Re: Remembering the church in Africa!

As a pastor,I can not but find myself from time to time remembering the church back home. Although life here might be viewed somewhat better,in matters of religion,I would rather be back in Africa. Here's why.

1.Back home,there were more churches and members than pastors. A church that had a pastor,considered itself very luck and thankful indeed. Here,we have very many trained pastors but no churches or members.

2.Back home people went to church without being reminded. Here, a pastor has to constantly remind the members and even beg them to go to church. Somehow,some of the parishioners tend to think that their going to church will benefit a pastor and not them. For reasons best known to the parishioners,they are very very faithful to their jobs than they are to their God. Any time you say what I have just said, you are viewed as being judgmental.

3.If someone missed church back home,then surely something was wrong. Here, members go by how they feel week by week.

4.Back home,there were as many people at churches as they were,say where they gathered to console a bereaved family. Here,there are very few people at churches and lots of them during public gatherings. Every time we have made for prayers and fundraiser,I have seen so many people such that as a pastor, I have often wondered "What if all these brothers and sister went to church?" Don't you think that heaven will rejoice.

5.Back home,there were few, if any members,who missed to go to church because of what so and so did. Here,there are lots of people who have opted to stay home because of what so and so did.

6.Back home,someone chose a church and became a very active member.Even when they went visiting,they were not ashamed to let others know where they belonged.Here members are not sure where they belong.They are ready to move elsewhere if they are not treated the way they think ought to be treated.

7.Back home,there was excitement whenever a church was born.The mother church played a key role in seeing that the baby grew to be on her own.Here, there is anger,frustration,too much gossip,and confusion whenever a church is about to be planted.Without any other consideration,the pastor is viewed to have a materialistic intent.A pastor who once had so many friends,now finds himself with no friends. Not that many view it as a positive thing.

8.Back home,churches were friendly. Members visited one another without any fear or reservation. Here,we tend to view one another with suspicion.

9.Back home if a member did not like a pastor for some reason,he or she went to a different church where his or her needs were made. Here,the members decide to stay in the same church where the spiritual needs are not made thus subjecting themselves to un told misery.

So the question is,what's wrong with us? What's the problem with us? Is this the way we have always been or have we certainly changed ? Is there any hope for us?

Just a thought.

Pastor Birai 612-386-4608
www.ThemaranathaSDA.org