50
YEARS OF CELESTIAL CHURCH OF CHRIST IN OGUN STATE: THE WAY FORWARD
–
A
Lecture delivered at Celestial Church of Christ, Arch Diocesan
headquarters, Ijaye Parish, Abeokuta on 14th
August 2013 on the occasion of the 50th
year Anniversary Celebrations by Superior Evangelist (Dr.) Emmanuel
O. Adewale (JP) C. C. C. Apete, Ibadan
1.
INTRODUCTION
Fifty
years is GOLDEN and important enough for any organization, group or
individuals to flash and wonder how one is fairing. So I bless God
for putting it in the minds of the organizers to call for a gathering
like this. I equally rejoice with Celestians in Ogun State for the
journey so far. In the course of this discussion, you will see that
the lives of the patriarchs of old have not been wasted. I recognize
them all.
The
objectives of this lecture are to trace the historical trend of the
growth of Celestial Church of Christ in Ogun State, examine whether
or not the church has sufficiently justified her existence and to see
how she can meet the requirements of modern life in this millennium.
2.
THE ADVENT OF CELESTIAL CHURCH OF CHRIST IN OGUN STATE
As
one of the early arrivals of the foremost African instituted
“Aladura” Churches, Celestial Church of Christ was founded in
September 1947 at the Republic of Benin. Since then, the church has
been growing in leaps and bounds beyond human imaginations. In the
early 50s, the Church proliferated at a significant high rate through
the West Coast of Africa. Hence, the coming of the Church to Nigeria
in 1952 was not a surprise because of the cross border business
transactions bringing Beninese to the coast of Lagos, Nigeria.
The
Premier Parish of Celestial Church of Christ in Nigeria eventually
found herself in Makoko area of Lagos state. The evidence of Christ
in the church and the genuine manifestations of testimonies emanating
from Makoko parish helped in spreading the gospel which resulted to
the rapid establishment of other parishes in the main cities of the
then western region of Nigeria. Cities like Ibadan, Abeokuta, Ijebu
Ode, Ilesa, Osogbo,Akure, Ondo, Ado Ekiti and Benin were some of the
foremost cities that benefited from this early expansion. To the
glory of God, Celestial Church of Christ came into existence in Ogun
state in 1963 (about 50 years ago) with her first parish at Ijako,
Abeokuta.
Committed
Celestians like late Most Senior Evangelist S. O. Sobowale, Odewole,
Cole, Oguntoyinbo e.t.c. who were natives of Egbaland but who had
enjoyed the grace of God of Celestial whilst worshipping in Makoko
considered it necessary to spread the good tidings to Abeokuta.
Before long, a kind of house fellowship of the Church started in late
Sobowale' s house at Oke Ilawo Abeokuta. Later a church building was
erected at Ijako area of Abeokuta. Consequent to intimidations from
land owners around, the altar of the church had to be moved to the
present Ijaye parish. The role of personalities like the then
prophetess Sobande (a. k. a mama Trinity) in providing landed
properties for the church was significant. Hence Ijaye parish became
the first parish in Abeokuta and the whole of Ogun State.
As
people moved out of Ijako, some others with the leadership of late
Senior Evangelist M O Adekanmbi established Iyetedo parish and others
left to establish Ibara parish in Abeokuta with late Akomoje as the
first shepherd. Baba Oguntoyinbo remained in Ijako and the building
structures still exist till date. God started moving and parishes
began to spring up around Adatan, Totoro,etc. As at 1989, parishes of
Celestial Church of Christ in Abeokuta and environ numbered up to
175! As at now, the parishes of the church in Ogun state alone is
running into multiples of hundreds.
2.
THE ROLE OF CHURCH IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Kanu
Ikechukwu Anthony, in his book titled; THE CHURCH AND THE POLITICS
TODAY, categorized the development that the church can contribute to
the community into six categories. These categories include: Social
Justice, Humanitarian services, prophecy, peace, morality, education
and economic development.
God's
intention for the world is made clear in the constitution of the
church as per the injunction given to the Pastor Founder i.e to wipe
the world of ALL AFFLICTIONS and to preach and prepare the world for
THE SECOND COMING OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.
