Earlier this week, a photo of a pledge card from Prophet Mbonye’s church made rounds on social media, sparking a barrage of ruthless comments from Socialmusers (social media users).
A Lukiga phrase; Bashasha akajweka ente akarega, loosely translated as a sympathiser dressed a cow in a bra, teaches me to mind my own business. Giving a cow bra is not helping! No, it instead makes the sympathiser look stupid.
See unlike the Anglicans, Catholics and Moslems, the Pentecostals are in an era where they are trying to redeem themselves from a bad reputation. When I switched to Pentecostal Christianity more than a decade back, it was known as edini y’ebiwempe -religion of papyrus reeds. This name sprung up because at that time, the churches had poor physical structures, many made from papyrus reeds. By then I think going to heaven meant being actually poor and true to that, pastors and their wives were poor because they did not do anything else but preach and prep for sermons.
Fast forward, I think this has totally changed. Pastors now have jobs outside church. They have jobs both in the formal and informal sector. They are able to take care of themselves and their families before church comes in. The Christians are also in an era where they cannot afford to pray in Biwempe anymore. It is for that reason that many who haven’t acquired land are hiring space in nice hotels or other classy places. As soon as they acquire land they want to put up God-glorifying structures that will serve for generations. Now, nobody is going to bring that money to your face and tell you to build a church.The early churches, Catholics and Anglicans should be glad missionaries and their forefathers did that for them. If we Pentecostals are to do things that will benefit generations to come, we have to undertake the investment now.
It is suprising therefore that when such a pledge card leaks to the public people say pastors are extorting money from believers. We cannot rule out the fact that some do. However, it is wrong to judge people before knowing all the facts.
Before we even go after pastors whose sheep are willingly giving, why don’t we jump onto MPs who want to be buried in gold plated coffins imported from the US at the expense of tax payers? These same MPs then go blubbering that government is not taking care of local producers? Aren’t there coffin makers right behind Kikoni?
When I give in church, I give for my personal beliefs. I think many more Christians do the same. I think everyone who gives money in church gives it with good intentions. It could be tithe, offertory or whatever it is. It shouldn’t be our business to feel like they are being extorted because no one wants to be told they are having a little too much at the bar especially if they have the money. Let us cut the bashasha spirit.
Remember I am #justsaying! :-)
Column returns next Wednesday