The Sunday Mail
Life Issues with FGK
Religion is founded by men, inspired to search for ways to appease themselves through gratification of a deity.
This then brought about a set of principles and ethics, rules and stipulations and a banquet of beliefs that one ought to conform to in order to be accepted before a deity and before the particular sect.
From time immemorial, man had a thirst for worship and he has been to and fro, up and about in trying to worship whatever he could deem superior to him.
This natural inclination of man towards objects of worship has brought about religion: not one, but many of them.
To date, studies show that there are over 4 300 religions in the world which include Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism as some of the most influential and dominant.
Talking of religion, as we streamline — we shall concentrate on Christianity for this episode.
Christianity appears on that list of religions for statistical purposes only but in its objectivity, it is not a religion, neither was it found by men.
Most Christian sects are led by pastors who are gifted in so many areas, be it performing signs, miracles and wonders. Many have started churches and many purport to be doing the work of God and many have also become the new rock stars in town doing all sorts of crazy stunts.
Church is known as a place where people can confide in and feel safe. It used to be a place of comfort to many people but now a lot has changed. Stories which ears cannot believe are being told, events taking place in sacred places are heart-breaking.
Not so long ago, it was very scary for one to dream being a pastor or Man of God. Many people did not want to become pastors because it was hard work, sacrifice and it wasn’t rosy at all. Also it was because most people who resorted to the ministry of preaching had a very poor way of portraying the work such that the appearance was sorry.
One had to be forced to go to a theological college to train as a pastor but nowadays the bible schools are always full.
Is it still the same calling by God as before or many are seeing it as a profession or means of earning a living? Could it be again because of the scripture that says the labourers are few and the harvest is plenty?
The harvest is plenty but the labourers are few — a quote by Jesus Christ himself in the book (Luke 10 vs 2-5). Is it what the scripture desired us to see — the outcropping of churches on every corner? Did Jesus mean the multiplication of denominations or the multiplication of the gospel? Is everyone who is called to be a pastor supposed to gather their own congregation or some must just serve under the authority of an experienced and mature leader?
Are they all bringing souls to God or some are ripping souls apart? Do some of these church leaders have leaders who show them the way, or its every founder is his own leader?
Do they even have respect for church fathers who have gone before them? Do they follow those that have a testimony of walking upright before God? Is their goal to impart knowledge of the kingdom of God or they are building their own little kingdoms? These are all questions buffeting minds. What we are seeing and hearing about the church today is a different story altogether from what it ought to be.
Nowadays, pastors act and wrestle in church, gymnastics of all kinds are being exhibited. Objectives of preaching the gospel are left idle.
People used to trust and confide in Men of God, but nowadays, alas, Men of God are devourers of their own sheep. How many Men of God have we heard who have slept with their own church members? Adultery and fornication is on the rise in churches — Men of God leading the pack.
Yes, pastors are human too. But to whom much is given much is expected. Pastors fall into temptations too — yes, but their bible tells them to pray against entering into temptations and being a Man of God, these are issues we expect to be dealt with during their training. It can be too much attention on them and the influence they have — or should we say, the church is harbouring loose women?
The simple reason why church is full of gimmick now is because many of our church leaders have fallen out of grace for one reason or another. We have expected way too much from them such that we have not considered the human aspect of them.
The word of God says, “In the last days many will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good, traitors, headstrong, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof.’’ 1 Timothy 3 vs 2-5.
Many have lost the original faith. As the labourers are multiplying, thieves are also multiplying. Watch, therefore, and not find yourself just anywhere where they say its church.
Find a place that is holy, where they teach the proper word of God and where the Man of God walks in integrity. There can never be a judgment without a rule. There can never be a measurement without the measuring stick.
We can never be able to speak what the church ought to be when there has never been some that we see doing what is right according to the scripture of God.
Here is one outstanding figure in the Christian arena in Zimbabwe and the world at large whom we cannot ignore: Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa. He has been a beacon in the Christian ministry and a symbol of celebration for many Christians.
His walk with God has been exemplary, his character and uprightness is unprecedented. It will be wisdom for the coming generation of ministers of the gospel in Zimbabwe to emulate him.
We also have the likes of father Ezekiel Guti who are seasoned in the things of God. The new generation of pastors ought to seek guidance by observing the character and nature of ministration by those that have managed to walk in integrity and godliness.
