This archive report was first published on 21 August 2019.
As I reflect on the state of our churches, I am reminded of a story from my childhood. In a beautiful cathedral in Kampala, a clock hung high above the altar, but it was encased in a cage with a large lock. I later learned that the previous clock had been stolen, and the thief must have used a crane or dragged in ladders to pull off the heist.
Fast forward to today, and we see a similar trend of theft in churches across Africa. The Chaplaincy of St Augustine at Makerere University in Uganda recently released video footage of a thief who stole offertory money and equipment from the church.
Many years ago, stealing from a church would have been unthinkable. But times have changed, and now thieves target churches with impunity. In some cases, the money is even pressed through a small hole to prevent theft.
As I look at the state of our churches, I am reminded of the words of Jesus: 'Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's, and unto God what is God's.' But it seems that many people have forgotten this principle, and instead, they target churches for their own gain.
However, not all churches are affected equally. In some independent and 'Born Again' churches, the pastors have taken matters into their own hands, using enforcers to collect offerings and punish those who steal. In Kenya, some pastors have even been known to roll up their sleeves and join in beating down thieves.
But despite these efforts, the trend of theft in churches continues. In some cases, churches have even installed CCTV cameras to protect their offerings. The Norwich Cathedral in the UK recently made headlines by installing a 55ft fairground ride inside the church, but the aim was not just to entertain, but also to give people a different view of the inside of the building and to share the story of the Bible in a creative way.
As I look at the state of our churches, I am reminded that all is not lost. There are still many good people who attend church and give generously. And with the rise of technology, we can expect to see more innovative ways of collecting offerings and protecting church property in the years to come.
