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At the recently concluded Restoration Impact Seminar and Ministers’ Conference in Ilorin, Kwara State, the convener, Pastor Simeon Afọlábí who is also the Serving Overseer of First Love Assembly, Lagos, noted problems in Nigerian church needing prompt solutions.
Speaking to a congregation of ministers at the event packaged by the Revival Promotion Partners, Afọlábí identified three major issues that he believes are plaguing the church in Nigeria.
His message highlighted a deep concern for the future of Christianity in the country, particularly in how church leadership and doctrine are being handled.
1. Lack of a Unifying Doctrine
According to Afọlábí, the foremost problem facing the Nigerian church is the absence of a clear, unifying doctrine. He lamented that the church, despite its many denominations, lacks a strong, cohesive belief system that binds Christians together.
“There are about three basic problems within the church of Jesus Christ,” he said, “and number one is the lack of a unifying doctrine. We don’t have a great doctrine that this is what we believe.”
His observation points to the fragmentation that often occurs within the body of Christ, where different sects and denominations have divergent interpretations of the gospel. Without a shared theological foundation, the church is at risk of losing its focus and impact.
Afọlábí’s concern emphasises the need for unity in belief and purpose, which would strengthen the church’s mission and influence in the country.
2. Lack of Governing Elders
The second issue Afọlábí raised is the absence of governing elders—leaders with the authority to guide the church and hold others accountable. He referenced the early church in Acts chapter 15, where James, though not an apostle like Peter or Paul, played a crucial role in decision-making.
“James didn’t do the miracles Paul did,” Afọlábí explained, “but he listened to everything, and then he called them and said, Simon (Peter) has declared… this is my verdict.”
This biblical example of governance highlights the importance of having a central figure or body that can mediate disputes, offer wise counsel, and provide direction for the church. Afọlábí pointed out that this structure is missing in the Nigerian church today.
“Tell me a governing elder in the Nigerian church who can say, ‘Simon, that thing is not right,'” he challenged, lamenting the lack of authority figures who can correct and guide church leaders with wisdom and humility.
Afọlábí’s reference to governing elders is not just about age or position; it’s about leadership that commands respect and adherence to biblical principles. Without such leadership, the church risks falling into disarray, with each faction doing what is right in its own eyes.
3. Loss of Respect for Elders
The third problem Afọlábí identified is the loss of respect for elders, both in the church and in society at large. He noted that cultural respect for elders has significantly diminished, even within the church.
“The loss of cultural respect is the third problem.
“So that even when an elder is making a mistake, and you want to correct him, you don’t call him ‘that clown.’ You don’t say, ‘Look at that clown, shut up, you clown,” he warned.
Afọlábí’s admonition draws attention to the increasingly disrespectful attitude towards senior figures in the church, especially when they are considered to have erred.
He emphasised that while correction is necessary, it should be done with respect and humility, not with disdain or insults. This cultural shift, where people no longer honor their elders, poses a threat to the church’s unity and spiritual health. Respect for authority and experience is a biblical principle, and its erosion within the church signals a deeper issue of pride and lack of submission to godly leadership.
A Call for Repentance
In his sermon, Afọlábí did not only diagnose the problems but also offered a solution: repentance.
He urged the participants to take repentance seriously as a way to enjoy refreshing from the Lord. He laid a strong foundation on the first day of the conference, emphasizing the need for repentance as a prerequisite for experiencing God’s refreshing.
“As far as refreshing is concerned, repentance is a precondition. If you don’t fulfill the terms, don’t expect to carry the promise and don’t expect to see the covenant work for you,” he warned.
Repentance, according to Afọlábí, means getting back to the starting point—returning to where one met the Lord. He stressed that this return to the basics of the Christian faith is essential for both individual and collective spiritual renewal. Without it, the church cannot expect to experience the fullness of God’s promises and blessings.
The Conference and Its Impact
The two-day Restoration Impact Seminar and Ministers’ Conference was organised by the Revival Promotion Partners (RPP), a body dedicated to supporting revival activities across Nigeria. The event’s theme, “Times of Refreshing,” was aptly chosen, as it sought to inspire ministers to seek personal and organisational renewal through repentance and a return to biblical principles.
The conference drew ministers from various cities including the host city of Ilorin, Omu-Aran, Offa, Akure, Benin- City, Lagos, Osogbo and others.
Afọlábí’s message, though challenging and thought provoking, offered hope and a clear path forward for the Nigerian church and members of the body of Christ who must experience God’s refreshing in a challenging period.
