Pastor Sam Adeyemi of Daystar Christian Centre has shed light on how pastors can make their congregations believe they are anointed and powerful.
News About Nigeria gathered that in a chat with Teju Babyface, he pointed out that in African church settings, pastors who flaunt material wealth are often perceived as anointed and powerful.
He stated that it can be challenging for pastors to say that they are equals with their congregation, as many might question their anointing if they don’t display signs of prosperity.
According to the clergyman, pastors often resort to showcasing their wealth to establish credibility, even if it means flaunting assets like a Rolls Royce, regardless of whether it’s fully paid for or not.
“It is risky in Africa for a pastor to come out and say we are equal. They will think something is wrong with you in the first place. As a church leader, they will think you don’t have anointing and all that.
“And then, we flaunt wealth; material wealth. Our people worship money because of the level of deprivation and poverty around them.
“You want people to believe you are powerful and anointed, come in your Rolls Royce. Even if you’ve only paid a down payment.”
The pastor also stressed the importance of patience when building a truthful foundation for faith and belief.
While flaunting wealth may offer immediate gratification, Adeyemi believes that truth will ultimately set people free and lead to more sustainable results.
In addition to discussing the role of wealth in shaping perceptions, Adeyemi touched on leadership and succession in the church.
He pointed out the need to involve younger generations and value their contributions.
He emphasised the importance of understanding the power of succession and avoiding a disconnect between older and younger generations of church leaders.
“One mistake that I see us making with that kind of structure is that we don’t allow the younger generations to speak soon enough.
“We don’t value them, we practically obliterate them. We stay too long. We don’t practice and understand the power of succession.
“At some point, we disconnect from the younger generation because their needs are no longer your needs. Therefore, there’s dissonance,” he said.
