CAN Has No Authority Over Churches - Chris Okotie

The Head Pastor of the Household of God Church, Chris Okotie, has said that the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is not an authority on how Christians in the country should hold their services.

This was a response to the guidelines set down by the association on how churches should conduct their services during the pandemic, in a bid to curb the spread of the virus, as states across the country seek to reopen churches.

The guidelines according to the body, state that, “Every worshipper must wear a face mask. Social distancing should be observed in the sitting arrangement with a one-meter gap between two worshippers. One and a half-hour service is enough for a start. There should be a gap of 25 or 30 minutes between one service and another where there are multiple services to avoid the crowd."

Responding, Okotie said, “Greetings. I am Rev Chris Okotie. I called earlier to discuss a report in today’s Sun Newspaper in which CAN recommended guide lines for the Opening of Churches. Social distancing in the Church of Jesus Christ is tantamount to blasphemous infidelity and an impeachment of the integrity of the word of God.

“Healing is fundamental to the redemptive work of Jesus. To allow the idol of coronavirus to determine the scope of congregational worship in the house of God is an abomination of gargantuan proportions.

“No true minister of the gospel will succumb to such travesty of the faith. This is a summary of my objections. I have sent this message hoping that you would respond as one who bears the burden of the cross of Jesus.

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“I have restrained myself from making a public outcry of this desecration and profanation out of respect for you and the CAN hierarchy. But be assured that this position is transient.”

Speaking on CAN's authority on the issue of reopening churches, Okotie said, “It is bereft of any authority to speak on behalf of the Church of Jesus Christ. Arrayed in Episcopalian vestments, they are the modern day Pharisees who arrogate divine honors to themselves.

“They have a form of godliness and yet hobnob Nicodemusly with enemies of the Lord Jesus. The true ministers of the sanctuary must recognise CAN’s treachery and reprehensible Phariseeism. That which a man spits against heaven shall fall back upon his face. We shall not bow to the idol called coronavirus. Jesus is Lord.”