FEATURE ARTICLE

Sam AwedaWednesday, December 17, 2008
[email protected]


ANNOUNCE THIS ARTICLE
TO YOUR FRIENDS

ABUSES & EXCESSES OF SOME PASTORS

n my last exposition, I narrated Pauls's recommendation on how pastors and other Church workers ought to be looked after.


advertisement

Interestingly, Paul who made those beautiful recommendations to the Churches, to very well look after their pastors, himself refused to utilize the provision in spite of the fact that he worked harder (as he himself puts it ), more than any of the boastful preachers who ripped off the Churches (2Cor 11:23).

While quoting the Scriptural sayings that instruct that Christian workers should be well looked after, he quickly added,

"But I have used none of these things; and I am not writing this to hint that I would like to start now. In fact, I would rather die of hunger than lose the satisfaction I get from preaching to you without charge" (ICor 9:15).

Writing the Thessalonians, he said:

"For you well know that you ought to follow our example; you never saw us loafing. We never accepted food from anyone without buying it; we worked hard day and night for the money we needed to live on, in order that we would not be a burden to any of you. It wasn't that we didn't have the right to ask you to feed us, but we wanted to show you, firsthand, how you should work for your living. Even while we were still there with you, we gave you this rule; 'He who does not work shall not eat" (2 Thess 3:7-10).
What a Christian worker/ leader by example!

Compared with many Christian leaders of today who live in extreme affluence and luxury. While I do not believe that Pastors/Christian workers should live poorly, I do not support extravagant or immodest life style either, when they can either utilize the 'givers money' further in the spread of the gospel or for the cause of the poor. They preach the Old Testament rules of tithing when they themselves do not abide with the code of conduct applicable to Old Testament priests which forbids them from having any inheritance. On the contrary, they acquire properties that are inestimable, running to millions of dollars.

Paul, writing the Corinthians wrote:

"Truly, the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders and mighty deeds. The only thing I didn't do for you, that I do everywhere else in all other churches was to become a burden to you - I didn't ask you to give me food to eat and a place to stay (2Cor 12:12-13). "Did I do wrong and cheapen myself and make you look down on me because I preached God's Good News to you without charging you anything? Instead I 'robbed' other churches by taking what they sent to me, and using it up while I was with you, so that I could serve you without cost. And when that was gone, and I was getting hungry I still didn't ask you for anything, for the Christians from Macedonia brought me another gift. I have never yet asked you for one cent, and I never will. I promise this with every ounce of truth I possess.." (2Cor 11:7-10).

And he did recognize those Churches who gave to his needs. Turning to the Philippian Church(es) that offered him financial help, he wrote:

"How grateful I am and how I praise the Lord that you are helping me again. I know you have always been anxious to send what you could, but for a while you didn't have the chance. Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of contentment in every situation, whether it be a full stomach or hunger, plenty or want, for I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power. But even so, you have done right in helping me in my present difficulty. As you know, when I first brought the Gospel to you and then went on my way, leaving Macedonia, Only you Philippians became my partners in giving and receiving. No other Church did this. Even when I was over in Thessalonica you sent help twice" (Phil 4:10-16).

Although Paul, when writing the Corinthian Church gave the impression as if there were many Churches who gave him financial assistance, but from the above quotation, it would appear that only the Philippians' Church did.

The example of Paul is a reminder of the life style of many of the early Christian workers of this generation in Nigeria. I mean those who really labored for the growth of Christianity outside the borders of denominations. While I do not intend to embarrass any one, I cannot but mention a few names like Rev. Mike Oye who worked many years as a travelling Secretary for the Scripture Union in the South West. The chairman of the S.U was then a former Secretary & Head of service in the western region, Mr. Odumosu. I apologize if I confuse the name.

