CHRISTIANS PARTICIPATION IN POLITICS

 “When the righteous is on the throne, the people rejoice but when a wicked man rules the people groan” - Proverbs 29:2. 

Thesis 

1.     “Bad leaders are elected by those who refuse to participate.”

2.  “To fix your country, you must first fix your country’s politics.” 

 

INTRODUCTION

Everything rises and falls on leadership. Because politics is the engine of governance, bad politics leads to bad governance and economy. Bad politics can turn a prosperous economy into a poor nation while good politics can turn a poor economy into a prosperous nation. Singapore under Lee Kwan Yew is a classic case of good politics turning a poor nation into a prosperous one while Nigeria is a classic case of bad politics turning a prosperous nation into a poor one.    

According to Harold Lasswell (1936), “Politics concerns who gets what, when and how?”  Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary defines “Politics” as the “Theory or practice of managing affairs of public policy….” Succinctly stated, Politics is “The Science and Art of Governance.” 

Like every other Social Sciences, Politics has a more direct bearing on the daily lives of citizens. It has to do with the day-to-day running of people of a particular geographical location. 

Politics is the sum totality of governance and government activities. While politicking is the hub, other arms of government are the wheels. For the machinery of a nation’s economy and other facets of her existence to run smoothly, there must be governance. However, there would be no good governance without good politics. There will be no good politics if conscientious Christians continue to shun politics because “Nigeria’s politics is dirty.” 

The question of Christians’ participation in politics – its acceptability and scripturalness have been a thorny one. To me and to most concerned Christians this is a grave one; a subject that demands deep consideration and study. 

POLITICS: ITS SCOPE

Man is basically a political animal. Therefore, all of us are politicians in one-way or another. Whether you believe this or not: you are a politician! Whatever we do in our families, with our friends and neighbours; in our various business concerns, at Church, at village council meetings, etcetera, politics is involved. 

There is a social, economic as well as religious or Church politics. According to Chief Chris Asoluka, a one time Commissioner for Finance in Imo State speaking on an Imo Broadcasting Corporation’s (I.B.C.) Current Affairs and Personality program, “Encounter” on May 1, 1996, when asked about Economics and Politics stated, “We have Politics of Economics as well as Economics of Politics.” This is true because when we apply the economic principle of “Scale of Preference” we discover that in making choices we employ the use of politics. 

Politics is what someone engages in, sometimes without realizing it. When one is postulating a particular idea, he/she is politicking. On a personal, family, community, Church, Local Government, State, national and international levels, the political instincts of man is brought to the fore. 

From the foregoing, we can see that politics is an intrinsic part of man and that to argue against Christians’ participation in it is to argue against the obvious, which holds no water. 

LOGIC OF CHRISTIANS PARTICIPATION IN POLITICS

It was Edmund Burke who said, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” Our nation and world are in dire need of redemption. Our generation is crying out for good, visionary and godly leadership. We certainly do not want corrupt minds at the helm of affairs of our dear nation. Having such is in itself catastrophic both for our time and for posterity. 

We want men who have conscience, those who can accept defeat, those who can agree to disagree, yet graciously. We do not want self-appointed messiahs; self-opinionated, self-willed and self-centered leaders of our past and present political experimentations. We desire men and women of integrity in government; people who are God-conscious those who have hearts for God and for the people they are called upon to serve; men and women of proven integrity who have not mortgaged their consciences; those who can deliver; those who are accountable, not to themselves, but to God and to their people. 

Many dusts have been raised among Christians with regards to some Christians’ participation in politics. The bone of contention is not in the area of Christians exercising their franchise by going out to vote for political office aspirants, but in actually getting themselves involved in political activities such as vying for elective positions as Ward Councilors, Local Government Area Chairmen, State Governors, Legislators, Senators and even as Presidents. While some favour such participations, others blow their roofs.  If I may ask  -  is it not hypocritical that we can elect politicians and at the same time refuse to be involved in politics? Does this not violate the principle found in Romans 1:32? If politics is wrong, why should we vote and elect people into various political offices? The fact remains that if we can pray for Caesar, render unto Caesar what is Caesars’ and even elect Caesar, why should we not desire to be Caesar? 

ARGUMENTS AGAINST CHRISTIANS PARTICIPATION IN POLITICS

Among those who contend against Christians involvement in politics point to the fact that in John’s Gospel account of our Lord Jesus Christ (Chapter 6:14-15), our Lord refused to be made king by Jews. Ironically, He was called the “King of the Jews” (John 18:33-34). The Jewish Kingdom was too small for Him to be its sovereign. An offer was made to Him in eternity, which is recorded in Psalm 2:8: 

“Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Thine inheritance, and the ends of the earth thy possession.” 

The world as a whole is His territory: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” He says in Matthew 28:18. Unarguably, Jesus remains the “King of kings and Lord of lords” (I Timothy 6:15). Assuming that I am the leader of a large group of people and a small portion of that group wants to make me their exclusive leader, wisdom demands that I rebuff such an offer. 

Some people also argue that at John 18:36 our Lord said, “My kingdom is not of this world.” They philosophize and theologize that that since Jesus was not involved in the politics of His day, His followers should not involve themselves in the politics of their days. Fine argument. But, if we should follow such reasoning, we will remain on the ignorant and wrong side. To fully grasp the import of the words and actions of our Lord Jesus Christ, it is pertinent to first understand His mission to earth. Principally, He was here for the purpose of human redemption. He had a short time to live and do His work. He was only thirty-three years when He went to the Cross and accomplished His mission. He was barely qualified to vie for any elective post going by the Nigeria’s Independent Electoral Commission’s (INEC) qualification guidelines that pegged the age of governorship aspirants in Nigeria at 35 years of age. 

