Nairobi churches and others across the country are known for asking their worshipers to ‘panda mbegu’.
While ‘kupanda mbegu’ is not wrong, many people perceive it as a way for the churches to get money for themselves and their families.
There has been controversy on some of the preachers who demand their worshipers to ‘panda mbegu’.
In 2015, controversial Pastor Victor Kanyari was exposed and accused of allegedly faking miracles and demanding his worshipers to ‘panda mbegu’.
Church sermons never end without the men and women of God requesting their members to give something commonly referred to as '310'.
John Mboya, a theology lecturer at a private university in Nairobi says that majority of churches are genuine when they request their members to give 310 or anything they have.
Here are 3 reasons why church pastors demand 310 or ‘panda mbegu’.
1. Pay Bills
Mboya says that is expensive to run a church and maintain it especially on paying rent.
He observes that majority of what the pastors and preachers collect through M-Pesa donations goes to paying bills.
2. Running church programs
He notes that different churches have programs which need funding and that since the pastors do not have direct income, they request their worshipers and well-wishers to fund them through M-Pesa.
3. Buy equipment
Mr Mboya states that running an active church is not easy and that pastors have to move with modern technology and get proper equipment.
4. Paying for adverts
He observes that majority of city pastors and preachers request for M-Pesa to help them run and pay church advertisements and publicity.
He however says that there are preachers who fleece their worshipers by demanding M-Pesa.
“I think giving and more so to God should be a personal choice and people should not be forced to do it,” he said.
He warns that greedy preachers have tainted the image of the church, adding that worshipers should not be quick to condemn the few true men and women of God.
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