Enlightened Christian Gathering Church and it’s leader Prophet Shepered Bushiri have defended their call for church members to continue paying their tithes and offerings despite disruptions caused by Covid-19.
In a statement released on Monday, the Prophet said he did not understand what the fuss was about, stating that all churches were doing the same.
The Prophet’s statement comes after he received a serious backlash on social media with some people stating that he was insensitive to the plight of his members, especially since they were battling the deadly coronavirus pandemic.
But Bushiri believes that people are making a fuss about his statement because it was him.
“I hate to say it, but, with each passing day, it is becoming evident that when Prophet Shepherd Bushiri coughs, right away, expect whirlwind from social media carpers,” he said.
In justifying the statement, ECG and Bushiri said their operations have not ceased to operate, despite the suspension of church gatherings, and this they said included costs such as salaries, and other bills that needed to be paid.
The statement shows that the church has also cautioned South Africans not he complacent, stating that most were quiet when the church was one of the first to suspend its church gatherings at all its 23 branches in response to the Corona virus pandemic, including on its decision to render online church services.
“In fact, in going online, nothing about the organization of the church has changed; it’s only the medium of reach which has changed—the church still remains an organization, supported by its members, followers and well-wishers to stand and function on its own. We all know, of course, that every church, as an organization, has recurring costs—salaries, bills, etc—that are supposed to be met for it to function effectively. These costs, in every church, are met by contributions from willing members, followers and well-wishers voluntarily. We all know that, every church does that and, even with COVID-19, they are doing that—it’s nothing unusual,” the church said in its statement.
“So what is this fuss about Prophet Bushiri reminding willing members, followers and well-wishers of the ECG to, as usual, voluntarily contribute to the everyday running of their organization?
“Some of these fusses, yes these barks, do not tell us anything about Prophet Bushiri; rather, they just tell us more about the deepest obsession and hatred these social media carpers have against a man of God they so dearly want, but always failing, to bring down.”
See video below:
The most selfish and cruel thing that one can do is to take someone's hard earned money that they sent you as a kind and loving gesture and you take it and give it to #Bushiri pic.twitter.com/XhyDnWYFFs
— Kamogelo – NK🇿🇦 (@nes_kamogelo) April 6, 2020
