Christianity in Nigeria is undergoing turbulence and attacks primarily due to the compromise in its leadership. The purpose of God, in Isaiah 9:6 that “the government shall be upon His shoulder”, is for the Body of Christ to be the agent of God to establish the government of the kingdom of God on earth. The Church had the divine mandate to produce the leaders in the land that will provide righteous governance.
Unfortunately, the opposite is the case because some of the Church leaders placed personal selfish interest above the corporate interest of the Body of Christ. This compromise was witnessed during the 2015, 2019, and 2023 elections in Nigeria. Emerging signals indicate the Church leaders will repeat the cycle in 2027 if remedial measures are not put in place.
Under the circumstances, Christians need to find an alternative structure to build Christian political consensus and use their numerical strength in the country to bring righteous people into power. The current political class has discredited itself through unbridled acts of corruption, impunity, and lawlessness.
Nigeria Church is made up of 5 Church Groups (Blocs) as follows:
- Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN)
- Christian Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria/Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (CPFN/PFN)
- Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN)
- Organization of African Instituted Churches (OIC)
- TEKAN/ECWA
These five groups established two bodies to represent Christianity in Nigeria. The two bodies are:
1. Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) – Est. 1976
2. Christian Social Movement of Nigeria (CSMN) - Est. 2001
CAN is managed by the clergy, while CSMN is under the laity (Church members.) CAN was established to build unity amongst the various denominations while CSMN was established as the socio-political arm of the Church. In effect, CSMN was established to build political unity and supervise Christian engagement in governance. Regrettably, this role was being played by the clergy using CAN as a political structure.
It is time for the laity to play its role of mobilizing and harmonizing Christian professionals, and Christian voters, to build a unified position and ensure that credible, competent, and conscientious people assume leadership in Nigeria. This is the calling of the Church. The responsibility of providing Godly leadership is upon the Church.
CSMN is indispensable in this task because it accommodates all the Church groups. Christians of every group, denomination, ministry, and fellowship are members of CSMN. This is the socio-political arm of the Nigeria Church.
While membership in CSMN is automatic, active participation in its programs is voluntary. In view of the existential challenges facing both the Church and the country, Christians are encouraged to participate actively in CSMN. The Church must develop and follow a political agenda for Nigeria.
Interested persons should kindly indicate interest and REGISTER
Further information shall be provided after the registration.
Thank you.
Bosun Emmanuel
CEO
Christian Social Movement of Nigeria