PFN RIVERS: CHOOSING AND CHANGING LEADERS – WHITHER BOUND?

Athletes train differently for competitions at high altitude. What about when we are selecting people at high organizational altitude - in other words at or near the board room, whether in the private or the public sectors? Do all of us (selectors, candidates, advisers and researchers) also need to change our game? More specifically, we often choose people badly for senior roles; if we think about this carefully, that outcome will surprise us less; today's good selection practice at middle and front-line organizational levels will not be enough to change things; but change at the top is necessary and possible. 'Changing Leadership … innovations don't require genius, just a willingness to question the way things have always been done.” (Robert J. Kriegel with Louis Patler from … If It Ain't Broke . . . Break It!).

Constant development is the law of life, and a man who always tries to maintain his dogmas in order to appear consistent drives himself into a false position. – Mohandas K. Gandhi.

PFN is acronym for Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, the umbrella organization 'of Holy Spirit filled Christian Churches and organizations who believe and practice the full gospel message (Acts 2), in an independent and autonomous Christian fellowship'. PFN is a respected Christian organization in this Country. Like every other organization, we are ruled through constitution under God in the power of the Holy Spirit, structurally organically it ought to be democratic, but for it spiritual nature being 'organism' the Fellowship is theocracy, i.e. the Fellowship is guided by the inspired Scripture, the Bible in choosing and changing leaders as demonstrated in Acts 6:1-7. Which means the General Assembly in keeping with PFN Constitution chooses her leaders - administrators while the National Executive confirm by laying on off hands. The recent attempt to choose new leaders and reappoint some in PFN Rivers State at the instance of Board of Advisers headed by Rev. Stephen Akinola that has become the subject of litigation as instituted by the duo of Bishop Friday Nwator and Pastor Dr. Dagogo Jack is shameful and against biblical injunction and the PFN Constitution.

In 2009 before the inauguration of the current PFN Rivers State leadership headed by Apostle Zilly Aggrey, Bishop Friday Nwator and co instituted legal action seeking to have the Fellowship leadership being headed by an indigene of Rivers State. Contrary to the position of over 120 past and present Zone Chairmen and over 600 ministers at my instance wrote to the National Office protested and called attention to the error in the processes of choosing and changing leaders, the National Office of PFN headed then by Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor succumbed to the antic of a few ministers of Rivers State origin as led by Bishop Nwator, whose membership of PFN Rivers State chapter is in doubt to agree to an out of court settlement that compromised the Scripture and PFN Constitution. Now again, this ethnic chauvinists' and jingoists are at it again, instituting legal action to control and assume leadership of PFN Rivers State. What are the grounds for this agitation? Is it constitutional to choose and change leaders on ground of ethnicity? What does the PFN constitution and the Bible say? On this issue, l wrote severally entitled: 'PFN Choosing and Changing Leaders', 'The Christian Faith and Ethnic Politicking' and 'PFN: What will Jesus Christ say?' And 'PFN and CAN: Who is dividing the Body of Christ?' In all l assert that it is wrong to choose and change leaders of the Christian Faith or PFN Fellowship in particular based on ethnicity contrary to Scriptural teaching.

Why taking PFN Rivers State to court again? Securing exparte injunction restraining the leadership of Apostle Zilly Aggrey? Is it that Bishop Friday Nwator and co does not believe the Scripture and PFN Constitution? The Bible says: '1 DOES ANY of you dare, when he has a matter of complaint against another [brother], to go to law before unrighteous men [men neither upright nor right with God, laying it before them] instead of before the saints (the people of God)? 2 Do you not know that the saints (the believers) will [one day] judge and govern the world? And if the world [itself] is to be judged and ruled by you, are you unworthy and incompetent to try [such petty matters] of the smallest courts of justice? 3 Do you not know also that we [Christians] are to judge the [very] angels and pronounce opinion between right and wrong [for them]? How much more then [as to] matters pertaining to this world and of this life only! 4 If then you do have such cases of everyday life to decide, why do you appoint [as judges to lay them before] those who [from the standpoint] of the church count for least and are without standing? 5 I say this to move you to shame. Can it be that there really is not one man among you who [in action is governed by piety and integrity and] is wise and competent enough to decide [the private grievances, disputes, and quarrels] between members of the brotherhood, 6 But brother goes to law against brother, and that before [Gentile judges who are] unbelievers [without faith or trust in the Gospel of Christ]? 7 Why, the very fact of your having lawsuits with one another at all is a defect (a defeat, an evidence of positive moral loss for you). Why not rather let yourselves suffer wrong and be deprived of what is your due? Why not rather be cheated (defrauded and robbed)? 8 But [instead it is you] yourselves who wrong and defraud, and that even your own brethren [by so treating them]! 9 Do you not know that the unrighteous and the wrongdoers will not inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived (misled): neither the impure and immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor those who participate in homosexuality, 10 Nor cheats (swindlers and thieves), nor greedy graspers, nor drunkards, nor foulmouthed revilers and slanderers, nor extortioners and robbers will inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God' (1 Cor. 6:1-10, Amp.).

