THE IMPLICATIONS AND EFFECTS OF COMMERCIALIZATION ON ECCLESIAL COMMUNITIES IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examines the derogatory effects of commercialization on Ecclesial communities in Nigeria. The qualitative phenomenological method of research was adopted by this work. The study observes that Christianity to a very large extent is no more a spiritual thing but a means to an end among some so-called Church leaders in Nigeria. These Church personnel have shown more interest in commercial activities and profiteering than in spiritual endeavours as sacred objects like anointing oil, holy water, handkerchiefs, prayers, prophecies and even the Gospel are not just being sold for money by merchants of Christianity but at exorbitant market prices in Nigeria. This development is antithetical to the Church and her mission and the original tenets of Christianity. How this phenomenon affects the credibility of the Church especially in Nigeria therefore is the task this work tackles. It was discovered in this study that commercialization in Ecclesial communities has some derogatory effects on the credibility/reputation of the Church by promoting materialism and mundane pleasures over spiritual endeavours such that the Church is now being considered as mere business centres instead of the house of God. The study therefore concludes that the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) should put certain measures like setting up machinery to closely monitor the operations of the Nigerian Ecclesial communities, spelling out the objective of the universal Church to them and if there be any contravention by any Ecclesia community, such should be sanctioned to serve as deterrent to others. Also, the Nigerian government should try and make job opportunities available to the teeming youths since unemployment is a possible precipitant for commercialization in the Church.