PRESENT DAY

Josh: Stella, fix your face.

Stella: 😒 Bruh, I’m over it. Church is supposed to be over by twelve. It’s like one thirty. Don’t they know people have stuff to do?

Marsha: Right? No lie tho, Reverend Mason’s sermon was 🔥🔥🔥

John: Yeah, but did he really need to do all that extra talking with the communion? That little wafer had long digested and left my system by the time we got to the grape juice.

Marsha: By the way, what’s happening with our father bishop Wilson? Bruh been away for like four straight weeks. Josh, what did you do this time?

Josh: He said he’ll be back soon. Meanwhile, enjoy your new daddy. At least this one’s wife isn’t here to torture you in the choir. See how you feel free enough to text during service. Such indiscipline.

Marsha: 😏

Josh: 😎

John: 😂

Stella: Low key, I hope this break lasts a little longer cos I have been breathing a lot better these last few weeks bishop Wilson has been away. I do miss him though.

John: Facts. God have mercy on us if we’re wrong, but this guy’s preaching has actually been very uplifting. Them rebuke and repent sermons every Sunday had a brother feeling like God wanted nothing to do with me. The stress was real!

Stella: I thought it was just me. Bishop had been preaching angry for so long, I thought redemption was not possible for me. Josh was definitely doing some foolishness cos those sermons felt personal.

Josh: 🤦🏿‍♂️ Rev Mason is definitely not staying here. I heard he’s starting his own church somewhere nearby. We’ll probably end up being neighbors.

Stella: As long as I don’t have to wait three hours past closing time for the actual closing. Why is he still up there talking? I thought offering was already done.

It wasn’t just Stella; almost everyone was itching to leave. Reverend Mason, for all his wonderful sermons and powerful prayers, was clearly not a man given to the observation of time. All the good he’d done had been counterbalanced with the time he’d spent doing the good. So, it made sense that some people started leaving just after the offering, when he’d begun what sounded like the fifth sermon of the day.

“If everyone could have a seat for a few minutes, please. I understand that time is far spent, and I promise to keep this as brief as possible. Media, kindly take us off the air, please. Let me know when we’re off.”

He waited for Stella to give him the thumbs up, and then he continued. “I’m sure you’ve noticed that Bishop McQueen has been absent for a few weeks now. He sends all his love and greetings to you all. Shall we give a hand for Bishop and all the work he has done in this church.”

The applause, though tired, was loud and genuine.

“When Bishop McQueen arrived at this church, it was a broken home. There was so many battles to fight, so many wounds to heal, and yet he did it all. He built up this church again and led you all to a period of great thriving. Which is why it has been difficult for he and I to properly communicate to you the plans for the future of this church.”

Marsha: That does not sound good.

Stella: Josh and John, abeg what’s wrong with our daddy?

“We’d been hoping that he would be around today so we could bring the news to you together, but it appears that may not be possible for quite a while. To make a long story short, Bishop Wilson has been called on assignment to the main branch. I will be taking over the helm of this church, at least until his assignment is over. When that will be, I do not know. But I can promise you that this church will not miss a beat, and we will keep this thing going strong until Bishop McQueen’s return. How many of you think it’s a good place to clap?”

Stella: 🤯🤯

Marsha: 🤯

Stella: WHAT!

John: Somehow, it doesn’t sound like a temporary appointment at all.

Marsha: What the hell is going on!!!

“I know this is a very unorthodox way of doing things, but we all, Bishop included, believe that it is in the best interests of everyone to know what is going on, just so that you all are not left wondering what’s happening when you don’t see him around. So, myself and your new first lady will be the new pastors here until we are given the go ahead to step back for Bishop. I look forward to working with everyone to keep our church growing and glowing. Somebody say amen!”

*****

FOUR YEARS AGO

Bishop Rupert looked the picture of calm, given what was about to happen. Wilson felt like tilapia before a shark as he sat in the guest sofa in the office. Bishop Kusi had left the two men alone in the office while he went to speak with Archbishop King. They’d been in there for about ten minutes, and the discomfort had affected Wilson so much that he couldn’t even sit properly.

Finally, he had enough. He stood up and walked over to Bishop Rupert.

“Bishop Rupert, I’ve known your story since I got in with papa’s intercessory crew. I know of how much work you put in to begin your own church, and then to get it integrated into the City of Faith network, only to have to transfer to this branch. I have the greatest amount of respect for you.” He began to kneel down. “So please know that I mean it from the bottom of my heart when I say that I had nothing to do with any of this. I had no clue it was going to happen. I did not choose this at all.”