Furthermore, those who argue against Christians’ participation in politics opine that entrance into politics would corrupt them because according to them, “Politics is a dirty game.” Another faulty argument. Politics was and is never designed to be a dirty game as many have come to associate it today. Admittedly, the politics of today is somewhat dirty because of the caliber of people involved. However, if men and women of integrity continue to shun away from politics, they will continue to contribute in no small way to the enthronement of corruption. By shunning politics, they leave more rooms for corrupt minds to dominate the leadership of our dear country and then steer her to destruction. Remember: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” If Christians should shun politics because it is dirty, it will then be wrong for Christians to be admitted into various levels of our educational institutions, especially tertiary institutions because there are lots of corruptions in them. Christians should not enroll in the Nigerian Police because the police are corrupt, etcetera. 

Let us be reminded that in spite of the corruption inherent in Babylonian politics, Daniel, a great prophet and servant of the Lord accepted the position of a Minister of “Culture” of all ministries (Daniel 5:11). Yet he remained a strong person of integrity that even his political opponents and fellow ministers testified to his uniqueness and godliness (Daniel 6:5). When an occasion was sought for to accuse him, they honestly admitted, “We shall not find any ground of accusation against this Daniel unless we find it against his God” (Daniel 6:5). 

James Arnold Garfield, the Twentieth President of America was not just a Christian, but also a preacher in Church of Christ. When he was elected President, he used his position to spread the Gospel. In obedience to I Peter 3:15, he published an 11-point statement in a pamphlet titled, “What we stand for” to answer many frequent questions regarding his religious beliefs. In his short period as an American President, James A. Garfield led the American people well. In subsequent presidential administrations in America, many distinguished cabinet members have served and continue to serve as special advisers are Christians of the Restoration Heritage. 

In Nigeria today, not only do we have Christians who are serving in various political positions as Ward Councilors, Local Government Chairmen, but as Special Advisers to their Excellencies. Others have been appointed to very powerful political positions in powerful ministries and Federal parastatals. One day in the life of the people of this nation, a “Christian” was elected Governor of Abia State. Although, there are arguments for and against his performance in office, we can say with certainty that the Church in Nigeria and in Abia State benefited. I believe that one day a Christian will become the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

At the tertiary level of our educational institutions Christian students have been actively involved in politics. Many have been elected Senate presidents, distinguished Senators and Legislators where they have served as Clerks of the House, excelled and impacted positively on the lives of students of the institutions where they were so elected. 

CHRISTIANS PARTICIPATION IN POLITICS: THE WHY

There are various reasons why Christians should be actively involved in politics: 

First, the Bible declares, “When the righteous is on the throne, the people rejoice, but when a wicked man rules, the people groan” (Proverbs 29:2). Why? Because, “The righteous is concerned with the rights of the poor, but the wicked does not understand such concerns” (Proverbs 29:7). 

Second, at Psalms 115:16 God’s Word declares: “The heavens are the heavens of the Lord, but the earth He has given to the children of men.” What does this mean? It certainly does not mean that heaven is meant for 144,000 persons as Jehovah Witnesses would want us to believe. It does mean that God is at the helm of celestial politics, but the terrestrials He has given over to the children of men. At Matthew 6:10 Jesus taught us to pray, “Thy will be done on earth as it is done in heaven.” Someone rightly observed that, “Active citizens of the heavenly kingdom must not be passive citizens of earth.” 

What makes one a true citizen of heaven is the same as what makes him a good earthly citizen. It behooves Christians to understand that the public business of our dear country should be the private concerns of very true child of God. No wonder the Spirit of the Lord exhorts us to “Pray for our leaders” (I Timothy 2:1-2). What makes one a true Christian should make him a true citizen, which includes payment of taxes and custom duties, not violating the laws of the land which do not in any way violate the express ordinances of the Lord (cf. Romans 13:1-7). 

An important question worth asking is, “What Christian would be so myopic not to be actively interested in his or her father’s family?” Again, “Is this world owned by the God of the Christian or by the devil of the unbeliever”? If answers to the above questions are in the affirmative, why then do Christians shun from politics and what moral or scriptural right has anybody to encourage Christians to stay away from it? 

Psalms 24:1 declares, “The earth and all its fullness thereof are the Lord’s.” The Lord is interested in how the world, including our localities, states and countries are run, because “He will destroy those who destroy the earth” (Revelations 11:18). It is only when Christians get actively involved in politics and all the political offices are firmly held by them can the prophetic utterance at Revelations 11:15 be fulfilled: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord….” If God is interested in politics, why should His children not be? 

The truth of the matter is, if you want things to change for the better where you are: family, community, state and nation’s leadership, get involved in its politics. Don’t keep your hands akimbo and play the standoffish. In his book, Leadership, Roy Roper wrote: 

“If those who are supposed to be where they are supposed to be are not there, then those who are not supposed to be there would be there.” 

The more we run away from our responsibilities, the more the irresponsible spread their wings to cover our territories and the deeper their roots go down to take positions of our possessions. 

Third, because the Lord cannot ally Himself to corrupt and oppressive governments. Christians should take charge and control. Psalms 94:20-21 declares: 

“Can a corrupt government allied itself with Thee, one that organizes oppression under the pretense of law? They join forces against the life of the righteous; they convict innocent people.” 

