The born again churches in Uganda have of recent undergone a terrific crisis, with several unpleasant stories about church leaders, coming as headlines in newspapers.
Apostle Charles Tumwine of New Life Harvest church international and Ebenezer World Outreach ministry has said government is working on a Religious policy that is going to be turned into a law.
He adds that this regulation is going to be key in helping Church leaders know “these men and women that are tarnishing the image of the body of Christ.”
“The Church today has gone through a metamorphosis of sorts. The Church has evolved over years, and particularly the Pentecostal Church, to the extent that what was the basic, is no longer the basic. This is because of the rules that have changed – the game changers – people that have come into service unto the Lord.” He said on Thursday during one Television interview.
Apostle Charles Tumwine notes that some new breed of preachers have either not had training, or have had the training but have chosen to abuse the training
“In times past, it used to be procedures, structures but today,.. we have a lot that is lacking…because of the intrusion – the new players that have come on scene – they have turned ministry into lucrative thing. And they think to them; this is what I have to do in order to survive, this is what I have to do in-order to cause ends to meet.” He told Peter Kamara, Host of ‘On the Spot’ on NTV Uganda.
“The main stream churches have structures and are doing amazingly well. but our formation and background has been totally different. At the start of Pentecostalism, 50 years or so – there wasn’t much emphasis on training and arising leaders of integrity. It is up until recently that we are beginning to emerge and say that hey, it is crucial, it is important that before the ordination, you must be taken through the criteria. We have a bunch of people at the pulpit, in the Pentecostal church, 7 mountains of influence who are not trained.” He added.
Addressing the luxurious life style of some preachers, Apostle Charles Tumwine said: “The vehicles we are driving, the places of residence, is a sign of the transformational work of Jesus Christ. It is my responsibility as a team leader of the local church that I lead to make sure that I show them the way to go and how they can pull out of poverty.”
“No one is supposed to pray for any one at a fee. And no one is supposed to charge for counseling or to be attended to. These are the word we have been trying to tell government. In 1990, when the NGO bill came into force, it caused every body to come on board, even those people that had not received the basic elementary training. Everyone came because they could afford the fee to the NGO board and up until 2010 when the NGO bill was revoked, now government is working on a religious policy that is going to be turned in to a law. And it is at this point that regulation is going to be key and it is that we are going to know these men and women that are tarnishing the image of the body of Christ.” He said.
“And I’m glad that the ministry of Ethics and Integrity has come up so well. I seat on those various committees on behalf of the church of Jesus and we have been interacting with father lokodo and the secretariat. When it has come into force, we shall know those that have been serving for the sake of their stomachs and those that have been serving God as a calling.” He said.
Asked how can one tell the good Pastor from the bad, Tumwine said Christians should Fruit. It is our responsibility as the leadership of Uganda to safe guard the image of the church of Jesus Christ.
marvin@ugchristiannews.com
