Pulse Opinion: What we want to see in Nigerian churches in 2018

Here is our wish list for Nigerian pastors and churches for this year.

It’s the first month of 2018 so it is only right that we share our wishes for the new year.

Here is what we want to see in Nigerian churches in 2018.

More Transparency

In 2017, tithing was a major issue for Nigerian Churches. Granted, it was started by Daddy Freeze but anyone could tell that it was born out of frustration.

Frustration that the church and pastors were not being transparent with how the money gotten from members were spent.

 

This is why we want more transparency in 2018 so people can trust their leaders and end this particular controversy.

 

Zero Scandals

From Apostle Johnson Suleman’s alleged lover to the 22 sexual assault charges on Pastor Tim Omotosho, last year was clearly filled with a lot of scandals.

There were also other kinds of scandals ranging from the outcry over the implementation of the FRC law to Pastor Adeboye’s comment on couples who meet on social media.

In 2018, it would be really cool to have drama and scandal- churches.

ALSO READ: Would you still support your pastor if he was accused of sexually assaulting a church member?

A transformative church

It is one thing for someone to attend the church and a whole other thing for the church to have an effect on them.

 

This year, let's remove the focus from having crowded churches to having ones filled with people who live the gospel.

People who see the church not as a place of escape but one of transformation, where lives are changed as people get to experience God’s love, forgiveness, joy through one another.

Let's strive to have churches that genuinely care about their community, helping the less privileged amongst them, standing up for the oppressed, and go out to look the lost.

 

Let's aim to have a replica of the early church as we do the things Jesus Christ did.

More devotion to God’s truth

These days, more churches appear to be cutting down the gospel in order to highlight other fun parts. We have the lights, drama, everything but the message all in an attempt to attract people to church.

 

The truth remains that a church simply can not succeed without the Bible, which contains the Word of God. This is why a healthy church should never sacrifice the integrity of the Bible.

We need more Bible study, hungry hearts that seek God and leaders who place a high priority on the things of God.

 

Psalm 119:9–12 says, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees”.

 

Psalm 138:1–4 adds: “I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; before the “gods” I will sing your praise. I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word. When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted. May all the kings of the earth praise you, O LORD when they hear the words of your mouth”.

 

In 2018, let us spend more time in prayer, worship, study, things that ignite a passion for God and take us closer to God, despite this worldly place we live in.

source http://ift.tt/2mBFEi6