Just like every other religion and institution of human life, Christianity has also developed from the New Testament era, through the time of the apostles, persecution, etc to our present time.
These eras, just like every sphere of human endeavour, the Christian religion has also evolved in its idea, understanding, doctrines and practices. The understanding and practice of Christianity in this modern day is characterised by a phenomena, which fits almost perfectly into what pertains in regard to a typical market day.
What is Market?
In most communities, market days in Ghana occur on a particular day of the week or fall within a rotational four-day cycle. On each market day, people of diverse social or economic status throng into these markets either to offer goods or services.
Some of these markets are hubs for some particular goods at competitive prices or in large quantities.
For retail, one must go to a particular market it is noted for. It is for this reason that traders will travel long distances from one point like my hometown Denu, to far away Techiman to buy yam.
Another phenomenon about the typical Ghana market day situation is that, at the end of each market day, every one leaves the market place back to their homes.
Those who go to the market to trade, or otherwise to purchase goods, be it available at the market or not , or be it available but couldn’t afford, all return to their homes at the end of the day when the market is closed.
Both sellers and patrons of goods and/or services all close at the end of each market session when the day ends, thus, both sellers and buyers look forward to the next market day. Hence, the next market day comes and the cycle continues.
The practice of the Christian religion as it pertains today in our modern times in most churches today is akin to the situation of our markets.
Many churches have today, become the market places where Pastors, Prophets, Apostles, amongst others, trade their goods and services to their followers who patronise these churches.
Christianity today has become a religion of people who have one problem or the other. Thus, to become a Christian is to say I have a problem for which I seek a solution, I am sick and looking for healing.
This is evident in the fact that almost all churches have become healing centres. Even mainline or orthodox churches have found a way of introducing healing services into their liturgy. Or to say you are a Christian is to admit that you are in a bondage for which you need deliverance. This notion is the working idea of many churches and their church activities are couched around same, with many coming up with ways to maximise their hold on their gullible followers.
Like the market women, the pastors display their wares and advertise their services to their potential buyers, using all available marketing ideas to attract and to maximise their followership. They also advertise their market days. Some even quote the price of their services. With the advent of technology and the internet, many would not be left out, thus the offer online and delivery services. Christianity is now offered through online services.
On the set market day, Christians then put on their Christianity and troop to the market (churches). Looking for the various services that are on offer; healing, financial breakthrough, homes, fruits of the womb, delivery from witchcraft and ancestral curses, marriage, spiritual diagnosis, visa, seed sowing for a higher yield etc. Some also go to do window-shopping.
At the end of the market day, irrespective of what goes on in the market, everyone goes home at the end of the day and looks forward to the next market day. So, it is with the modern-day market Christians.
Whether one finds the goods one seeks, for which he/she goes to the market or not, whether one finds it but can or cannot afford, whether one is satisfied with what he/she got or not. When the market session is over, everybody goes home, either looking forward to the next market day, hoping for his/her hour or to look out for a different market.
A very vivid characteristic of the Morden day Christianity is the report some three years ago that, after a mega church programme, anointing received and prosperity prophecies spoken into the life of attendants, a man was knocked down by a car right after the service. But, none of those returning from the service would stop to help the man to save his life. Christianity without humanity.
Christianity for all ages must be a religion after the teachings of Jesus who admonishes that we take up our cross daily and follow him (Luke 9:23). Thus Christianity is a way of life that is lived daily. One must remain a Christian in times of joys and pains. Struggles, poverty or riches, sickness and health, etc.
We must not become Christians only when we think we need something from God or when we are brainwashed to believe that, we will do anything and everything when we spend all our time in church, praying and shouting, ‘I receive it’, without putting our hand to the plough.
