THE CHURCH IN A CONTEMPORARY WORLD (15)

 The emergence of the new priesthood order. 

After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel. Judges 2:10. 

More than ever before, the multiplication of new ministers, or better still those who claimed they have been called by the Lord is alarming and somehow encouraging. 

It is not uncommon today, that when a brother or sister led a fellowship in the Campus or happened to serve as executives, they ended up floating a church when they concluded their program. The automatic switch is necessitated by various factors:

First, there is scarcely paid employment today. And the only thing that guarantees food on our tables is pastoral work (permits my ignorance). This doesn't demand prospective members to possess certain distinction or special certificates. No rigours of going through interviews and certificate screening. The only requirement is the claim, you have a call and you start your ministry. At least, you will have a guarantee of 20-50 members in a year and more if you're situated in the cities. 

Second, the level of honour and respect enjoyed in the universities when you're referred to as Papa or Mama, Rabbi, the band of sisters with 'cooler ministry' dishing out free and assorted meal at just a whisper, would not want anyone to go where he would be less addressed or enjoyed such an accolade and dignified position. The best way to retain your honor is to sustain the path of the honour. 

Third, there are old ministers outside who want a community of children in the Lord. They decide and hear from God for you. Never need to stretch yourself praying and asking for confirmation. They come to your meeting and pour oil on you and pronounce you as new generation ministers. Some are made Bishops, Prelate, Apostles and the rest. The old ministers need to sustain their relevance among men. 

These new generation ministers are lurking around cities and urban centers where they can become cheaply popular. You will see them with plaited hairs, dressing to the pulpit as if they were heading to the football field. The noise of the choir and irreverent shout from the members propelling their ministers to RIDE ON PASTOR is nothing less compared to noise pollution from the market centre. These folks contend with commas, full stop, hyphen that are in the Bible but left out the Spirit of the Word. They demystify sin and sinners to the extent that the sinners feel comfortable in his sins being made to understand that God is so gracious that He won't count our sins against us that Christ has paid it all. 

They centre the church of God around ceremonies and events that even unborn babies can celebrate their birthday while in the womb. If you attend these churches, you tend to take sin as a mistake rather than be convinced and repent of it. 

These new generations of ministers know more of popular events than biblical history. 

In these churches, the old men and women are grossly irrelevant. And in most cases, the younger ones abandon the old folk to start their own Youth Assembly. The assembly insensibly coordinated and led by another who cannot even quote a Bible verse offhand. 

Because these men are lacking in word and power, they resort and appeal to other means and methods to sustain the church. They bring motivational speakers, secular singers float in their pulpit, the jester entertain the congregation and countless ceremonies and events are organised. The essence is to find something to retain their relevance.

The truth of the matter is this, Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit. For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. Jeremiah 2:11, 13

As long as this trend continues, the Church of God will continue to lack the capacity to raise men who can sustain the fire of revival. We will only have men who are affluent and possess political, economic, and social influence, but cannot reach the heavens. These men will be unable to reproduce others who can sustain the flow of God's grace.

It is never too late to retrace our steps and make things right with God. It is never too late.

Peter Abdul-Razaq, OLAYINKA, a serving missionary with: Living Grace Christian Missions, Ilara.

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