Self-Appointed Leaders: Title Seekers and Title Sellers

Self-Appointed Leaders: Title Seekers and Title Sellers

Jerry Adesewo

Immediately after the second installment of my weekly column was posted last week, I received a message from an unknown reader via our Facebook page:  “Flesh and blood did not reveal this to you. Quite on point. However, I think this is a subtle tirade against the Cherubim churches; you are just not bold enough to name names. Anyway, I am happy that someone is saying something. More anointing, sir!”

I do not know this person, nor could I confirm whether he is or was a member of the Cherubim and Seraphim Churches. I also do not know if he checked my profile and realised that I belong to the same denomination, making him feel I should ‘remove the speck in my eye before attempting to remove the one in others.’

Read Also: The Peril of Self-Appointed Leadership 

Whatever his motive, I must admit that he succeeded—he got my attention. So, in this third installment of my exploration into the dangers of self-appointed leaders, I am shifting my focus to the Cherubim and Seraphim Churches. After all, ‘charity begins at home’.

The Shift from Calling to Cash and Carry

Like many other denominations, the Cherubim and Seraphim Churches were built on spiritual devotion, divine encounters, and sacrificial service. Titles such as Prophet, Apostle, Most Senior Apostle, Special Apostle, and Mother-in-Israel were not just honorary labels; they were bestowed upon those who demonstrated divine calling, commitment, and unwavering service.

However, today, a troubling shift has occurred. Once reserved for those truly called by God, these sacred titles have now become negotiable honours. Individuals with deep pockets but little or no spiritual depth can now ascend to the highest ranks of the Church—not through divine selection but through financial influence.

Let me paint a scenario: A woman, inactive in church for over three years, suddenly resurfaces when the next set of titles is announced. She secures her ordination as Senior Mother-in-Israel without any track record of service simply because she can afford the hefty price placed on the title.

If this were limited to ceremonial titles, perhaps it could be excused. But ministerial titles—Pastor, Prophet, Evangelist, and even Teacher—are now also being traded like commodities. All one needs is an interest and a deep pocket to meet the financial demands. It has reached a sickening level where titles are now used as compensation, not as a sign of divine calling.

My father, who dedicated his entire life to the service of God, died at the ripe age of 85 as an Apostle. At half his age, I am already a Most Senior Apostle. Meanwhile, there are many even younger, with far less experience and service, who already bear the title of Special Apostle. Some have been ordained into multiple titles—Pastor, Prophet, Evangelist, and now even Teacher—within a few years!

One must ask: Has the Church forgotten that leadership is about service, not status? Have we abandoned humility and dedication in favour of wealth and recognition?

The Marketplace for Titles: A Tragedy in the House of God 

It is no longer uncommon to hear of individuals paying huge sums of money to receive religious titles. Some lobby for positions, while others bribe their way into prominence. The criteria for elevation are no longer spiritual depth, faithfulness, or divine selection but financial contributions and social influence.

The tragedy is that many of these title-seekers do not even understand the responsibilities that come with their new positions. Some have never led a congregation, preached a sermon, or interceded for souls. Yet, they bear the title of Prophet, Apostle, or Most Senior Apostle while waiting for the next cycle of title elevation. Leadership in the Church has been reduced to a ceremonial badge rather than a spiritual assignment.

 The Consequences of a Title-Obsessed Church

The obsession with titles in the Cherubim and Seraphim Churches has led to devastating consequences, weakening the very foundation of spiritual leadership.

When individuals appoint themselves or buy their way into positions of authority, they lack divine backing and spiritual power. Their words become hollow, their prayers ineffective, and their leadership uninspiring. A Church led by such individuals loses its ability to stand against the forces of darkness because its leadership is compromised.

Throughout history, great revivals were led by men and women who were genuinely called by God—people who devoted themselves to prayer, holiness, and service. But when leadership becomes a business transaction, the Holy Spirit withdraws. The once-vibrant Church, filled with the power of God, is reduced to mere rituals and lifeless ceremonies.

Instead of passion for God’s presence, we now see a hunger for status. The sacred altar has been replaced with a stage for personal glorification.

A Call to Restore True Spiritual Leadership

The Cherubim and Seraphim Churches must ensure that titles are not for sale. The Church must not be a marketplace. The call of God is not something to be negotiated.

Jesus called His disciples personally (Mark 3:13-14), and so must it be in the Church today. Spiritual fruit, not financial strength, must be the qualification for leadership. As Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16).

If we are to return to biblical leadership, we must do the following:

1. Restore the principle that leaders must be called by God, not chosen by man. The Church must reject the practice of elevating individuals based on wealth and connections.
2. Ensure that leadership is about service, not status. Taking a cue from Jesus, who washed the feet of His disciples (John 13:14-15), we must teach the next generation that true leadership is rooted in humility.
3. Reject the commercialisation of titles. No position in the Church should be bought or lobbied for.
4. Uphold the integrity of the Church. If ministerial titles are to retain their spiritual significance, they must be reserved for those who have demonstrated faithfulness and commitment to God’s work.

 Final Thoughts: Will We Heed the Warning?

As Romans 12:2 reminds us, “Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” The Church must reject worldly practices and seek leaders after God’s own heart.

The question remains: Will we heed the warning, or will we let the fire of true leadership be extinguished? The future of the Cherubim and Seraphim Churches—and the Body of Christ at large—depends on the choices we make today.