Is it that some ulterior motive is behind the agitation to indigenize the leadership of PFN Rivers State? Is it true that the Government of Rivers State under Governor Amaechi is behind and involved in getting the exparte court injunction? It will not be surprising though to me as l had since 2011 in an article, 'Using the Church for Partisan Politics: Pastors and Politicians, Beware!' warned of what is now happening. What do you expect to happen when Pastors/Priest mix religion with politics? When Pastors/prophets scheme to get attention from government rather than Government officials running to Pastors for Counsel and prayers, pastors run around politicians receive money from them. Pastors go about organizing prayers for politicians forming praying group for these politicians that have misgoverned and mismanaged our commonwealth. Pastors/Prophets no longer speak to Governments and politicians. They have compromised. Where are the Elders in PFN? Where is the National Executive of PFN? That Bishop Friday Nwator, a new convert to the Christian Faith without a Church and self acclaimed Bishop/Archbishop coming to create division in the Body of Christ that some of us labored to build over the years? It is a shame that Elders and leadership of PFN Rivers State are silence or assume compromised that they can't talk or deal wit the situation decisively. The Bible say, we must avoid such persons, ex-communicate Bishop Friday Nwator and co now. Less the judgment of God coming will over takes and remove all evil persons undermining the unity of the Body. So also their accomplice.

What does the Bible say? 'And now l make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters, watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people's faith by teaching things that are contrary to what you been taught. Stay away from them. Such people are not serving Christ our Lord. They are serving their own personal interests…I want you to see what is right and to stay innocent of any wrong' (Rom. 16:17,19, NLB). Furthermore, 'So you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have been made like him. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. For you are all Christians, you are one in Christ Jesus' (Gal. 3:26, 28, NLB). These Scriptures teach that Christians of any ethnic nationalities are one in Christ. No distinction based on ethnicity on any issue or matter of interest. As concerning Christians interest in Rivers State is one - to enthrone the kingdom of God in the heart of every person in the landmark of Rivers State whether Ogoni, Ogba, Kalabari, Ibo, Ijaw, tec. The Christian faith does not seek the resources God has placed in Rivers State to enrich a particular ethnic group or non indigene at the expense of indigene. Christians whether missionary or indigene desire enthronement of righteous leadership and well being of every indigene of Rivers State. Because it is in the well being and prosperity of Rivers State that the gospel of Jesus Christ can bring changes to the lives of everyone that lives therein.

To advocate for segregation and ethnicity is teaching of heresy and apostasy. Such persons of ethnic inclination, chauvinism and religious bigotry the Bible say we should mark them and stay away from them. This advocacy is more pronounced when politics is on. The segregation, division and ethnic advocacy by a few well informed ministers and Christians is ungodly, unchristian and demonic. If we have anything to learn from history and teaching of the Bible, we should desist from the advocacy now. 'History has never been dominated by majorities but only by dedicated minorities who stand unconditionally on their faith' (R. J. Rusdooy). 'The Church has to play the prophetic role. Speaking against that which is wrong' asserts Burma. Apostle Peter in the Bible was rebuked by Apostle Paul for practicing segregation and advocating Christianity based on ethnicity (see Acts 11 cp Gal. 2:11-16). I take this public stand base on this Scripture. Christianity based on ethnicity is wrong. Those who want to lead PFN Rivers State based on ethnicity have lost the anointing of the Holy Spirit and become carnally minded because they want earthly relevance and recognition from governments. These men the Bible say are seeking for their belly and not for interest of Christ. If you advocate segregation on ethnic line how does it advance Christ's cause or gospel? Does it enthrone righteousness in the polity or in government? Does it bring unity? What these fellows are doping is admittance of their incompetence in leadership or inadequacies as professed Christians which is not of God.