Times
without number, Celestial Church in Abeokuta has being living up to
the responsibility of providing adequate humanitarian services to the
general populace with special attention paid to the needy.
From
the time of ancient Israel till now, prophecies have always been very
important in helping leaders and authorities in government to plan
for the future. On many occasions, the body of Celestial church of
Christ in Abeokuta, like in other places, has contributed
immeasurably to forecasting, prophesying and to the fulfillments of
long term visions for the people and leaders of Ogun state.
This
feat has always been achieved through the counseling and prayers
often offered to the members of the populace when they come for
consultation and or to the community in private and public. Records
have it that Celestians used to converge at the king’s palace
(Ojude Oba) to offer prayers publicly for the entire community
yearly. Also, the yearly Easter outreach of the church in Abeokuta is
believed to be yielding significant positive results.
The
population of the south-western part of Nigeria, especially Abeokuta
in Ogun state is known for its heterogeneity. This heterogeneous
population is often made up of a mixture of Muslims, Christians,
traditionists and atheists. Over the years, the church has played a
mature role in maintaining peace in her domain by settling all rifts
amicably without giving any chance for such crisis to escalate beyond
control. The domestic crisis of 1975-77 when people were beheaded,
maimed and killed to the embarrassments of the community around the
present Ijaye area is a case to be cited. The quick intercessory
prayers of ''Cele'' exposed the perpectrators, fears were allayed,
and normalcy was restored. Consequently, the growth of the church
enhanced peace to reign though the Egbas are generally well known to
be peace loving and they accepted Celestial Church of Christ whole
heartedly.
Celestial
Church of Christ is famously known for her strict adherence to
religious doctrines that have the capacity of promoting righteousness
and decency. These set of biblical doctrines have an indirect
positive impact in the lives of some dwellers. The supply of adequate
standard education to the public by the church and some of her
members who are proprietors or head teachers of schools have induced
high moral standard in the citizenry. This is hastened by the strict
adherence of members to the rules, tenets and doctrines of the church
that are character building and modelling in nature.
The
provision of schools, building of shops, inauguration of businesses
and the construction of residential buildings by members of the
Celestial Church family at Abeokuta has contributed immensely to the
economic status of the city as a whole. In other words, it is easy to
conclude that the church has been acting as a strong wheel pivoting
the growth and development of the community in general. Buying and
selling, transport business and the like often cluster any area where
Celestial Church of Christ parish springs up. The church could
therefore be seen as an organ of socio- economic development.
3.
THE PRESENT REGRETS
Disunity
is a cankerworm that has the ability of eating deep into the wheel of
progress of any institution. Just like the parental body, Celestial
Church of Christ in Abeokuta has also suffered the same fate in the
hands of these problems created by the disunity in the fold. We can
recall that up to year 2000; love, togetherness, fear of God, respect
for elders, communal living among others characterized the Church so
much that other denominations felt threatened.
The
Church was actually powerful in all sectors of the economy. All you
needed that time was to have a prayer gown (sutana) and know how to
chant Halleluyah. Then all the essentials of life- food, shelter, job
etc are guaranteed because there is always somebody in the church who
will be willing to look after you as a Celestian brother. But
immediately Papa (Pastor Founder S. B. J.Oshofa ) left, things turned
for the opposite. The case became worse with the demise of His
eminence Rev. Pastor A. A. Bada. The number of landlord shepherds
started increasing, power tussle crept in, the love of money was
gaining ground and everybody was on his own, to say the least.
Consequently, the center lost (or is losing) control with the exodus
of members to other 'modern' churches was increasing at an increasing
rate.
Unlike
many orthodox churches, Celestial Church did not rise up to the
responsibilities of providing educational institutions for the
citizens of the state. If this has been done in the early days, it
would have cemented the establishment of the church in the community
and provided a better way by which the church can easily impact
people in her immediate environment.
The
Church became the easiest place for anyone to set his own ''business
center’’. Sorry, l mean parish. Like one will expect, signs and
wonders are no longer as spontaneous as in the good old days.
Shepherds are impatient to be trained and/retrained. Titles with no
corresponding anointing are around the corner.
