Politics is found in every facet of life where there is a need for leadership. In the Bible, when Judas Iscariot fell out of the 12 apostles of Jesus Christ, the eleven had to pray and cast lots to choose someone to replace Judas (Acts 1:12-26). Obviously, in a democratic society as the church is, there should be election to appoint leaders, synonymous to Ghana going to the pools to elect a president every four years. Prior to elections which is a cycle, people employ a lot of methods to make themselves popular and make others unpopular. These involve employing almost every method; right or wrong, good or bad, healthy or unhealthy, to achieve this blasphemous, derogatory and vituperative ambition. Church politics in my opinion have two ugly faces; intra-churches politics and inter-churches politics.
Intra-churches politics
This internal and it is demonstrated when leaders are being opted in a church. It could be in the connexion, diocesan or the local church. Like the case of political parties, people form camps and factions to propel the political insinuations of others who wish to hold leadership positions in the church. These camps are the basic unit of lunching attacks and propagating falsehood about opponents.
There are weapons like “when did you come?” In this tool, only people who were born in the church or have some sort of self acquired popularity are considered “known” and can occupy certain positions. Whiles I speak, the tedious “job for the boys “and less thought of positions are given to people considered “less known” despite the fact that these people have proven ability and credentials that they can manage the affairs of the church. In fact the selection of leaders for these churches is not based on any spiritual direction, but it is directed by unspiritual influence. Some of the issues they consider are family background, financial standing, and the pedigree of such people, not taking into consideration what is written in 1st Timothy 3 concerning the election of leaders of the church. Thus we should not be in a dilemma when these leaders mess up when they have taken office. The church is however cautioned not to put people who have not distinguished themselves in matters concerning the gospel and its propagation in position of high repute.
Inter-Churches politics
It is usually found in churches in the same vicinity or territorial province. It is characterised by a church or more orchestrating and designing deadly arrows, using strong, blasphemous, and vituperative and heart breaking words against another church to make it unpopular. These attacks are usually lunched on the Pastors, leaders, rituals, activities and teachings of the host churches. For example some churches associate others with idol worship. These parasitic churches have tailored all their strength, teachings, materials and activities towards proving that other churches are wrong and have missed the providential way neglecting the Greatest Commission of preaching the word of God (Mathew 28:19-20). On assumption that these churches are wrong in the theological sense, back biting, sabotaging and saying evil things about it is not a healthy means of addressing the issue; instead, the right-church can explain its concepts and interpretation of these controversial theological ideas. It should however be noted that certain biblical texts have more than one theological interpretation which are all valid and canonised.
Conclusion
Often times the church forgets that it is a “...chosen generation a royal priesthood a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” (1 Peter 2:9-10). The preceding text perfectly describes the ultimate purpose of the church—to praise the Almighty God. Let us inquire of ourselves, is this kind of inter and intra church politics a glory to our make? It is also expedient to know that it is God who has called all Christians and churches who believe in his redemption for depraved man. Finally, the church is supposed to be filled with people who are striving to achieve perfection. Our jealousy and zeal should be towards the work of God and not toward destroying ourselves.
Eugene Sam-Okyere
[Email: ugsam2000@yahoo.co.uk]