Firstly, I want to state that there are true Pastors and Religious Leaders out there doing what is right they. To say there are not, will be fallacy of hasty generalisation .
But, Christianity is not magic. Some of our Pastors make their members believe that they are talisman. Some Pastors make it seem like you do not need to work to prosper, all you need to do is “Give”.
That is how many of them have amassed so much wealth ,that some Pastor-preneurs in Nigeria are richer than some countries in Africa.
They use Members Monies to build Universities and State of the Art Schools in their personal names .They take loans from Banks in their personal names and pay on Mondays with tithes and offerings collected on Sundays.That is fraud and obtaining money by false pretence .
If we were to look at the financial records of many churches, many Pastors will actually be in jail .Some will say do not talk bad about a man of God .My Answer is are some of them Men of God or god of Men .
Churches are registered as Incorporated Trustees under Part C, of the Company and Allied Matters Act, (CAMA) No one can own a Church.It is a Non Governmental Organisation and Trustees are not expected to draw salaries .Only full time day to day workers are expected to draw salaries . Presidents of the Registered Church according to our Laws do hold offices for life , as their office are tenured .They also expected to have a Secretary ,Vice President and Treasurer, who are expected to be Trustees .The Trustees can also among themselves take any decision which by Law is by Resolution.The President can not take unilateral decisions with out the concurrence of other Trustees.In real life , it is one man show and when the President dies , his wife , son or daughter takes over .This selfish hijacking of the church system is not within the contemplation of our Laws .Churches according to CAMA are also to have Annual General Meetings , where annual financial reports should be presented .
In other climes things are properly done .A Popular Nigerian Pastor ran away from the United Kingdom to Nigeria , when the UK Charities Commission closed up on him on the mismanagement of his church finances.
Nigeria Churches abroad have to lie to Foreign Authorities about some times non -existent conferences and crusades to repatriate money back home .When the events eventually happen it is a fraudulent smoke screen to bring money home for the enjoyment of the GOs , their wives , children and hangers on.
The Pope is the Head of the Catholic church.He has a dual status He is the Spiritual Leader of the Catholic Church, the largest church in the world and he is also the Head of State of Vatican City, the smallest country in the World .The Pope flies economy class most times with Air Italia , when travelling any where in the world .
In Nigeria, we have Pastors owning Private Jets .Living in stupendous splendour while some of those in the Pew wallow in squalor.
They say their homes are beyond the sky , but they build sky crappers , are they building ladders to heaven ?Can a Man Rob God ?Are you God ?Why don’t let God worry about it ?
The Pastoral Care Unit ,(PCU) of some churches have females out doing themselves with trendy gowns/Tight fitted skirts / blouses and high heeled shoes to get the attention of their Pastors .Like Care Givers , some of them end up in places you may not want to imagine .
Stories are rife of mind blowing scandals ,that will make Oscar Winning Hollywood Actors look like saints .The Church has to change the Society or the Society will change the Church.
We must be very circumspect.The Christian Association of Nigeria needs to have a Disciplinary Committee.All Churches must belong to CAN.If you do want to join CAN ,then you may not able to operate a Church.
It is time to change the narrative. Enough is Enough.
douglasogbankwa@gmail.com