The counterparts of Bro Mike Oye (as he was known and called then) in the North were the group of Bro. Reuben Ariko as the Secretary/Executive of the Fellowship of Christian Students (F.C.S) with the secretariat at Kaduna. If 'am not mistaken, Prof. Ishaya Audu, former Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (A.B.U), Zaria was the chairman. Rev. Emmanuel Oladipo was one of the travelling Secretaries. Unfortunately, I cannot remember the names of the other two travelling Secretaries in the North while I cannot remember any of the names of their counterparts in the South East. Remember I am talking about a story, which is over 40 years ago. Rev. Emmanuel Oladipo rose at different stages to become the Executive/Secretary of the F.C.S and later head of the S.U in Africa and later Head of the S.U world-wide with the office in London.

The sacrifice, which those people made for the gospel cannot be quantified. They were all University graduates who committed their lives to travelling to High schools to making and raising born again Christians of the youths. Bro. Mike Oye if I do not mistaken was either a 1961, '2 or '3 graduate of the premier University, Ibadan, while Bro. Oladipo most probably was a graduate of 1966 or '7 of Zaria.

They all lived on allowances when newly University graduates of their time who worked for the Government went home at the end of each month with a basic salary of 60-pounds. These doyens of Christianity were only assigned a jalopy type of vehicle, which trunk and back seat were always occupied with Christian literatures. When other graduates were able to settle down comfortably in an apartment (flat) of 2 or 3 bed rooms, I remember that Bro. Emmanuel Oladipo (as he was then called) could only afford just a face me I face you type of two rooms on Yoruba Road Ilorin.

The sacrifice they were making for the gospel could not dawn on us so much then but much later when we had to ask how their different parents tolerated them. What do I mean? If you paid for the education of your child up to the University level and at the time when you were expecting full returns or some dividends, for the child to tell you he was going into full time Gospel work with no salary but only some allowances.

The truth is that in the past, the orthodox Churches in Nigeria were only a gathering of religious people who did not really grasp the essence of Christ. The life style of many church goers then were not significantly different from any others other than that they went to the Church early on Sunday morning to eat and drink holy communion and at the end of the service return to their usual habits. It is not lost on me however that many of those Churches confronted fiercely, in the villages, the idol worshippers especially the 'egungun'. But really they did not have to confront or fight them but preach the gospel to them.

This was the situation in the Churches at the beginning until those Christian radicals, the group of Rev. Oye, Ariko, Oladipo, Obadiah Tebu late Stephen Toluyemi, came into the scene. The list is really long in different parts of the country and I cannot claim to know them all, who God used to change the status quo among the youths with positive ripple effects, which transformed the different Denominations and Churches. We then started to have born again people attending the Bible Schools and Seminaries unlike in the past when people attended in order to make a living. A study of the academic background of those at the helm of affairs in the Nigerian Anglican Communion today reveals it all.

I remember the effort of the late blind Physiotherapist, Bitrus Gani, among the Students and Nurses of the College of Medicine, Lagos; late Bro. Samuel Odunaike of the Four Square Gospel Church, who was the Personnel Manager, British Petroleum (BP) Bro. Gabriel Olagunju of the Gospel Herald. Tony Wilmot, a German, who was the Corporate Head of Mandilas, which marketed Volkswagens products also used to hold a Bible Study every Monday in his house on Hughes Avenue, Alaago Meji, Yaba. There also used to be a fine fellowship at the SIM (ECWA) compound, Montgomery in Yaba that met on Saturday evenings.

There were also many fine and refined Born again children of God who worked conscientiously and tenaciously in the High Schools, molding the hearts of young stars for the Lord. Their counterparts in tertiary institutions were referred to as 'Senior fiends', popular among them was someone referred to as "Uncle Japheth" at Ibadan 'Varsity.

These are a few of the people that laid the foundation of what can be called 'born-again Christianity' in Nigeria. They worked like Paul at no charge to anyone. They used their personal resources to promote the Kingdom of God on earth. They behaved typical of the apostle Paul who wrote "I will very gladly spend and be spent for you" (2Cor.12:15).

How I wish Christianity in Nigeria had remained like that. All the dividends of the sacrifice of those pioneers seem now to be lost after the "Commercial Christian Preachers" arrived at the scene and took over the pulpits and Christianity became a cosmetic and it becomes so easy for a thief in the Senate, a thief occupying a cabinet position or occupying the State House to claim that he/she is born again with the audacity to hold a lavish thanks giving service for his/her 'selection'.

