Oluwatosin Akinsanmi
The Pastors’ Council of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church (CSMC), has encouraged churches in the nation to give to society in this trying times as a means of fulfilling their corporate social responsibility.
In a letter to all Zonal and District Supervising Pastors, the Conference Supervising Pastor of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church Worldwide, Special Apostle, Pastor Moses Ademola Popoola, prodded churches to give to society just as the churches of old.
“The church should live up to its responsibility in this critical time. Members should be duly catered for; this is the time for the church to give back to society. COVID-19 has afforded us the opportunity to practice the old-time Christianity where no member lacked anything,” said Pastor Popoola.
He encouraged government at all levels to ensure the provision of more palliatives for the subjugated in the society in order to allay their sufferings while he appreciated individuals that had given to the course of humanity.
Pastor Popoola stated, “I also want to use this opportunity to call on the Government at all levels to make provision for palliatives for the downtrodden in the society. Most people in this part of the world live from hand to mouth. Thus they will find it difficult to eat without working for a day. As the government enforces the lockdown order, they should also increase efforts in providing relief materials for the poor so as to alleviate their sufferings.
“While appreciating the philanthropists who have contributed to this noble cause, I like to urge them to give more to humanity.”
Emphasising that adherence to the rule of social distancing was one of the sacrifices the body of Christ must make to stay safe from the novel coronavirus which had affected the celebration of this year’s Palm Sunday, he encouraged members not to give up their joy for the season.
“It is no longer news that we could not celebrate this year’s Palm Sunday in the usual way. This is one of the sacrifices the body of Christ is paying to stay safe from the Coronavirus pandemic ravaging the world.
“I want to appeal to you all not to take this in the negative. The Bible had already pre-empted this in John 16:33 by noting that we shall face tribulations in the world but we should be of good cheer because He has defeated the world. So, no disease can take away our joy and celebration,” said the Conference Supervising Pastor.
He advised members to fine-tune their faith and rededicate themselves to God while he implored fellow pastors not to give up but encourage members as well-meaning shepherds should.
“What this period calls for is deep reflection on our faith. Have we been living above board in the faith we profess? There is no mincing word that what God wants to achieve by allowing this pandemic is to draw people closer to Himself. This is the best time to rededicate yourself to Him. He promised to watch over all that are His.
“Now to my co-shepherds, I like to reiterate that you should not be dismayed. This is a testing period. We need to do more for our members and be a shepherd indeed. Be a source of hope and encouragement to all our members,” Pastor Popoola stated.
Throwing his weight behind online services, he advised churches to use technologies to their advantage while keeping in touch with their members’ spiritual well-being.
“Further we should all take advantage of the huge opportunities presented by technology to keep the body of Christ bonded. Services should be conducted online while members should be advised to hook up with you. This is to ensure that the sheep are nourished spiritually despite this lockdown,” Popoola advised.
He encouraged the church to pray for the nation and the world at large as this is one of their primary responsibilities.
Discussion about this post