Church And Good Governance

Governance can simply be defined as the exercise
of power or control or it is the authority to manage the affairs of a state or community which is carried out by a body of elected people (like democratic governance) or by acts of coercion (like the case of military governance). Good governance, therefore, is that government that is responsive to the needs of the governed with distinctive democratic features such as equity, fair-play, human- rights, rule of law, peace and so on.
Fortunately, both the church and good governance are meant to promote the dignity of humanity. The church can achieve this more easily by getting involved in the electoral process. The electoral process should not be left to the corrupt so that the desired good governance and nation-building can be achieved. This is exactly what Apostle G. D. Numbere, the General Overseer of Greater Evangelism World Crusade and Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) South-South Zone, did during the administration of Sir Dr Peter Odili in Rivers State.
Apostles Eugene O. Ogu and Prince David Zilly Aggrey, the immediate past and present chairmen of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Rivers State Chapter, respectively toed the line. They did not stay aloof during the electioneering campaign that gave Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi the second term ticket. They were part of the government of the day to redeem political and social life of the people of God.
The church should use its proximity to speak and advise those in power to shun corruption, politically motivated killings, oppression, victimization of real or perceived political enemies, and lots more that are common among politicians and political leaders today. The Christians should transcend from politics of the pockets to politics of good governance. They should toe the line of John the Baptist who, against all odds, told King Herod in the face that he abused power entrusted to him by taking his brother’s wife (Mk.6:18).
It is only when the Christian leadership rise to the occasion and speak against the social ills perpetrated by the political leaders that the dividends of democracy and good governance will be achieved, and justice will roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream (Amos, 5:24).
As we approach election year, the Church should see it as an obligatory injunction given by God to sensitize the believers on the urgent need to vote at elections which will help to enthrone good governance. This will ultimately lead to the actualization of Nigeria’s dream of building a better and greater nation.
It is the duty of the church to raise members of godly qualities in the society so that they become functional and useful to themselves and the society. This can be achieved through the inculcation of the right attitude into Christians. Christian virtues like honesty, transparency, righteousness, holiness, love, fear of God, humility, and others can help make society a better place, so the church must not relent in promoting them.
Honesty can impact positively on the lives of Christians. Also, the cost and consequences of dishonesty as in the case of the dishonest steward (Lk. 16: 1-14) should be highlighted during Christian teachings. It should be taught that honesty is an important ingredient in moving the nation forward while dishonesty is capable of destroying a nation.
A vital virtue needed by the church to transform the society is love. Love is seen as the strong feeling expressed for someone. The position of the Bible on love is very clear as can be seen from the teachings of the Good Samaritan (Lk. 10: 25-37), Lazarus and the Richman (Lk. 16: 19-31) and the declaration of love as the greatest commandment (Rom. 13:8-18 and 1 Cor. 13: 1-3). If the church will put the love of God and love for one another into practice, it will greatly help the nation in its development efforts.
Righteousness or holiness is yet another Christian virtue which is capable of moving the nation forward. The Bible encourages righteousness or holiness; hence the teachings of the church should essentially be doing what is right. For God says righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people (Prov. 1:7). Also, the church of God should teach the fear of God which is the “Beginning of Wisdom” (Prov. 1:7) as its cardinal doctrine while dealing with believers. Examples abound in the Bible of the huge rewards for those who feared God and kept His commandments in the past. For example, Abraham, the son of Terah, who feared and obeyed God, was said to be righteous (Gen. 22:12). If the fear of God were in our leaders (both religious and secular) and citizens as well, there would be peace and progress in the country.
This is one virtue the church must imbibe in the society especially the politicians if we must achieve good governance in Nigeria.
N-Ue is of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, PH.

 
Samuel N-Ue