Church Leaders Should Reevaluate Their Purpose in Ministry – Pastor Lawrence Omokhua
Pastor Lawrence Omokhua, General Overseer of Faith Assembly, Likosi, Ogun State, and Provincial Chairman of PFN Ogijo Province 3, Ogun State, has expressed concerns that Christianity’s current state focused on religious activities over spiritual growth.
According to Pastor Omokhua, many aspects of modern Christianity are amiss, which is detrimental to the faith. He laments that people have become overly focused on religious practices, losing sight of their purpose as Christians. “Often, one wonders if this is the same Christianity and body of Christ we once knew, or is it what Jesus died for?” he queried.
During an interview with Providence News at the 6th anniversary thanksgiving service of Christ Abundant Mercy Apostolic Church, Odogunyan, Ikorodu, Lagos, Pastor Omokhua stated, “It’s unfortunate that religion has taken over Christianity. The Church is filled with activities without salvation, and there are more religious adherents than committed Christians today.”
He urged the Church and its leaders to return to the fundamental teachings of the gospel. “It’s crucial that we revisit our roots because the church must acknowledged its mistakes and revisits its foundation, we must revert to the original,” he emphasized. Citing the example of Solomon’s temple, Pastor Omokhua noted that younger people who hadn’t witnessed the temple’s original form were amazed at its current state, whereas the older men wept, unable to distinguish between celebration and mourning.
“By God’s grace, when we were born again over 30 years ago, the church would tell us they wished we had come earlier. However, at that time, we would say this is terrible and serious. But now, everything about Christianity has become confusing and a farce,” he lamented.
Omokhua observed that the focus has shifted to trivial matters lacking eternal value. “If you’re not wealthy as a pastor, and don’t have a large congregation, you’re not regarded as a successful and anointed minister of God preaching the true gospel,” he noted, adding that this isn’t in line with the gospel’s teachings. “Jesus’ death wasn’t about accumulating wealth; it wasn’t to heal the sick but for the sole purpose of saving humanity, and that salvation is what is lacking in the church today,” he stressed.
Unfortunately, many ministers are aware of this truth but remain silent due to fear of losing followers, as ministers now own the church, and it’s no longer the Church of Jesus.
Omokhua emphasized that church leaders must redefine their purpose in the ministry. “You need to understand why you’re called into the ministry – is it for financial and material gains or you’re envisioned, burdened, and passionate about souls and eternal life?”
Pastor Lawrence Omokhua advised ministers of God and Church leaders to return to the Word, revisit, and redefine their purpose in the ministry. “Jesus died to save humanity, and we must go back to that purpose. Salvation is the purpose of our calling as Christians, and that should be our general mandate.”