What do we suppose should be our lot and portion when terrorists take over the mantle of the leadership of this country in the guise as elected leaders? We are all witnesses of the oppressive, dehumanizing and dictatorial governments of General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida and late General Sani Abacha; the maladministration and tribalistic tendencies of the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari. We were here when Babangida and Abacha sought to make Nigeria a member of the Organization of Islamic Conference? Come to think of it, is Nigeria not a member of the O.I.C? If in doubt, why not take up a Naira note and look to see if you would not find some Arabic inscriptions there. If not for Divine intervention coupled with the efforts that were made by believers in the eighties, certainly today it would have become treasonable for anyone in Nigeria to be a Christian. Does this remind you of anything concerning the Sharia Legal Code and how thorny it has become to Nigeria’s legal systems since its introduction by core Northern State governors of Nigeria? Is this the kind of system you would love to have? You know, I suspect that many Christians are cowards and so to cover up their cowardice, they preach the “gospel of none participation in politics.”  In his book, Britain and the Beast, Peter Howard (1963:21) wrote: 

“The Red men are few. But they are red formidable in their Marxist Faith. They succeed because they are red hot where so many of us are lukewarm. Too many of us are yellow. We stand for nothing, so fall for anything. If we are Christians, we shrink from the charge of ‘Meddling in politics’…. We sit at home while others vote at the Trade Union Meetings. We denounce those who fight…. We do nothing ourselves and salve our conscience with criticism of methods of those who try to do something….”  

Fourth, Christians should participate in politics because God is interested in politics. Romans 13:1-2 affirms:

 “Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities for there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore, he who resists authority has opposed the ordinances of God, and those who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.” 

Daniel 4:32 makes it abundantly clear that “The Most High rules in the kingdom of men and He gives it to whomever He wishes.” What a grand revelation! The question then is, if unbelievers to whom leadership does not belong to are willing to receive leadership from God, why not Christians to whom leadership belong to not willing to receive it? 

To avoid God-dishonouring and retrogressive people-disoriented policies of evil men in Government, Christians should not only cast their votes to elect others, but should also endeavour to be elected themselves. 

How can we hope to eliminate corruption from our national life and in government knowing that “Righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs14:34) if we remain adamant and inactive? Certainly, corrupt people cannot correct corruption. Proverbs 25:4-5 say, 

“Take away the dross from the silver, and there comes out a vessel for the smith; take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.” 

As long as corrupt people remain in government as leaders and advisers, the more bad things become. Changes for the better would only come when Christians come out en-mass to vote out those who are evil, vote in the good and are voted in. 

It has been long since unbelievers have taken that which belongs to us. Psalms 125:3 says: 

“It is not forever that the scepter of the wicked shall rest upon the lot of the righteous so that the righteous may not put forth their hands to do evil.”

 

WHAT HAPPENS IF CHRISTIANS CONTINUE TO SHUN POLITICS?

Many of us are quite familiar with the history of the Second World War, which was initiated and prosecuted by a mad man named Adolf Hitler, a German and how six million German Jews were slaughtered. 

In the pre-Second World War Germany, Jews who were great businessmen never took interest in Germany’s politics, but only in floating large corporations, forgetting that business and politics go hand-in-hand as one can affect the other positively or negatively. Their absence and apathy towards politics led to the rise of that diabolical monster who took over the mantle of leadership of Germany, destroyed millions of Jews and then plunged the world into an infamous Second World War. 

What happened in Germany also happened in Russia and Romania where believers felt unconcerned, shunned politics and even kicked at those who were willing to participate in politics. The result was mass killings, incarceration of citizens and other forms of oppressions meted out on them by the Communist and Socialist red heads until those oppressive regimes fell under the sledge hammer of the King of kings and Lord of lords. Today, they have learnt better and are now active participants in the political arena rather than remaining passive observers. 

In his book, The Turning Tide, Pat Robertson (Page 24) reported that the collapse of Communism began with the cry of an elderly Romanian woman calling Nicolai Ceausescu a liar. What a woman of courage! 

In his article, “Can Morality Be Legislated?” (Gospel Advocate, October 1995 page 17), Kerry Anderson, former Executive Vice President of Gospel Advocate Magazine noted: 

“By participating in government, Christians can help promote godly standards.” 

POLITICIANS AND POLITICAL OFFICE HOLDERS IN BIBLICAL TIMES

Government and governance, politics and politicking: different strokes for different folks. Many people see these differently. Some see it as good, others see them as bad; some as friends, others as enemies; as instruments of God and change, others as tools of the devil, oppression and corruption. Those who see it positively are willing to join the wagon, but those who see it negatively oppose not only their own involvements, but also of other people’s participations. 

God’s people and Christians in the Bible times did not see “politics as dirty” and something to shun from, but something to be actively involved in. In Bible many godly men and women were career politicians, whether elected or selected: 

1.    Joseph was a Prime Minister of Egypt who served faithfully under the Pharaohs and whose reign witnessed economic prosperity, political stability and general tranquility.   

2.    David and his son, Solomon were kings in what today is known as presidents. Their eras are still being looked upon as an example of what a nation and its leadership should be. 

3.    Daniel, a prominent prophet of God in Old Testament times served as a Minister of Culture with various portfolios under different Babylonian presidents. 

4.    Under the New Testament, many prominent Christians were politicians and political office holders. Of such were Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the highest ruling council of his land; a key government cabinet member (Luke 23:50-51; Matt. 27:57).  

5.    Nicodemus, whom the Bible describes as “Ruler of the people” (John 3:1) was a follower of Jesus Christ (John 19:39). 

