The Role of Church Leaders in Building Sustainable Nigerian Future
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Date
2017
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Department of Religious and Cultural Studies, Faculty of Humanities, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
Abstract
Recent happenings in the political arena in Nigeria have shown that church leaders have a great role to play in the governance of their nations as it was in ancient Israelite society. In fact, church leaders have taken a step higher above their traditional roles in the issues of governance and politics in Nigeria by actually getting involved in active party 'politics. They frequently express their views on governance publicly and radically in their churches on Sundays, on the pages of newspapers, on television and radio. Likewise, many political leaders and political offices aspirants (Christians and non-Christians) that are seeking the votes of the electorates run to the church leaders to seek for prayers, guidance and votes of the church members during the elections. However, many church leaders have disappointed the body of Christ, that is, the church through various negative roles they have played in the issues of politics and governance of this nation, Nigeria.
Hence, this study, using socio-historical and theological approach assesses the roles the church leaders can play in building sustainable Nigerian future, ensuring transparent and credible leadership, and accountability. Biblical examples of men of God that played their roles according to the will of God to influence the politics and governance of their society positively are also examined to serve as a model for contemporary Nigerian church leaders. It was discovered that many
church leaders have left undone what they ought to do and have done what they ought not to do. Materialism has replaced the message of true repentance, righteous living and so on. The contemporary Nigerian church leaders are hereby called upon to set themselves apart as holy and acceptable God's mouthpieces that truly serve as guides and consciences of the nation.
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Keywords
Good Governance, Roles of the Church, Church leaders, Credible leadership, Sustainable development in Nigeria.