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| CAC Essien Regional Superintendent, Pastor I. Olu Eyebiokin |
Christ Apostolic Church, Ago-Ijesha Zone, Abeokuta, on Thursday June 18, 2022 held 5th edition of her annual refresher course for Ministers, their wives, Midwives, Elders, Elders' Wives, and Deaconesses with the theme "Fulfilling Your Ministry" (1 Timothy 4:6).
While ministering on the topic "The Role of Elders and Deaconesses in the Fulfilment of your Ministry", the Regional Superintendent of CAC Essien Region, Pastor I. Olu Eyebiokin told the Elders, Elders Wives, Midwives and Deaconesses that they are to submit to their Pastors.
He also told them not to attack their Pastors, give them (their Pastors) godly advice and must corporate with them.
On the role of Elders and Deaconesses, Pastor Eyebiokin said:" in order to be more faithful in scripture in the area of church policy, we must embrace and understand the area of elders, deaconess. When we came to New Testament the evidence indicates that every church had a plurality of elders (Acts 6:4). They plead for the flock of God under their care. They pray for the souls over whom they keep watch and for whom they will have to give an account. We see this commitment to pray in decision of the Apostles in the early church who appointed others to serve the needs of the grooming church so that they might devote themselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."
The Cleric further said that Elders preach and teach the Word, explaining that (Acts 6:4,2, Timothy 4:1-5);"Elders serve the word to the sheep under their care. Since God rules His people by His word, elders must be faithful to proclaim the word of God to people. As the Apostles devoted themselves to prayer, they also devoted themselves to the ministry because faith comes from hearing and hearing through the word of Christ. (Rom 10:17) because we are born again through the word of God, elders are called to rightly handle the word of Truth 2 Timothy 2:15) and declared the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27) they must be devoted to knowing Gods word Elders bear authority over Jesus church only to the extent that they teach, obey and enforce Jesus word.
"Elders are intimately involved with their sheep in order to see them grow in Christian maturity. They should, smell like sheep. Peter exhorts elders. Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have You; not for shameful gain, but eagerly: not domineering over those in your charge, but being in examples to the flock (1 Peter 5:2-3). The Apostle Paul encouraged the Ephesians elders to pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which we obtained with his own. The Elders shepherd Gods flock. Shepherding involves such responsibilities as providing godly counsel and biblical instructions, helping resolve conflicts peacefully, protecting the flock from wolves, caring for struggling sheep, and providing oversight of the spiritual well-being of the flock (This is why church membership matters: Elders need to know who their flock is!).
"Elders not only lead by teaching the word but by obeying Christ and modeling Christian maturity. They are not only to keep a close watch on their doctrine but also on themselves and their families. As Elders teach the congregation to trust God and grow in godliness, loving and persuading them to obey Christ (Hebrew 13:17) calls believers to obey your leaders and submit to them."
In his welcome address, Zonal Superintendent of CAC Ago-Ijesha Zone, Pastor N.E. Oyegbile appreciated God for His protection, and provision over everyone and for giving them the grace to witness this year's refresher course despite all the challenges facing Nigeria.
He enjoined the participants to always abide with the tenets of CAC, discharging their responsibilities such as paying all necessary dues, seed of blessing, and other levies to the CAC authority.
Pastor Oyegbile pleaded for the support of the participants to the both physical & Spiritual development of Essien Region under the leadership of baba Alaseyori Pastor Isaac Olu Eyeniokin (J.P).
Lecture one of the refresher course was delivered by District Superintendent of CAC Leme District, Pastor A.O. Igbinnaduwa on the topic" Fulfilling your Ministry : Model, Mandate, and Mechanism."
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