CBC AFRICA: MY TAKEAWAY FROM OLUSEGUN ADENIYI'S LECTURE.

By Ishola Gbenga 

In recent times, many who followed some of my write-ups on this link knew and could attest to the level at which I use to be critical on some pastors. Though constructively and less am misconstrued, not to malign their names or cast aspersions on their personalities. But what I attempt doing then was to see how one can at least, address some shenanigans believed to have been reeking amongst them.

That perhaps explains why someone once accosted me recently in one of the media houses in the state and remarked "you are a controversial writer". For me, I think it is unfair to address me that way. Instead, I will prefer to be addressed as a conscience writer who prioritize promoting accountability in the public domain and that I can say it with all sense of humility.

It is within the above context that one will like to situate and share the rich lessons acquired today during the 3rd Vitality Lecture, organized by the Centre for Biblical Christianity in Africa CBCAfrica under the leadership of Rev. Dr. BM. Owojaye who God genuinely gave the CBCAfrica vision.

With it theme as " You are the Light of the World". Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi, the Chairman ThisDay Newspaper Editorial Board, a brilliant writer with international repute, better captured the the topic by putting it in it real perspective to the understanding of all participants.

From Adeniyi's perspective, I left the venue strongly convinced beyond reasonable doubt, at least with better understanding of the word "Church" means, which for me goes beyond building a church, regularly going to church or the four walls of church itself. According to Adeniyi, "The called once" are indeed the church.

Given most of the irritating incidences we see and heard of some pastors nowadays, most of which offered direct ridicule to the name of God and Christendom at large, It has now been openly confirmed that it is only the lazy Christians that always believe in their "fathers in the lord" without reading the words of God themselves.

In the life of me, I have never imagined a day like this will ever come when one will be seeing what is transpiring amongst most of our men of God given the strong faith of our forefathers. But had all these not been initially captured in the scriptures? I really don't need to be astonished anyway because they aren't new anymore. How could I on earth, take or swallow any pastor's words whole, line and sinker? I can't be that gullible. Meanwhile, we have lots of gullible once who had not only swallowed the hook, but have no mind of their own until their "fathers in the lord" commandeered them.

Worthy of note is the fact that, we write not because we find pleasure in being critical. We write not because one has personal scores to settle with them and all that. But one write because most of what we see happening almost on a daily basis and even in the name of God, pains one to the bone marrow. We write because we don't want to look away as if all is well. We write because Christendom is once religious constituency. We write not because we are perfect or competent to checkmate anybody or pastor for that matter, but because we feel bad hearing and seeing the name of God being dragged in the mud. We write because we think we can at least, cub many of these anomalies. We criticize albeit, constructively because we don't want to keep on normalizing situations that can limit our progress and focus as Christians.

At the end of it all. Adeniyi added that pastors needed not be judged because according to Adeniyi, "Every Pastor Will Give Account to God". And I agree completely with him. 

However, may I today, set a rule I will never bend for myself by abstaining totally from writing or criticizing our men of God no matter what. After all, my favorite bible verses is in the Book of Ecclesiastes 12: 1 to 14 for which the last verse which is 13 and 14 use to be very instructive for me as it reads thus: "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Verse 14 "For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing,whether it be good, or whether it be evil".

With this. I am done with any matter or issues concerning the men of God no matter what. I so pledge!

June 7th 2019