FG should lead by praying for the poor —Para-Mallam

Reverend Gideon Para-Mallam is the Ambassador of the Oxford based International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES). He also served as Regional Secretary of the English and Portuguese Speaking Africa (IFES-EPSA) and National Director of the Nigeria Fellowship of Evangelical Students (NIFES) in Nigeria. In this Interview with SEGUN KASALI, he speaks on the state of the church, insecurity and other issues. 

The church has been facing a lot of issues in the country, how can the body of Christ overcome these challenges?

The church is not the physical building. The Greek word for the church is Ecclesia, which is the body of Christ founded on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is the good news which encapsulates the message of the gospel of salvation for all mankind. The gospel is a call for all to respond to God’s love. So, when people embrace the gospel, they receive Jesus Christ into their lives as their Lord and Saviour. So, in defining what you call the body of Christ, it is the Ecclessia. That is the Church, not the buildings. The building is the sanctuary which houses believers in time of worship. Ecclessia represents a broad definition of the living church. That really is the spiritual definition of the church. People need a place of worship to gather, so, when they go into a place to worship, it is called a church because people who are followers of Christ are meeting there. By the way, not every church that people go are followers of Christ. There are people who use the church to do their own things which are completely different from what Jesus Christ preaches. So, when you talk about many things bedeviling the church today, we are looking at those things which threaten the existence of the body of Christ.

What about messages preached from our pulpits? 

The messages are not as evangelistic as some of us would have desired. There are more motivational messages, entertainment gospel which are not reflective of sound biblical theology. They are almost humanistic, materialistic, self-indulgent sermons. Why must preachers be always calling down fire upon their enemies? Members have imbibed same and always calling fire on imaginary enemies. Many are living in fear instead of faith. There are more self-centred messages than Christ-centred sermons. What God can do for me, what I expect God to do for me rather than what should I be doing for God in terms of service in His vineyard? Not many people are willing to lay down their lives for the gospel today in Nigeria. But Jesus said that if we love our lives more than what He asked us to do, then we are not fit to be his disciple. We have got more messages on prosperity than solid substance. It is not a sin to be rich and materially comfortable, but when you make it the centre-point of your pulpit, then something is wrong. In order to be prosperous, many people are ready to cut corners. People steal from offices and say God is blessing them. Nigeria is one of the most religious countries. It is a complete contradiction that we are one of the most religious countries in the world and we are also among the most corrupt nations in the world. If we all choose to live as Jesus called us to live, our impact would have been much more than what we have today. The impact of the gospel on society is not commensurate with the number of Christians in our churches.

Buhari to repair State House buildings with N4.5bn

What is your view about the corruption fight by President Muhammadu Buhari? 

I don’t think there is serious fight about corruption in the country. It is selective. If you steal and you are not caught, then it is okay. I don’t think this is acceptable. So the smart thieves will continue to outsmart the system. I also refuse to believe that those who are corrupt in government are mostly Christians. Serious fight against corruption will expose the majority who are in government that are corrupt. That is if it is a fair fight.

And what should be the reaction of the church to this menace? 

The instrument of power lies with the state. That is why many Nigerians are very angry. But let me say that Nigerians have their own fair share of hypocrisy. Political oppressors and manipulators should be put on notice. Lots of killings are going on. Has anyone ever thought for a moment that if things continue like this, it will get to a situation that people are also going to defend themselves? People are really getting discouraged that the church can’t help them and they will have a way to help ourselves.

The Federal Government has always urged the church to pray for the nation. What is your view? 

Yes, prayer is good. I don’t fault anybody asking for prayer for the stability of the nation. Yes, we need prayers. I also convene the Plateau Christian Prayer Assembly (PCPA). But to believe that we will keep asking people to pray while impunity continues will not be okay. The Bible calls us to watch and pray. Has the government ever asked us to pray for the poor or the unemployed? So, my own view is that we should  pray for all facets of society. The government should provide the lead in praying for the poor by also providing the basic amenities. We should not be clapping for government on things they are supposed to do. It’s part of the impunity when they don’t do what is right.

What then should the church do? 

The church needs to pray, but the church also needs to collaborate with civil society organisations that are genuine to resist the social injustice going on in the country. The church also needs to speak truth to power.  The church needs to stop begging government for money and the government needs to stop using money to divide the church. The church needs to come clean in everything.