As the Cherubim and Seraphim church turns 95 years, some certain developments have been highlighted as imperative to the growth of the fold, if worked upon.
Speaking with Acts of Seraphs, the chairman USA/Canada C & S Agbojesu Sub-conference, Sr. Superintendent Apostle Francis Okhiria, says the church has evolved progressively over the years, while the legacies of its founding fathers are still evident in the conduct of the members.
He, however, noted that it was high time the church encouraged biblical teachings across board, beyond speaking in tongues and seeing visions.
The cleric also stated that church leaders should do away with superiority tussle within the fold, adding that no church is better than the other, as we are all the same in the eyes of the God we serve.
He said, “The C&S church is progressing and the legacies and works of our founding fathers still continue. They will be looking down on us and be saying, well done. Any child who is given an inheritance and cannot keep it and bequeath it to next generation is wasteful. I thank God that our fathers are still in charge of the affairs of the church, and still maintain the existing principles and doctrines. The only thing that saddens me is the squabble for superiority. Our elders need to do something about that. We need to be more orderly. The youths should also try to desist from such act. We also need to do more education. We need to be more biblical beyond speaking in tounges and seeing vision.”
He further pointed out that the church needs to review the ranking and ordination of members, as the processes have been abused.
According to him, some leaders now accord themselves titles that are strange to the ones known to the church.
He also noted that titles have caused situations whereby some members feel disgruntled and eventually leave the church as a result of the skirmishes arising from it.
Elder Okihiria stressed that Seraphs should be more concerned about their relationship with God, and not scrambling for positions in the church.
His words, “when we do ordination in our church, I don’t like to confer people with the rank of prophet and prophetess. I believe it is God that ordains in that regard. In most cases I skip that, except God reveals such person. Some people have left church because of rank. The ranks in C&S are basically based upon the five folds ministry. Now some in C&S call themselves Reverend Bishop. C&S never started with such title. This is not a joke; we have seen people come to Nigeria from the US, get ordained, and once they return, they start to claim superiority. There is a book in the church called “The Order”; the book is in line with the five folds ministry which the bible talks about. So, your relationship with God is what matters, not your position.”
Elder Okihiria also advised on the need to change the concept that the church belongs to an individual.
He said, sense of church ownership has resulted in situations where the church collapses after the demise of the founder.
“The church I worship in the US, Glorious Morning Star started in my living room, but that does not make me the owner. You can investigate it. Everything that our church has today is in the name of Glorious Morning Star. We have a brand new church worth over 1.6 million dollars, but it is not in my name. Some leaders have churches registered in their name. So that when I am no longer there, my children are not going to come for it. We bought a brand new van two years ago, it was bought in the name of the church and not in my name. Whereas, we could have bought it in the name of an individual which could give us a cheaper insurance, but when we bought it in the name of the church, it makes it look commercial and the insurance was high, but I like it that way. That is one thing that is unique. I do not take money from the church. I have been stuck in Nigeria before the pandemic, and the church is running. All I do is to give them advise where necessary since I watch the service online. It tells me that the church would run itself when I am no longer here. We need to change the concept that the church belongs to me. This is to avoid cases where if the founder is no longer there, the church collapses.
Seraph Dayo Oyewo. A Journalist/Social Entrepreneur. He loves meeting new people. Favourite Hymn: Ji Okan mi dide layo
