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Hear the Town Crier! In your various churches, in your various church groups and upon every gathering of the children of God!
The Nigerian pulpit is bleeding. The once holy instrument to pull people from the pit, what was once a place of trembling reverence, has in many quarters now, become a stage for performance, power, drama and profit and fame! Scandals now arrive with exhausting regularity from every nook and cranny. Allegations of idolatry, manipulation, sexual sin, hunger for ovation, adultery, extravagance, pornography, fame impunity and even flirtations with occult practices, have placed the gospel through these preachers in a precarious state. Many pews are empty not because Nigerians hate God but because they are tired of hypocrisy. They are weary of sermons that thunder holiness while private lives whisper compromise.
It is sad to admit that the name of Christ is being dragged through the mud by those who claim to represent Him. Some preachers have turned ministry into enterprise and discipleship into dependency. Others are accused of consulting dark powers while publicly denouncing darkness. Cathedrals rise yet, character collapses. Sometimes you imagine while there are so many churches and much crimes. Altars are adorned while consciences are abandoned. Worldly music are exaggerated while worship hymns are deliberately extinct. When allegations surface, the reflex is denial. Intimidation and a quick return to business as usual. In some cases exposure is followed by applause. This is not restoration. It is rebellion against truth.
How did we get here! First we replaced calling with charisma. We crowned giftings and ignored fruit. We celebrated numbers and neglected nurture. We asked who can draw crowds instead of who can carry the cross. This preachers are a total chaos! Second we built celebrity culture around preachers. Titles became shields. Accountability was dismissed as jealousy. Third we allowed poverty, fear and desperation to make people vulnerable to manipulation. Where hope is scarce, false promises sell fast.
How do we stop this trend? We must begin with repentance not public relations. The church must recover the fear of God. Repentance is not a week off the pulpit. I hear some psychedelic preachers engulfed in their obnoxious and nauseating scandals, take a week off only to return to ovation. How did we get here? It is brokenness, confession, restitution and time tested change. Where crimes are alleged the law must take its course. The church does not lose its anointing by honoring justice. It loses credibility by obstructing it. Preachers must be held accountable.
We need structures of accountability that are real and not ceremonial. Independent boards with the courage to discipline erring pastors and apostles and bishops. These new boards, must replace rubber stamp councils. Financial transparency should be standard. It is time for congregants to audit their pastors and leaders. Both in conduct and finances. Private life should not be immune from scrutiny. A church pastor or leader who cannot be questioned should not be followed.
Theological training must be deep and formative not just motivational. We need ministers grounded in Scripture, history, ethics and pastoral care and homiletics . Sound doctrine is a fence against strange fire. Mentorship must return with fathers who model holiness not just success.
Congregations also have a role. Stop worshipping men. Refuse manipulation. Ask questions. Demand integrity. Support churches that practice simplicity and service. Walk away from platforms that trade fear for loyalty. Your attendance is a vote.
The media must report responsibly without sensationalism and without fear. Silence protects and encourages abuse. Only Truth heals the church. At the same time we must pray for our leaders but, prayer is not an excuse for silence but a strength for reform.
Nigeria does not lack sincere servants of God. They exist in villages, cities and hidden corners faithfully preaching Christ and living clean lives. They deserve honor. Let us amplify their witness. Then, let us abhor the pseudo ones. The future of the gospel in our land depends on courage, truth, and holiness. If the altar is clean the fire will be pure. If the pulpit is healed the nation will breathe again.
Beyond internal reforms, the wider Christian community must speak with one voice. Silence from respected leaders has empowered abuse. Yes, because they have deliberately, for pecuniary reasons, allowed themselves to be used in their silent mode. These Denominational heads, elders, and veteran ministers must publicly distance the gospel from misconduct. Whistleblowers should be protected not persecuted. Seminaries and Bible colleges must screen candidates rigorously and refuse to graduate character failures. Until holiness is restored as the true mark of ministry, the rot will continue to spread and the witness of the church will keep bleeding!