Take deep critical look to recent disagreement in CAN or PFN and what led to the formation of Rivers Indigenous of Gospel Ministers Organization. It is admixture of politics into religious activities. Why Indigenous Ministers Organization? Is your Church only indigene of Rivers State? If God specifically called you to reach only your ethnic group did God say that you form an association based only on indigenes? Paul wrote in 1st Corinthians 1: 13, 'Has Christ been divided into factions?' If we refused to learn from history it is bad. From Church history we learned that when the organized Rome Churches set aside the leadership of the Holy Spirit after the departure of the early disciples/apostles, the organized Church in Rome started priesthood of titles and parishes after the political order of dioceses and same authoritarian state control of Churches. When the Churches then began to seek political recognition and backing, the State began to dictate to the Church leadership then; the result was that the Church could no longer be light or give direction to the State that led to the dark ages. (Read, 'The Church Politicized' in World History and Cultures' by George T. Thompson and Laurel Elizabeth Hicks, pp. 121-122). Of concern is the recent directive not in line with the Constitution of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) that to serve or be elected as Chairman of the State PFN you must be an indigene. Has PFN become ethnic association of only Rivers State indigene? Is this scriptural? Is it within the constitution of PFN? The only reason is, politics is on. Whenever there is politics, apostles and bishops of ethnic chauvinism and religious bigotry bring in ethnic sentiment to undermine the unity of the Body of Christ for selfish purpose. What are we indigene Ministers afraid of that we come so low bereft of the Holy Spirit and have become carnally minded we want to beget this retrogressive legacy leadership to our generation? Mixing religion with politics especially called Priests, Pastors is dangerous. It has not added to the value and integrity of God's work. No government politician can build the body of Christ. It is only the Holy Spirit that does. We can't depend on Government to preach righteousness and do justice. We can partner with Government not to allow Government dictate to the Church or priesthood.

Let us learn from history as recorded by Joel C. Hunter in 'Prayer, Politics & Power' of what happened in America about Christian's involvement in politics. 'God used political leadership for people who were given His law. It was appropriate for Israel's maturing process, just as rules and parental force are appropriate for your children. The Scripture clearly states, though that God was preparing them for another form of government … (see Jer. 31: 31, 33). The New Testament does speak to the issue of Christians and government. We are to respect the external government, 'let everyone be in subjection to the governing authorities' (Rom. 13:1). We are to cooperate and give our civil duty its due: 'Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's' (Mark 12: 17). We are to do such to aid our witness, our influence for Christ. First Peter 2: 12-17 is quite clear about our obeying government so that others will see no wrong and 'glorify God'. But there is no implication in the New Testament that political reform, be a major part of our Christian strategy to share Christ with the world' 'There was a time when strong political leadership was appropriate in the journey of God's people. However, we cannot justifiably transfer that method of operation to the present, the New Testament calls us to grow up in our political style… the point to be made here is that it is not any great leader's responsibility to solve the Christians' problems. Though leaders were appointed for order in the Church (I Tim. 3), no passage in the New Testament encourages Christians to appoint for themselves a political leader. The leader Christ gives to us to help us speak our cause to the world is the Holy Spirit (John 16: 13), not a fallible, flesh-and-blood political leader. The bible makes it clear that we are not to put too much faith in political leaders (see Ps. 146: 3)'.

Working together means winning together. Where are we going to in PFN with advocating for choosing and changing leadership on basis of ethnicity and going before unbeliever to get them to adjudicate on matters that we are competent and qualified under God to judge? It is a shame PFN Rivers State, whither bound? We can be better and do better working together. Let members of the different religious and pastors groups come under one umbrella body to demonstrate our unity inspite of our different denominations and Churches for the sake of Christ and his earnest prayer in John 17. This is because as Dr Aldrich wrote: 'Believers plagued by disunity and dissension are disqualified from God's blessing while unity and cooperation among true members of God's family invites his Spirit to accomplish mighty things.' We are to enthrone righteous leadership assist Christians in politics and to give direction to politicians and politics not to allow ethnicity and politics undermine our unity and the work of God.

You are blessed for life.
Written By Dr. Lewis Akpogena
[email protected].
08033399821