Historically, the church has been seen as a sacred place, for spiritual growth, moral guidance, and the free expression of worship.
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| Congregants at winners Chapel Int.l Photo| courtesy |
However, in recent years, the church has undergone a troubling transformation, increasingly becoming overwhelmed in divisive issues such as political tensions and immoral acts. What was once a refuge for peace and healing has become a space where vices from murder to scandal are now being recorded.
A concerning trend is the involvement of political leaders, who have begun using places of worship as platforms for airing grievances and making political statements. In some cases, politicians have even collaborated with clergy members to attack their opponents, often using the pulpit to spread negative messages.
This development is disheartening, as churches, which should be places of spiritual healing, are being dragged into the political fray, creating unnecessary discord and divisions among congregants.
Churches have long been perceived as neutral ground, separate from political affiliations, and this is a value that should be preserved.
The role of the church leader is to foster unity, focusing on spreading the gospel, rather than getting entangled in partisan disputes. When the church deviates from its mission, it not only risks alienating its members but also contributes to the greater social unrest that often accompanies political rivalry.
The situation even frustrates when violence or criminal activity erupts within the church. For instance, a tragic incident involving an SDA pastor who fatally stabbed a congregant over a love triangle, or the disturbing case of a pastor beating congregants in Bomet’s Bethel Church during claiming as a way of driving out demons, or the recent arrest of a pastor in Nakuru on allegations of sodomy.
These are just a few examples of how the sacred space of the church is being tainted. Churches should be places of comfort and peace, not crime scenes
Deviating from core spiritual values can also result in disunity among church members, which ripples out into the wider community. As tensions grow, the risk of societal instability increases.
Churches, as institutions that are deeply rooted in the cycle of society, have the power to address social issues through a moral acts. They can promote cooperation and unity, addressing vices in the community and offering solutions grounded in faith. By allowing external influences, such as politics or criminal behavior, to infiltrate the church, we undermine its ability to act as a force for good in society.
The introduction of politics into church settings creates an environment where individuals of different political views, who come together with the common goal of worship, may find themselves divided. This undermines the very purpose of the church as a space for unity and spiritual reflection. When political agendas take center stage, it erodes trust within the congregation and detracts from the church's primary mission of fostering peace and love.
It is crucial, therefore, for churches to remain focused on their spiritual mission, keeping their sanctuaries sacred and free from political interference. This includes adhering to government regulations, such as those surrounding the registration of faith-based institutions, while ensuring that the church's primary objective of fostering faith and unity is not compromised.
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