I am your friend, Dr. Charles Apoki, and today, I want to speak on a matter that has been weighing heavily on my heart. It’s a topic that directly impacts the body of Christ and the spiritual wellbeing of many believers: the alarming obsession with fundraising in many churches today.
This conversation stems from a discussion I had with my brother, a medical practitioner, about contentment. He rightly pointed out that when you cultivate godliness and contentment, you free yourself from unnecessary financial pressure. It’s true—those who are easily satisfied with the little they have are less likely to feel the weight of competitive and comparative living.
However, what I see today in many of our churches is far from this principle of contentment. Instead, there is a disturbing trend of constant financial pressure placed on congregants. Let’s explore why this is happening.
The Root of the Fundraising Frenzy
Historically, we can draw parallels to pre-revolutionary France. Back then, the French bishops and abbots placed heavy financial burdens on the people, demanding tithes and offerings despite widespread poverty. This hunger for wealth and grandeur triggered the French Revolution. Today, we see similar patterns in Nigeria.
Amidst economic hardships, some church leaders continue to pursue grandiose projects—mega halls, housing estates, private jets, and extravagant programs. These ventures require enormous sums of money, which in turn demand relentless fundraising from members.
To maintain these oversized ministries, leaders face escalating costs:
- Rising fuel prices for generators and buses to transport congregants.
- High maintenance expenses for air-conditioned auditoriums.
- Lavish spending on guest speakers, top musicians, and high-priced events to maintain the excitement and loyalty of the congregation.
This cycle creates a system where congregants are overburdened with giving, while the true purpose of the church—to grow spiritually and impact lives—is sidelined.
The Consequences of Excessive Fundraising
I receive messages daily from Christians and even ordained ministers who have stopped attending church because of these pressures. Many feel disillusioned and spiritually drained. They see the church focusing more on money and numbers than on spiritual growth.
We are witnessing:
- Spiritual Decay: Sunday schools and new convert classes have been reduced to mere indoctrination into church doctrines rather than nurturing genuine faith.
- Financial Strain on Members: Many members are coerced into giving beyond their means, leading to resentment and a mass exodus from churches.
- Leadership Crisis: Leaders are driven by the need to report impressive key performance indicators (KPIs) like attendance and remittances to headquarters, often resorting to falsified figures to maintain their positions.
A Call to Action
This is not an attack on the church but a heartfelt plea for change. We must remind ourselves that the church’s mission is to build people, not just structures. The early church grew through discipleship, not statistics.
Church leaders must shift their focus from material grandiosity to spiritual growth. True success in ministry is not measured by the size of buildings or the fleet of private jets but by transformed lives and godly character.
To my fellow Christians, I urge you:
- Speak up. Raise your voices and hold your leaders accountable.
- Return to the basics of faith. Invest in spiritual growth and impact rather than falling prey to manipulative fundraising schemes.
- Support sincere ministries. Many smaller, quieter ministries are doing the work of God with humility and dedication.
A Final Word
I believe in giving—I give myself. I’ve supported scholarship programs, conducted training to empower communities, and invested in initiatives that bring real transformation. But giving must come from a place of conviction, not coercion.
Let us return to the heart of the gospel and call our leaders to order. The work of God is too precious to be destroyed by the greed and grandiosity of a few.
I remain your friend, Dr. Charles Apoki. God bless you.
P.S. Don’t forget to register for my upcoming webinar on Maximizing Your Life on December 6th and 7th. Send a WhatsApp message to +234 80 2121 9262 to sign up
