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Pentecostal Churches
Dear Editor,
You cannot avoid the Pentecostal churches in Zambia. They are abundant and growing and their prayer sessions are both rapturous and solemn. They are largely originating from United States, Europe and Nigeria, and encouraged by the liberalisation of Zambia’s laws in the 1990s allowing for freedom of association and worship.
How comfortably does the rise of Pentecostal churches sit with Catholic priest Fr Augustine Mwewa’s view about some pastors who have turned the proclamation of the gospel into a source of lucrative financial gain?
IF you listen carefully to the words spoken from the pulpit in these churches, you could be forgiven for thinking that the pastors have an undeniably political agenda.
MMD president Nevers Mumba, himself a pastor, has thundered from the pulpit of his Victory Ministries parish in Kitwe: ‘Believers will take over this country one day. There shall be as many Pentecostal churches as there were bars in this country. This is virgin territory and God will take control of this nation!’ Sedition? Not quite.
The fact is PF politicians are just a little uncomfortable at the astonishing popularity of this kind of evangelic rhetoric. But at best they are actually rather grateful that the likes of Mumba are in politics.
This is because the main goal of the Pentecostal churches is, officially at least, benediction and salvation of poor souls rather than political agitation.
Mubanga Luchembe,
LUSAKA.
Posted by Editor
on September 3, 2013. Filed under LIFE & STYLE, STYLE.
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King Midas
September 3, 2013 at 10:39 am
I do not understand why some people can not see that some of these churches are actually NOT even PENTECOSTAL. To everything original, there is a counterfeit. A counterfeit of the PENTECOSTAL church is termed CHARISMATIC. These are the people who are actually after financial gain. Some of these Pastors origins are questionable, you can not trace their Pentecostal Pastor, one can not trace how they got born again, which Pentecostal BIBLE college they were trained from etc. Its takes a TRULY BORN AGAIN, MATURE AND PENTECOSTAL/EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN to see. Look at Benny Hinn, many take him as a PENTECOSTAL when he is actually a JESUIT PRIEST.
judah
September 3, 2013 at 10:39 am
dear young man re u 4pente or against
them?
bigbuttman
September 3, 2013 at 11:58 am
Many Pentecostal and Evangelical Pastors are frauds. In the case of Bishop Eddie Long for example he has made a lot of money from tithes from the “flock”. When Bishop Long was accused by a man in the congregation that he was sexually assaulted by the Bishop, he was unable to either confirm or deny this. He was dishonest about his homosexual proclivity. But he can still repent and accept Jesus.
We are all sinners.
KAPAIP
September 4, 2013 at 10:11 am
You can also widen your scope a bit more here. How about the sexual scandals that have continued to rock the Catholic Church in the US where Bishop Eddie Long is based. Say something on this matter as well.
Crocodiles from Lesotho
September 3, 2013 at 12:28 pm
Some articles . . . no direction . . . no message whatsoever . . . yawn yawn!!!!!
untie p
September 3, 2013 at 12:29 pm
this is not time for finger pointing churches.sinners are all over and are found in every church, remember no sin is greater than the other. no man is perfect to judge. it doesnt matter the name of the church, what matters is ones`s salvation . what is a church? a church is suposed to be you. look at your own salvation ,stop looking at individuals.live the pentecostals alone.
KAPAIP
September 3, 2013 at 1:43 pm
The growth of the Pentecostal Movement in Zambia is amazing. some estimates put the Pentecostal population at between 10 and 20% of the Zambian Population. added to this is the added fact of the pentecostalization of mainline churches such as the UCZ, RCZ and even the Anglican church. While there may be some fraudsters we cannot run away from the fact that God is working through the pentecostal movement.
Julia Chikamoneka
September 3, 2013 at 1:51 pm
“KAPAIP”, atually that is NOT Pentecostalisation of the traditional churches like UCZ, RCZ,Anglican etc. That is CHARISMATIC, as “King Midas” is talking about above. There is a big gap between christians from the REAL PENTE(Pentecostal Assemblies of God, Pentecostal Holiness, Church of God, etc)and these other mushrooming churches. The focus of PENTECOSTALISM is not there. ONLY A MATURE PERSON CAN SEE!!
