church
By Enock Kipkoech
As the country nears election, Kenyans are used to fashionably dressed politicians driving into their churches with an aim of identifying with the congregants and hopefully persuade them to vote for them when the right time comes. As a matter of fact they find this to be a great opportunity that cannot be left to chance. These politicians are willing to do anything from providing large amounts of funds to sweet talks as long as they gain trust from the congregants. As much as this may be the case, politicians should be reminded that churches are a place of spiritual nourishment. It is a place where people are taught about salvation, morality and scripture. For sure it is not a place to make empty political promises that one is uncertain of its fulfillment. Religious leaders are sometimes tempted to turn sermons into political advertisements for political candidates who at that moment are seated upfront happily receiving the praise they do not deserve.
If we give space to politics in our churches then it will possibly do us more harm than good. It can tear down congregations through division. This can be caused when the politicians make divisive and unedifying speeches. Some congregants, who view the church as a holy place which requires purity, will be downhearted as they watch the looming menace of politicians capturing the church. In fact most people think that politicians should just be recognized and nothing else. However since they are influential people they can be given a chance to only greet the congregation at the end of the service. They should avoid campaigning and abusing each other in church. Politicians are not being denied the opportunity to worship. Yes they can go to church but act as members at that moment.
Some churches currently view politicizing as a means of disrespecting the sanctity of worship. This has resulted in them barring politicians from addressing the congregation. They claim that when a person is going to a place of worship, they know what they are going to do and therefore, no one should take advantage. As much as politics has been banned in Kenya by most churches, most politicians currently are ignoring that fact. The church should focus however on the wellbeing of their members and avoid political matters. They should focus on the flocks that are currently divided by politics and ethnicity as it seems.
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