen.

The guidelines, among others, propose that churches should strictly observe social distancing during services.

“Every worshipper must wear face mask. Social distancing should be observed in the sitting arrangement with one meter gap between two worshippers. One and a half hour service is enough for a start. There should be a gap of 25 or 30 minutes between one service and another where there are multiple services to avoid crowd,” Ayokunle had said.

In his reaction, Okotie, in a statement on Sunday, wondered why CAN would allow the coronavirus pandemic to determine the scope of worship in churches.

“Greetings. I am Rev Chris Okotie. I called earlier to discuss a report in today’s Sun Newspaper in which CAN recommended guide lines for the Opening of Churches. Social distancing in the Church of Jesus Christ is tantamount to blasphemous infidelity and an impeachment of the integrity of the word of God,” he said.

The clergyman said such directives undermine the divine healing characteristic for which the church is known for.

He went on to call on CAN to reconsider its position, adding that no true minister of God would support such initiative.

“Healing is fundamental to the redemptive work of Jesus. To allow the idol of coronavirus to determine the scope of congregational worship in the house of God is an abomination of gargantuan proportions,” he said.

“No true minister of the gospel will succumb to such travesty of the faith. This is a summary of my objections. I have sent this message hoping that you would respond as one who bears the burden of the cross of Jesus.

“I have restrained myself from making a public outcry of this desecration and profanation out of respect for you and the CAN hierarchy. But be assured that this position is transient.”

Okotie’s statement comes about three weeks after David Oyedepo, the presiding bishop of Living Faith Worldwide, declared that anyone against the rise of the church will die.

Chris Oyakhilome, founder of LoveWorld Incorporated, had also scolded pastors for shutting down their churches in compliance with the federal government’s ban on religious gatherings.

Source: https://www.thecable.ng/social-distancing-in-church-is-like-blasphemous-infidelity-okotie-disagrees-with-can

Social distancing will greatly affect tithe and offering.

All Na Grammar!

ikorodureporta:
social-distancing-in-church-is-like-blasphemous-infidelity-
lalasticlala

I dont understand the grammar but I agree with him this time . CAN leadership has fallen jesus hand

petra1:
I dont understand the grammar but I agree with him this time . CAN leadership has fallen jesus hand

hehhehehehehheheheheheheheh

Nnam supu

....
If churches and mosques were closed because of covid19, what purpose do they even serve in the first place..?

Issoryt.... Nobody wan kpai but we wan go heaven

Pastors are worried that social distancing will reduce the capacity of the church and thereby decrease offerings. I'm not even sure if all these attempts at social distancing is effective considering that when you sneeze droplet aerosols can travel as fast as 100,000 miles per second. So how exactly does a 6ft distance prevent the spread? The one that makes me laugh the most is the proposition that airplanes should fly with the middle seat empty; how does it prevent the spread of aerosols in and closed compartment?

Lol...ok

What did you want pastor Chris?

petra1:
I dont understand the grammar but I agree with him this time . CAN leadership has fallen jesus hand

Thank God there is nowhere in the bible where CAN was mentioned as the authentic Christian body

Obeying constituted authorities is biblical, no matter how we feel we just have to obey the law

Atenuje lan wa

ikorodureporta:
Source: https://www.thecable.ng/social-distancing-in-church-is-like-blasphemous-infidelity-okotie-disagrees-with-can

Comply or you get lockout again

Stupid man.
You conmen are gradually coming out of your hiding after doctors and nurses have taken the most hit from the virus.

good

no religious centre should open....

We should be talking about schools first not religion

This is pure travesty. Christianity is of faith and such guidelines are against the tenants of our Christian faith.

I was brought up in a godly home where my parents thought us the applications of Faith. If we believe Christ is above sickness, why then are we distancing right in his church.

This one...e be like say em weed son finish. See his social distance hairs like a kwashiorkor patient's hairs

Scammer

English...

Receive sense

Dpharisee:
Obeying constituted authorities is biblical, no matter how we feel we just have to obey the law

Very correct... in fact this is one of Jesus' earliest teachings.

"Healing is fundamental to the redemptive work of Jesus. To allow the idol of coronavirus to determine the scope of congregational worship in the house of God is an abomination of gargantuan proportions,"

Well, I suppose he can either keep his congregation safe by following guidelines, or he may soon not have a congregation.

OloshoMan:
Tell God/Dog to eradicate the virus and stop social distancing. Of course he won't do it cos he's always having sex with Mary

You know, it does take a lot to show you are wise. Sometimes, simple saying nothing is enough!!!