How To Survive Church Politics And Drama: A Guide To Keeping Your Faith Strong In God

How to survive politics and drama in churches: A Guide To Keeping Your Faith Strong In God

My people, make una gather round, I get one important tori to share today. Na story about the wahala wey dey happen for many Nigerian churches because of this politics of title. This story go teach us big lesson about the real essence of worship and how we suppose focus on God, not the politics wey dey happen for church.

Once upon a time, for one small town wey dey for Nigeria, dey one big church wey everybody dey respect. The church dey full every Sunday with people wey dey come worship God. But as time dey go, one kind thing begin happen for the church – politics of title don start to scatter everything.

The head pastor of the church, Pastor Joshua, na man of God wey get good heart. Him dey preach the word of God with power and truth. But for inside church, some people don turn title into another thing. Deacons and deaconesses, elders, and leaders, dem don begin see themselves as higher than others. Dem dey use their titles dey oppress people, dey misbehave, and dey cause wahala.

One of the main people wey this thing affect na Sister Bisi. Sister Bisi na woman wey get strong faith, she dey always come church, dey participate for everything, and she dey always help people. But one day, Deacon Tunde, wey be one of the leaders, begin dey show her attitude. He dey always find fault with anything wey she do, dey criticize her for small small things, and dey make her feel like she no belong.

Sister Bisi tire for the matter. She go meet Pastor Joshua, she say, “Pastor, this kind thing wey dey happen for church, e no dey encourage person. Deacon Tunde and other leaders dey make people feel like say dem no be anything. I no fit continue like this.”

Pastor Joshua listen well well. He understand the pain wey Sister Bisi dey go through. He tell her say, “Sister Bisi, I understand your frustration. But make I tell you something important. Church na place wey we dey come worship God, not man. Matthew 6:33 talk say, ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’ No let the attitude of people make you lose focus on why you dey come church.”

Sister Bisi think about the pastor words. She decide say she go continue to dey focus on God, no matter the attitude of people around her. But the politics no stop. More people dey complain about how leaders dey behave, and many people begin leave the church.

One Sunday, Pastor Joshua preach one powerful sermon. He talk about how Jesus teach us to be humble and serve others. He remind the congregation say for Mark 10:45, the Bible talk say, “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” He warn the leaders say, “Title no be reason to oppress others. Title na opportunity to serve and uplift others.”

After the sermon, many people begin reflect on their actions. Deacon Tunde come meet Sister Bisi, he apologize for the way he don dey behave. He say, “Sister Bisi, I don realize say my actions no dey Christ-like. I dey sorry for the way I don treat you. I go try to do better.”

Sister Bisi forgive am, and she continue to focus on her faith. But even with the apology, some people still dey misbehave. Sister Bisi know say she need to keep her eyes on God and not on man. She remember the words for Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” This verse give her strength to continue.

One day, another woman, Sister Ngozi, come meet Sister Bisi. She say, “My sister, I dey think to leave this church because of all the wahala wey dey happen. The politics don too much.”

Sister Bisi smile, she hold Sister Ngozi hand, she say, “My sister, I understand how you feel. But remember say we dey come church to serve God, not man. No let the actions of people make you lose your faith. Focus on God, Him go give you peace and strength. Hebrews 12:2 talk say, ‘Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.’ Na Him we suppose dey look unto, not man.”

Sister Ngozi nod, she feel encouraged. She decide to stay and continue her worship.

As time go on, more people begin realize say the true essence of worship no be about title or position. Na about serving God with all your heart and treating others with love and respect. The church begin change small small. People dey more humble, dey more willing to help and uplift others.

Pastor Joshua continue to preach about humility, love, and service. He remind the congregation say, “John 13:34-35 talk say, ‘A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.'”

The church begin grow again. People dey come back, and the atmosphere don change. Sister Bisi continue to serve with joy. She know say her faith no be for man but for God.

My people, this story na reminder say we no suppose let the politics of title for church make us lose focus. Church na place to worship God, to find strength, and to uplift each other. No let the actions of few people with bad habit make you lose your faith. Remember say, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

Make we continue to focus on God, to serve with humility and love. Make we remember say our reward no dey from man, but from God. As we dey waka through this life, make we keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

Thank you for listening to this tori. Until next time, make we dey stay strong in faith and make we always remember the true essence of worship. God bless you all.