Archbishop Eric Emiaso is the Prelate and Head of Mission, Gospel Church of Christ Worldwide. In this interview with EJIKEME OMENAZU, he speaks on his leadership experience in the ministry among other issues. Excerpt:
Could you describe your tenure and leadership experience as the Head of Mission, Gospel Church of Christ?
I appreciate the Almighty God for the privilege to be the Head of the Gospel Church of Christ Worldwide from 2018 to date. It has been wonderful and great. It is a memorable experience. I thank God that since I came on the saddle, there has been relative peace and unity among the church members and leadership. It is where there is peace there can be progress.
We have not had any breakaway and no infighting. It has been peaceful. We thank God the members in all the regions and branches gladly accepted me and believe in my leadership. They have been supporting me since I came on board as the Head of the Mission. We have been able to achieve a lot with the opening of more branches across the country, both in the North and East. We now have a thriving branch in Abakaliki and others are coming up.
During my tenure, the church has experienced spiritual, numerical and economic growth. There is unity among the regional overseers, branch pastors, and departmental leaders. One of the key achievements of during tenure is the establishment of a Youth Sunday, a Sunday set aside every month, where the youth run the affairs of the church. It was established to give them the opportunity for us to nurture, monitor, mentor, and see them grow. It is not only to have a class and teach youth leadership, but to also allow them to practicalise leadership. As fathers, we watch them doing this and correct them where necessary.
We have had the first female bishop in the church. It made the women have a sense of belonging, encouraged their development and enhanced their self-discovery. If you carry women along in the church or ministry, it will be stable. But, if it is only men’s affairs, there will be lopsidedness. To the glory of God, I emerged as the first Archbishop of this mission. Two years ago, we consecrated three bishops. This year, we are consecrating two bishops. God used my tenure to manage, develop, and grow the church to a height. All these could not have been achieved without peace and love.
What is your succession plan for the church?
Success without a successor is a failure. There is a plan for my successor. The church is working on that. But, it is not for me to discuss now, and not my sole decision. As a church and organisation, it requires the Holy Spirit, church leadership and the constitution to decide at the right time.
What do you feel about the present state of Christianity?
The present state of Christian standards does not isolate only Nigeria. It is all over the world. After COVID-19, Christianity has witnessed and experienced a downward trend. In Europe and America, most people no longer go to church. That is what is happening all over the world. On Sundays, people sit at home, glued to their televisions, phones, tablets or laptops to do virtual service. But in Nigeria, COVID-19 did not affect the attendance and commitment of Christians. Rather, it drew people to God and people still come to church. Many Christians became stronger in faith and worked to forge ahead. Despite the prevailing economic situation, insecurity and spiritual challenges, we can conclude that Christianity in Nigeria is getting stronger and fulfilling its purpose. This is not without some challenges, persecution and killing of Christians in some parts of the country. Notwithstanding the many charlatans as general overseers and founders, Christianity in Nigeria is doing well and waxing stronger.
With decadence of character and societal values, has the church impacted on society enough?
The church has significantly impacted society, especially in the area of solving spiritual and social challenges. As the church prays for the needs of members and the society, it also supports and contributes to those needs, mostly in the area of health, which in developed countries, is a government’s sole responsibility. In Europe, America, and some developed countries, they do not play with their health institutions. The government takes care of its citizens’ health. But, it is not so in Nigeria. That is why most people run to the church for healing and deliverance.
In the past, it used to be a collaboration of the church, the home, society and the government together, to bring people up in the area of morals and character. But today, the government, home, school, and society, have left the assignment of moral, character, social and spiritual upbringing to the church. They have left their part and are not playing their expected role. That has overwhelmed the church and affected its impact on society.
If a child goes to school and does any wrong, the school will discipline the child. When the child gets home, the child will receive more discipline. If that matter gets to the church, it will do its spiritual part to counsel and pray for the child. The government plays its role through education and enlightenment of values which have been eroded and are no longer being taught today. It is supposed to be a joint effort, to raise people to be of good morals. We need the school, the church, the home, and the government. Today, the church is being blamed for everything, including not being able to influence the moral and character values of members of the society. Until we see the assignment as a collaborative effort, the church alone will not be able to single-handedly affect the society as supposed. In the 1960s till about 1988, those were the days, when everyone combined to bring up a child. But, that is not the case today. Everyone is blaming the church, even when the church does something when it gets out of the church. The society will frown at it. This is the 21st Century, when you do not flog children. The church is weakened to do many things. Even when someone sins, instead of joining the church to condemn that sin, the society will say, ‘Is he the first to commit such a sin?’ That is where the problem lies. These are some of the challenges the church is facing today. The church is more or less overburdened and overwhelmed. What is not supposed to be the assignment for the church are now pushed to the church. How many hours do people spend in church? How many hours do they stay at home and in school? These are supposed to be a major concern and talk about. Whatever they preach to people, they take home and some will leave whatever the church preached at the gates of the church and go home.
