Rogue pastors will always be there

NELSON MAKANDA is the General Secretary of the Evangelical Alliance of Kenya (EAK). He talks to SILAS NYAMWEYA on the rise of rogue Christian ministers, the current acrimony between the government and opposition chiefs, and how the corruption menace should be addressed.

What can you say has been the greatest contribution of the Evangelical Alliance of Kenya (EAK) in protecting the welfare of churches?

EAK has played a key role in protecting the welfare of churches through advocacy on church space, enlightening the State on the role of the church in nation-building, protecting the church from unnecessary external interference, and ensuring that the church is represented as far as national matters are concerned without being ignored.

How is the church addressing the current acrimony between the government and the Opposition?

In as much as the Bible in Psalms 133 and John 17 advocates for unity, the conflict has always been there due to human nature and personal desire. The church has made lots of effort in ensuring that there is harmony as far as that division is concerned, but politics as it were has no permanent enemies. As a church, our part is to guide, pray and play a mediatory role for harmony to be in place because as Psalms 133 states, "In unity, God commands a blessing even life forevermore" and as a nation, we need those blessings.

The church is clearly divided over whether politicians should be allowed to play politics during church services...what's your take?

The church is not divided per se but the sensitivity on how to handle politicians is what has been in discussion for a while now. The truth is that politicians are congregants and should be allowed to worship just like other believers. The truth is that the pulpit must be reserved for clergy to protect politicians from the curse of the pulpit so as not to be like Saul who stepped on the Altar because Samuel had delayed or the sons of Eli who partook of meat that was not meant for them. If politicians want to attend service, the churches are open, but if they want to speak to people, then it should be away from the pulpit.

The church is opposed to the regularisation of churches by the State, isn't this akin to allowing rogue pastors to operate?

Whether the State regularises the church or not, rogue pastors will always be there. We need not victimize the people that are worshipping God in truth and spirit because of a few errant preachers. The church is the bride of Christ as well as His body, an instrument that God uses to cause transformation. The authority of checking the church should be derived from scripture because that is the highest law in checking. The government has the power to deal with those errant preachers and should do so if confirmed that the said preachers are misleading people.

What is your take regarding the proliferation of independent churches and ministries which are individually controlled?

This is technical in the sense that where two or more people gather in His name, God is in their midst. God calls people individually and gives them gifts. Even if there is a moratorium, it is difficult to gag the church because as I said earlier, it is the bride of Christ. Maybe what we need to state is that anything called a church must have certain upholding principles and tenets of faith including a certain code of ethics that must be upheld. Belonging to an umbrella organization is also key for accountability and for checks and balances.

How do you relate with other Christian bodies like the National Council of Churches of Kenya?

My belief is that the body of Christ is one. These umbrella organizations are parts placed to serve this one body, hence a cordial relationship. 1 Corinthians 12 states it well. These umbrella organizations meet within the Inter-Religious Council and the interaction has been cordial.

Corruption has been a long-time menace in Kenya, what, according to you, should be done to end this vice?

EAK decided to change the narrative. As people speak of corruption, EAK embarked on preaching integrity. The essence should be to multiply people who are champions of integrity hence creating a large army in the process. That is what God has called us to do. Another thing is to support the other institutions that are tasked to fight the same vice.

What should be done to enhance the coexistence of Christians with people of other faiths?

Teach people more about the aspect of free will as far as our worship of God is concerned, advocate for religious space, and fight extremism. Tolerance is what is required across all faiths.

Some Kenyans claim that the church had not been vocal enough in addressing matters of national importance... what is your take?

The church has contributed significantly as far as national matters are concerned. From independence, the church has had key clergy participate in national matters, the likes of Bildad Kagia who was a strong believer, the Okulus, Njoyas, and others. The dynamics now are different and the church has continued to engage. The inclusion of the church in basically all key national Commissions and processes are indicative enough to tell you that the church is engaging, its voice is heard and there is participation.