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Nigerian ‘Pastorpreneurs’, How Christlike? By Theophilus Ilevbare Nigeria is home to some of the largest churches, fastest growing denominations and some of the wealthiest pastorpreneurs the world over. No surprise we’re considered the most religious people on earth. This tag, like our crude oil, is fast becoming our bane as a Nation. Opulence of founders of these churches achieved through compulsory and somewhat forceful tithing, seed sowing and constantly skinning of their flock and taking its milk. Prosperity preachers they’ve become, relegating salvation and righteous Christian living to the backburner. No surprise that our thieving politicians have found a safe haven in churches where they share stolen loot with pastorpreneurs in return for fervent prayers to turn away the prying eyes of relevant anti-corruption agencies. So much dust has been raised in the past when stolen funds become seeds in God’s house without ascertaining how it is acquired, our pastorpreneurs , just don’t care! The Pastorpreneur is part CEO and part pastor and they are considered Christian businessmen. It is a concept that combines business practices, like that of an entrepreneur, with religion. An entrepreneur unites all means of production to get products for Profiteering, constantly shifting economic resources out of an area of lower and into another of higher productivity and greater yield. So have the Pastors of megachurches turned. They use members and workers of the church as a means to attain their unholy ambition, while their wives and children are made to function in strategic church position to ensure seeds sown are properly remitted, constantly changing their ministerial headquarter from one megacity to another to gain more affluent members. Today, the work of the ministry has been turned into a money spinning venture. Prosperity preachers who never fail to emphasise tithing at every opportunity. They tell you if you want to be blessed beyond measure give beyond one-tenth of your earning, some even ask you to sow your lives! Unsuspecting members empty their pockets and when in dire need of a miracle their bank account, almost going a begging thereafter, while the already super rich pastorpreneur lives like a royalty. The sensibilities of the average Nigerian churchgoer have almost been washed away by the antics of these so called-pastors. They inordinately compete among themselves; who has got the biggest megachurch auditorium. They move around in siren blaring elaborate motorcade, splashing thousands of dollars on posh cars, purchase, maintenance and cabin crew of private jet(s), multi-million naira investment across all major sectors of the economy, typical of accomplished entrepreneurs. Though seldom, politicians, when in church, are ushered to the front row, given all sorts of titles and mundane recognition, rolling out drums as they step out for thanksgiving, one begins to wonder if it is a political rally. It is unscriptural and sad that members sow seeds into Mega church projects like elite secondary schools and universities which on completion eighty percent of the same members who sowed cannot afford to pay tuition of such schools in this or another lifetime! How they’ve been so blind folded and tricked overtime remains a mystery to close observers. Scripture succinctly noted that Believers of today were first called Christians in Antioch because they possessed the very nature of Christ. The way and manner they went about their business was mirrored in the exemplary life of Jesus Christ, modesty, humility and righteousness were his watchword. Christ’s early ministry from birth to ascension was characterised by certain tenets which himself admonished his disciples and followers alike to adhere. ‘Set your affections on things above’ the Bible says, but the very Men who are supposed to lead the flock of Christ by example now milk them dry. Messages of Salvation, holiness, baptism by fire has now been left for the ‘small boys in the ministry’, those who have not attained mega status. Our supposed ambassadors of Christ have joined our thieving politicians or so it seems. How many megachurches that are worth billions of naira have response to the victims of the recent flood disaster in 14 states? Churches don’t pay taxes, If they now make billions and make big time investments, how about social responsibility? How do megachurches in Nigeria contribute to the development of their immediate community, touching the lives of the needy? Isn’t that Christ like? How about making investment in areas that will have a direct impact on church members? A friend muted the idea that three mega churches in Nigeria can come together and start an agricultural revolution by so doing creating employment, putting food on the table of the have-nots and giving the agricultural sector a short in the arm. Won’t Christ up there be impressed? Read below.
The Five Richest Pastors In Nigeria - Forbes God is good, especially if you’re a Nigerian pastor with some business savvy. These days, millions of souls, desperate for financial breakthroughs, miracles and healing, all rush to the church for redemption. And while the bible expressly states that salvation is free, at times it comes with a cost: offerings, tithes, gifts to spiritual leaders, and a directive to buy literature and other products created by men of God. Pastors are no longer solely interested in getting people to Heaven; they’ve devised intelligent ways to make good money while reaching out to souls. Take Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, for example. He is the founder and lead pastor of the Christ Embassy, a thriving congregation with branches in Nigeria, South Africa, London, Canada and the United States. His publishing company, Loveworld Publications, publishes ‘Rhapsody of Realities,’ a monthly devotional he co-authors with his wife. It sells over 2 million copies every month at $1 apiece. He also owns television stations, newspapers, magazines, a hotel, a fast-food chain, and more. Many other Nigerian pastors are similarly building multi-million dollar empires from their churches. Today, pastors fly around in private jets, drive fancy cars like Daimlers, Porsches and BMWs, don Rolexes and Patek Phillipes, and own breathtaking mansions all over the world. After the blog post I wrote in May about Nigerian pastors owning private jets, I was bombarded with emails from readers requesting to know the richest pastors in Nigeria. So I set out to investigate the assets of some of Nigeria’s most prominent pastors, and I came up with conservative estimates of their fortunes. I contacted representatives for all of the pastors and all except Matthew Ashimolowo’s representative confirmed ownership of the assets I list. Representatives for Pastor Ashimolowo did not respond to my emails. Bishop David Oyedepo Affiliation: Living Faith World Outreach Ministry, aka Winners Chapel Estimated net worth: $150 million David Oyedepo is Nigeria’s wealthiest preacher. Ever since he founded the Living Faith World Outreach Ministry in 1981, it has grown to become one of Africa’s largest congregations. The Faith Tabernacle, where he hosts three services every Sunday, is Africa’s largest worship center, with a seating capacity of 50,000. Oyedepo owns four private jets and homes in London and the United States. He also owns Dominion Publishing House, a thriving publishing company that publishes all his books (which are often centered on prosperity). He founded and owns Covenant University, one of Nigeria’s leading tertiary institutions, and Faith Academy, an elite high school. Source: The Five Richest Pastors In Nigeria - Forbes |