Ever since the government announced the closure of more than 1,400 churches, many Christians have immediately concluded that this is persecution against the Church. While I understand why many people feel that way, I honestly think we need to be more careful before using the word PERSECUTION.
As someone who deeply loves the Church, believes in revival, and has spent years serving within Pentecostal circles, I also believe we owe ourselves the honesty to admit that not every government intervention against a church automatically amounts to persecution. Sometimes, it may simply be the enforcement of order where disorder has been allowed to flourish.
1. PERSECUTION IS NOT THE SAME THING AS REGULATION.
Historically, persecution occurs when a government seeks to suppress the Christian faith simply because it is Christianity. The apostles were imprisoned because they preached Christ. Early believers were executed because they refused to deny Jesus. That is persecution.
However, when a government enforces regulations concerning public safety, noise pollution, land use, health standards, or legal registration, that is a different conversation altogether. One may disagree with how those regulations are applied, but we should not automatically equate regulation with persecution.
Even the New Testament teaches that governing authorities have a legitimate role in maintaining public order (Romans 13:1–7).
2. WE CANNOT DENY THE GOOD PENTECOSTALISM HAS DONE, BUT WE MUST ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE ITS EXCESSES.
I say this as someone who has been profoundly shaped by Pentecostal Christianity. My passion for prayer, revival, the ministry of the Holy Spirit, evangelism, and spiritual hunger was greatly nurtured within Pentecostal circles. I will always be grateful for that heritage.
However, gratitude should never prevent honesty.
We cannot deny that alongside genuine moves of God, there has also been an alarming rise of untrained, unaccountable, and self-appointed ministers who wake up one morning, rent a room the next day, and by the weekend have declared themselves “General Overseer,” “Major Prophet,” or “Chief Apostle.”
Many of these ministries operate with absolutely no theological training, no accountability structure, no denominational covering, no financial transparency, and no pastoral oversight.
That should concern every sincere Christian.
3. THE LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY HAS HARMED THE TESTIMONY OF THE CHURCH.
One of the strengths of many historic Protestant and Catholic traditions is that they have established systems of accountability. A priest or pastor is ordinarily trained, examined, ordained, and supervised. If serious misconduct occurs, there are structures for discipline.
Unfortunately, much of modern Pentecostalism has embraced an unhealthy individualism where anyone can claim, “God called me,” and that statement alone becomes sufficient qualification for ministry.
The consequences are obvious.
False prophecies.
Financial exploitation.
Psychological manipulation.
Fake miracles.
Doctrinal confusion.
Noise disturbances during overnight services with little consideration for surrounding communities.
Unsafe meeting places.
Abuses carried out in the name of deliverance.
The list goes on.
To acknowledge these realities is not to attack Pentecostalism. It is to love it enough to desire reform.
4. SOMETIMES GOD BRINGS REFORMATION THROUGH UNEXPECTED MEANS.
I am not suggesting that every action taken by the government is perfect or that governments are always motivated by righteous intentions. They are not.
However, throughout Scripture, God has often used secular authorities to accomplish His purposes. Cyrus was a pagan king, yet God called him “My shepherd” because he would accomplish God’s purposes (Isaiah 44:28–45:1). Nebuchadnezzar became an instrument of God’s discipline upon Judah. Even the Roman government unknowingly fulfilled God’s redemptive plan through the crucifixion of Christ.
Could it be that God is using this moment to call His Church back to order, accountability, sound doctrine, and integrity?
I believe that is at least worth considering.
5. THE CHURCH DOES NOT FEAR ACCOUNTABILITY.
If a ministry is genuinely serving Christ, operating lawfully, caring for people responsibly, and preaching the Gospel faithfully, it should not be afraid of legitimate accountability.
In fact, Scripture repeatedly teaches that “all things should be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40).
Order is not the enemy of revival.
Accountability is not the enemy of the Holy Spirit.
Structure does not quench genuine moves of God.
The Holy Spirit who filled the Church at Pentecost is the same Spirit who inspired Paul to insist upon order within the gathered assembly.
MY PRAYER FOR CAMEROON.
My prayer is not that churches should be closed.
My prayer is that false churches become true churches.
My prayer is that charlatans either repent or leave the pulpit.
My prayer is that genuine servants of God would flourish without unnecessary governmental interference.
My prayer is that theological training, accountability, pastoral integrity, and biblical discipleship become the norm rather than the exception.
The Church is too precious to be left without accountability, and the Gospel is too glorious to be obscured by the excesses of a few.
Perhaps this season should not only make us ask, “Why is the government doing this?”
It should also make us ask, “What must the Church learn from this?”
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
📲 For prayer, counselling, mentorship, and discipleship: +237 682 80 78 51
🔥 Follow Revival Waves Global as we pursue CHRIST-CENTRED teaching, SOUND DOCTRINE, REVIVAL, and BIBLICAL DISCIPLESHIP.
Penned by a burdened one,
Apostle Lawrence Ngano
0 Comments