Pastor Selasie Addae calls for censorship and wisdom in church content

Pastor Selasie Addae, founder of Apostolic Empowerment Ministries, is raising concerns about how churches are increasingly projecting their activities online, warning that a lack of restraint could have long-term consequences.

Speaking in an interview with MzGee on Behind the Pulpit, Addae stressed that while the internet is a powerful tool for spreading the gospel, not everything that happens within church spaces should be made public.

“I believe that the age we are in, we need the internet to expand the gospel,” he said. “But we should do it with a lot of wisdom. Otherwise, it will come back and hit us.”

At the heart of his argument is the need for what he describes as “censorship”—a deliberate decision by churches to filter what is shared publicly, especially when it comes to sensitive moments like prophecy and personal encounters.

“There are times we have to have intimate services,” he explained. “Some parts of the service are not shown on the internet.”

He pointed to examples where individuals may not be comfortable having their personal prophecies or financial contributions broadcast online.

“Someone comes to church, receives a prophecy, and it’s out there. Or they give an offering, and everyone knows what they gave,” he said. “Not everyone wants that.”

According to Addae, striking a balance is critical. While some argue that putting miracles and prophetic moments online attracts more people, he believes that approach risks shifting the focus away from the true purpose of ministry.

“It’s not about self-glorification. It’s about Jesus,” he said.

He added that the permanence of digital content should make churches more cautious.

“The internet never forgets. Twenty years from now, what you put out there will still be there,” he noted.

Addae revealed that in his own ministry, the decision to limit what is broadcast has not hindered growth. In some cases, it has even attracted members who prefer privacy.

“I’ve seen people join because not everything is online,” he said.

For him, the responsibility lies in understanding what is appropriate to share.

“As a church, we should know what we are comfortable putting out there,” he emphasized.

With increasing scrutiny of religious institutions online, Addae believes the future of the church will depend on how wisely it navigates visibility in the digital age.