RESTORING INTEGRITY: ADDRESSING THE CRISIS OF LEADERSHIP IN AFRICAN CHURCHES

The contemporary state of the church in Africa has undergone a troubling transformation, wherein the credibility it once held has significantly waned. This erosion of trust stems from a pervasive trend among leaders who have strayed from the core mission of the Church, forsaking spiritual stewardship for personal gain and the pursuit of wealth.

Within venerable institutions such as the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion, there exists a persistent struggle for power intertwined with the accumulation of wealth. Meanwhile, in Pentecostal congregations, the elevation of leaders to quasi-divine status has become distressingly common. These leaders, far from being humble servants of the gospel, engage in the commercialization of faith, peddling books, trinkets, and purportedly sacred items like stickers and blessed water for personal enrichment.

Such practices flourish because congregants themselves have lost sight of the essence of their faith, thus enabling these leaders—some of whom are little more than charlatans—to amass riches at their expense. It is imperative for believers to cease elevating church leaders to the status of deities and instead subject them to scrutiny, holding them accountable for their stewardship.

A leader who fails to embody the teachings of Christ in both word and deed should not be afforded reverence but rather should be admonished or replaced, if necessary, to safeguard the integrity of the Church. It is essential to recognize that church leaders are entrusted with the care of the faithful, not to lord over them but to guide them by the principles of the gospel and the will of God.

Let us not be swayed by the allure of charismatic personalities or dazzled by theatrical displays. Instead, let us discerningly follow leaders who authentically exemplify the teachings of Jesus Christ, embodying humility, compassion, and unwavering devotion to the truth. Only by reclaiming the essence of our faith and holding our leaders accountable can we restore the integrity and credibility of the Church in our communities.