A major problem facing the church in Nigeria today is that of identity. Who is a Christian? Is he the man who shouts daily with the microphone and the bible on the television but has credibility problems in and outside our shores? Is she the woman next door who jumps from one church programme to another but has no qualms telling her boss in the office a lie so she can leave the office for her favourite church programme? Is it that member of the church who has no inhibitions paying someone to write an examination for her child or get an official to sign a certification of completion for a contract he has not completely executed? The list is endless.
We have a church-going population. Our conversations are often laced with Christian clichés. However, when it comes to sharing the booty of corruption, there are hardly any differences along religious lines. In reality, religion is appealled to when it becomes a tool that can bring about some material advantage. The church in Nigeria, though materially wealthy, is unfortunately hollow in spiritual substance. Like the church in Laodicea, it is ‘wretched, pitiable, poor, blind and naked’ (Rev. 3: 17). No wonder, it commands no respect and it is not seen as God’s Voice in our generation.
Nigeria desperately needs men and women who would command respect in our land and would become rallying points as oases in the desert. All through history, God never saves a nation through the instrumentality of the ‘high and mighty’. Rather He keeps saying: ‘If MY people who are called by my name … then would I … (2 Chron. 7: 14). The Lord is waiting for His people in Nigeria to sit up and allow Him to put an end to the poverty, insecurity, corruption, etc in the land. The question is not ‘Where is the LORD, God of Elijah?’ (2 Kings 2: 14), but ‘where are the Elijahs of God?’
Today, the church is graduating a new set of ‘Elijahs’ for Nigeria. These are men and women as well as some youths who have voluntarily and publicly declared their allegiance and commitment to the cause of Jesus Christ. They will re-affirm their promise to follow Him no matter the cost and circumstances. They will commit themselves to using the weapons of Christ to transform the hate and bitterness that are fast dissipating Nigeria. The question is, five years or more down the road, on what side will these new ‘Elijahs’ be in the fight for God in Nigeria? Will they be the ‘Elijahs’ who would hold on to their faith and integrity no matter what or will they ‘join them if (they) cannot beat them’?
With graduation comes the feeling of having come of age. One of the temptations of coming of age is the mindset that one is self-sufficient. The Christian, no doubt, can do all things; but he can only do these through Christ who strengthens him. The strong temptations for youths to bolt away from their home churches like the Prodigal Son to “one-man churches” where “it is happening” is very real in our IT-dominated society. The truth is that though the grass always looks greener across the fence, on crossing over, you get to see the weeds, rocks and cracks covered by the grass. We advise you to stay in the church that nurtured you and make your church better through continuing education in the Word of God and service. The church has put in place facilities for this continuing education – the divine services, the prayer meetings, the bible studies, and avenues to share the gospel with others either privately or in a group. Where these opportunities are utilized, the member grows to become a well-adjusted and fulfilled and fruitful member of the community. Part of our prayers for those being admitted into full membership of the church today is that they will daily appreciate the need to sit at the feet of their vicar or other church leader so that they would grow in grace and with time, stand on their feet and be a blessing to others within and through the church of their youth.
As we congratulate these new entrants into God’s family, let us also appreciate that they have in fact enlisted in an army where they will fight until they are each called to eternal rest. We all have a responsibility, not just to congratulate them but to pray for them that as His Grace, our Diocesan Bishop lays hands on them, they may each receive the gift of the Holy Spirit so that they can live for their new Lord and Master and fight manfully for Him against sin, the devil and the flesh.
Have a joyful celebration with the full consciousness of the call on you to be a light to Nigeria.
Your brother, Vicar & Archdeacon
S.Igein Isemede