– It is no longer news that Nigerians are
experiencing an economic downturn at the
moment
– The situation has also affected Christian
places of worship
– The situation has reduced the financial
commitments to members towards the
church
A report by The news men has chronicled how
churches are experiencing financial
downturn as Nigeria’s economic crisis bites
harder across the nation.
The report stated that members have now
turned to their church leaders for financial
support towards feeding, accommodation
and children’s tuition.
Some of the churches claim they are helping
some of their members financially this period
A situation that has now increased the
already depleted financial reserves of the
churches.
Speaking on the issue, the general overseer
of Holy Spirit Mission (Happy Family
Chapel), Bishop Charles Ighele, described
the economic situation in the country as
“never been this bad.”
The bishop confirmed that members of
some of the church’s branches had been
affected by the economy.
His words: ”It is a big problem with people
losing their jobs and the prices of things
increasing such that sachet water that used to
sell for N5 is now N15 in some towns. The
situation is really bad.
”Over the years, we have been redirecting the
focus of our members towards
entrepreneurship, so the situation has not
really affected the headquarter, but the cash
inflow of the branches of the church where we
did not drive such teachings down well has
been affected.
”In those branches, it has affected the cash
inflow, so we have it good in some places and
in some; the cash inflow has been affected.
The welfare department of the church has
been strengthened more to help people with
feeding, and so on.
”So, many members have nowhere to stay;
some are unable to pay their house rents, so
we have such things to handle. We have
people still under the effect of the economic
condition and it is really tough on them. And it
is not only about members of our church as
other people also keep coming for help.”
On his part, Pastor Festus Oyewunmi of
Arise and Build Bible Church, Ibadan, said:
”The church is a component of the society.
So, what is happening in the society will affect
the church.
”Before, members would pay little, but now,
they are not ready to pay anything. In fact,
they are looking for ways to get something
from the church.
”They want the pastor to dip his hands into
his purse and pay for their transport and
feeding for a whole month, especially in
smaller churches in places like Ibadan.”
In Bayelsa, Pastor Elijah Oigbochie of the
Mark of Overcomers International Church,
Yenagoa, confirmed the situation the
churches are facing.
He said: ”If you do not get your salary,
definitely, you will not be able to pay your
tithe. Actually, it has in one way or the other
affected the income of the church because you
pay from whatever you earn.”
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a
member of the ushering committee in
Gospel Faith Mission International in Ado-
Ekiti, said: ”We have noticed the decline in
payment from members, but we understand the
situation.”
Meanwhile, as Nigerians continue to groan
under harsh economic conditions , President
Muhammadu Buhari has revealed that his
trip to China yielded about $6 billion
investment for Nigeria.
The president posited that his one-week
trip would positively impact on key sectors
of the Nigerian economy including power,
solid minerals, agriculture, housing and rail
transportation.
experiencing an economic downturn at the
moment
– The situation has also affected Christian
places of worship
– The situation has reduced the financial
commitments to members towards the
church
A report by The news men has chronicled how
churches are experiencing financial
downturn as Nigeria’s economic crisis bites
harder across the nation.
The report stated that members have now
turned to their church leaders for financial
support towards feeding, accommodation
and children’s tuition.
Some of the churches claim they are helping
some of their members financially this period
A situation that has now increased the
already depleted financial reserves of the
churches.
Speaking on the issue, the general overseer
of Holy Spirit Mission (Happy Family
Chapel), Bishop Charles Ighele, described
the economic situation in the country as
“never been this bad.”
The bishop confirmed that members of
some of the church’s branches had been
affected by the economy.
His words: ”It is a big problem with people
losing their jobs and the prices of things
increasing such that sachet water that used to
sell for N5 is now N15 in some towns. The
situation is really bad.
”Over the years, we have been redirecting the
focus of our members towards
entrepreneurship, so the situation has not
really affected the headquarter, but the cash
inflow of the branches of the church where we
did not drive such teachings down well has
been affected.
”In those branches, it has affected the cash
inflow, so we have it good in some places and
in some; the cash inflow has been affected.
The welfare department of the church has
been strengthened more to help people with
feeding, and so on.
”So, many members have nowhere to stay;
some are unable to pay their house rents, so
we have such things to handle. We have
people still under the effect of the economic
condition and it is really tough on them. And it
is not only about members of our church as
other people also keep coming for help.”
On his part, Pastor Festus Oyewunmi of
Arise and Build Bible Church, Ibadan, said:
”The church is a component of the society.
So, what is happening in the society will affect
the church.
”Before, members would pay little, but now,
they are not ready to pay anything. In fact,
they are looking for ways to get something
from the church.
”They want the pastor to dip his hands into
his purse and pay for their transport and
feeding for a whole month, especially in
smaller churches in places like Ibadan.”
In Bayelsa, Pastor Elijah Oigbochie of the
Mark of Overcomers International Church,
Yenagoa, confirmed the situation the
churches are facing.
He said: ”If you do not get your salary,
definitely, you will not be able to pay your
tithe. Actually, it has in one way or the other
affected the income of the church because you
pay from whatever you earn.”
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a
member of the ushering committee in
Gospel Faith Mission International in Ado-
Ekiti, said: ”We have noticed the decline in
payment from members, but we understand the
situation.”
Meanwhile, as Nigerians continue to groan
under harsh economic conditions , President
Muhammadu Buhari has revealed that his
trip to China yielded about $6 billion
investment for Nigeria.
The president posited that his one-week
trip would positively impact on key sectors
of the Nigerian economy including power,
solid minerals, agriculture, housing and rail
transportation.
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