Till today, when you come across the disciples of those Christian pioneers who I mentioned earlier, they still conduct their pastoral work in a modest manner. They do not live extravagant life. They maintain low profile as much as possible.

I have on occasions in those days when I coordinated Christian students' activities, invited Ministers from far places and it just did not occur to me that I should pay them honorarium. And I myself had travelled to far places to minister and I can't remember when I ever took gift. We paid for our expenses except food that are normally offered. This may not be good enough but I still believe that it is ok because the reward will be credited to our different personal different accounts in heaven.

A disciple of the earlier belief, about 1988 told me he would be departing the U.S. for missionary work. It was not too long after I arrived the U.S then and was still very conversant with gospel work at home. I asked him how much savings he had because the economy of Nigeria was already nose driving. This my brother gave me a reply that I do not forget till date. He said "I do not believe in a setting where the pastor lives above the Church. The living condition and style of the Pastor must be within that of the members" This pronouncement tallies with Paul's recommendation when he said "For I mean not that other men be eased and ye be burdened" (2Cor.8:13). The Lord eventually led him to the U.K. where he already planted a Church and has few branches.

The Commercial Christian Preachers would have none of those. They have completely turned Christian ministration into very heavy personal monetary gains for themselves. They have added prestige also to it; they have riders and sirens to go ahead of them to clear their ways. They have servants to put their jackets on them before entering the auditorium. Members talk to them on their knees. They have security outfits. Their personal wealth is stupendous.

Unfortunately, lay men today prefer those high profile preachers and Churches to the humble ones. It was same in the days of Paul. The Corinthians looked down on him because of his humble style of preaching. Yet he was the one who led them to Christ. He was the one who took the gospel to them at no cost to them. Instead they accorded the respect to the proud preachers who later visited them and because they were sweet mouthed, boastful preachers, they successfully ripped them off (2Cor 11:23). And this is exactly what is happening today.

I once had a dream. We were in heaven and I saw a Christian brother, who while on earth was very popular, referred and esteemed. But in heaven he had only two stripes of a Corporal and he was running up and down taking orders. I was frightened and shocked. God was kind however and by the time I woke up I lost the face and figure of the brother completely. Till today I did not remember who he was, whether he was a black or white or green person.

An elderly Christian preacher who has now gone to be with the Lord was frequently invited in and out of town to preach at wedding and other ceremonies and occasions after the service was over, was stranded. There was a particular occasion when he stood, according to him for hours in the blazing sun, waiting for public transportation to convey him home. Those, in whose honour he had gone to minister nor any one bothered for his welfare. He had to eventually decide that anyone or Church who invited him for ministration had to provide transportation. He was the immediate past Provost of the Anglican Cathedral, Ilorin. This is an example of abuses, which humble preachers frequently suffer.

There was a fine, young Christian brother who inherited the business of his parents and quickly used his little wealth for evangelism in his own way. He went about showing Christian films without a charge to anyone. He was in July or August of 1982 on such a mission to a pre-wedding night of activities, usually called 'Brides or Bachelor's evening to show film when on his way he had an accident and he suffered burns at over 60%. A week later he went to be with the Lord. It was most devastating to his wife, parents, the Church and those of us who were his associates. The sad thing is that the couple whose night he was going to honour, did not deem it fit to pay a condolence message to the family of this brother. He could all the same suffer road accident on a different mission but it would have been little courtesies and Christianly of the couple and their friends to pay a condolence visit to the family of the brother.

Few years ago, I travelled on road for over 12 hours each way to minister in a certain region. I ministered a whole weekend preaching and teaching not less than three sessions a day. At my departure I was given a token of appreciation. I had never taken it, so I declined it. Many at the gathering bought my books but there was no time to collect the money till I departed. The Church leadership promised to collect the money and forward it to me. Till date, it is not done after 9 years.

Sam Aweda is President & Snr. Pastor, Jesus for the World Revival Mission

advertisement
IMAGES IN THE NEWS