How The Church Can Lead Socio-Economic Transformation In Nigeria

Thursday, December 26, 2019 /06.37PM /Ottoabasi Abasiekong for WebTV / Header Image Credit: Youtube

The Church remains a key pivot for drivingsocio-economic transformation in Nigeria. Senior Pastor of the Elevation ChurchPastor Godman Akinlabi said at the opening benediction for the recent 2019Workplace event organized by Rise Networks.

According to him any religion that is not concernedwith improving the lives of people, is a moribund religion.

Pastor Akinlabi cited Rev Dr Martin Luther King(Jnr) a Baptist preacher who was instrumental to the civil rights movement inthe United States of America , that sought to address the racial discriminationin the 1960s as example of the role the church can play in socialtransformation.

Through the efforts Rev King and other civil rightsmovement leaders America was able to achieve racial reconciliation.

In Nigeria, Akinlabi said the challenge is tacklingpoverty which is a menace alongside the rising rise in population.

Another point of interest was how Nigeria would tackleits infrastructure deficit and take on practical development projects, thatwould have lasting impact on the nation.

The Senior Pastor of Elevation Church acknowledgedthat 65% of Nigeria's population are between the 15 and 35 year agebracket.

He noted that Nigeria is a very religious country andthat would not change, but he made a strong case for the conscious support forthe development of the nation.

He emphasized the need for the Church to raisevibrant, dynamic and industrious Nigerians, who can contribute to theproductivity of the nation.

According to him "We must be careful of not raising aset of people who are heavenly conscious, but earthly useless".

He called for concerted efforts from the Church inequipping Christians to tap into the opportunities provided by the fourthindustrial revolution, fostered by digital technology.

For him, the focus is to equip the youth and sensitizethem on the fourth industrial revolution and the digital skills they need tobecome globally competitive.

He challenged Faith-based organizations in Nigeriasaying that "We cannot be this religious in Nigeria and still emerge thepoverty capital of the globe.".

The Elevation Church Founder also cited the ProtestantChurch Work Ethics led by Martin Luther according to political scientist, MaxWeber, this was the facilitator of the Second Industrial Revolution thatstrengthened capitalism.

Akinlabi admonished the Church to emphasize the need forChristians to apply their faith to their various fields and disciplines, fromthe marketplace, professions, politics to the business environment which willinvariably lead to socio-economic transformation.

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