WHY A CHRISTIAN MAY FAIL IN POLITICS
The truth that must be told is that many Christians who
have gone before into politics have messed up. Many have
soiled their hands in dirty deals, got involved in ungodly
acts and ridiculed the body of Christ who support them.
This has been used by so many ignorant believers to argue
that politics is not meant for Christians. They are not
correct.
1. WRONG ATTITUDES: Many believers see political
offices and posts as answered prayer to their many
years of poverty. When they do thanksgiving in
churches, it is more of “a gratitude to God for
bringing me out of poverty” When this happens, the
focus of such a Christian is on “how much can I reek
out of this office while my short tenure lasts” This
is bound to end up in disaster.
2. SUPPORT FROM WRONG QUARTERS: Many of the
Christians who venture into politics usually do not
receive sufficient support from their spiritual
“constituency” They get more support from the god-
fathers, unbelievers, hooligans, market women and
miscreants who know what lies ahead. They receive only
prayer supports from their Christian constituency.
Check the next Christian candidate and consider the
list of his supporters and active campaign officers,
then you will appreciate this factor.
3. PRESSURE FROM PARTY LEADERS: When they win
elections through these sets of people, what magic do
we expect them to perform in office. Since democracy
is government of the people by the people and for the
people, a Christian who gets elected into office by the
support and patronage of the wrong party leaders will
have a hell of time trying to do good as they run into
a major dilemma. How can they jettison the “evil
people” who helped them to get into office? They are
torn between doing right and incurring the wrath of
those who put them in office. This is usually a common
dilemma of believers in political office.
4. ABSENCE OF LIKE MINDED FELLOWS: Most Christians
who win political offices have few good people,
Christians, dedicated and God- fearing like them
around in leadership position. The few men of God who
would have helped them to stand on their feet are more
interested in the crumbs they get from their political
dining tables. Because democracy thrives with the
majority, such believers are usually pushed and bent to
the point of succumbing to the whims and caprices of
the popular opinion even if it goes against their
convictions.
5. CHURCH LEADERS WHO WANT LARGESSE: They are
faced with the challenge of Churches and religious
organizations who mill around the to have a share of the
national cake in form of requests appeals for church
building funds, launching of musical instruments,
Jerusalem slots and so on. When a Christian in
political office is faced with such challenges, he tries
to appear good in the eyes of his/her Spiritual Leaders
by doing everything possible to meet their needs.
Since such moneys are “given to God” through these
fathers of faith, the Christian politician may even
justify himself that whatever public funds he stole has
been used to “placate” God! Blasphemy !!!
6. NO TRAINING: Many Christian Politicians have not
been well groomed for the challenges ahead.
Missionaries go to mission schools before embarking on
mission fields. Pastors get trained. Christian
politicians also get trained; but from the wrong
people! Thus, they get carried away by the storms of
the political world. If some Pastors, Missionaries etc
still fumble once in a while despite all the years of
training they had gone through, why are we surprised
when Christian politicians mess up.
WHAT WE MUST DO URGENTLY
1. POLITICAL DISCIPLESHIP PROGRAMME: The church
must design and draw up a syllabus of training and
political discipleship programme aimed at producing a
new generation of leaders for our country. It is a
conscious effort that must begin with teens and
youths.
2. SPECIAL FELLOWSHIPS IN CHURCHES: The creation
of special fellowships in churches aimed at meeting the
peculiar needs of Christian Politicians who do not
have the right fora to address their life callings. Like
other groups in the church, we need one for
politicians.
3. MASSIVE INVOLVEMENT: Christians must be massively
involved in voting and being voted for. Join a
political party of your choice and lend your voice at
meetings. Even if it will take you the whole day.
Don’t say “They already know who will win”. INEC
count votes not prayer points.
4. STOP MILLING AROUND CHRISTIAN POLITICIANS:
Church leaders MUST desist from milling around
Christian politicians for the sole aim of getting a
share from their “largesse” Some politicians tend to
be consoled that after all, a large chunk of their
“largesse” is being collected by unscrupulous
ministers for “God’s work”
5. COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES: Believers must become
active in Community activities. Join the CDA,
Landlord associations etc. Be involved in community
activities like security, community projects. Maintain
a high level of integrity. Be willing to sacrifice your
time, energy & resources for communal purposes.