“Son, I promise you, I would never have thought you did. Please stand up.”

Wilson remained on his knees, thinking that Rupert was just trying to be nice as he said, “All I wanted to do was spend my honeymoon with my new wife. Being a head pastor was nowhere near my mind at all.”

Rupert took his hands and pulled him up. “Have a seat, Wilson.”

Wilson sat in the chair across from Rupert. “I’m going to break a personal rule of mine and be completely honest with a fellow City of Faith pastor. Could you promise me that my words to you will remain in this office?”

“You have my word, Bishop.”

“Good. I’m relieved. I am thoroughly relieved to be the outgoing pastor for this branch. I am so tired from pastoring in this network. You will not believe just how much of a burden is being lifted off my shoulders today. “

“Forgive me, bishop, but I’m actually confused. You’re relieved to be losing what everyone believes is a prestigious position in this network?”

“Not just relieved; excited! I have not felt this great in so long.”

“Forgive me for asking, but why?”

“The minute I heard Quaye gushing over the mighty works you did when you came the first time, I put on Soul Winners and started dancing like there was no tomorrow. I know you will do great. I have no doubt you will excel. You are family by matrimonial union, so you will be protected no matter what. I am glad to be out of your way, honestly.”

“But Bishop, why would you want to leave? I mean, besides the scandal which blew up under your leadership, there’s really nothing that’s a stain on you. Why be excited to leave the service of the Most High?”

“Wilson, you’re new in the system, and you are filled with much zeal, so I can’t say too much to you. You have a crucial role to play, and I can’t be the reason why you abdicate it now. A word of advice: whoever seems to be looking out for you in this network is only ever looking out for themselves through you. Let God tell you who to draw close and who to keep out. If you will follow the leadings of the Spirit come what may, you will make a number of enemies, but you will always be vindicated.”

Bishop Kusi walked in. “Gentlemen, it is time. Wilson, may I have a word with you before you go?”

Rupert shook Wilson’s hand and gave him a warm look. “Feel free to reach out to me anytime regarding anything. We are still one family.” He nodded, and then he stepped out.

Kusi walked over to Wilson where he stood.

“I know that I was less than civil when I gave you the news of your appointment. Frankly, I was in shock and had yet to fully process papa’s decision. But, now that we’re here, I want to let you know that I am fully behind you. I am ready to support you in any way you need it, and you can count on me to be there for you always. I look forward to hearing your plans for this church, and how the regional office can be of service to the Chatswick branch. Welcome to the team, Pastor McQueen. I hope you harbor no hard feelings from before.”

Wilson took Kusi’s outstretched hand even as he pondered his words. Even though he was clearly trying to smooth things over, there was never any apology rendered. He thought of the hostility Kusi had shown all though the preparation meetings, how he’d been so passive-aggressive.

Yet, here he stood, like a man who’d just been appointed chief of staff to the president after trying to beat him in an election. Wilson made a mental note to remember everything, at least until he could connect the dots. “Thank you, Bishop. Excited to be of service to the church.”

*****

PRESENT DAY

Josh was on the media laptop at church with his headphones on, looking up apartments online. With each price he saw, he became more discouraged. Eventually, he slammed the laptop shut in frustration and put his head down. He could feel the fear of the unknown getting stronger in him, but there was also the increasing feeling of betrayal. He cranked up the music volume and soon his ears were begging to be free.

He was close to falling asleep when he got jolted into extreme awareness. He’d felt something on his shoulder and was about to spring into action before he saw that it was Stella.

“Sorry, I thought you were asleep. I just wanted to pray for you. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“It’s fine. I just didn’t expect anyone to come here tonight.”

“Me too, so I wanted to come and sweep for Wednesday service.”

“Alright, I’ll get out of your way.”

“No no, you can stay. I’m just cleaning the pulpit and the altar.”

Josh’s phone made a sound. He took a look and showed it to Stella. It was a text from Lady Ellen.

‘Bishop wants to meet with you, Marsha, Stella and John in three days. Will text the location. DON’T SAY ANYTHING FOR NOW!’

Stella read the text again while Josh put his head back down. “I guess this will be the explanation session but why all the secrecy?”

Josh shrugged and shook his head.

Another text came in, this time from Marsha and it was on the group chat.

Just got word that Bishop’s been staying at the Layers Hotel for the last two weeks. Lady Ellen is out of the country. What the hell is going on?

Wait a minute, whaatttttt??? Who saw that coming? What’s going on? How did that happen? Goodness, this is crazy!