CHAPTER 15 – BATTLE OF THE BRETHREN

©OPEYEMI AKINTUNDE
AS INSPIRED BY THE CREATIVE ONE

You see choir?
Choir is like stew.

When the ingredients are right… harmony, humility, Holy Ghost — the aroma sweetens the whole service.
But when pride, envy, and spiritual eye-service enter… pepper go enter eye.

The Sunday after Fire refresh, Instead of Fire for peace in the church, things came to a head.

The choir meeting was called by Edna “for alignment and spiritual check-in.” which we know in real fact, the heading of the meeting should be”Let’s address this T.J. matter without saying her name directly.”

We gathered inside the music room after second service.
Ceiling fan spinning slowly.
Mic stand leaning like it’s tired of hearing the same wahala.

Edna started gentle:

“We thank God for how far He has brought us. But we must not allow distraction to enter our midst.”

Then she smiled.
But it wasn’t a smile.
It was that kind of smile someone gives before giving you a slap wrapped in KJV English.

“Some of us have come in with unusual fire. We bless God…But choir is not a place for competition or silent rebellion.”

Some people were nodding.
Others were side-eyeing T.J. without even blinking.

Then, out of nowhere, Sister Irene ,.. one of the altos who never talks raised her hand.
“Sorry o, Sister Edna, with all due respect, this is beginning to look like intimidation.”
The Room became silent.
“Since that vigil where God moved through T.J., some of us have felt like we have to ‘watch ourselves’ anytime she’s around. Is she a threat? Or is it that we’re just not used to fresh grace?”
Edna blinked.
Shifted in her seat.
“Nobody is intimidated. We are simply protecting the altar.”

Then Irene dropped it.
“But who owns the altar? You or God?”

I nearly clapped, but Holy Spirit held my hands.

That room went cold.

A few people gasped.
One brother stood up, paced small, then sat down again.

T.J. just sat still.
Quiet.
Same posture.
Same expression.

But I could feel her heart beating from where I stood.
Then another sister, Angela, added softly:

“This split didn’t start when she came. It started when we stopped focusing on the presence and started policing personalities.”

Whew. God bless these Sisters.

That was when Edna stood.

“Enough. I see what’s going on…If you all feel you’re too spiritual to be led, maybe I should step down.”

Everybody went quiet…Tension was breathing heavily in that room.

But no one begged her.

In fact…
Three people quietly walked out.

Choir rehearsal?
Over.

Later that evening, a new group chat popped up:
“Altar Sounds : Worship Circle.”

Created by Irene.
T.J. was added.
Angela was added.
And within 24 hours?

Twelve choir members had joined, including myself on a coded level.

Unofficially?

The choir had split.

I sat with Mama later that night.

She was quiet.
Reading something.
Then she sighed.

“What did I tell you, Mabel? That girl is stirring spirits. Even ones we didn’t know were sleeping.”
I nodded.
Because now, even I could feel it…

This wasn’t just choir politics anymore.
This was war…And there seem to be powers involved. God was exposing things that had been swept under the carpet.

To be continued… ( TO PAY FOR THE THE FULL ACCESS TO THE E-COPY of this Story, Kindly Chat +234-9069926797 to buy your copy)

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