Cultural Revivals: COCIN President Cautions Christians against Resurgence of Traditional Worship Practices

The COCIN President has called on pastors to ensure they guard the purity of the Christian against “the resurgence of traditional worship practices subtly blending with the Christian faith through the revival of cultural festivals.”

Rev. Dr. Mohzo said while he acknowledged that culture carries values that can enrich community life, but he observed with “deep concern what is happening in our communities.

“I am troubled by the growing trend of syncretism taking root among believers. Most cultural festivals, if not all, though often promoted as harmless cultural expressions, frequently feature masquerades, magical performances, and the display of fetish objects which are historically tied to idol worship and demonic symbolism. These are not merely cultural activities but spiritual practices that contradict the gospel of Christ.”

This development, the cleric opined, mirrors “the fragmented tribal confederation of Israel during the time of the Judges, a period marked by disunity and repeated spiritual decline.”

He maintained that the revival of such “tribal-centred expressions threatens the unity and koinonia of the Christian faith, undermining the spiritual oneness that Christ prayed for in John 17.

While calling on pastors to guard the purity of the Christian faith amid “cultural revivals,” the COCIN President also appealed to Christian traditional rulers to “reflect carefully and respond decisively.”

The cleric who emphasised the need for discernment said, “We must exercise discernment and not allow emotional or cultural sentiment to compromise biblical truth.

“Though there are irredeemable aspects of culture, we must remember that much of it is interwoven with practices that oppose Christ’s lordship.

“I therefore call on the General Church Council and our Christian traditional rulers to reflect carefully and respond decisively.

“Unlike other faiths that maintain clear boundaries, we seem to champion cultural revivals without adequate theological reflection. “We need a cautious and well-informed statement from the leadership that will guide our members away from these dangerous blends, and instead reaffirm our collective identity in Christ, people called out to be holy, set apart, and faithful to the truth of the gospel.

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