6.    Other disciples of the Lord had very powerful political connections which enabled them go in and out of the corridors of power hobnobbing with the powers that be and even influenced certain policies to the advantage of other followers of our Lord Jesus Christ (John 18:15-16). 

7.    Erastus, a Christian man was the “City Treasurer” which was a way of saying a Commissioner for Finance in the city of Macedonia (Romans 16:23; cf Acts 19:22). 

8.    The Ethiopian Eunuch who became a Christian was the “Treasurer of the Candace of Ethiopia” (Minister of Finance, Acts 8:27) and nowhere was he told after his conversion to resign from that political position. 

9.    Time would fail me to make references to those who were Security Operatives in various governments (cf. Acts 10:1-48). 

It is a Biblical fact that the right of citizenship bequeaths to us the right to vie for the highest political office in our lands. We must exercise our citizenship for good or else the Lord will hold us responsible (Acts 16:36-39; Acts 22:25-29; cf. James 4:17). 

I remember vividly what transpired in the late nineties when I was still ministering for Church of Christ, Ife-na-Owutu, Ezinihitte, Mbaise, Imo State when a preacher named Jude Igwe, who was serving at that time as preacher of the Lord’s Church in Amumara in the same Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Area, Imo State. He was schizophrenic (mentally ill). His mental illness, at that time was not fully known to us (the preachers in Imo state). In view of this, he had written a letter to late General Sani Abacha, Nigeria’s Military Head of State, asking him to relinquish power to him (Jude Igwe) on June 12, 1997. 

Having received the letter that was written with the letter headed paper of the Church, General Abacha dispatched fierce-looking security men to Imo State with the authority to affect the arrest of Jude Igwe and all the preachers of the Church of Christ in Imo State. Having arrived Owerri, Imo State capital, the security men reported to the Military Administrator then, I suppose in the person of Colonel Tanko Zubairu who was personally known to Bishop Dr. Gideon Nwaeze, who at that time was serving his first term as Chairman of Oguta Local Government Area, Imo State as a preacher of the Lord’s Church and was promptly called to attention. In his prompt response, Bishop Dr. Nweze told the Administrator that the said Jude Igwe was suffering from mental problems. This made the Imo State Military Administrator to inform General Abacha that the author of the letter was actually mentally sick. As at the time of this event, we were ignorant of what was happening. While this was happening, all preachers in Imo State were summoned to an urgent meeting at the expense of Bishop Dr. Gideon Nwaeze who briefed us on what was going on and asked that all of us should disappear from our Congregations for the time being. Evangelist Jude Igwe was later picked up alone by Abacha’s men and taken to Owerri where he was later taken to a psychiatric hospital. Tell me, if not for Bishop Gideon who was in politics, would others and I not have been quests at Abacha’s gulag? Certainly. That is to demonstrate the power of political connection. 

Mordecai is a powerful example of the influence of a godly man in politics. Esther 10:3 says: 

“For Mordecai the Jew was second only to the king, Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and in favour with the multitude of his kinsmen, one who sought the good of his people and one who spoke for the welfare of his whole nation.” 

CHRISTIANS PARTICIPATION IN POLITICS: THE HOW

Christians’ participation in politics does not mean that the Body of Christ should overtly or covertly float a political party as some people in some quarters have expostulated. The Church should have no hand in the floating of any political party. The problem in Algeria, North Africa today is as a result of a particular Christian religious group floating a political party. The same is partly true in Northern Ireland. The Church as a Body has no business being in politics, but should encourage Her willing members to get involved, thus fostering good citizenship and patriotism in the land. 

Early leaders of the Restoration Movement such as Alexander and Thomas Campbell, Barton Stone, etcetera encouraged the Church to get involved in active politics. Leroy Garrett quoted by Jerry Adams in his article, Christianity and Government Do Mix, Gospel Advocate, October 1995 page 16 noted: 

“God’s children were using every tool at their disposal to save the lost and to rid the society of evil, and great spiritual and numeric growth resulted. Campbell and others involved themselves in politics so that they could influence influential people.” 

Brother Adams added, 

“Today we can do what our heroes of the Old and New Testaments and of the Restoration Movement did to save people and rid society of evil. God will bless us with the ability to be salt and light. He will empower us with the skills to use every available tool, including Government, to make our world a better place. We can and should use our democratic freedoms to preserve and enhance our religious freedoms…. With the power of the Gospel, we can change hearts. With the power of the people, we can change laws and lawmakers. Repent of apathy. Pray. Be active. Vote. Call your elected officials, and tell them what you think. Run for office.” 

THINGS EXPECTED OF CHRISTIANS TO DO IN THIS POLITICAL DISPENSATION

1.    “Office of the Citizen” is the most powerful political office in the land because sovereignty rests with the people. Through their votes, they can hire and fire. 

2.    We have reached a point in Nigeria’s political history that we do not have the luxury of sitting on the fence (I Kings 18:21). We must get into political parties and work to change things from within. 

3.    Do not be apolitical. Define your political position. If your parents were not able to influence how your life turned out today in Nigeria because of bad politics and governance, at least you should make the lives of your own children better in the future because of your active involvements in politics today which will lead to good governance of Nigeria tomorrow.   

4.    If you want a country that works, wake-up and become involved:

a.     Go, get your PVC.

b.   After voting for the person of your choice, ensure that your vote counts.

c.    Do not sell your vote because of a plate of porridge.

d.   Avoid engaging in any form of electoral malpractice.  

SUMMATION

Restoring the dignity of our nation is a collective responsibility. Let us climb down from our various theological and philosophical mountains, keep aside petty parochial, and sentimental postulations and join forces in making our generation better than we met it. 

