AS economic hardships bite, people are finding solace in religion and since most churches are self-funding, competition for followers has forced leaders to re-strategise, it is not business as usual. New churches, new ministries and old religious orders are all seeking to reach more people and to boost their numbers.
By Conelia Mabasa
In the wake of serious competition for followers, some age old institutions have had to change this and that to remain relevant and pacify the restive believer, who is demanding much more than happiness in the after-life. Take for example, the Catholic Church. At one time the church was totally opposed to the charismatic movement, such that those that subscribed to it gathered in the dead of the night and conducted Mass in hushed tones under a veil of secrecy. Some leaders tried to stifle it in its infancy, but since it answered to the needs of a huge section of the church and it had priests who said they were called to pray and exorcise demons among other things, now it is accepted and acknowledged by the church. There are people like Sister Briege McKenna OSC, who have been working in the charismatic movement and have testimonies of miracles happening in the Catholic Church, not on a daily basis or as she purposed or wanted, but as the Lord willed. She stands proud among senior priests and fellow sisters as someone who was miraculously healed from rheumatoid arthritis and has been called to strengthen others’ faith through serving, testifying, leading retreats and obeying the Lord. She has actually written a book, Miracles Do happen: God Can Do the Impossible (Briege McKenna with Henry Libersat, 2002). The Catholic Church has managed to keep some of its faithful just by letting them be in the charismatic movement, if they so wish.
Closer home, some churches are wooing people by promising miracles and deliverance. Some are even inviting secular musicians to perform so as to appeal to the youths. Last year in November, Zimdancehall musician, Tocky Vibes performed at Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries’ all-night prayer. Some churches are also offering quick solutions to healing like wrist bands, anointing oil, anointed apples and anointed water, among other stuff that is deemed holy, precious and a gateway to a life free of sickness, discomfort and bad luck.
Yet some are picking scriptures that speak to the hunger for luxury that is inherent in man. These promise instant rewards, including miracle money. It’s as if one does not need to sweat anymore, if one has enough faith, God will provide.
There are also those that use crusades to evangelise and stimulate worship. Some are also riding on the social media craze, they have Facebook pages, WhatsApp groups, etc.
Others make use of church literature to reach out to the faithful or potential worshippers. What comes to mind is the Rhapsody of Realities, now on app [Christ Embassy], The Watchtower [Jehovah’s Witness] and Our Daily Bread [Our Daily Bread Ministries], among others. This invaluable literature has worked wonders in many believers’ lives. They motivate, direct, teach and lead daily devotions. They close the gap between the weekly church services. They offer scriptures that draw people to God, answers to questions, good counsel or even dispel some misconceptions and myths. However, the faithful need to be careful to read the Bible itself. Devotion literature guides, but it cannot take the place of the Word. Some literature might just extoll the virtues of a church at the expense of the body of Christ. We need to be so careful as not to drift or be drowned in the numbers. Careful also not to follow individuals with spiritual gifts, but to seek God Himself as the scriptures say, “You shall have no other gods before me”. [Exodus 20 v 3]
