Being a chorister has helped me musically –Femi G

Femi G

Femi G is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and music producer. He recently spoke with Sunday Mirror on how the Choir ministry has contributed positively to the advancement of his music career.

The eclectic musician whose genre of m u – sic cuts across, R&B, Gospel, Blues, Hip Pop and Jazz revealed that being a chorister of Saint Andrews, Anglican Church Ipaja, Lagos, helped his creativity and performance in music. Femi said he first joined the choir at the age of 13 when his father was a lay preacher at the United African Methodist Church in Lagos.

‘‘I have always been a choir boy. I can remember when my father made my sister and I join ourchurch choir in the 80s. Since then, there has been no going back. There is nowhere I went that I did not belong to a church choir. Presently, I am with St Andrew, Anglican Church Choir, Akinyele Ipaja, Lagos. I play the alto-saxophone with the church band,’’ he said.

Speaking further, he said his involvement in the choir at an early age helped him appreciateGospel music deeply. It also helped him develop diverse creative interest in song composition.

A graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Femi holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music. He enjoys teaching young people, working in the studio or playing music with the choir as well as performing on stage.

On the meaning of his name, he said, ‘‘I am Femi G.G stands for Gbolahan my middle name; G also stands for my first instrument, the guitar and vocal key G major. Now, I have gone further. I sing on A major,’’ he said.

‘‘I was inspired initially by pure creativity and imagination to start writing my own songs right from when I was in the primary school. My first major mentors were Eddy Grant and Chris Okotie in the early days. Then many others; some of them are J.T.Taylor of Cool and the Gang, Michael Jackson and R Kelly.’’

On Nigerian music, Femi said: ‘‘I listen to a lot of Ebenezer Obey and Sunny Ade and I’m thinking of working on a couple of their songs in the future. My vision for my music is such that I should be able to produce big and inspirational songs like R Kelly and Michael Jackson. Being a chorister has helped my musicianship a great deal in terms of exposure and skills development. I am not only a Gospel artiste; I am into all kinds of music that sound good, beautiful and worthwhile and edifying.’’

‘‘Two out of my Gospel songs are ‘Call on Jesus’ and ‘Oh Lord, have your way’. I will say I am more like R Kelly in that aspect and approach. I have just recorded a song that I am very proud of and I want the public to hear it soonest. It is a great song. It makes me feel like the first time I heard Michael Jackson’s Rock with You,’’ he said.

TITHES: In whose interest?

TITHES: In whose interest?


YEMI OLAKITAN

There have been many controversies on the issue of tithing in both denominational and individual point of views. While some say that tithing is a divine instruction of the New Testament aimed at blessing the givers others have claimed that it is a relic of the Old Testament designed to bless the clergy. It has also been said by many that tithing is the pathway to prosperity. Postponements of the faith movement such as Kenneth Hagen, Kenneth Copeland, E.A Adeboye, David Oyedepo, and Benson Idahosa have all taught the tremendous benefits of tithes payments. Is it a fact of reality or is it some Christian dogma, theology or actual reality that tithes open the way to financial blessings?  Yemi Olakitan, Senior Correspondent examines the subject of tithing.  What really is the relevance of tithing to the believers and the church? More importantly, Are tithes payments truly biblical? Is it a relic of the Old Testament? Is it still relevant today? This and many other questions are answered through the scriptures and discussions with clerics and believers alike.
According to the Bible, tithing is generally defined as the tenth part of one’s income, profits, land or stock given to God and used to support the clergy or charitable cause. The custom of giving tithes reaches back to Genesis 14, where Abraham offered tithes of the spoils of the enemy to the royal priest, Melchisedech, so in Genesis 28, Jacob is recorded as giving a tithe of all his possessions to the Lord. In the time of Moses the payment of tithes was one of the laws of the Jewish people; made obligatory. The Hebrews were commanded to offer to God the tenth part of the produce of the fields, of the fruits of the trees, and the firstborn of oxen and of sheep (Leviticus 27:30; Deuteronomy 14:22). In Deuteronomy there is a mention not only of an annual tithe, but also of a full tithe to be paid once every three years. While it was to God himself that the tithes had to be paid, yet we read (Numbers 18:21) that he transfers them to the priesthood. In the book of Proverbs 3:10) the bible encourage believers to honour the Lord with the first fruits of their wealth. It also says, it is better to give than to receive. However, the verse most often cited in support of the tithe is from the Old Testament, Malachi 3:8-10:

8. ""Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, `How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings. 9. You are under a curse--the whole nation of you--because you are robbing me. 10. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessings that you will not have room enough for it.

In a chat with Edmund Ike, a member of the Catholic Church he said, tithes in today’s Christian Church is meant to support the preaching of the Gospel since the Bible says those who serve in the altar should live by the altar. (1 Corinthians 9:13) Speaking further, he said provision of some kind had to be made for the ministers of God. In the beginning this was supplied by freewill offerings.  However as the Church expanded and it became necessary to make laws which would insure the proper and permanent support of the clergy, the payment of tithes was adopted. According to Ike, Tithing is an obligatory act of giving which supports the institution of the church and it not just a relic of the Old Testament scriptures. ‘‘Don’t forget that the Bible says,
we should give and it shall be given to us. Good measure pressed down, shaken together and running over shall men give unto us. Giving is a cardinal commandment of scripture and the Christian faith.’’
In another chat with Reverend Father Steven Akinsowo of Saint Peters Catholic Church, Langbasa, he said tithing is biblically correct. ‘‘It is an offering made in gratitude to God. It is like giving back to God from the abundance of all the things he has giving to us. Giving a tenth of your income to God is a very small; sacrifice compared to all the wonderful blessings he has given to us. In the Catholic Church we recognise tithing but we do not emphasize it like other churches do, in other denominations, people are persuaded. Tithe is to be given in absolute freedom. You cannot force people to know or accept God. You cannot coerce them. People are to give tithe if it comes from their hearts, if you obey the instruction to give, God will bless you.’’ he said.
In another chat with Senior Superintendent, Apostle C.A Bayode of the Cherubim and seraphim church, Ago Igbale, Ebute Metta, he said tithing is a commandment of the scripture. In the book of Malachi, God said the people should bring all the tithes into the store house of God. The tithes are not meant for the clerics alone, they are meant for the expansion of the Gospel and also for the poor. It should also be used for the orphans, the widows and the less privileged in the body of Christ.  Tithing is like medicine for money if the believers diligently do it. There is a promise alongside the commandment. It says, I will open up the floodgates of heaven. You will become blessed. Anything you lay your hands on will prosper exceedingly.  On the argument that tithing is a relic of the Old Testament, he said that Christ did not come to abolish the law but he came to fulfill it.’’  He however, warned that when people give tithes they should not give tithes to show off, they should give it to the Lord alone.

However, Roseline Ademola, a member of the Anglican Church in Lagos, said that Christ has already paid all the tithes and redeemed us from the law. Speaking further, she said that tithes is like placing the Christians under the law and saying the death of Christ is not enough which is some kind of heresy.  ‘‘There is nothing wrong if a Christian gives tithe willingly, cheerfully, without the burden of guilt been placed on him because the scripture says that God loves a cheerful giver. The problem is that so many pastors preach tithes as law quoting Malachi. They are in error because Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the Law. We are not operating under that Law, we are under grace. In Malachi, God was referring to the Jews and not to us. We are operating under a better covenant than they.  When you preach that people are cursed with a curse, that they are robbing God, unless they tithe, you are preaching a guilt based giving which is contrary to ( 2 Corinthians 9:7 ) which says,  Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver’’  I do not believe in tithing, I believe in voluntary giving without the burden of guilt. Jesus paid all the tithes with his precious blood. I give as I have decided in my heart. It could be ten percent, it could be 20, it could be 50 or 100 percent but it is subject to my personal decision, not imposed,’’ she said.