As I draw this presentation to a close, I would want us to visit with our dear Brother, a great servant of God, Jeff Abrams, Minister of the Lord with Azalea City Church of Christ, Semmes, Alabama, USA whose article was featured in Gospel Advocate Magazine, October 1995, page 14 titled, America: A Spiritual Wasteland as he leaves for us some important piece of advise: 

“One of our greatest tools is the opportunity to be involved actively in government. God has blessed us with, in the words of Lincoln, ‘Government of the people, by the people and for the people.’ Consider the magnitude of that principle. Consider the awesome opportunities it affords the children of God. In our society, we can pray for Caesar, render unto Caesar what is his, and even elect Caesar. If we desire, we also can run for office and be Caesar.”   

May God help us to make right decisions with dignity, to be part of history and to change history by getting involved in what can lead to the rewriting of the present negative history of Nigeria’s politics. 

Hilary Johnson Chukwuma Chukwurah (Evangelist)

CHURCH OF CHRIST

New Haven Secondary School, New Haven, Enugu,

Enugu State. Phone: 0803 959 6919 E-mail: hilaryjohnsonc@yahoo.com

CHURCH COOPERATION: A PANACEA FOR GROWTH IN THE 21ST CENTURY

 “And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there would be great dearth throughout all the world, which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea, which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.” - Acts 11:27-30.

 

For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. It hath pleased them verily and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. - Romans 15:26-27.

 

For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you: For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many. - 2 Corinthians 9:1-2.

 

And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it - 1 Corinthians 12:26.

My Thesis

Because the Lord’s Church is universal: what concerns one congregation affects other congregations, either positively or negatively. Church of Christ anywhere is Church of Christ everywhere. It takes cooperation of local congregations to harness the Church’s collective power to advance the Cause of Christ. Gone were the days when each congregation played the “Island.” Time has come for congregations to mobilize resources to advance beyond their frontiers without compromising their local autonomies.   

 EXORDIUM

About fifteen years ago when I hosted MOMENT OF TRUTH Radio Broadcast on LION FM, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, lack of cooperation was our bane. While the broadcast tormented Hell and depopulated it, our denominational neighbours were not at ease and sought every opportunity to see that we were bought out of air time.

While Brethren were fighting over whether we should cooperate to keep the broadcast afloat, our neighbours were mobilizing resources to see that we were kicked out. While we were arguing whether to cooperate or not, the broadcast died. To date efforts to resurrect it remains futile because we failed to do what we should have done when we needed to have done them. Charles T. Dudd wrote:

“Some want to live within the sound of church and chapel bell; I want to run a rescue mission shop within a yard of hell.”

It seems to me that we cooperate more when it comes to mourning than when it comes to rejoicing. We cooperate during burials, but less when it comes to what will enlarge the borders of God’s Kingdom, increase our individual and collective capacities. To me, we often major in minors and minor in majors.  

As we page through Scriptures, beautiful tapestry of cooperation amongst God’s people are woven for us to appreciate the beauty of unity of purpose that prevailed amongst God’s people as they sought to accomplish God’s Will and strengthen themselves; to weaken, and if possible, destroy their common enemy. At Exodus 17:8-13, we find this example of three men of God cooperating to accomplish a purpose and to defeat their enemy: 

“Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said unto Joshua, ‘Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.’ So, Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed, and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side, and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.” (KJV). 

These men of God cooperated with one another to accomplish God’s Will. No one would have done it alone without the contributions of others. By cooperation, they brought their respective strengths to bear. The result was victory for the Lord and to His people. Isaiah 41:6-7 paints a picture of what cooperation entails: 

“They helped everyone his neighbour; and every one said to his brother, ‘Be of good courage.’ So, the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he who smoothed with the hammer him who smoothed the anvil, saying, ‘It is ready for the soldering,’ and he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved.” 

CONCEPTUALIZING COOPERATION

By simple definition, Cooperation is the act of joining forces together to achieve a purpose. It is act or practice of one person or a group of persons complementing the deficiencies of another person or others. This is the essence of the message, which Apostle Paul sought to convey at II Corinthians 8:14 – 15: 

“… Let your abundance at this time make up for their shortage, so that their surplus may go toward your lack, and thus conditions may become equalized, as it is written, ‘The one who got much had nothing over and the one who got little did not lack.’”   (Revised Berkeley Version) 

Charles Osgood told the story of two ladies who lived in a convalescent center. Each had suffered an incapacitating stroke. Margaret’s stroke left her left side restricted, while Ruth’s stroke damaged her right side. Both of these ladies were accomplished pianists, but they had given up hope of ever playing piano again. One day, the director of the Center brought them together and encouraged them to cooperate with each other. So, the one whose right hand was alive cooperated with the one whose left hand was alive and they became a great band of pianists. 

The beauty of cooperation is seen among sports men and women, especially in the field of play. No team which ever desires to win ever trifles with cooperation. In the world of business, business men and women often cooperate to win contracts and to execute them successfully. 

On Monday, September 26, 2022, Evangelist Dr. Imoh Atakpa, Minister, Church of Christ, Kubwa, Abuja called me to follow up on a man who had viewed the television Gospel program aired on a television channel here in Abuja and needed to be followed up. Because I live in Enugu, I had to contact Evangelist Felix Aniamalu, Minister, Church of Christ, Okpoko, Anambra State to complete the evangelistic work initiated by the Brethren here in Abuja. 

