…urges Christians to urgently return to true worship, Christ-like living

The recent surge in scandals about churches in the country has made a leading cleric of the renowned Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Pastor Amos Dada, to berate unholy practices allegedly being leveled against men of God and top members in Nigerian churches. 

The Nigerian-Canadian CAC Pastor expressed his deep worries in his new year message to the Church which he titled: “What Type of Christianity Is This?”

Pastor Dada who holds a doctorate degree in Chemical Engineering and has headed the call to serve in the Lord’s vineyards over four decades ago, disclosed that the Holy Spirit touched him to pen the words of worry about the church and make it known to the world so that the body of Christ may be awake to true worship and genuine Christ-like living.  He is worried that the Church is now tragically characterized with Power Without Purity, Grace Without Repentance or Transformation, Worship Without Reverence, Christianity of convenience rather than the Cross, Growth Without Discipleship and Entertainment Replacing Spiritual Substance. And made frantic call for authentic Christianity. 

Dr Amos Dada who recently completed a second doctorate in Theology on a thesis titled.: “A theological Analysis of the Root Causes of Corruption and Strategies for Transformation “ said: “This morning, as I waited quietly before the Lord, a searching question rose in my spirit — not as an accusation against the Body of Christ, but as a solemn call to discernment:

What type of Christianity is this?

How did Christianity get to where we are today? The social media space is saturated with disturbing narratives — scandals upon scandals. Stories of corruption in the Church, sexual perversion, sexual abuse, physical abuse, divorces, fornication upon fornication, adultery upon adultery. There are unsolicited and often fake prophecies circulating freely, as though this is now the purpose and identity of the Church. One is forced to ask: what is this messy and repulsive expression we are parading as Christianity?

Is this what our spiritual fathers handed over to us?

Speaking further about the emptiness in the churches, Pastor Amos, wrote: “People now wait anxiously, not for revival or righteousness, but to see which minister will be exposed next. If it is not occultic and ritual-related allegations, it is high-level sexual misconduct, gross mismanagement of church funds, or endless verbose prosperity messages that lack the cross and repentance. Again, the question returns with even greater urgency: What type of Christianity is this? Is this truly the faith through which we hope to win the next one billion souls?

This reflection is not directed at the world, but inward — toward the Church itself. It is not spoken in anger, but in grief and deep love for the Body of Christ. The Holy Spirit seems to be inviting us to pause, reflect, and courageously examine the widening gap between biblical Christianity and many contemporary expressions of faith.

“In many places today, Christ is mentioned, yet He is no longer central. Programmes flourish, activities multiply, and personalities are celebrated, but the lordship of Jesus is subtly displaced. The Church becomes busy, yet shallow; visible, yet weak. Jesus says lift me up, but all we lift up is our Pastors, GOs and Bishops. Instead of: ”Thus says The Lord”,  all you hear is Papa said!,  Mama said.! “

The Holy Scripture corrects this drift clearly: “And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist” (Colossians 1:17). “For to me to live is Christ” (Philippians 1:21). Any Christianity that does not revolve around Christ Himself is already collapsing, no matter how impressive it appears. Any Christianity that is not obeying Christ is obeying the devil- 

The Holy Spirit highlighted a troubling hunger for manifestations without a matching pursuit of holiness. Miracles are sought, prophecies applauded, yet integrity and character are neglected. Moral failures are no longer shocking; they are becoming familiar. New converts are scared to go to churches. People are trooping out of churches , we blame on it on Covid -19, instead of the powerlessness in the Church. What is the essence of a church devoid of miracles or known for stage managing and faking miracles. I watched a skit, someone who was born blind was healed ad ran to embrace her mother! 

God’s Word restores balance: “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…” (Galatians 5:22–23).Power was never designed to replace purity. When purity is absent, power becomes dangerous rather than redemptive.

Another dysfunction the Spirit exposed is a version of grace that excuses sin rather than transforms lives. Repentance is avoided, conviction is softened, and acceptance is mistaken for approval. Tell me how will crime rate not increase with increase in number of churches. The theology that rejects consecration, sanctification cannot give birth to a holy church!  

Yet Scripture is unmistakable: “The grace of God that bringeth salvation… teaches us to deny ungodliness” (Titus 2:11–12).“Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid” (Romans 6:1–2). True grace does not merely forgive; it changes. Any grace that leaves a person comfortable in sin is not Biblical grace.

Worship gatherings are increasingly expressive, creative, and energetic, yet often lacking the fear of the Lord. God is celebrated but rarely approached with awe. Familiarity has replaced reverence. We have never witness the high level of immodest dressing by worshipper, aided by comedians on the altar and yet we want to experience the Shekinah glory. No! what you see today in the church is hype, the mother of sexual perversion in the church!

Scripture calls us back: “God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints” (Psalm 89:7).“Let us serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear” (Hebrews 12:28). The Holy Spirit is not calling for silent worship, but for reverent worship — one that rejoices and trembles at the same time.

Modern Christianity often shun sacrifice while it prioritizes comfort: suffering is resisted, and discipline is optional. The cross is admired as a symbol but rejected as a lifestyle.

Jesus’ words remain uncompromising: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily” (Luke 9:23). “All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). Christianity without the cross-produces consumers, not committed disciples. No wonder, church attendance is declining, pews are empty, no new converts. Psalm 74:9 – We see not our signs… and we are not bothered!

Churches may be growing numerically, yet believers remain spiritually immature, prayerless, and Biblically shallow. Crowds increase, but Christlikeness decreases.

Jesus’ commission corrects this imbalance: “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20). “Till we all come… unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13).God is not impressed by numbers alone; He looks for transformed lives.

Truth Without Love — and Love Without Truth

The Holy Spirit also exposed a painful polarization. Some proclaim truth harshly, lacking compassion. Others emphasize love while avoiding truth altogether. Both extremes misrepresent Christ.

Scripture holds the balance: “Speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). “Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). Authentic Christianity refuses to choose between truth and love; it embraces both.

In some contexts, the Church now competes with the world through entertainment rather than spiritual depth. Sermons are shortened, Scripture is diluted, and conviction is avoided so as not to offend. No more altar calls, because repentance is not expected. 

Yet the apostolic mandate remains: “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2). “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:3). The Church was never called to entertain the world, but to transform it through truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ!

As I concluded my prayer, the Holy Spirit impressed one clear appeal upon my heart: Return to Me. Return to Christ-centered faith, Spirit-led living, Word-grounded truth, cross-shaped discipleship, and holiness-powered witness.

The Lord’s call echoes still: “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works” (Revelation 2:5).

So again, the question lingers — personally and corporately: What type of Christianity is this? Maybe you want to ask yourself, what type of Christianity are my practising 

Is it shaped by culture, convenience, and compromise, or by Christ, the cross, and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit?

Holy Spirit, search us and restore us to the Christianity of Christ — living, holy, powerful, and true. In Jesus’ name. Amen,” he prayed.