KAPAIP
September 3, 2013 at 2:06 pm
I agree with julia to some extent. You are right when you speak of classical pentecostals and Charismatics. Classic Pentecostals are those church that trace their roots to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Azusa street. The church that trace their roots to Azuza street in Zambia are churches like PAOG(Z), Apostolic Faith Mission, Pentecostal Holiness, the FourSquare Gospel church and a few others. The Charismatic Movement refers to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Mainline Churches in the 1960s. they were called Charismatics because they starting insisting for the restoration of spiritual gifts (greek word Charisma) in mainline churches. they refused to separate from those churches. Instead they opted to stay. Most of these had a genuine experience of being born again as well as being filled with the Holy Spirit. In the 1970s more especially in Africa we saw the emergence of Independent Charismatic Churches. the first of such churches was established in Zambia in 1980. from that time until now there has been so many of them.
Trixy
September 3, 2013 at 3:53 pm
We cant run away from the fact that most pentacoastal pastors are doing this job for money. The congregation (members of the church) may in most cases be genuinely be seeking God and salvation in such churches, but most of the pastors are just there to make money. For example how do you justify Pastor Imakando of bread of life driving a hammer? In as much as we appreciate the fact that men of God are supposed to eat from the flock, BUT a HAMMER? It doesn’t give a good impression. Also why are most of these pastors associated with the rich the church more than the poor? Lets face it; most of these churches have gone commercial. They preach more of money than salvation……I stand to be corrected.
icinshikululwa
September 3, 2013 at 4:25 pm
A Church will shall remain a Church, whether with big name in the World or not. Jesus knowz His Own; are you for him?
wapya baisa
September 3, 2013 at 5:09 pm
chishinka bige
Tm
September 3, 2013 at 7:07 pm
You should find time to write about your priests who had a thing for young boys behind
Lesa Musuma inshita yonse!!
September 3, 2013 at 7:48 pm
Those churches are far much better than Bars/taverns where immorality is being manufactured. The demon speaking through you must be cast out, for you to see well. Who gave you authority to decide who should and shouldn’t be man of God, mind your business coz everyone will be judged according to their deeds!! You will be judged according to what you will do on earth, not according to the number of churches or men of God you discredited. Watch and pray so that you not be tempted.
simus chirundu
September 3, 2013 at 8:31 pm
catholics this is a year of our faith, wear rossaries to show them , be happy because you are the true ships of GOD.if you shift you will end up find yourself in church of ng’anga .
see him talk
September 3, 2013 at 10:01 pm
Remember, no one is saved by going to church. This talk of pentecostal/catholic/baptist etc is baseless because no church is better than the other. All churches are full of sinners who recognize that they need Jesus in their life!(After all Jesus came for sinners – all of us). The sinners “outside church” are those who do not want to accept their shortcomings and hence pretend to be better than the believers. Time will come when all you “non-sinners” will seek God in truth, and who knows, you may start looking for the same churches you are condemning today!!
Abena PJ
September 3, 2013 at 10:32 pm
The four richest pastors in Africa are in Nigeria. The richest is Bishop Odeyepo who owns 4 private jets. He has an airstrip behingd his church and he comes to Sunday service in a private jetall this in the midst of poverty. TB Joshua is 4th richest pastor in Africa. So Fr. Mwewa is right. many people have found that “selling the word of God” is a money spinner. a lot of millionaires in this world are pentecostal pastors and bishops. Just google “Richest pastors in Africa” and you will see what am talking about
kale bwacha
September 4, 2013 at 1:47 am
“good morning”
mike25
September 3, 2013 at 11:37 pm
if infact,you even find unmarried. young. pastors in these same churches which not allowed in the bible a leader in churc must have a family.
