Nowadays, churches that abide by Biblical doctrines are seen as uncivilised —Edokpayi

Pastor Sunday Farotimi Edokpayi is the General Overseer of New Life for All Nation Ministries, Ibadan, Oyo State. In this interview with ADEOLA OTEMADE and FUNMILAYO AREMU, he speaks on challenges of the church, among other issues.

Christianity seems to have become competitive as many church leaders now do all sorts to outdo one another. How do you view this? 

This is one of the major problems of the church. The issue of proliferation of churches started many years back and as a result of that, it has weakened the foundation of the church and has made the church lose focus and doctrine. As a result of this, we are waiting for the coming of the Lord to sanitise the church. I think this is what we›ll be battling with for now untill the second coming of the Lord.

So the church may not likely find solution to this major problem soon? 

Yes. The issues of individualism, denominationalism and identity are some of the problems. Today, everybody wants to be popular and what we see in churches today is really uncalled for. Some people tend to rush to those that made financial breakthroughs thinking that is where God is and they chose to emulate the system whether it is  scriptural or not. Churches that abide by the biblical doctrines are seen as old school and uncivilised.

Why do you think many churches have deviated from the core responsibilities of soul winning and salvation for prosperity messages?

Prosperity is a promise. Christianity is about salvation, eternal life and life after death. Many people feel that what they find themselves in could be legislative, educational, social barriers, and in an attempt to address these things, they moved from one church to another and this is weakening the church today. Then the issue of individualism, everyone wants to own his or her church and they try to define their unique selling points and what will make them attractive to others and by doing this, the core responsibilities fade off.

Leadership has become a major problem in many churches. How has your church been able to handle this issue?

We have a system in place that moderates, examines, probes and evaluates ourselves and we have terms when to serve in any office, even that of the General Overseer. We have a smooth leadership system which aligns with the rules and regulations guiding the church.

It is becoming worrisome that some clerics are involved in unholy acts. How did things go wrong?

I don’t want to judge anyone, but the scripture says; ‘by their fruits we shall know them.’ It is sad that the church is experiencing ungodly acts even among the clerics. I will only advice everyone not to be deceived or be distracted by temptations. At our church, we are much disciplined. We have the Bible as authority over our faith. No man is above the Bible. Anyone who transgressed against any portion of the Bible in our ministry will not be spared, including me as the General Overseer.

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One of the bases of instituting faith-based institutions is to bring about moral conduct, but it seems this is failing. Do you believe that churches are losing the goals of faith-based institutions?

The happenings in many faith-based institutions are very disheartening. The essence of education when it was brought to Nigeria was to enable people read and write the Bible. The first printing press was invented because of the Bible. They started out as a means of reaching the people with the gospel and it was also because of language barrier. What is happening in the faith-based institutions of learning is disheartening. They have deviated from their primary purpose to become profit-making ventures. The missionaries of the old established institutions to liberate the church and build our spiritual lives, but the reverse is the case today.

How do you intend to impact lives with the upcoming conference of the church?

It is mainly based on the need for people to retrace their steps and embrace Christ. The conference will commence with a delegates conference including all ministers and elders of the church across the nation to give stewardship of the affairs of the church in the last one year while the conference with the theme: “The Amazing Race,” will hold at the International Conference Centre, Ibadan, Oyo State.