Despite the excitement at seeing MAVIN member, Korede Bello, perform his popular hit "Godwin" at the Harvesters International Christian Centre (HICC), Gbagada Lagos, not many people felt the same way.
One of such people is Olusola Fabunmi - a pastor of City of Faith Church in Gaithersburg, Maryland, United States.
Pastor
Fabunmi did not only frown at the church for inviting Bello who is not a
gospel singer, but gave reasons why he is criticising the church's
decision.
He wrote: "Korede Bello is a young
man I love personally, and have nothing against him. But it’s written
here, that when we chose the way of the world, we have clearly chosen
our paths; becoming an enemy of God.
Please, there must be a clearly defined boundaries of who sings, and /or ministers in churches.
Some
of the questions that come to mind are; is he born again? Sanctified
with the spirit of God and baptized in the Holy Spirit?
Also,
let’s ask ourselves, what’s even the purpose of people singing in
churches and Christian concerts? Where purpose is lacking, abuse is
inevitable writes Francis Wale Oke in his book; The Power of the Holy
Spirit.
So I believe very strongly that
one major purpose of choristers or Psalmists singing is to prepare the
minds and hearts of the people for the word of God that is to come
shortly; since we see in parable of the sower that the hearts of men is
like a soil, and when the seed (which is the word of God) is sown, one
of the factors that will determine the level of harvest yielded is the
condition of the soil (hearts).”
I wish
to submit by saying that the only difference that makes the difference
between church gatherings/ programs and others like clubs, parties is
the Presence of Almighty God. If he is not there, we might spend hours
and do all manners of spiritual gymnastics, it’s sheer of wasting of
time, energy and resources.
And the
ministers who know their onions do all it takes to secure his presence.
But I think today in the word of a very senior man of God, one of the
older
generation, Dr. Ayodele who said in Houston recently, that churches in
this generation has been reduced to ABC… Meaning; Attendance, Building
and Cash."