The Bishop of Ohaji/Egbema Diocese, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Rt. Rev. Chidi Oparaojiaku has said the church has abdicated its responsibility of preaching the gospel and making disciples of all nations. He said many churches not only focus on secondary assignments but most alarmingly, are also filled with people that don’t consider themselves disciples or followers of Jesus Christ.

At the 3rd Session of the Third Synod held at St. Patrick’s Church, Assa Ohaji, Imo State, the Bishop, who spoke on the theme: “Mission as never before,” said the mission is the primary task of the Christian Church, which exists by mission.

Bishop Oparaojiaku compared the state of Nigerian churches to how Keith Giles described the American Church as being “largely focused on providing goods and services, light Christian entertainment, inspirational sermons, emotionally charged worship sets, and a variety of programmes designed to keep families with teens and young children coming back week after week.”

Explaining that God’s vision is global evangelisation, Oparaojiaku said it is the disciples’ duty to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to all creatures, first by making them believers and then turning them into disciples.

He said many Christians forget that they are pilgrims on the earth; hence they remain focused on earthly rewards and relax in their earthly status. He admonished preachers to remind believers of their pilgrim status and preach sermons on death, resurrection after death and eternal reward to spur Christians to preach the gospel.

“Preachers must present not book reviews, politics, economics and philosophy of life, denying the Bible and based upon improving theories of science, but the word. It shouldn’t be about preaching one’s ideas, other men’s ideas, philosophy, psychology, self-image, self-righteousness, ego-boasters or man-made religion,” he said.

He stressed that nothing should hinder Christians from preaching God’s Word.

The cleric debunked the conception that evangelism is an expression of hatred to non-Christians, saying evangelism expresses the love of Christ.