6. MEMBERSHIP OF A POLITICAL PARTY: Belonging to a
political group at the ward level is paramount. Here you
can air your view and contribute positively to group.
At this point you can gather support to choose or be
chosen as a credible candidate to be the people’s
representative.
7. POLITICAL EDUCATION: Massive political education
is needed by the church to enlighten the congregations
on the gains of political party membership and the
need to save “genuine and good politicians who have
call of God” from the hands of hawk godfathers.
CAUTION FOR CHRISTIAN POLITICIANS
1. Electoral victory MUST no be “do or die”: Loosing
an election is not a signal that God has not spoken to
you.
2. Make clear distinction: There is no point being
apologetic about your faith. Let them know who you are.
3. Wisdom in dealing with other religions: Nigeria is a
secular state. This means we must respect the religion
of others, even as a born again Christian, you must
tolerate them. Don’t ever give an impression that you
don’t believe and accept the other faiths. Wisdom is
profitable to direct.
4. Be people-centric: Let your campaigns center around
the people. Once the people accept you, it becomes not
too easy for the godfathers to jettison you.
5. Don’t ignore the godfathers: Wisdom demands that you
respect and honour the existing political leaders. You
can’t correct some things until you get to the top.
However, this does not mean you should accept
everything.
6. Steer clear of rituals and evil activities: Politicians
know how to stain your reputation. So beware of
invitations to meetings especially, nocturnal ones.
Don’t make the mistake of trying to belong!
7. Be scandal free: He who must come to equity must come
with clean hands. A little scandal is enough for them to
blow out of proportion. Every Christian in politics is
a target of others who wish to make a mockery of their
faith.
8. Steady source of income: Politics is expensive.
Don’t be completely sponsored by somebody. Then you
become a stooge. Plan to spend your money. However,
spend only what you can afford to loose… just in case.
9. Prayer supports: Raise prayer supports and you must
equally pray. As you pray, you must have a support of
other believers praying for you.
10. Determine to make a change: No matter how small,
determine to make a change in governance.
have gone before into politics have messed up. Many have
soiled their hands in dirty deals, got involved in ungodly
acts and ridiculed the body of Christ who support them.
This has been used by so many ignorant believers to argue
that politics is not meant for Christians. They are not
correct.
1. WRONG ATTITUDES: Many believers see political
offices and posts as answered prayer to their many
years of poverty. When they do thanksgiving in
churches, it is more of “a gratitude to God for
bringing me out of poverty” When this happens, the
focus of such a Christian is on “how much can I reek
out of this office while my short tenure lasts” This
is bound to end up in disaster.
2. SUPPORT FROM WRONG QUARTERS: Many of the
Christians who venture into politics usually do not
receive sufficient support from their spiritual
“constituency” They get more support from the god-
fathers, unbelievers, hooligans, market women and
miscreants who know what lies ahead. They receive only
prayer supports from their Christian constituency.
Check the next Christian candidate and consider the
list of his supporters and active campaign officers,
then you will appreciate this factor.
3. PRESSURE FROM PARTY LEADERS: When they win
elections through these sets of people, what magic do
we expect them to perform in office. Since democracy
is government of the people by the people and for the
people, a Christian who gets elected into office by the
support and patronage of the wrong party leaders will
have a hell of time trying to do good as they run into
a major dilemma. How can they jettison the “evil
people” who helped them to get into office? They are
torn between doing right and incurring the wrath of
those who put them in office. This is usually a common
dilemma of believers in political office.
4. ABSENCE OF LIKE MINDED FELLOWS: Most Christians
who win political offices have few good people,
Christians, dedicated and God- fearing like them
around in leadership position. The few men of God who
would have helped them to stand on their feet are more
interested in the crumbs they get from their political
dining tables. Because democracy thrives with the
majority, such believers are usually pushed and bent to
the point of succumbing to the whims and caprices of
the popular opinion even if it goes against their
convictions.