Just imagine the web of activities that led to this prospect’s interest in the Gospel Message – started by Abuja Brethren, conveyed to me in Enugu and then I relayed it to a Minister of the Gospel in Onitsha, Anambra State. How was this possible? COOPERATION! Who benefited from this web of activities? Our Lord Jesus Christ! Did we sin when we cooperated? Obviously, NO!!!

God has not called Congregations to Compete with one another, but to Cooperate with one another.    

Throughout Scripture, God’s desire has been that His People should demonstrate high sense of responsibility towards the needs and concerns of one another either as individuals or as body corporate. When God’s people cooperate by pulling their resources (human, material, theological and spiritual) together, they do exploits. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 affirms: 

“Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow, but woe to him who is alone when he falls; for he does not have anyone to help him up.” 

In God’s economy, no one is an island. Collectivism is preferred above individualism. Painting a picture of the power of cooperation, Leviticus 26:8 says: 

“And five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword.” 

In God’s scheme of things for His Church, His desire is that Congregations should be autonomous in leadership, but should bond through cooperation. In other words, Congregational autonomy should not constitute a hindrance to Church cooperation. Any teaching that seeks to divide the Brotherhood by emphasizing that each congregation should not extend her hands of fellowship in moments of needs or celebration, is a doctrine from Hell. Even though congregations are self-governing, they are not altogether islands unto themselves.    

PATTERN: HEART OF SCRIPTURAL TEACHINGS ON COOPERATION

Writing on the need for Pattern, Reuel Lemmons, former editor of Action (a World Bible School publication) in an article published in “One Body” (Summer 1988, page 4) wrote: 

“We must go to pattern theology for our very concept of the church…. Everything we read in the Scriptures enforces the pattern concept… Redemption follows a pattern or it doesn’t.  Worship follows a pattern or it doesn’t.  Church government follows a pattern or it doesn’t.  The Christian life follows a pattern or it doesn’t.  If there is no pattern, then one way to be saved is as good as another; one may worship anyway he pleases, govern the church anyway he chooses and live any kind of life he wishes to live.”

Pattern theology simply establishes for us how things should be done. At Hebrews 8:5, we read: 

“Who serve as example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished by God when he was about to make the tabernacle, ‘See that you make all things according to the pattern showed to you on the mount.’” 

To prove any statement as Biblically true, as well as to establish a given Biblical pattern, we must show that it is taught in God’s Word. To isolate one truth against the rest is a grand redefinition of theological rascality and recklessness. In his article, “Departures from the Faith,” published by Grace and Truth Magazine (June, 1999:16), T. M. Clement, Jr. observed:

“Those who set a truth apart, have truth in part and from the Truth depart.”

Isaiah 8:20 says:

“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”

Sound Biblical Hermeneutics demands that as those who are willing to do God’s Will, we should stick to what we are told, not live by our own assumptions. To this end, I Peter 4:11 says:

“If any man speaks, let him speak as the oracle of God; if any man ministers, let him do it as of the ability which God gives; that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”

There are three distinct ways in which Bible teaches:

§  By direct command or prohibition.

§  By approved example (in this case the example must be exclusive).

§  By necessary (essential) inference (implication), that is, logical conclusions reached from a Biblical text or texts. 

IS THERE ANY SPECIFIC PATTERN OF CHURCH COOPERATION?

I must admit that there is lack of specific command or prohibition in regard to church cooperation in evangelism or edification. The absence of such a command proves at least that church cooperation is not forbidden. Second, there is no exclusive pattern of church cooperation taught in the Bible. The following may be properly considered examples of New Testament cooperation:

1.   Cooperation Between Individuals. At II Timothy 4:9 Apostle Paul said to Timothy:

“Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me.”

   This is a case of cooperation between two individual preachers.

2.One Individual and Several Other Individuals. At Romans 16:1-2, Apostle Paul wrote:

“I commend to you, Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church at Cenchrea: that ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also. Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.”

This is an example of an individual Christian cooperating with other Christians in across spectrums to accomplish God’s Will in their climes. 

3.   A Christian Family Cooperating With Individual Christians. 1 Corinthians 16:15 says:

“I beseech you, brethren, (you know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints.”

4.   “Disciples” Cooperating With “Elders” (Acts 11:27-30).

“And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem to Antioch. And there one of them named Agabus stood up, and signified by the Spirit that there would be great famine throughout all the world, which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, everyone according to their abilities, determined to send relief to the brethren who lived in Judaea.  This, they did and sent same to the elders through Barnabas and Saul.”

5.   Several Congregations Cooperating With One Another. II Corinthians 8:1-11 tells us:

“Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. Therefore, as ye abound in everything, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.”

6. A Congregation Cooperating With Several Other Congregations (Acts 15:4-23; 16:4-5). 

7. Individual churches supporting a preacher in the field while he labours with other brethren. II Corinthians 11:7-8 say: 

“Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely? I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.”

8. A preacher receiving support from an individual. Galatians 6:6 says:

“Let him who is taught the Word communicate to him who teaches him in all good things.”

Which of the above is the exclusive pattern?

Since there is no exclusive pattern of church cooperation taught in the Bible, church cooperation in evangelism and other expansion programmes cannot be forbidden on the grounds of an exclusive, approved example. The basic principle of cooperation is found in Romans 12:15:

“Rejoice with those who are rejoicing and mourn with those who are mourning.”

If we can cooperate with other congregations when it comes to burial, it is also imperative that we should cooperate with them when it comes to evangelization and other value-adding activities. At Acts 16:9-10, we read:

“And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; there stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, ‘Come over into Macedonia, and help us.’ After he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.”

