adminStanely Mushava Features Correspondent
There is no way the church can remain in the light if dialogue is foreclosed on the basis that some opinions are unfavourable to powerful leaders. It is surprising that charismatic denominations should be stuck with this error, centuries after Protestants renounced the Doctrine of Papal Infallibility, which equally maintained that the pope is above criticism, because he is supposedly not prone to error.
The sibling rivalry between the prophetic camps of Emmanuel Makandiwa and Walter Magaya has been a subject of speculation since the signing up of the latter in 2013.
While the camps had managed their differences discreetly in the interest of a mutual cause, their unhealthy exchanges over the past two weeks signal work in regress.
The charismatic mega-churches are currently locked in a less than brotherly exchange following the publication of Gorindemabwe Frontier’s “100 Most Influential Zimbabweans under the Age of 40.”
The list placed Prophetic Healing and Deliverance leader Walter Magaya at Number 1 and United Family International Church (UFIC) leader Emmanuel Makandiwa at Number 3.
It proved to be an apple of discord when a man who identifies himself as a son of Prophet Magaya on social media published a full-page advertisement in the media, posing as a UFIC member to “congratulate” Prophet Makandiwa.
The UFIC had no kind words for the satirical congratulatory message and is understood to have preferred charges against its impostor son.
Prophet Makandiwa’s spokesperson Pastor Prime Kufakunesu has described the advert as “the mischievous work of elements bent on tarnishing the image and person of Prophet Makandiwa whilst stroking the greedy egos of some publicity crazy figures.”
A local daily has since traced the controversial advert to a member of PHD.
While the two leaders’ influence is not in question, it is surprising that their denominations should be locked in such a diversionary spectacle.
The cold war between the two camps, which appears to be poised towards a name-dropping escalation, is much ado about nothing.
But then, it is a symptom of several malignant tendencies eating into the charismatic movement at the expense of the propagation of the Gospel.
These include class profiling, materialism, personality cultism and the supposed immunity of Christian leaders from criticism — itself a fertile ground for heresy.
Although the writer is neither a prophet nor a prophet’s son, he is emboldened to tread where angels fear to tread in the interest of the truth.
It is imperative to call the attention of charismatic denominations to these unhealthy tendencies as they can only be allowed to thrive at the expense of the truth.
The church in Zimbabwe must desist from the auto-immune direction taken by charismatic denominations in strongholds such as the US and Nigeria where major televangelists attack fellow pastors and route themselves for primacy.
Auto-immunity, a condition whereby the body fights itself, aptly describes the state of Pentecostalism today, as popularity contests between pastors and personality cultism encouraged by their followers is causing attrition in the body of Christ.
Factionalism only demonstrates how the church is deviating from its original mandate. Popularity sideshows are bad enough for entertainers and politicians, not to speak of pastors.
Sycophant congregants who provoke their leaders to discord only demonstrate how non-core tendencies are becoming a competing centre in the church.
“What I mean is that each one of you says, ‘I follow Paul,’ or ‘I follow Apollos,’ or ‘I follow Christ.’ Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptised in the name of Paul?” Paul puts paid to attrition in the church.
As “there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism,” so there must be one message and one endeavour. Factionalism is a sign of falling away from the faith.
Personality cultism will run down denominations to franchise tangents who maintain only the identity but not the character of Christ.
This is not surprising at a time when people profess belief in God out of materialism, while resisting inward transformation.
Christians across denominations must be united in furthering one message instead of outcompeting political parties in factionalism.
Debates must contribute to a greater understanding of God’s Word instead of sycophancy which revolves around flawed humans.
Sycophancy has also poisoned Pentecostalism with the claim that men of God are above criticism. A scripture is often invoked which says to touch not God’s anointed ones and to do His prophets no harm.
Any attempt to voice a divergent opinion about a questionable doctrine is bound to land the critic in the line of fire.
A belligerent fringe of prophetic sons and daughters get all worked up whenever a dear leader is criticised.
Ironically, the name of God is being blasphemed everyday by secularist hordes in the media, educational, cultural and public institutions and the zealous are not lifting a finger to defend the faith.
Nothing can be further from logic!
The fact that criticism of prophets is equated to harm is itself an unhealthy symptom.
There is no way the church can remain in the light if dialogue is foreclosed on the basis that some opinions are unfavourable to powerful leaders.
It is surprising that charismatic denominations should be stuck with this error, centuries after Protestants renounced the Doctrine of Papal Infallibility, which equally maintained that the pope is above criticism because he is supposedly not prone to error.
One could say that the doctrine is a regress to the Dark Ages.
This writer, an inquisitive journalist by default, finds it both unconvincing and uninspiring.
If most prophets are not in agreement and on record savaging each other publicly on matters of doctrine, it follows that all of them cannot be right because truth is exclusive.
Now, their blanket immunity from criticism means many errors will be sustained.
The society in which denominations are operating is more degenerate than ever.
The church must desist from petty wars and provide leadership.
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