{Christians at the United Christian Church of Rwanda were urged to contribute money for the purchase of their pastors’ vehicles, IGIHE reports.}
Bishop Rwandamura Charles told Christians on 18 Oct. 2014 that they have to take money out of their pockets and buy Pastors ‘cars because pastors are the ones who carry out the burden of their problems.
He said a pastor is someone who is wealthy, eats lunch in Serena Hotel and lives in a good house so someone who is not able to get all of that “is not a pastor.”
He called upon Christians to make sure that their pastors are wealthy people adding that church leaders should get their privilege as high profile people and Christians will be explained why and how their offerings will help in making good life for their shepherds.
Bishop Rwandamura said “A Bishop without money is not a bishop; Apostle without money is not an Apostle. Apostle has money; he takes food in Serena Hotel. They are Kings, they are special people. We get tasks from God, no where you can apply for this work; this is a duty as well as a pledge.”
Rwandamura further explained that Christians must understand well the reason behind that call because Bishops, Apostles and pastors transport their problems and their bad sprits to God for the purification.
He says “We carry your burdens, your illness, your problems and your devils. We fight them day and night. Pastors are in front of you with your problems, your sterility, your AIDS and even you poverty.”
{{Christians speak out}}
Christians raise mixed feelings about the issue where some of them called it a dictatorship.
They said that asking them to buy all of the staff for their pastors is exaggerating.
Nyirimanzi{{*}} says “I think this is like leading with dictatorship. Sometime they terrorize us by saying that those who don’t give money to buy their cars will be cursed, unfortunate, etc.”
He added that “When you hear how they preach you become panicky and give money very quickly to avoid a curse and bad luck. They also say that those who offer will get blessed throughout their works”
Another Christian who spoke to us said “Even if none of the pastors come and force you to give money but they use a fear-provoking language that pushes us to dreadfully give our money.”
{Nyirimanzi*: The name withheld }
More on this article contact angedelavictoire@igihe.com or emma@igihe.rw
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