By Oladipo Oluwatosin
On a Sunday morning, church halls are full. The choirs sing, the lights shine, and the pulpits gleam with polished wood. But behind the applause, offerings, and titles, a crisis is unfolding: many pastors have stopped seeing members as disciples of Christ. Instead, they treat them as paying customers.
This dilemma—though modern in appearance—is as old as the Bible itself. The prophet Jeremiah thundered against such leaders, warning in Jeremiah 23:1: “Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the Lord.”
From Shepherds to Salesmen
Across the Christian landscape today, the pulpit often doubles as a marketplace. Messages that once centered on repentance and holiness are now tailored like advertisements: “Give to receive,” “Sow to grow,” “Support the vision to secure your breakthrough.”
While God calls pastors to feed His sheep with truth, many are more concerned with keeping their pews full and their accounts running. Members are encouraged to become loyal customers—paying for miracles, anointing oil, and “prophetic consultations.”
Fighting for Titles, Not Souls
The competition among church leaders is another symptom. Who has the grandest auditorium? Who carries the biggest title? Who dominates the airwaves? Ministry becomes a contest of power and visibility rather than a mission of service.
Yet, Jesus said plainly: “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant” (Mark 10:43). The race for positions and followers is dismantling the very spirit of servant leadership.
Personal Altars vs. God’s Altar
In the Old Testament, King Jeroboam built altars of convenience to keep people tied to him (1 Kings 12:28–30). Today, many pastors do the same. Ministries become extensions of personal ego rather than platforms for Christ. Congregants are urged to serve “the man of God” rather than God Himself.
This shift has created a spiritual famine. Churches are filled with activities but thin on truth. Members are entertained but not discipled. And a generation rises that knows more about their pastor’s brand than about Jesus Christ.
God’s Response: A Change of Shepherds
The good news is that God is not silent. He promised in Jeremiah 3:15: “I will give you pastors according to my heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.”
This means the Church is not abandoned. God is in the business of raising genuine shepherds—men and women who fear Him, who preach the whole counsel of His Word, and who guide people to Christ rather than to themselves.
Voices from the Pew
“I just want a pastor who will tell me the truth,” says Grace, a university student who has changed churches three times in two years. “Sometimes it feels like we are being groomed to serve leaders’ ambitions, not Christ’s mission.”
Her story is echoed in many places. From Lagos to London, members are waking up to the difference between loyalty to Christ and loyalty to a brand.
The Way Forward
The Church must return to its foundation:
- Pastors must see themselves as shepherds, not CEOs.
- Members must ground themselves in Scripture, not in personalities.
- Leaders must prioritize building God’s altar—teaching truth, holiness, and love.
- As the Apostle Peter reminds us: “Feed the flock of God which is among you… not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind” (1 Peter 5:2).
Closing Reflection
The Church is not a business empire. It is the Body of Christ, bought with His blood. When pastors turn members into customers, they betray their calling. But God, the Chief Shepherd, is purifying His house. He will expose false shepherds and raise true ones.
The question remains: Are we following Christ or simply consuming religion?
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