In a recent online “Town Hall meeting” anchored by Praise Fowowe, the trio of Pastor Yemi Davids, Pastor Godman Akinlabi, and Pastor Emmanuel Iren analyzed the state of the Nigerian Church, offering solutions to pressing issues confronting the clergy and the society at large. Fowowe, a renowned author and family life strategist, steered the discussion.
On Fake Ministers and PFN’s Role
Fowowe kicked off the conversation by raising concern about the rise of fake ministers of the gospel and questioned the role of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) in curbing the disturbing trend.
Responding, Pastor Davids, Chairman of the Lagos chapter of the PFN, acknowledged the challenge, noting that fakes and originals exist in every field. He stressed that the PFN’s primary focus is not on regulation, but on “sheep education.”
”You can’t stop people who are fakes. But we need to do a lot of education to get them to know the truth and how to identify genuine pastors. If people are able to know genuine pastors, it will not be easy for them to be deceived,” Davids stated.
He lamented that the PFN’s regulatory role is limited, as it is only one of five blocs within CAN, and the Pentecostal body itself is a conglomeration of many denominations and founders, unlike more structured bodies like the Anglican or Baptist churches.
Davids further criticized the trivial focus of some preachers: “Sometimes I also wonder why some pastors use the pulpit to prophesy about who will win a football match. Of what spiritual value is that? Is that not too childish?” He concluded that continued education on the doctrine of Christ will encourage members to “refrain from following pastors who have ungodly agenda.”
Addressing Killings and Societal Engagement
The discussion shifted to the ongoing killings in the country. Pastor Davids expressed worry that the debate over using the word “genocide” has distracted from the main issue of Islamic extremism. “The point is that many Christians are being killed, and even moderate Muslims who don’t share views with these extremists are being killed too,” he asserted, adding that nobody should blame Christians for being vocal about the daily loss of lives.
Davids also credited President Donald Trump’s intervention for spurring the Nigerian government to action. “I prefer we see Trump’s intervention as an opportunity to get help and not a threat,” he said, urging for quick action to leverage the US offer of assistance.
Pastor Akinlabi provided a clinical dimension to the Church’s engagement with society, emphasizing decorum and the need for accurate information. He cautioned against making interventions based on “half-truth,” noting that while Christians are often the main targets of terrorists, restraint is essential.
”We must not say things that will burn the country down. We exercise restraint because we are under authority,” Akinlabi explained. He recounted a visit to a centre where he and Davids met hundreds of widows whose pastor husbands were killed by terrorists. “With that information, we can now speak freely from our heart… with our conscience bearing us witness,” he said, highlighting the necessity of verified data.
The Return to Biblical Christianity
Pastor Iren noted that a major flaw in African Christianity is pastors promising what they cannot deliver. He argued that the modern Church has deviated from its historical template: “The early church had concern for one another. If one part suffers, the other suffers too. That is not the case today.”
Iren advocated for a return to Biblical Christianity that prioritizes the care of the widows and the fatherless. “The churches in the south need to respond as the ones whose churches are being burnt in the north,” he stressed, calling for a focus on collective good to reposition the Church.
Avoiding Clergy Burnout
The forum concluded on the vital issue of clergy burnout. Davids and Akinlabi underscored the value of rest and the necessity of professional therapy, noting that the divine power and human effort must both play a role.
Citing the resurrection of Lazarus, Akinlabi observed: “Jesus said to the people to ‘loose Lazarus and let him go’ after he rose from the dead… The power that brought Lazarus out of the grave could have untied him. But Jesus had to instruct the people to loose him. That is the work of therapy.” He maintained that rest is biblical, validates their humanity, and is not against faith.
Finally, Pastor Davids urged pastors to prioritize their families. “We can’t delegate that role. We can delegate preaching and other church assignments. But we can’t delegate our responsibility to our families.”