Primate Identifies Eight Indicators of Unhealthy Church
The Primate of African Church of Nigeria, Dr Emmanuel Udofia, has urged Christians to always appraise themselves towards moving the church forward.
The man of God gave the charge on the occasion of the 117th founders celebration of The African Church in Lagos.
In the charge was contained in his sermon titled, ‘ Let us consider our ways,’ he identified eight indicators that showed that all is not well with the church.
The indicators he said include: “When the labours of members are yielding less or no results spiritually and physically; when much is expected but little is realised; when expectations seem unrealisable; and when members find no joy in worshipping or coming to church; and when youths do not find it joyful to worship with their parents.
“When deep concern and interest to render service to God is disappearing; when members have the great pleasure in coming to church late; and when members make the church a second choice.”
For the church to move forward, he urged Christians to urgently correct the anomalies listed above.
The Primate of African Church of Nigeria also seized the opportunity of the celebration to ask the Federal Government to provide an environment where businesses could thrive and local products and services could compete favourably with foreign goods.
According to a statement issued by the church, Udofia also called on leaders, especially those who would soon be elected into political offices to make steady power supply a priority.
He lamented that 58 years after independence, the country was still grappling with electricity supply.
“The African Church admonishes all those seeking political offices in 2019 to be ready to come to the election with clean hands and note that the votes of the people must count, to enable us to have a peaceful polity,” the statement read in part.
The Primate, according to the statement, also demanded that Miss Leah Sharibu, the only remaining girl among the abducted Dapchi schoolgirls be rescued from the Boko Haram abductors without delay.
He said, “The African Church specifically demands that Miss Leah Sharibu, the only remaining girl among the Dapchi schoolgirls be rescued from the Boko Haram abductors without delay. Being a Christian must not become a crime.”
On the Founders’ Day, he said, “With our heart full of praise, we appreciate the Lord for his mercy and benevolence upon The African Church, having preserved and sustained her to celebrate the 117th Founders’ Day anniversary. May God’s name be glorified.”