A program to curb the effects of syncretism on quality of worship in Erinmope District, Ekiti conference of Seventh-day Adventist Church, Nigeria

Abstract

The quality of worship in Erinmope District, Ekiti Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church was impacted by the effects of syncretism on her members. This work ascertained the presence and effects of syncretism in Erinmope District on the quality of worship and proffered solution to avoid its continuous occurrence through an intervention program. Quantitative method was adopted, using questionnaire to gather data and analysis was done using, hierarchical clusters, cross-tabulation, pierson correlations and percentages. A Focused Group Discussion was also used to ascertain the impact of the intervention program. The study revealed that syncretism was a practice in Erinmope District, as more than seventy percent of respondents (77.3% male and 70.6% female) agreed that some members were still in one occult group or the other as at the time this survey was carried out. That some members still visit Babalawo is assented to by 60.7% of respondents. That some still communicate with the dead to rest in peace is consented to by 87.5% of respondents. That some members do fear to share their prayer requests before the congregation or to one another to avoid turning it to a misfortune is attested to by 71.5% of the respondents. That there are still adherents of Ogboni fraternity among the members is attested to by 53.6% of the respondents, which is a little more than average of the respondents. That there were confirmed cases of witchcraft in the time past is attested to by 91.1% percent suggests that there is a need for intervention. Conclusively, above eighty-seven percent (87.5%) of the respondents indicated that, some members are still practicing ancestral worship as they participate in Egungun Festival. The afore-mentioned facts and members’ involvement in them greatly impacted the quality of worship in Erinmope District negatively. The study further showed that the Church is educated to a point, as 94.6% of the respondents consented that obedience is paramount in worship and a requirement for genuine worship. That Christians’ participation in traditional festival is not advisable; it could lead away from God because of the element of idolatry, which is attested to, by 91.1% of the respondents. They are also aware that dual allegiance has a serious negative effect on the return of tithes and offering as 89.1% of the respondents attested to this. They are aware that becoming a Traditional Chief as a Christian could lead to idolatry as 96.4% of the respondents attested to this. Moreover, they are also aware that compromise of Christian faith is possible when a believer accepts traditional Chieftaincy title, as 75% of the respondents attested to this. They also responded, that the practice of partisan politics might affect Sabbath keeping. Conclusively, 96.4% of the respondents revealed that they are aware that Christian worship requires total surrendering to the Almighty God. The intervention program made a positive impact within the District and the work therefore recommends, regular bible study, prayer meetings, and sanctions for offenders as some of the ways to curb syncretism in Erinmope District.