Personality Syndrome Enters Assemblies of God Church Nigeria By:Johnson Jacobson

I have observed that in Nigeria we find it difficult to differentiate btw the workings of a system and Personal issues. We easily interchange official conduct with personal conduct. Also we tend to perceive government and governance in terms of PERSONALITIES rather than a system. Instead of talking about a system we talk about persons and personalities. We attribute activities, performances, policies, decisions, viewpoint etc of corporate systems of governance to personalities. In this context I regard this as PERSONALITY SYNDROME. Continue Reading after the Jump cut....

We find Manifestations of this Personality Syndrome in a variety of experiences in d polity whether in larger society or Church systems.

A few instances
1. When Fed Govt executes a project we say Goodluck Jonathan did. At times we mount Jonathan's imposing portrate over d project or name it after him. Whereas d project was approved by Fed EXCO and executed by relevant Minister of d Fed Republic.
2. When Obasanjo disagrees with govt policy we say Obasanjo fights Jonathan.
3. When House of Reps passes motion criticizing handling of security issues we say Tambuwal at war with Jonathan.
4. If president travels and Vice chairs Fed Ex Council and a memo from Minister of Education is approved to establish a new university we say JONATHAN ESTABLISHES NEW VARSITY.
5. If d President is in USA and an overzealous Police Officer disrupts APC meeting, we say JONATHAN at war with APC.

I suspect a no of factors responsible. Let me mention 2.

1. Long years of military rule make us see a person as solely in charge of govt and calling d shots. We are used to Commander in Chief. Military Administrator. Sole Administrator. Military decrees. Vertical command structure only.
Though we are now in democracy and Presidential System with TIERS and ARMS of Govt, SEPARATION OF POWERS, CHECKS AND BALANCES, we still wallow in d military mentality.
2. Our news men are not helping matters. They carry sensational headlines. JOURNALESE. Subjective. Speculative. All these sink into our subconscious.

Personality syndrome is also manifesting in our Church. A few instances:
Some would want to say d crisis is btw Rev Paul Emeka and Rev Chidi Okoroafor. Some say Emeka and Chidi are destroying d Church. Some say both of them should step down. Some say GC staff were made to pledge loyalty to Rev Chidi. Some say Rev Chidi is fighting Rev Emeka. Some say d case in court is Emeka vs Chidi. When EC takes decision or action they say its Chidi...

Why are we importing this Nigerian mentality into d Church? Each time I read stories about AG crisis I ask myself, is it just about 2 personalities? Is it about Rev Emeka and Rev Chidi. Or is it about AG Constitution and system of governance?

I pray we begin to dismantle personality syndrome in Church affairs. I pray we talk of system not personality. This new mindset can just mark d beginning of THE END of this crisis!
Happy Sunday to u all!