Despite
the high level of success recorded by the Church here at Abeokuta, it
is worthy to note that the church would have recorded more successes
if it were to be that a standard leadership structure has been put in
place from the beginning. At the moment, a lot of mushroom parishes
have sprung up with strange doctrines. This development is highly
regrettable.
Sustainable
Leadership Training is another important tool that can contribute to
the rapid development of an institution. This was also missing at the
early stage of the establishment of the Church in this state. Even
the disciples of Jesus were exposed to certain periods of training
before becoming independent. But with our shepherds, all that is
needed is to either be a prophet or have a relationship with a rich
or affluent man. Before eyes are opened, a land is ready and a new
parish is born with little or no allegiance to the center. The driver
of such parish has no seminary exposure. How can they give what they
don't have? Hun un! After all, a parish cannot be better than her
shepherd/leader. Show me a Bible believing shepherd, and then the
worshippers will be lovers of the Word of God.
4.
THE WAY FORWARD
4.1.
A Call for Unity:
Any house that is divided against itself can never stand. Now that
the church in this state is at the golden age of 50, it is highly
expedient for all stakeholders in the Church to sheath their swords
and embrace unity which will definitely give direction for progress.
This will not only help the church at the moment, it will also leave
a worthy legacy for our children to work upon tomorrow.
4.2.
Re-organization of Church structure:
while it is likely beyond the capacity of the Church at the state
level to change the general hierarchical structure of the Church, it
is quite possible for us to make even distribution of posts and
reshuffles where necessary. There is a need for the Church
organization to be restructured in order to allow for effective
planning that will help the church to fulfill her objective of
cleansing the world.
4.3.
Effective Leadership Training: existing
Leadership training structures like Celestial Bible Institute should
be extended to the grassroots and monitored for effective delivery.
It should be adequately funded and upgraded to meet up with other
theology institute. Also, the traditional shepherd-mentoring schemes
where laymen are duly trained under experienced shepherds should not
be neglected.
4.4.
Introduction of Visionary Leadership:
the world is changing and there is a need for the Church to set the
pace in these changes so that we will not be forced to conform to the
pattern of the corrupt world. Hence, the church leaders should be
compelled to write down their objective plans and design a means of
achieving our short and long term goals.
4.5.
The center:
This is the managing organ of the church. It includes the office of
the pastor and supreme head, the pastor in council, and Board of
Trustee. Every step that will make this authority to be influential
on the parishes under them should be considered necessary. Proverb 27
:23 says ''be thou diligent to know the state of thy flock, and look
well to thy herds''. The center should play significant role in the
financing of new parishes. The welfare of the parishes and the
workers should be the concern of those in authority. He who plays the
pipper ... Pragmatic steps should be taken here to build schools,
health centers (if not hospitals) and university. People perish for
lack of knowledge not lack of money or miracles. Standards are better
set and discipline maintained
4.6.
Inter-parish relationship:
Activities like lectures, symposia, Quiz, debate, football
competition etc among parishes will promote unity than discord.
Religious and educative Shows that will bring the reminiscence of the
past should be jointly organized at all levels (Jer. 6:16).
4.7.
The Youth:
Youth empowerment and enlightenment programmes should be sponsored by
all authorities. Scholarships at various levels should be
encouraged. The activities of the youths must be well monitored by
the center .
5.
CONCLUSION
One
thing is evident; Celestial Church is a Church of the Lord and the
Spirit of the Lord has not departed from it. However, there is a need
for us to be very careful at this period so that we will not end up
frustrating the grace of God over our ministry. Let us all rise up to
the challenge of moving forward by re-positioning ourselves to hear
instructions constantly from God and let’s put in our best by
sacrificing all that can hinder our progress. If we can achieve "so
much" at this turbulent time, how much do you think we will
achieve when we put our house in order?
I
choose to celebrate with this parish today because of my knowledge of
your past, my awareness of your desire to move forward and most
importantly because of my faith in your glorious future.
Long
live Celestial Church of Christ, Ijaye Parish!
Long
live Celestial Church of Christ, Ogun State!!
Long
live Celestial Church of Christ Worldwide!!!
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