BYJAPHET  ALAKAM

It was Apostle Paul who foresaw  what was going to happen in the future when he warned his son in the lord, Timothy in 11Tim. 3; 1-5, “that in the last days perilous times will come… ”And a critical look at what is going on in many churches  all over the world, especially in Nigeria today confirms the fulfillment of that prophecy as many churches have now been turned into business centers and every Tom, Dick and Harry are into the business, little wonder there is proliferation of churches all over the cities. For example there is hardly any street in the cities that you will pass without having two to three churches.

But the great question that  have been on the lips of many is why is it that despite the number of churches in the country, the crime rate is increasing by the day and the answer boils down to the fact that many of of them (servants of God) have failed in their pastoral responsibility to keep the gospel pure and free from false teachings  rather they are only there to serve their belly.

The rot in the body of Christ, especially the attitude of many servants of God has become so worrisome to the extent that many have vowed not to go to church again. Though many servants of God are comfortable with the development as they are smiling to banks every day, but one man who is not comfortable with that is  Archbishop John  Amara Maduka, a servant of God himself and the General Overseer of First African Gospel Mission  and as a response to the ugly development he came out with a new book that seeks to call the servants of God to order titled Critical Essays for God’s Servants.

Coming at a time when many servants of God need a critical approach to their noble profession, the author who has seen it all having worked in the secular world as a teacher and in God’s vineyard as a minister for over three decades in the 22 chapter book aptly address some of the evils and misconduct of many servants of God and proffers some useful solution on the way out.
In chapter one, titled Calling, the author talks about the need for servants of God to know why they are in the profession. Here, the seasoned servant of God points out that many people have left the track because they are not called by God rather they are just into the ministry for their own selfish gain. According to him, if God calls someone, He directs the person to know why he is called and gives him the grace to do the work very well. From chapters two downwards, the author highlights some of the issues that hinder the ministry of many servants of God like  their insincere relationship with God, the source of their power, their relationship with their wives, fellow ministers and other church members.

He did not end it there, he also listed some other issues like A minister and his temper, preachers who do not listen to other preachers message, pride, unforgiving spirit among ministers of God, ministers attitude to some influential people or money bags in the church, ministers who build churches and not the members, postings and transfer of church workers, conventions, seminars and crusades, their attitude towards them and others.

The author also looks at the role of other workers in the ministry like the elders, Ushers or wardens, Deacons/Deaconesses,  pay masters  in the church and call for the need for division of labour among them so that all will work harmoniously for the progress of the work of God.
Laced with some poetic verses, the author with the use of true life stories and experiences highlights most of the evils that has stood as the rock of Gibratar in the life of many servants of God and calls for a rethink. Noting that servants of God as leaders should lead by example, they must follow the truth and put it into practice.  They should understand that they are not God, so they are bond to make mistakes so whenever they do, they should humbly accept their wrongs and submit themselves to God so that He will forgive and accept them back.

Written in very simple English for easy understanding, the book Critical Essays for  God’s Servants is a well researched manual that tends to fill some of the missing links in the life of many servants of God. It is indeed another valuable contribution to all Christians especially servants God, so I recommend to to all.