A member of the Jehovah’s witnesses, name withheld, who spoke to P&W on the subject, said that tithing is being used to coarse Christians to give to the church authority. He said, ‘‘it is the clergy that benefits the most because they sit on the seats of the priesthood and collects the tithes. The apostle Peter writes in 1 Peter 2:5 and 9 that every believer is a priest! Hebrews 5-8 also teaches us that Jesus is the only priest that we need. However the institutional church has borrowed from the Old Testament model of the Levitical Priesthood, thereby establishing a new priesthood that is separate from the rest of the body of Christ. This makes them collect the tithes. Jesus did not collect tithes, neither did the apostles.’’

Another believer, a member of the Global Church of the Living God, Deaconess Shola Abimbola, said ‘‘many testimonies abound in Christendom on the concept of giving, particularly tithing.  Many tithers have testified that God has blessed them financially through tithing, therefore tithing works. It is practical.  Furthermore, giving is a basic commandment of the scriptures and tithing helps the believer to cultivate a regular habit of giving to God for the support of his work.  Jesus said, when you give, you will receive. Tithing cannot be wrong. You see, without the commandment to tithe many people will not give, though you are free to give or not to give. Tithing helps; maintain the habit of giving as directed by the scriptures, so the issue of coercion is not there at all. The principle of choice is in place. I have been paying my tithes for years because tithing fulfills the law of giving and I can say, God has blessed me financially,’’    she said.

Insurgency: Should Christians defend themselves?

Insurgency: Should Christians defend themselves?

YEMI OLAKITAN

    The waves of killings in the North eastern parts of the country have been worrisome to the body Christ, particularly because Christians have been the worst target of incessant attacks by Islamic vandals who burn churches and kill Christians in large numbers with gross disregard for human lives. The leader of the Boko Haram sect Abubakar Shekau in one of his internet messages said, his group was after Christians and will kill them anywhere they find them. Yemi Olakitan, Senior Correspondent goes on a fact finding mission on what Christians should do in the face of insurgency. Should Christians defend themselves or turn the other cheeks according to the Bible?

       Boko Haram attacks against the Christian community and the nation in general have become difficult for the security agencies to tackle. As a result, hundreds of unarmed Christians have been murdered and continue to be murdered.  President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor while receiving delegates of the Hausa, Fulani, and Kanuri Christians Association of Nigeria recently, said “Boko Haram is a disgrace to Africa as a whole and their activities have affected everybody. My prayer is that very soon, the sponsors of Boko Haram and anyone who supports them would be brought to book so that the law would take its course and they too would face the judgement of not God alone, but also of men,”

     However, Christians have continued to die. Only recently, Boko Haram Islamists burn churches and massacre more than forty people, including students at a Christian seminary in Adamawa state, also a Pastor, his pregnant wife and children were reportedly murdered in Bornu state. Recent statistics from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) revealed that three million people were displaced by insurgency in the North-East between January and March alone.  In a chat with Reverend Father Julius Olaitan of our mother Lady of perpetual Help Catholic Church, Lekki, Ajah, he said, Christians are not going to fight. The Bishops of the Catholic Church have spoken on the matter. We are not going to fight. The battle belongs to the Lord. That is Christianity for you. It is not for us to defend ourselves. It is the Government and the security agencies that must do the right thing by ensuring safety of lives and property as well as freedom of worship for all.’’ he said.

      According to the Bible, our Lord Jesus Christ forbade Christians to use violence in any way even in self defense.  When armed soldiers came to arrest him in order to kill him, he instructed his disciples not to fight or defend him, saying those who live by the sword shall die by the swords.  Jesus said, ‘‘do unto others as you want them to do to you. Love your neighbor as yourselves.’’  When Peter cut off the ear of one of the soldiers who came to arrest and kill him, he took the ear and placed it back, healing the soldier.  He told his disciples that when they hit them on one cheek they should turn the other cheek. Jesus would not fight even in self-defense; rather he willingly gave up his life for mankind, he even predicted that Christians will be persecuted, thrown into prisons, killed or hunted down by those who think they are doing the right thing.