5. CHURCH LEADERS WHO WANT LARGESSE: They are
faced with the challenge of Churches and religious
organizations who mill around the to have a share of the
national cake in form of requests appeals for church
building funds, launching of musical instruments,
Jerusalem slots and so on. When a Christian in
political office is faced with such challenges, he tries
to appear good in the eyes of his/her Spiritual Leaders
by doing everything possible to meet their needs.
Since such moneys are “given to God” through these
fathers of faith, the Christian politician may even
justify himself that whatever public funds he stole has
been used to “placate” God! Blasphemy !!!
6. NO TRAINING: Many Christian Politicians have not
been well groomed for the challenges ahead.
Missionaries go to mission schools before embarking on
mission fields. Pastors get trained. Christian
politicians also get trained; but from the wrong
people! Thus, they get carried away by the storms of
the political world. If some Pastors, Missionaries etc
still fumble once in a while despite all the years of
training they had gone through, why are we surprised
when Christian politicians mess up.
WHAT WE MUST DO URGENTLY
1. POLITICAL DISCIPLESHIP PROGRAMME: The church
must design and draw up a syllabus of training and
political discipleship programme aimed at producing a
new generation of leaders for our country. It is a
conscious effort that must begin with teens and
youths.
2. SPECIAL FELLOWSHIPS IN CHURCHES: The creation
of special fellowships in churches aimed at meeting the
peculiar needs of Christian Politicians who do not
have the right fora to address their life callings. Like
other groups in the church, we need one for
politicians.
3. MASSIVE INVOLVEMENT: Christians must be massively
involved in voting and being voted for. Join a
political party of your choice and lend your voice at
meetings. Even if it will take you the whole day.
Don’t say “They already know who will win”. INEC
count votes not prayer points.
4. STOP MILLING AROUND CHRISTIAN POLITICIANS:
Church leaders MUST desist from milling around
Christian politicians for the sole aim of getting a
share from their “largesse” Some politicians tend to
be consoled that after all, a large chunk of their
“largesse” is being collected by unscrupulous
ministers for “God’s work”
5. COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES: Believers must become
active in Community activities. Join the CDA,
Landlord associations etc. Be involved in community
activities like security, community projects. Maintain
a high level of integrity. Be willing to sacrifice your
time, energy & resources for communal purposes.
6. MEMBERSHIP OF A POLITICAL PARTY: Belonging to a
political group at the ward level is paramount. Here you
can air your view and contribute positively to group.
At this point you can gather support to choose or be
chosen as a credible candidate to be the people’s
representative.
7. POLITICAL EDUCATION: Massive political education
is needed by the church to enlighten the congregations
on the gains of political party membership and the
need to save “genuine and good politicians who have
call of God” from the hands of hawk godfathers.
CAUTION FOR CHRISTIAN POLITICIANS
1. Electoral victory MUST no be “do or die”: Loosing
an election is not a signal that God has not spoken to
you.
2. Make clear distinction: There is no point being
apologetic about your faith. Let them know who you are.
3. Wisdom in dealing with other religions: Nigeria is a
secular state. This means we must respect the religion
of others, even as a born again Christian, you must
tolerate them. Don’t ever give an impression that you
don’t believe and accept the other faiths. Wisdom is
profitable to direct.
4. Be people-centric: Let your campaigns center around
the people. Once the people accept you, it becomes not
too easy for the godfathers to jettison you.
5. Don’t ignore the godfathers: Wisdom demands that you
respect and honour the existing political leaders. You
can’t correct some things until you get to the top.
However, this does not mean you should accept
everything.
6. Steer clear of rituals and evil activities: Politicians
know how to stain your reputation. So beware of
invitations to meetings especially, nocturnal ones.
Don’t make the mistake of trying to belong!
7. Be scandal free: He who must come to equity must come
with clean hands. A little scandal is enough for them to
blow out of proportion. Every Christian in politics is
a target of others who wish to make a mockery of their
faith.
8. Steady source of income: Politics is expensive.
Don’t be completely sponsored by somebody. Then you
become a stooge. Plan to spend your money. However,
spend only what you can afford to loose… just in case.
9. Prayer supports: Raise prayer supports and you must
equally pray. As you pray, you must have a support of
other believers praying for you.
10. Determine to make a change: No matter how small,
determine to make a change in governance.
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