Oyakhilome, Laurie Idahosa, Tunde Bakare share views on COVID-19 guidelines for churches

Reverend Laurie Idahosa of Church of God Mission International has joined the debate among pastors on the COVID-19 guidelines given by the Federal Government as approved by the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN.

A part of the guidelines require social distancing in churches and that members must wear a face mask before they can be allowed into the auditorium.

Some churches have since accepted the guidelines and have been observing them since the lockdown on worship centers was lifted.

However, some do not feel comfortable reopening their auditoriums despite a go-ahead to do so as long as the guidelines are adhered to.

One of such is the Citadel Global Community Church pastored by Tunde Bakare who said, "We are not opening till the coast is clear".

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome of Christ Embassy Church whose branch in Uyo was sealed by the Akwa Ibom State Government, lambasted pastors who agreed to the COVID-19 guidelines for churches.

"If you are afraid of the virus, you have no gospel, your gospel has ended. The moment you began to give such guidelines to people in the church, you repudiated your faith in Christ", he said in a TV broadcast.

He also spoke against one of the guidelines which say Holy Communion should be suspended.

"Holy Communion that Jesus told us to take, we are told to suspend them because of a pandemic. This is crazy. God's people need to realize what is going on", he said.

Oyalhilome added that what the pastors are planning with the guidelines they accepted is a tool for persecution. He said the churches and Christians that decide to follow Jesus with all their heart will be singled out and persecuted.

"And who will persecute them? The same people that persecuted Jesus. They were the religious crowds", he said.

He continued: "The Pharisees of today, they are the ones preparing to persecute their brothers and sisters because they have told government that they are ready to supervise. How will they supervise? By sending out their members with cane?"

Adding her voice to the debate on the guidelines, Laurie Idahosa stated that despite the adherence by churches, miracles and wonders are still being experienced.

She wrote on social media: ''Wearing your face mask in church does not affect your connection to God in any way. His presence cannot be limited by social distancing and by honouring the governmental health and safety measures.

"If you say that God is not honoured and Christians are not sincere with their faith because they obey the law and seek to protect themselves and others than your Gospel is not the Gospel of the Kingdom, the Power of God.

"God is not limited by a mask. We are still experiencing miracles, signs and wonders. We are still seeing people give their lives to Christ, we are still equipping the saints to do the work of the ministry, and yes, we are doing it in a way that respects the health and safety of our community of faith".