In this thought-provoking interview, Dr Bernard Eta responds to the claim by some younger ministers that “the fathers have failed.” His response may challenge long-held assumptions. Read the interview below and join the conversation.
Question (Rev Bobbs Lyonga):
There is a growing narrative among some within the present generation of ministers that “the fathers have failed.” What is your perspective on this assertion?
Answer (Dr Bernard Eta):
“Before we talk about whether the fathers have failed or not, an assertion by some of the upcoming generation, it is vital we begin our journey by properly defining a father. It is critical we get it right to avoid failed expectations, for a wall can't serve as a door.
Who is a father?
The Lord said to Abraham, ‘I have made you a father of many nations.’ Genesis 17:4–6.
Fathers are not born but are made. God must make one a father for the individual to become a father.
Should we question whether the young generation's frustration stemmed from expecting significant impact from leaders who were merely heads of their denominations and not fathers of the body of Christ?
It is worth noting that fathers aren't long-serving denominational leaders with no influence on the body of Christ beyond the four walls of their denomination. Fathers are those raised by God to serve the body of Christ (Eph 2:20).
Could it be that those the younger generation looked up to as fathers were merely public servants of their denominations, whose scope of vision and operation were limited to their denominations?
As someone who became a member of the body of Christ in the early 80s in Cameroon, I can say without mincing words that Cameroon didn't really have father figures with wide-encompassing vision, mission, and resourcefulness beyond their own missions.
Some of the people hailed as fathers were denominationalists, beneficial for their denominations but without a vision for the body of Christ.
Some of them went as far as fighting men sent by God they deemed as a threat to their denominational interests. Even those the Lord raised within their denominations were suppressed, and others were persecuted and chased away.
All these were done in their efforts to protect denominational interests, not the body of Christ.
I could author a book on this subject, as I have not only observed it but have also experienced it firsthand.
Denominational leaders aren't fathers of the body of Christ. The Apostolic Fathers of the early church and beyond didn't serve denominations but the body of Christ.
In my opinion, based on who fathers really are, Cameroon didn't have fathers at any time but denominational individuals who only believed in their own denominations.
Sadly, when the Lord started a process of raising fathers for the church in Cameroon, these denominationalists saw them as a threat and attacked them viciously, and the younger generation, due to ignorance, also joined in the persecution.
The result is the situation of the church in Cameroon, where many young leaders are serving the Lord as orphans.
If truth be told, those the younger generation thought were fathers weren't, but like the Pharisees and Sadducees, these denominational heads are the same individuals who have resisted the move of God in Cameroon and persecute those the Lord sent (Matthew 23:37).
Apostle Paul and the fathers of the early church were not denominational leaders but fathers of the body of Christ. They had no denomination but served one church, the body of Christ.
Until such individuals are raised in a nation, the nation will be far from real spiritual breakthrough.
When the Lord brought Dr Billy Lubansa in the early 90s to prepare the way for a new generation of fathers, he also faced betrayal from denominational leaders.
That is why many young Cameroonians keep looking outside for fathers. Those the Lord raised for the nation were chased away.
The stone the builders rejected is the chief cornerstone.
We can conclude that the fathers didn't fail; you can't expect a wall to serve as a door.
Those considered fathers weren't there for the body of Christ but for their denominations, which is disqualifying. Fathers must serve the body of Christ and not just their denominations.
Also, we can say that the younger generation saying the fathers have failed have actually failed in pursuing the truth about the kingdom of God but are driven by fantasies and vanities, which accounts for why they go after whatever glitters. Most of their choice for fathers is driven by their vanities and not spirituality.
Until the church in Cameroon accepts its true apostolic leaders, they will continue to wander in the wilderness.”
What is your opinion on the statement by some younger ministers that “the fathers have failed”?
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