THE PRETENSE OF REV EMF’S ADMINISTRATION.
The lack of preparedness in our church administration has further exposed us to mismanagement in perfection. There has been concern with aspects of the organization other than the authority in our church inter alia, examine the impact of religious believe, the involuntary nature of this organization and the general impact of bureaucracy.
The uniqueness of proper assessment with hierarchy, congregational independence, governance, and proper organization does not have a strong root in our church. One of the major challenges confronting us remain the combination of administrative system with spiritualism. The church authority must agree that the value of thought must outshine conceptualization theory.
The sudden death of M/C Olayinka Olarewaju, wife to Sup Evang Pius Olarewaju (Treasurer of the registered BOT) was a surprise to the general congregation of the Church. It is a fact that the impact of her husband no doubt is a reference point in terms of accountability and transparency of church fund. Her husband devoted his time and resources to the completion of Imeko Basilica and other projects in the Church. While the financial institution of the church was strengthen under his watch, before the miscommunication of ideals between the registered BOT and the Pastor. Celestial Church of Christ generated over 2 billion naira within the time frame of 3 years & (3) domiciliary account(s) of foreign currencies; Sup Evang Olarewaju felicitated the income of the Church with friendly policies implemented during his 1,095 days as Treasurer of the Church; while the money is pending in the bank holding to the misconception of views. Ever since March 2021 that the dissolution of the registered BOT was effected by the Pastor; the general congregation of the Church as never be informed about the financial strength of the Church neither does the Church authority release any update on the financial institution of the Church like the previous BOT.
A press statement was released on the 8th of March 2023 by the spokesman of the church. The press statement was a response to the demise of MC Olayinka Olarewaju, the condolence message was said to have been approved by the Pastor, Rev EMF Oshoffa. The message also explained the sorrowfulness of the Pastor on receiving the news.
However, as a religious organization it is an administrative system that an official condolence letter would be sent to the family of the departed soul due to his personality in the Church. Instead of injecting the standard of administrative protocol, our authority operated as an onlooker to all the activities outlined for the burial arrangements of MC Olayinka Olarewaju while the family never received any correspondence of condolence from the church authority.
It was expected that the Pastor should have sent his delegate(s) of senior clergies to sympathize with Sup Evang Olarewaju; with a letter of condolence delivered to him as well. The agitation of peace talk was gently destroyed with the nonchalant attitude of the Church authority. The dispute between the Pastor and the dissolved BOT has strongly affected the development of the Church in all ramification. The Church authority must admit to push for the reconciliation through every available opportunity.
Tha physical appearance of M/S/E Olarinde never identified the proper representation of the Pastor aide’s; it a fact that the Pastor will not have send a single man to represent a Church of over 75 years old. The physical appearance of M/S/E Olarinde was only connected to his personal relationship with the family. The must set aside our difference for peace reconciliation to happen; the sudden exodus of M/C Olayinka Olarewaju weighted down of her husband; his reaction explained the significant of the woman in his life; while the Church should’ve establish a rebuild relationship through constantly visitation throughout the period. If Lagos State Government could send delegates to the burial arrangements; acknowledging the impact of Sup/Evang Olarewaju, while the Banker’s Association of Nigeria & Committee of Insurance Company in Nigeria were also present to honour the departed soul; then it’s inappropriate of our Church authority to play politics with Christianity.
The involvement of Prophet Soyemi in all the Church saga would forever remain history in the Church, Prophet Soyemi instituted different views to members in the march to achieve otherwise. The personality of Prophet Soyemi speak’s of his actoins during the dissolution of the registered BOT; however Prophet Soyemi never allowed the different school of taught to override his sense of reasoning. He paid personal visit to Sup Evang Olarewaju while he also attended the Service of songs of the departed soul. The obvious absence of the Pastor’s representative failed to represent the primary intention of Christianity.
The Pastor can not manage full scale administrative system with detailed spiritual practice together without creating division of labour. The Pastor’s office must be proactive in their way of administration. The inaction or lack of standardization needs to be corrected. A well coordinated action must be the primary purpose of people who surround the Pastor.