Two major obstacles when it comes to cooperation are laziness and selfishness. Unfortunately, we often hide under autonomy to display these. 

In Nigeria, all Congregations of the Lord’s Church are cooperating with one another to ensure that the Church remains. About twenty years ago, Churches of Christ in Nigeria were threatened when the issue of Registration and Board of Trustees cropped up. Initially, Congregations of the Lord’s Church across Nigeria cried blue murder, pointing that cooperating to have a Board of Trustees would impact negatively on Congregational Autonomy. The Church was caught between the rock and a hard place – would She cooperate to remain alive in Nigeria or refuse to do so and be banned from existence in Nigeria? Some persons even suggested that the Church should join Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). In fact, the Church was already tinkering with that idea. I remember that it was at a meeting held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State that Brother Barrister Dr. Christian Chukwumankeonyeneme Churchill Obeagu, former Head, Department of Law, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) rose to the occasion and told Brethren not to. It was at that meeting that lawyer-brethren who were present were requested to come up with a policy document. They did and today, there is a Board of Trustees and the Church is in existence. Thus far, no congregation’s autonomy has been violated. Without this effort at cooperation, it would be against the Law to exist as Church of Christ, Nigeria. 

Sometimes we are afraid over nothing. Some of us believe that because the Church is not centrally organized, we would be running foul of Scripture if we should cooperate to undertake huge projects initiated in one area of the country or the other. What should concern us is whether the name of the Lord is glorified and His Cause sustained. 

In 2022, all congregations of the Lord’s Church in Southeastern Nigeria overcame the pettiness of autonomy to cooperate to recover Trans-Nkisi, off, 3-3 area near Onitsha, Anambra State. For over forty years, the Lord’s Church received seven (17) plots of land from Anambra State Government under the administration of His Excellency, Jim Nwobodo. “Should the Church cooperate or not” to take advantage of this provision? We were dilly-dallying until some Brethren took the bull by its horn, initiated moves and today, Churches of Christ in Southeast, Nigeria have cooperated to recover what belongs to her. This is a location where a plot of lands sells for between N25 million and above. A number of Projects have been planned for the Trans-Nkisi Project.     

REPOSITIONING THE CHURCH IN THE 21^ST CENTURY AND MINISTERS’ WELFARE

Most times, we talk about repositioning the Church and leave behind ministers’ welfare. There is no gainsaying the fact that as preachers go, so go their respective congregations. Preachers are catalysts. An empowered minister is an empowered congregation. A weak minister will always have a negative effect on the congregation he serves. 

Brethren, truth be told – Ministers are doing Ministry at the expense of their own lives and of the welfare of their families. II Kings 4:1 

“Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets to Elisha, saying, ‘Your servant, my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD, but the creditor has come to take to him my two sons to be bondmen.’” 

Preachers’ work are tasking and energy-sapping. In fact, the more cosmopolitan an area a preacher serves, the more complex his activities and demands placed on him become.  

Preachers have been described as, “Wounded healers.” In spite of their personal challenges, they must provide hope to the “hopeless” and strength to the weak. They must be at the scene where a Christian Brother or Sister is hurt, someone dies, in hospitals, at police stations, at attorneys’, etcetera. At II Corinthians 11:27-29, Apostle Paul describes what an average preacher does in the course of carrying out his daily work: 

In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is offended, and I burn not? 

Preachers seek to build faith in people and to prepare them for life beyond this realm. It never fails to surprise me that while preachers seek to make people earthly and heavenly useful, some people actually want preachers to be earthly useless. At II Corinthians 6:10, again, Apostle Paul describes some of the sterling contributions of Ministers in people’s lives: 

“As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.” 

Preachers have invested and are investing lots of resources in people through their teachings and preaching. Often great ideas emerge out of preachers’ teachings and preaching which the audiences apply to become great in societies. Preachers have to dig deeper to be able to make lessons applicable and achieve their intended meanings. In their book, Pastors At Risk, London and Wiseman (1993:21) observed: 

“Unfortunately, few people stop to think about how much difficulty, how much depression, and how many obstacles he faces to serve in this way.” 

At most, some of the things we should do to preachers who serve in our congregations is to provide encouragement and financial supports. Galatians 6:6 enjoins: 

“Let him who is taught the word communicate to him who teaches him in all good things.” 

While congregations should endeavour to adequately support their preachers, preachers themselves should cooperate to enhance their welfare. Preachers can cooperate in various ways to empower themselves. This is what we do in Enugu State. In Enugu State, we have set up what we call, Progressive Preachers’ Forum. Our motto is: “Preachers for Preachers.” In PPF, preachers are cooperating to take care of their welfare. We pool resources together to buy plots of land to resell and engage in various productive economic activities such as farming, etcetera. This is a classic case of cooperation amongst preachers. Our guiding Scripture is Genesis 49:14-15: 

“Issachar is a strong ass couching down between two burdens: And he saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant; and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute.” 

This cooperative efforts are yielding great dividends for preachers in Enugu State. In Ogoja area of Cross River State, preachers are cooperating to establish a school. Nothing stops preachers in Abuja and its environs to begin to cooperate amongst themselves to empower themselves economically and materially.   

In Eastern Nigeria, most of the landmark institutions associated with Churches of Christ are efforts of cooperation and collaboration amongst Brethren. One of these is Nigerian Christian Hospital, Nlagu, Abia State. 

A preacher who is economically empowered is a preacher who can take care of himself and his family without unnecessarily depending on his congregation and others for sustenance. 

