How most pastor's are stealing from their congregants

You need not look further than conspicuous headlines in newspapers and investigative pieces aired on national news to notice how far the status of the church in Kenya has gone down. Formerly, church leaders were respected and loved both within and without the church compound. They lived humbly among us as they taught spiritual values in us and our children. We entrusted our very lives to them and were confident that they will look out for our best interests.

This notion has since become a shadow that can only be recalled in passing. The irregular increase of mega churches especially in cities has seen to it. Most of these churches are evangelical gatherings that are started and run by one person and his family. Since there is competition for congregants in densely populated (mostly middle or lower class) areas, most overseers fall victims to fake ways of acquiring followers. The most common is staging theatrical “signs and wonders” crusades in the surrounding markets and during their services.

In less than 5 years an average city pastor has bought a plot in the city; built a mega church or put up a mega-tent and is driving the latest model of a car of their choice. There will be services running throughout the week, in all of which offerings and tithe is collected. On Sundays some churches have up to four services. Congregants are encouraged to give continuously in order to receive blessings. Big “givers” are rewarded with positions in different committee within the church management structure. This is mostly done regardless of the spiritual figure and integrity checks of such individuals.

Matters grow even worse when members are forced to submit the salary statements to determine what their tithes. Some pastors ask for signed covenant forms in which one expresses their commitment to the church. This included clauses dictating giving, especially tithes. In case one moves to another part of town or country for any reason, they will still send their tithes to their pastor. To limit members from moving to other churches, preaching must be custom-made to suit their needs.

Sermons concerning sin and judgments are down played in favor of prosperity and material blessings. In the end the common rhetoric is giving and receiving. Common social challenges are materialized and priced for prayers. Unemployment, barrenness, marital issues, failing business, terminal illnesses and so on, are all associated with lack or low levels of giving. Exemplary Christ-likeness becomes secondary and thus the moral ills thrive within the walls of the church. Infidelity, financial impropriety and other social ills run deep in the church leadership and among the congregants. The status quo is accepted since it works both ways.