Bishop Adol Paul Obinwaogu, the presiding bishop of the Redeemed Pillar of Fire Praying Mission Inc., Aswani, Isolo, Lagos, has expressed deep concern over the current state of the Church in Nigeria. In a recent interview, he addressed church leadership, the lifestyles of new-generation pastors, and the nation's condition.
State of the Church
According to Bishop Obinwaogu, Christ remains unchanged, but those who call upon Him no longer follow His ways. He lamented that the Spirit has departed from the Church, replaced by the flesh. “When flesh dominates the spirit, fear takes over,” he said. He criticized the prevalence of prophecy over God's Word, noting that prophecy is not the Word but a prediction that creates tension. He argued that the Church has appointed individuals who are not called by God, leading to a lack of compassion among pastors. “The Church has lost its way and failed society,” he stated, emphasizing that the problem lies with people, not the Church itself.
Lack of Truth and Flamboyant Lifestyles
Bishop Obinwaogu accused religious leaders of failing to tell the truth for selfish reasons. He described how criminals can approach a pastor with money and receive prayers instead of a call to repentance. He stressed that Jesus died to kill the flesh, but many pastors still walk in the flesh. He criticized the use of recycled prayers and the focus on material wealth, such as limousines and private jets, instead of seeking the kingdom of God. “The Church, meant to be a non-profit organization, has become a profitable venture where God's word is used as a marketing tool,” he added.
Solutions for the Church
The bishop called for a return to salvation as the pathway to blessings. He urged the Church to pursue salvation first, seek the kingdom of God, and allow God to add other things. He proposed a task force to separate true pastors from those who are not called by God. “The solution is for the Church to return to its foundation, seek repentance, and not allow the flesh to lead us,” he said.
Advice for Church Leaders
Bishop Obinwaogu advised church leaders to live right with true salvation, noting that a mango tree cannot produce an orange. He distinguished between doctrinal leaders and kingdom-minded leaders, stating that true church leaders are kingdom-minded, not focused on doctrines.
New Generation of Pastors
He described many young pastors as reincarnations of Judas Iscariot, drawn by material gains and fame rather than a divine calling. He emphasized the need for practical guidance, mentorship, and discipleship before entering the ministry, using Jesus' example of learning before beginning His ministry.
State of Nigeria
Bishop Obinwaogu remarked that even a blind man can see the dire situation in Nigeria, with skyrocketing prices. He reiterated that people cause the problems, not the country itself. He criticized politicians for acting as masters rather than servants, and called for a spirit of friendship and service.
Current Government and Christians in Politics
He accused the current government of playing the role of master and noted that many pastors fail to speak truth to power because they have been compromised. He described most Christians in politics as Judas Iscariot, saying that true Christian politicians cannot thrive in the current system.
Advice for Nigerians
He urged Nigerians to turn sincerely to God and avoid oppressing others. He emphasized that everyone is duty-bound to respect one another, and that problems can serve as evangelists to draw people closer to God.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
The bishop acknowledged that President Tinubu may have good intentions, but his advisers might undermine those intentions due to self-interest.
2027 General Election
Bishop Obinwaogu described the 2027 election as unpredictable, warning against false predictions. He drew a parallel between the biblical story of Saul and David, stating that Nigeria faces a Goliath, and until God chooses and anoints a man to defeat it, Saul will remain in power.
