Investigations by Punch newspaper revealed that churches are experiencing the impact of the economic crisis and the attendant cash crunch with considerable drop in tithes and offerings by members.

The founder of True Vine Bible Church, Akure, Pastor Dayo Ajisafe, said that his church had been seriously affected by the current economic situation of the country.

Ajisafe added that the attendance on Sunday services in the church had dropped from 500 to between 200 and 350 members, while an average of 90 members attend midweek services.

He blamed the development on irregular payment of salaries to workers in the state.     

Also Pastor Festus Oyewunmi of Arise and Build Bible Church, Ibadan, shared similar experience, saying, “The church is a component of the society. So, what is happening in the society will affect the church. Before, members would pay little, but now, they are not ready to pay anything. In fact, they are looking for ways to get something from the church.

“They want the pastor to dip his hands into his purse and pay for their transport and feeding for a whole month, especially in smaller churches in places like Ibadan.”

Beyond the drop in churches’ cash inflow, it was learnt that there has been increasing demand on the church leaders by their congregation for financial support towards feeding, accommodation and children’s tuition.



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