Allowing Comedians perform at Church services gives Satan opportunity to operate – Bishop

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

Incorporating comedians and their comedies into Church worship services is where the problem lies as such practice amounts to giving Satan opportunity to operate, and get the congregation distracted.

The Bishop of Esan Diocese, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev’d Gabriel Elabor,handed down the warning to pastors who are in the habit of inviting comedians who come to make jests during church programmes to have a rethink describing such as abomination.

Bishop Elabor expressed this displeasure while delivering his charge at First Session of the Seventh Synod of Esan Diocese of the church said comedians are no doubt great and lovely people he has no hatred for.

Speaking on the theme of the Synod: “Have you seen this, O Mortal?”, holding at St. John’s Anglican Church, Idumebo-Ekpoma, Edo State, the prelate decried situations where some church leaders pamper sin rather than standing firm against sin within and around them.

“I consider this act as an abomination, because the church is not supposed to be a secular gathering, even though it finds herself in the world. May I say this, I do not have any hatred for any comedian, they are great guys, by incorporating these guys and their comedies into worship services is where the problem lies.

“I must say this, a comedian can be a Christian, yes, a very committed one. He can be a Sunday School Teacher, but not to crack jokes on the altar. Outside the church, he can perform his work, but within, no! A church is not a stage ground, as the congregation is not the audience. They are two different things”, he said.

He regretted that many apostate churches today were very soft on sin, having the trappings of doing church – rituals and programmes, entertainment and social gospel, but lack power to bring anyone to conviction of the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

The Anglican Bishop therefore called on all to in humanity, honesty and confession of sin, return to God, as hell awaits those who refuse to accept Jesus as their personal saviour.

The synod featured presentation of episcopal awards to some deserving recipients, including the Edo State governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Marcus Onobun, among others.