A pastor and his church can preach and teach, and go into the communities, but if the people do not listen, and turn their backs to God, there is little to do, says Bishop Neil Ellis, senior pastor at Mount Tabor Full Gospel Baptist Church. He says the problems society faces today are bigger than the church, and that it is not fair to assume the church must take all responsibility for criminality and the lack of godliness by certain sectors of the community, especially if the church is already doing what it can.
Bishop Ellis says the church has remained the same over the years and even adjusted in some ways to reach more people, but it is the heart of the people that has changed. He says the days when people believed that God will provide all and save all are in the past in the minds of some people, who think if they can't have certain things they will hurt, or even kill someone for it.
"The church has to continue to do what it is doing -- and that is to preach the truth of the gospel -- reach out to the people and help those who need it," says Bishop Ellis. "For the most part churches are doing this and this is not the problem. Society too often looks for someone to point a finger at, but one institution or one person is not the root of it all. The challenge we are having isn't the fault of the church. It is communicable. It is the community's problem so it should be a community solution. From what I can see a lot of people committing these crimes today are all under the age of 30 and unfortunately also male. This is the post independence generation and to fully understand what is going on today, you have to understand the dynamics of this generation."
It is in this generation that the country has recorded 85 murders just eight months into the year, which makes it seem as if the country is out of control, and leaving many people wondering what is happening to this once peaceful and virtually crime free society where once upon a time, the most heinous of criminal offenses was people not saying good morning as you happened upon people.
With the crime rate soaring, concerned citizens are asking where is the church, the societal pillar of strength in times of trials and tribulation, at these times. Others may even blame the church and believe that the church's lack of presence and conviction on its part is the reason society is the way it is.
Bishop Ellis says the problems society is facing today are bigger than just the church.
"People are happily committing crimes without thinking twice about it. They steal from their jobs, from one another, squat on land illegally and instead of being punished they are being rewarded for it. This is a bad example we as a community are setting especially since the younger generations are watching us. They listen not to what you say or follow your guidance but it is by our everyday living that we can make the greatest impact. We have to stop blaming others for our problems and instead embrace our faults and find ways to improve. It is time all sectors of society examine themselves -- the family, business, church, government, etc. and come together to make a change."
The Mount Tabor pastor says attacking the problem from only one angle leaves errors in other sectors and that it makes no sense to simply solve one part of the equation and still have the overall problem to overcome. He says it is time all sectors of society joined together to make a difference because if there is any change to be made, unity and effort is the only way.
"The church is truly doing its part. It's time for everyone else to pick up their mantels because a lasting change can only come when we are on one accord with one another and with God," says Bishop Ellis. "What we have is a community problem so, it needs a community response. We need to live right so we can raise our children right, not let outside forces influence us. Return to being humble and community-minded and most of all return to the church. We need a strong structure and the church and the home are still the best foundations."
Bishop Ellis said after independence several social changes occurred that reshaped society as a whole -- the establishment of the middle class, which resulted in a whole work boom, and meant the mother and father were outside the home making an income so they could make a better way of life for their children. For this change, he said there were consequences. With both parents out of the home, other people raised their children. When the children were young they were babysat by someone else. When they got older and left for school the maid was often the last person they saw. When parents picked them and dropped them back home, the maid was still there to cater to them and raise them. He said while not an entirely bad thing, what happened was that the "domestic help" imposed an entirely different kind of culture and values on children because they imported an entirely different kind of culture and values. The parents weren't there to instill their own beliefs.
"What is happening is not so much about the church not doing its part as it about the people themselves changing. We deprive our children of our presence and because they grow up the way they were raised, confused and in some ways alienated you don't understand why they are the way they are. What we see today is due to us not properly balancing everything we have to do properly. Something went wrong and it's not the fault of one institution. We cannot overlook that after independence more people were turning to crime and violence to get what they wanted instead of working for it. Many people were not instilled with proper work ethic and feel too entitled, so easily obtaining what they want is the only way in their eyes. At the same time, even those of us who are not involved in these acts are still turning our eyes away from that which is right. We see crime happening but do not report it. In essence we have become a lawless country."
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