I was impressed by ‘Prophet’ Victor Kanyari’s acting skills as I watched his drama on TV a couple of years back. This guy is a pro. His confidence and attitude will shame even experienced local actors. He is the real deal and has mastered the art of good comedy.
Of late, men of the cloth have hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons. When not girding their loins for action, they’re busy soliciting money from already over-taxed Kenyans.
This explains why most guys would rather watch a re-run match of Arsenal vs Liverpool on a cold Sunday morning than attend church where all you are fed with is ‘panda mbegu, toa pesa ya kupaka mafuta’ and so on and so forth.
How things have changed! Growing up, church was a sacred place and pastors were the most respected individuals. It was a must to attend church every Sunday, and failing to do so meant forfeiting lunch or receiving summons from the ‘Council of Elders’.
I come from a strict Catholic family where cramming the Ten Commandments was a must. I could recite them even when I was in the middle of a dream. That way, our parents argued, we could follow in God’s footsteps.
Then came the Gideon’s Bibles that were freely distributed in schools. They were blue in colour and losing one meant trouble. The Bible was more important than mathematical sets. You had to carry them everywhere you went.
I am shocked these days kids don’t own Bibles.
Before heading to church, our mother paraded us in the sitting room to ensure we were sparkling clean. No dirty or messed up look was allowed in church. She claimed God wanted us to have a clean heart and body since this was the ticket to heaven.
I think that is where the word ‘Sunday Best’ was coined.
As is the norm among the Catholic, reciting the rosary and kneeling during prayers was a must.
If my mother sensed or even suspected you had failed to kneel, you were in for some serious beating. Today, people chew gum and ‘Facebook’ in church, would you believe it?
I remember Father Thomas, the chaplain at Buruburu Catholic Centre getting really mad if he saw you chewing gum while he was preaching.
He would stop and ask you to walk out. He had this hawk-eyed, no-nonsense look that would install the fear of God in you.
Dozing during sermons was high treason. He did not mince his words. He sent you home. Boy, this guy meant business when it came to winning souls!
All pastors and preachers were respected. No one dared mock them. Rarely were they mired in sex or financial scandals.
These days, one can become a pastor without stepping into a theology class. This was never the case.
Just like in the days of Jesus, pastors knew the poor shall inherit the earth. They did not own fuel guzzlers, lavish bungalows, pricey Gucci suits or Canali designer shoes.
How things have changed.
These days, pastors live in faster lanes than politicians and Congolese gold smugglers.
Dress code in our churches has also changed. No mini-skirts or cleavage-popping tops were allowed inside church. The women were only decked in decent maxi dresses. Oh, how I miss the days!
ojiamboainea@yahoo.com
@Ainea Ojiambo
