Missionary condemns ‘business pastors’

A missionary of the United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI), Reverend Chris Gibbs, last Sunday made a stunning observation when he acknowledged the existence of ‘business pastors’ in Pentecostal churches.

The observation comes a week after some worshippers questioned the authenticity of prophecies made by some Pentecostal pastors in their efforts to persuade more people to join their churches and ministries.

In our last week’s Nation on Sunday religion feature, a number of interviewees argued that most of the Pentecostal preachers were not commissioned by God to serve in their various capacities.

Others noted that some pastors joined spiritual ministries after failing to secure employment elsewhere.

And in an interview on Sunday on the sidelines of the ‘Holy Ghost Explosion Revival’ which took place in Blantyre, Gibbs admitted the existence of ‘business-minded clerics’ in the Pentecostal territory.

“There are indeed pastors who have joined this ministry to enrich themselves. But that’s very unfortunate because we are not called to be rich,” he said.

The missionary said pastors were not called to lead opulent and posh lifestyles, arguing that this is against the teachings of Jesus Christ who led a simple and humble life on earth.

“We are called to be poor as Jesus Christ was. For instance, I have left my wealth and parents back home to serve God in Malawi where I get not even a single tambala to feed my family.

“My wife and I left our jobs to evangelise in anticipation of no financial rewards. It’s my prayer God would touch the lives of pastors who are turning the church into their money-spinners,” he stressed.