The trio of the Lagos Chapter Chairman of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Bishop Sola Ore, international evangelist, Bishop Abraham Olaleye and The Chairman of Anambra State Chapter of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Bishop Moses Ezedebego on Sunday, June 28 deliberated on the perceived disunity in the church and how the church can become one in accordance with Jesus’ prayer.
The discussion which held online was sponsored by The Coaching Network, anchored by Dr. Oyewole Sarumi. The theme was COOPERATION, COLLABORATION AND COMMUNICATION: POST-PANDEMIC OPTIONS AND CHALLENGES FOR CHURCH UNITY.
It was a pragmatic discussion which bothered on a number of issues trailing the Church and how the church can step into its potentials in the coming years. Bishop Ore kicked off the discussion stressing from the onset that the church has to get to a point where “We have to see the entire picture of the Church as the body of Christ which is indivisible. Before talking about unity we have to first forget about ourselves and concentrate on the kingdom. God wants us to break the barrier around ourselves.”
He wondered why the church can’t have a joint Christian university stressing that “Every church wants to have its own university. I believe that we need to make up our minds to work for the unity of the body of Christ.” He said,
Ore observed further that the government and politicians know that “the Church is not united so they do many things to separate us the more. “If these people know we will always speak with one voice it will be difficult for them to bring a wedge between us.
“We make some pronouncements that give us away. Pride is one of the things that is not making us come together. That we do not agree on a number of issues does not mean we should not come together.” He said
Giving the example of the present pandemic and the rancorous voice from many church leaders, Ore said “If the church had been in agreement from day one, we can lay our lives on the line and tell the government to leave us that we are ready to bear the consequence if we are allowed to gather. But that is not the case. There are people who are rooting for the lockdown to continue while some are saying they want to go back to church. But even then, I believe in corporate worship. Iron sharpens iron. There is power when we come together to worship. We can’t achieve that because we don’t speak with one voice.”
He also identified arrogance as a problem among Church leadership. “We have to also get to that point that we realize that there is nothing we did not receive from heaven. I may not have the gift of the word of knowledge but we must realize that when we come together for the edification of the body of Christ we can benefit from one another.
“The desire to build our own kingdom has brought us to the point we are now. We want to be known. We are doing a lot of things to be earthly relevant while not being relevant to heaven. I still insist that if the church had spoken to the government with one voice and they know the spiritual implication of this COVID-19 we won’t be where we are today.”
Bishop Ezedebego puts it succinctly. He said many church leaders are denying Christ of His right as the owner of the church. “Jesus birthed the Church. Unfortunately, most church leaders have personalized their churches. We don’t even believe that the Church is owned by God. Covid-19 exposed us. It is tragic that most Church leaders have taken ownership of the church.
“We must come to that understanding that the church belongs to Jesus. We must also understand that we have a common enemy. Devil is our common enemy. The plan of the devil is to stop the move of God. He does not want the church to prosper.”
The major mission of the Church according to Ezedebego is to develop human capacity. “The mind of God is for us to take responsibility. This COVID-19 gave us a clear challenge of sitting down to see what we can do. Here in Anambra, we agreed with the government that the church is essential services because our members deserve our support now. Most of them did not have access to food and etc. They need pastoral care. We know that part of our mission is to extend the healing power of Jesus to people.”
He, however, said the Church has the opportunity to take its place of leadership. “We have what it takes to provide leadership. This is a period for evangelism. Many people are in the valley of decision.Covid-19 offers us the opportunity to decentralize so we can be able to develop neighbourhood fellowship. Covid-19 offers an opportunity for the church to build an online church.”
Bishop Olaleye in his presentation expressed optimism that the much-desired unity in the Church is beginning to happen. He noted however that the move of God in this end time is not title-centric.
He commended Dr. Sarumi for organizing the forum through The Coaching Network adding that the forum itself is an indication that the desired unity is possible.
Unity can’t happen with the religious church system.
Bishop Olaleye said, “Jesus taught his disciples’ love. Unity promotes love. It is better to love one another instead of tolerating one another. Unity cannot happen with the religious church it has to be with the disciples who are called Christians, who believe that Jesus is the son of God. God spoke to our fathers through the prophets but spoke to us in these last days through his Son, Jesus. Moses and Elijah could only be quoted as reference point But Jesus has come not to destroy men but to save them.”
Olaleye insists that the question of unity can’t be addressed if there is no agreement. “It will be difficult for disciples and Pharisees to agree. When it comes to major issues of faith there can’t be compromise. It will be difficult for John to agree with a Pharisee.”
He stated that unity must begin with a sound theological training so that we will not unite with the antichrist. He recalled he was once invited to an ecumenical conference in the US. When he got there he discovered it was the founder of the Church of Unification, Mr. Moon that organized the event.
“I said it won’t be easy for me to have unity with someone who says Satan has submitted himself to him. So for this unity to happen, there must be sound theological teaching so that we are not pursuing unity with the scribes and Pharisees.
“We need Bible-based teaching to prepare the ground for the desired unity. All our emphasis on prosperity, breakthrough must give way. In the early 70s if the pandemic had happened then many would have been healed. But now we can’t because we have lost something. There is no sound teaching of the word of God in many of our assemblies again,” he said.
He believes those who know the truth must begin to voice their opposition to error. “I am praying that God will give us the wherewithal to go about this global revival. Our message in Nigeria is more of a sensual message. The sensual message does not produce the power of God. The message that will produce the power we have lost it. We need to go back to the original master plan.
“Unity is very interesting. But it can’t happen without sound doctrine as a foundation. People will join when they see the power of God moving in us. We need to dismantle all the doctrinal errors and embrace the gospel in its purest form. Indeed the world is waiting for the church” he stated.
Church unity: What can be done
Dr. Oyewole came up with some observations on why the church is still not speaking with one voice. According to him, the reasons include, “Gossip among church leaders about other leaders. Church leaders’ actions that are cloaked in darkness. Failure to confront leaders not doing things right. Self-serving church leaders. Lack of effective prayer life. Fear of confrontation. A hypercritical spirit culture. Low expectation. Lack of effective church discipleship. Fear of losing members. Failure to evangelise. The silent and fearful majority who are on the edge.”
Bishop Ezedegebo in his concluding note believes Church leaders should learn to tolerate one another’s differences as long as they are not core issues of faith. He believes also that there are many pastors who are doing it right, contrary to the impression that many have sold out. “We need to have that understanding that not all men have compromised. We should also take time to pray for the church.” He said.
Participants at the webinar described the conference as a great initiative and a step in the right direction. They suggested that such robust discussion must be encouraged.