Are these people really pastors?

I have observed that many of us do not call a spade a spade. We see, know, and sometimes hear about wrong things but we are not prepared to speak publicly against them. Unfortunately, the very things that we shy away from do affect us directly or indirectly. What we should know is that truth is like taking a bitter pill. We may not be too comfortable with it but when taken, goes a long way to cure our illness. We cannot run away from the fact that there is a  proliferation of fake pastors in the country. Unfortunately, not many people are ready to talk about it for fear of being vilified. Try commenting on it and you are seen as the devil incarnate. As a Christian, I know I have to be very careful about what I say about Men of God. This is because I remember what happened to Korah and his colleagues when they unjustifiably criticised Moses. In fact, the earth swallowed them together with their households and possessions (Numbers 16:31-33). I have also learnt a great lesson from the sudden death of 42 youths as recorded in 2 Kings 2:23, when they were devoured by bears for making fun of Elisha.

There are many pastors who are doing very well, transforming the lives of people through the teaching of the unadulterated word of God and leading exemplary lives. I am, therefore, not suggesting that all pastors are bad. My concern, however, is those who hide under all kinds of titles including prophet, evangelist, apostle and bishop to dupe and rob innocent people.

Some marriages and families have disintegrated as a result of the actions of these so-called prophets. One thing I am happy about is that, Jesus Himself has warned us about them. In Matthew 7:15, He says they would come to us in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. In Matthew 24:11, Jesus says many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.

The bait that fake pastors are using these days to “catch” their victims is miracles. There is nothing wrong with miracles. Jesus Himself performed many miracles while on earth; and He is still performing miracles. I could personally testify to miracles that God did in my life. Unfortunately, these pastors (are they really pastors?), by their actions are suggesting that the Christian life is all about miracles.

 Miracle to get husband/wife! Miracle to get visa! Miracle to get rich! Miracle to be invited by a relation to join him/her abroad! Miracle to pass examinations! - But one would hardly hear them emphasising the need to study the Bible and live Christ-like lives.

I should not be misunderstood! I am not saying that marriage, riches, success in examination, etc are bad. Of course, who would not like to be successful in his/her endeavour? My problem is where these “charlatans” take advantage of our susceptibility to miracles to manipulate and dupe us. For instance, “Holy Water” and “Anointing Oils” are sold at exorbitant prices for “miracle- expectants” to buy.
 
In some cases one has to pay special consultation fees, depending on one’s “case” before he/she is allowed to see “the Man of God”. Even brooms are sold at very high prices for people to buy; to be used to sweep the evils that are believed to be hindering them from making progress in life. The “pastor” will tell you in plain words that if you do not buy the “miracle items/objects” then forget about having your breakthrough. As I said earlier, who am I to challenge spiritual things, especially if it was God Himself who instructed or gave the direction to the “Man of God” to use those items/objects? But let us consider this: Would God refuse to bless somebody because he/she does not have certain amount of money to buy an item/object that the pastor wants to use as a point of contact to perform a miracle? In any case, since when has the blessing of God become a commodity for sale?

I am happy that Jesus Himself warns us in Mark 13:22; that false prophets will even perform miracles to deceive us. We, therefore, have to be very careful about these prophets.

It is too shameful to recount the kind of things that these so-called pastors do, which bring the pastorial ministry and Christianity in general into disrepute. They have allowed greed and love for money to sear their consciences. Sometimes, one wonders whether they are really “called” as they claim. We should admit that to err is human, In fact, everybody makes mistakes.  Genuine pastors could sometimes “fall”.

My problem, however, is with those who know; deep down their hearts that they have not been called by God to do His work, yet for their selfish motives they are “robbing” people. The airwaves, public places, including commercial vehicles and markets have now been turned into churches. Well, I don’t see anything wrong with that, provided they do not infringe on the rights of others. After all, Jesus has commanded Christians to go into the world to preach the gospel and to make disciples of all nations. My problem, however, is where innocent people are manipulated and taken advantage of, under the pretext of leading them to Christ.

It is time the leaders of religious bodies such as the Ghana Pentecostal Council, the Christian Council of Ghana, Association of Christianity and Christian Churches etc, educated their members and exposed the bad nuts that are in their folds.

As individuals, we should also learn to study the Bible on our own in order not to be deceived and misled by any fake pastor.

The pastorial ministry is a decent and noble one. Those who have infiltrated the ministry with ulterior motives should remember that their day of reckoning, when they would be crowned with shame and humiliation, shall surely come.

Article by Sammy Dzandu
The writer is an archivist   
Writer’s e-mail: [email protected]