jjc
September 4, 2013 at 3:49 am
Remember Church is withing ur self
pretty
September 4, 2013 at 7:21 am
Pipo Pliz jesus said MY froack will be seen by their fruits.real cristians does not involve themselves in politics,cebreting crisimars,new year,birth day.true cristians only focus on publishing the word of God,not healing sick pipo,time of healing pipo has long gone this time you have to do what mathews 28 verse 18 to 20 says go therefore and make diciples of pipo of all nation,baptizing them in the name of the father and the son and of holy spirit.Teaching them to observe all the things i have commanded you and look iam with you all the days untill the conclusion of the system of things.
Umupandapwiti
September 4, 2013 at 12:38 pm
I am sure you are a |Chitawala”.
caleb& TB-Joshua
September 4, 2013 at 7:45 am
Atleast pentecostal,it is stated someware in de scriptures.Are u trying2 say de churches like RCZ,UCZ ar better named in de bible? John 10 vs 14.
smart
September 4, 2013 at 9:51 am
Too many scandals in these churches,fornication,adultery,robberies by pastors.sex.witch craft.i can admire any penter myself.they are useless 100%
Trixy
September 4, 2013 at 10:42 am
Saying the truth about what some of these so called men of God are doing is not discrediting them. Infact it is helping them. Surely must we just keep quiet and see what is happening go without comment? We know the bible says”… do not touch my anointed ones..” so is this now a passport for some men of God to do evil and quote this scripture? What you must know is that the same bible says “..towards the end there will be false prophets..” and the same bible says “…you will know them by their fruits..” The same bible also allows us to test these men of God in spirit. People these days have a lot of problems and they go to church to find a solution; consoling words, words of hope, etc, but when they reach there they will find messages of money and the rich being paraded in front of the church. They go back home discouraged. What I am saying here is the truth.
untie p
September 4, 2013 at 1:28 pm
the demon is at work can we burry this topic at once to shame the devil, for it is just basless.
Stophilla Kalaba
September 4, 2013 at 2:42 pm
Mind ur own business, thats why salvation is personnal.
Jairos
September 4, 2013 at 5:43 pm
Mubanga Luchembe, are you a retired man with nothing to do? Every newspaper I read, your nonsense is there, please spare us
Kutems
September 4, 2013 at 8:24 pm
The church of world over finds itself in such a messed up, confused and chaotic situation largely because of Pentecostal/charismatic movements. It is there where you find aberrant and unsound teachings, money and ego-centered pastors, one man show ministries and simply all the hype about prosperity and wellness just to lure the unsuspecting innocent people. Study the history of the church you will discover that whenever such movements sprung up confusions reigned in the church. Ever heard of Montanists of the fourth century church? That the church was one and the movement was stopped. Pentecostal/charismatics have made evangelism difficult because people associate the church with fraudsters interested not in the gospel but to make themselves a name.
DIP STICK
September 4, 2013 at 11:29 pm
ONE THING I FIND FUNNY ABOUT THESE SO CALLED PENTECOSTAL CHURCHES IS THAT THEY MOSTLY BELONG TO SOMEONE WHO GIVES THEMSELVES TITLES LIKE BISHOP,PASTOR,APOSTLE,DOCTOR ETC.
PEOPLE ACTUALLY EARN A LIVING OUT OF THESE “CHURCHES”. SOME HAVE EVEN HIRED BODY GUARDS DUE TO THEIR SOCIAL STATUS WHICH HAS CHANGED DUE TO THE MONIES CONTRIBUTED BY THEIR POOR CONGREGATION.
In days coming,it will be difficult to know the true word of God as these people translate the Bible to suit their desires.
Stophilla Kalaba
September 5, 2013 at 8:38 am
Iwe chi KUTEMS, PENTECOSTALS and CHARISMATICS are two very different things. Never make a comparison of the two. What is wrong with you that you can not see! Remove rubbish from ur eyes and u will see.