The Lagos State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria has issued a directive to the leadership of the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive review of how its members share testimonies during church gatherings.
This move follows widespread condemnation of a particular testimony that recently went viral, stirring significant controversy within the Christian community.
The contentious testimony involved an unnamed member of the church who claimed that an elderly man had mysteriously appeared to her in an examination hall, providing her with answers to several questions.
Moreover, she alleged that she shared these answers with another individual from the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries who was present during the examination.
The Chairman of the Lagos CAN, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, publicly condemned this testimony, labeling it as “an utter fabrication.”
He expressed grave concerns over the potential implications of such claims on the reputation of the church and its teachings.
In an interview with Saturday PUNCH on Thursday, Adegbite confirmed that a crucial meeting had been convened to address the issue, stating that the leadership of the Lord’s Chosen church was summoned to discuss the troubling pattern of testimonies being shared.
“We had the meeting last Friday at the CAN secretariat in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos. Representatives of the church were there, and we told them to be careful and review the pattern of their testimonies. It is only a madman who would think otherwise,” he said.
The meeting saw participation from all five bloc leaders of CAN, alongside coordinators from the 57 Local Government Areas across the state.
With over 100 attendees, the discussion centered on maintaining the integrity of testimonies shared within the church.
“We reject vehemently any testimony that is not reasonable and sensible, which can be misleading and bring disrepute to the name of Christ. We reject it in its entirety,” Adegbite asserted.
The CAN chairman stressed the importance of discernment in church testimonies, urging church leaders to ensure that members are asked to review their testimonies before being given the microphone.
He stated, “If what they want to say is not good for public consumption, it should be disallowed. God still performs miracles. We must say the truth and nothing but the truth.”
This directive from CAN highlights a growing concern within the church about the authenticity of testimonies and their impact on the faith community, as leaders strive to preserve the sanctity and credibility of their congregations.
