Sit in a modern day church, whether it is a missionary Baptist church in Atlanta Georgia, or the Helicopter ministries in Nairobi, Kenya, and you will hear the same thing: Noise, noise, noise. One pastor in Nairobi said that without the screaming and shouting, many churches would be empty. What happened to controlled worship and praise?
Although some of the mainline denominations remain subdued in their worship services, many of them have been swept away by the need for Drama. While the Kenya media criticize the Pentecostal screamers, they are suckers for the millions these “churches” cough to them on a monthly basis. It is very hard to tune in to any of the Kenya Television networks and see Presbyterians, Africa Inland Church, the Methodists or the Lutherans being televised live. Nonetheless, the media hypocrisy cannot be erased given that they never provide free airtime to preachers! And when they do, they always turn to the Pentecostal screamers. The reason is because only those who promise miracles harvest of seeds, drama, loud music and innuendos con innocent women to give all they have for a peace of heavenly riches!
In Kenya, the original gospel was brought by missionary organizations whose home church background was subdued conservative worship. The Scotland missions, Lutheran evangelistic mission and the Africa Inland mission were mainly members of such denominations as, Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, and Lutheran. These denominations developed within the concept of doctrine and liturgy. The fellowship of the believer was not meant to invoke emotional ecstasies and drama; rather, it was an extension of the evangel; the teaching of Christ’s heavenly wisdom!
The Church service was a gathering of believers to a fellowship not devoid of doctrine and truth. It was therefore necessary for the pastor to be an educated man whose handling of the truth was consistent with Paul’s teachings, “. . . A bishop then must be . . . apt to teach.” 1st Timothy 3:1ff. This is based on Christ’s commission, “ . . . All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and TEACH all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: TEACHING them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” Mathew 28:18ff (KJV)
The commission stands absolute. Those who he commanded were the disciples whom he had taught and trained for about three years. It is telling that Christ did not appoint disciples at the end of His life. Rather, His first order was to gather for Himself men who spent time learning from Him. Therefore, knowing the importance of proper doctrine, He commanded them to teach; not whatever they thought was true, or cooked up stories, theories, philosophies and cultural traditions. Rather, to TEACH them all that He had taught them.
In his letters to the Church, St. Paul repeated the same command by appointing and directing that, the ecclesia, be overseen by men who were able to teach.
The idea is that one has to be qualified in the field that one is practicing. It would not be advisable; in fact it would be suicidal, for one to undergo surgery performed by a witch doctor!
To remain true to the cross and the whole Divine order, the Church must be ordered in accordance with the foundation: Christ. And the process through which it is actuated must be consistent with the Pauline principle. For these are the pillars of true Christianity. It is these principles that have been instrumental in proper Christianity being handed down by the fathers unto us.
The invasion of the screamers, though intending to convert the non-believer, has introduced heretical concepts that qualify an overseer on the basis of dreams, flush clothes, and the ability to entertain. It has fogged the need for study and doctrine, opting for those who can shout the most. It is these that have given Christianity a bad name. Though not condemning them, St. Paul Wrote, “ . . . Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel. What then? Not withstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.” Philippians 1:15ff
I am not Catholic, but they seem to get it right!
Teddy Njoroge Kamau (PhD) HTBluff Associates: A EMG Consortium #HTBLUFF. (Diaspora Messenger Contributor)
In Kijabe.