    He said, do not be afraid of those who can kill the body but cannot kill the soul rather fear one who can kill both the body and the soul in hell. He advised his followers to resist evil with good.  Consequently, many Christians in the early churches were killed, many were beheaded, and thrown to the lions, burnt at the stakes or stoned to death for merely professing to be a Christian or owning a Bible. However, the Christian faith has continued to spread despite these persecutions, becoming the greatest religion known to mankind.

         However, is Jesus Christ’s approach still practical today?  Should Christians continue to turn the other cheek? Shouldn’t Christians organize armed defense for the church so that when terrorists stage an attack on them, they will be able to resist by force of arms.  In a chat with Pastor Benn Itua, he said, ‘‘it is difficult for Christians to defend themselves. Even those who are trained to defend the nation have found it difficult to defend the it  Is it Christians that will now defend themselves, against people they cannot see, people that live among them, who all of sudden will turn against them when they are off guard, killing everybody and looting the people. It is a difficult thing to ask the Christians to defend themselves. They are not trained soldiers, besides; all these things have been predicted by Jesus in the Bible. He already said, Christians will be persecuted’’ he said.

         . He called on the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and the Christians Association of Nigeria to immediately call a stakeholders forum of Christians leaders where these issues can be discussed. Speaking further, he said, such forum should give us the opportunity to seek the face of the Lord concerning this matter. There is always a solution from God, if we seek him. If God fights in the matter, we will all hold our peace. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal so we need to invite God into the situation,’’ he said.

      In another chat with Pastor Favour of the Living Faith Church, Badore, he said, Christians should defend themselves.  When asked whether this is Biblical, he said, why did God command Israel to go to war?  If God can command the people of Israel to go to war against their enemies then Christians can and should defend themselves in any way they can. If war is recognized in the scriptures, then Christians do not need to fold their hands against insurgents who come to kill, steal and destroy them. We will not go on the offensive but if people come to attack us, we have every right to defend ourselves.   When Jesus asked us to turn the other cheek when we are hit on one, he was talking about forgiveness. It does not mean that we should turn the other cheek so that the fellow can slap us the second time.  It’s like asking whether a Christian can own a gun.  A Christian can own a gun. He will not attack you first.  If you come to my house to do me bodily harm and I have a gun. I will kill you first.’’    

Pastor Tolu Fowotade of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministry, in his own response said, ‘‘that he would rather advise Christians to flee.  According to him, wherever such insurgents are spreading violence Christians should not be there. They should flee such places because the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but spiritual towards the pulling down of strongholds. Christians cannot be taking up arms. Christianity is a religion of love and not of war,’’ he said.

     Deacon Chinedu Chima of Global Church of the Living God said, Christians should pray. According to him, prayers works wonders.   Love is the basis of Christianity. Jesus has displayed love in his life and he is our emblem, if Jesus did not fight his enemies with violence how then can we fight them with violence? He asked. Speaking further, he said, if God fights for you, the fight can be terrible. He does not fight with weapons that we can see. Christianity is about peace and love and Jesus laid a great foundation. He never fought his battles with physical weapons and he won. In all the history of Christianity, more Christians have laid down their lives rather than take up arms against their enemies.

     Taiwo Ajoke of the Redeemed Christian Church, RCCG, opined that, Christians must learn to defend themselves. According to her, what is happening in the North cannot happen in the developed world because nearly everyone has a gun in his house.  Take the United States for example, they have the State Police, Community Police, Federal Police and everyone has a gun in his home, so if the government fails to defend you, you can defend yourselves. The Bible says, prayer without works is dead. We must back up our prayers with actions. The Christian association of Nigeria and other stakeholders should immediately set up a Christian vigilante group that will liase with the government in order to defend the Christian’s communities, and churches that are being attacked by Islamic insurgents in the North. We cannot leave out destiny in the hands of government alone. We must take our safety in our hands, with prayers and with action’’ she said.