REPOSITIONING THE CHURCH IN THE 21^ST CENTURY: ROLE OF BRETHREN

One of the greatest resources at God’s disposal are His people. For this reason II Corinthians 4:7 says emphatically that God’s “Treasure is in earthen vessels.” 

God did not leave the responsibilities of enlarging the borders of His Kingdom in the hands of angels, but to men. God has entrusted this responsibility to us. He wants us to use who we are, what we have and what we can do where we are to reposition the Church. God is counting on us! 

“Hey, UNCLE SAM NEEDS YOU!”

This was a popular advertorial in America of yesteryears, which sparked off a plethora of responses in volunteerism, which went a long way to reposition America to what she has become today. God needs me. God needs you.     

 Psalms 110:3 says, 

“In the days of His power, His people shall offer themselves willingly.” 

Again, at Psalm 68:11, we read: 

“The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.” 

We cannot reposition the Church in the 21^st Century if we are not willing to make sacrifices. At Isaiah 6:8, when the question was asked, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Isaiah said, “Here am I: send me.”  If we have this attitude, we can reposition the Church.  

A number of factors will help us to reposition the Church. Next to the God-factor are men and materials. The catalyst remains material resources. Without material resources, our plans will only thrive on imaginations and wishful thinking, full of dreams but no action. 

The place of money in repositioning the Church cannot be overemphasized. It remains to a great extent the pivot upon which every plan and action revolves. What can we really accomplish without money? We need money for evangelism, edification and benevolence. We need money to adequately support preachers, fund mass media evangelism, buy plots of land, build meeting halls, set up orphanages, etcetera.   

It costs us nothing to become beneficiaries of the grace that Jesus brought down to us. However, it cost those who brought it to us and will equally cost us great resources to have it published so that others could become beneficiaries also. To reposition the Church, the Biblical Statement at Ecclesiastes 10:19 comes handy, “…Money answers all things.” 

The money we need to reposition the Church is with us. This money will not come from unbelievers, but from us. Interestingly, God has already made available all the resources we need. What remains is our willingness to offer ourselves and what God has blessed us with. We must possess sacrificial attitude. At II Samuel 24:24, when Araunah offered a piece of land to King David to build an altar to God, King David said: 

“Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing.” 

As recipients of God’s grace and resources, God expects us to become dispensers of the same largesse. At I Corinthians 4:7, Apostle Paul asks most rhetorically: 

“Who made you different from others? What do you have that you did not receive? Now, if you had received it, why do you glory as if you did not received it?”   

Obviously, when we stop to count our blessings, we will see that God has been very mindful of us and that the only way to appreciate Him is to serve Him with what He has blessed us with. This was what King David and all Israel did. At I Chronicles 29:12-14, David said as he prayed: 

“Both riches and honour come from You, and You reign over all; and in Your Hand is power and might; it is in Your Hand to make great, and to give strength to all. Now, therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious Name. But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? For all things come from You and of Your own have we given You.”   

God gave you a house (houses). God has blessed you with wealth and placed you in positions of relevance. Now that He has so blessed you, what does He expect from you? At Luke 12:48 our Lord Jesus says: 

“But he who does not know and commit things worthy of beatings, shall be beaten with few strokes. But whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” 

It is a given that the more we invest into God’s Work, the more we enrich our eternal accounts. At Philippians 4:17 Apostle Paul wrote to Philippian Christians: 

“Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.” 

There is nothing that we invest here that will last, but whatever we invest into God’s Work will last forever. At Matthew 6:19-21 Jesus says: 

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” 

For this reason, wealthy Christians are enjoined to deploy their resources to enlarge the borders of God’s Kingdom. At I Timothy 6: 17-19, Apostle Paul says: 

“Charge those who are rich in this world, that they should not be high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the Living God, Who gives us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” 

There is no gainsaying the fact that we have a lot of Big Boys and Big Men and Women in various congregations of the Lord. These men and women are powerful resources for God and His Church. Rather than deploy their resources to intimidate others, they should humbly and sacrificially deploy their vast resources to be of benefits to the Lord and His Church.   

IN WHAT AREAS SHOULD CONGREGATIONS COOPERATE TO REPOSITION THE CHURCH?

Acts 17:6 tells us, 

“…These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.” 

Even though the above comment was intended to malign the Brethren who were labouring in Thessalonica to advance the Gospel, however, it was a powerful comment on their cooperative dexterity. This feat would not have been possible were it not for cooperation. 

Cooperation is a critical factor in the advancement of any Cause. If Brethren in the First Century could cooperate to positively upset their environments without the technological advancements at our disposals today, then we owe the Gospel a better deal.     

The Church can cooperate to establish a media organization. Why be a SERVANT when you can play BOSS? The Church can cooperate to establish an estate. Why play TENANT when you can play LANDLORD?

Philippians 4:8 provides guidelines of where and how the Church should cooperate: 

“… brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”          

CONCLUSION

Cooperation was designed by God to bring Brethren together and accomplish things that will bring praise and glory to Him. 

Since we cannot do anything against the Truth (II Corinthians 13:8), let us come together and cooperate to become Helpers of the Truth (III John 8)! 

Cooperation is God’s idea for His work to progress. Let us become co-labourers in God’s Vineyard! At Matthew 13:30, our Lord says: 

“He who is not with me is against me and he who does not gather with me scatters.” 

May God richly bless us all in Jesus’ name! 

Hilary Johnson Chukwuma Chukwurah

CHURCH OF CHRIST

New Haven Secondary School,

Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria.

Phone: 0803 - 9596 – 919.

E-Mail: hilaryjohnsonc@gmail.com.