Lost in translation [Part 1]
Bishop Eric Mosimanegape
The leader of the Mercy City Church based in Molepolole disclaims from the onset that he prefers not to comment on another man of God. He emphasises that it is important for his fellow workers in the vineyard to focus the people on the word of God.
He agrees that indeed miracles can happen, but it is important to know the word of God. His concern is that the gospel has been diverted to focus on individuals and the church as compared to the word of God and the bible.
He emphasises that churches should go back to the concept of bible studies so people can know God and his teachings so they are able to repent and go back to Christ.
Apostle Bagwasi Bagwasi
Bagwasi is the leader of the Victory Fellowship World Outreach Centre based in Gaborone. He concurs with Mosimanegape and admits that the image of the church has changed from what it used to be. According to him, the change is due to the loss of the core message that used to be there.
Bagwasi observes that when the message changes people also change. The bible is not against prosperity, however prosperity does not only refer to tangible things and prosperity of wealth is not the core message. If you preach ‘prosperity’ things that attract people chances are you will miss out on the core message of the bible which is the ‘Cross of Jesus’.
There is life after death, heaven and hell. That is why Jesus preached repentance. You need to change your ways and your life and your perception of God. If Jesus was to walk into a church he would ask, do you have an eternal life? Are you saved? That is the core issue.
His other concern is the escalating use of ‘water and oils’ together with the prophecies which do not relate to eternity. Traditional doctors no longer have roles in society.
Bishop Oreeditse Kgotla
The head of the Highway of Holiness Embassy in Kanye says the change of the image of the church has been caused by various reasons; people no longer seek God.
People don’t seek spiritual things; they want material things. People are looking for immediate gratification. For us to be strong as people we need to be strong in faith.
There is nothing wrong with praying and waiting for God to respond. People call themselves Baruti but they are merely cashing in on the desperation of other people. The church is no longer taken as the bible dictates.
Go nna moruti ke kgwebo. People are going to church to buy and sell. People are going to church every day but they are not born again.
Bishop Percival Mtetwa
He is the author of a book titled, ‘Money issues and the church’. He starts by asking when we say ‘church’ is that the definition of the Lord? A church is not only an organisation registered at home affairs.
Church refers to the followers of the Lord. Jesus has said it before why call me Lord, when you do not do what I tell you? You need to grow spiritually so you can have a relationship with God. There is a ‘false’ church which is visible everywhere. It goes back to leadership, using manmade approaches to issues. Believe and trust God to heal you.
At the same time some people God never heals and we have to come to that maturity as the church. We are no longer able to differentiate between what is of God, and what is not of God. We are very gullible as Batswana, due to poverty and illnesses.
People are desperate. ‘Your mother is a woman. Yes, man of God’. People want anyone who says I have something for you. But that is the bait to lure you into the trap. How can you pay to receive prayer and healing or deliverance that is not biblical? So many gimmicks are being used.
We have nothing against young pastors, we are not jealous. And yes, some of them are truly anointed by God.
Reverend Dr. John Philip
Philip runs the Botswana Bible Training Institution. He states that the biblical standard as set by the bible is that Christ is the head of the church. He who wants to be great amongst you must be your servant. Every church leader knows that Christ was a man who performed miracles, who could walk on water, yet Christ was able to ride a donkey. That is the standard.
When is a gift a gift from God? There are gifts that are not from God. The church should not be taken to be beyond the life of an ordinary person. Any moruti wanting to live lavishly, how is he going to reach the poor and ordinary?
Being a moruti is a servant-hood that cannot be changed into anything else. The lavish lifestyle is out. It is in contradiction with the scripture.
