Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has said that some women consider it a privilege to have illicit affairs with prominent church leaders.
Adeboye made the statement in the January 29, 2023 edition of the RCCG’s Open Heavens devotional, while discussing the dangers and temptations that popular pastors may face in the course of their ministry.
According to the report, Adeboye said pastors who have large followings could become targets of temptation because of their influence and public visibility.
He explained that the reputation of a popular pastor can affect many people who look up to the person for spiritual guidance. He therefore warned that the downfall of a prominent pastor could have consequences beyond the individual.
Using the biblical account of King David and Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11 as an example, Adeboye discussed how sexual temptation can affect people in positions of authority.
He said some women may see relationships with bishops, general overseers, apostles and senior pastors as prestigious because of the positions these religious leaders occupy.
Adeboye described such relationships as sinful and attributed the attitude to what he described as spiritual blindness.
The RCCG leader also urged Christians not to focus only on criticising pastors who fall into temptation. Instead, he encouraged church members to pray for them and seek divine intervention.
He noted that prominent pastors often have demanding responsibilities, including travelling to dangerous locations to preach and interacting with influential people in society.
According to him, pastors need prayers for wisdom and boldness, particularly when dealing with powerful individuals and situations that may test their faith.
Adeboye further stressed that Christians should pray for church leaders because of the influence they have over their congregations.
The comments came as part of his devotional message on the challenges facing popular pastors and the need for Christians to support them spiritually.
The remarks also highlighted the responsibility that comes with religious leadership, particularly for pastors whose conduct can influence the people who follow them.
Adeboye has served as the General Overseer of the RCCG, one of Nigeria’s prominent Pentecostal Christian organisations, and his teachings are regularly circulated through the church’s Open Heavens devotional.
The 2023 devotional message focused on sexual temptation, the vulnerability of influential religious leaders and the need for Christians to pray for pastors rather than simply condemn them when they face moral challenges.
The statement was specifically presented as Adeboye’s observation about some women and should not be interpreted as a claim about women generally. His comments were made in a religious teaching context and centred on the conduct of church leaders and their followers.
