By Boluwatife Oparinde
In line with the mission statement of Christ Apostolic Church, Nigeria and Overseas, to lead people "into the knowledge of God through indepth study of the word of God" and one of the tripod visions of the CAC President, Pastor S. O. Oladele, which is Training and Development, CAC Egba DCC has held her 2022 Refresher Course for Ministers and church workers towards efficient church growth and development.
This year's refresher course themed "Profiting Through Knowledge" from the text, 2 Peter 3:18, held on Saturday, 17th September, 2022 at CAC, Essien Regional Headquarters, Isale Ake, Abeokuta.
In his Welcome Address, the Regional Superintendent, Essien Region, Pastor Isaac Olu Eyebiokin appreciated God for "making us end-time veritable instruments in His vineyard", commending the refresher course committee led by the Chairman, Pastor Samson Odubade and the Secretary, Pastor Ayobami Oduronbi, for the success of the programme.
Expositing 2 Peter 3:18 and Hosea 4:6 to highlight the importance of knowledge, Pastor Eyebiokin expressed that knowledge is very profitable such that people go to school to acquire knowledge, adding that the more one reads, the more knowledgeable he/she becomes.
Welcoming the participants and declaring the programme opened, the Regional Superintendent said, "So we are here again to acquire more knowledge in the Lord through divine inspirational lectures cum power packed prayers."
The Refresher course programme featured three impactful lectures; "The Place of Knowledge in Family in the Fulfilment of our Ministry" delivered by Pastor Samuel Ogundana; ''Media Roles Facing the Contemporary Challenges in our Church (A case study of CAC)" delivered by Pastor Victor Osiyemi; and "The Place of Knowledge for Workers in Church Growth'' delivered by the Regional Superintendent, Pastor Isaac Olu Eyebiokin (JP).
In the first lecture, the District Superintendent, CAC, Fountain of Love and Power District, Camp, Pastor Sam Ogundana noted that, "knowledge is a vital element in the family and one of the master keys in fulfilment of our ministry. The church, society and nation at large is made up of different families with their own uniqueness. As a result of this, it becomes expedient for church leaders to have a good knowledge about family and understand how to effectively build a united church and successful ministry around people who hail from different families and races."
Highlighting the importance of the Christian home in fulfilling ministry to include, "the home is the parent of the society and ministry and not the child; A weak home is a weak ministry and consequently a weak society; A strong home is a strong ministry and a strong society; When the family is strong, the church is strong; The influence of the church is diminished by families in turmoil; Good knowledge about family helps in keeping the church united," the cleric concluded that, "Knowledge becomes power only when we put it to use. The church is made up of different families with individual uniqueness. To be successful as a minister of God, you need a good knowledge about family affairs and also acquire all relevant skills that is needed in managing people in other for you to successfully build a great and fulfilling ministry."
The District Superintendent, CAC Oke Anu, Omida District, Ibara, Abeokuta, Pastor Victor Osiyemi, delivering the second lecture on "Media Roles Facing the Contemporary Challenges in our Church (A case study of CAC)" who listed the various contemporary challenges facing churches as "False and wrong doctrines (Titus 1:10-11, Heb. 13:9); Deserting the legacy of our fathers (Prov. 22:28); Worldliness: (1 John 2:15-17); Gospel of materialism (Mat. 6:24, 16:26); Moral decadence; Deception (Heb. 5:9); Disloyalty and unfaithfulness in kingdom service (2 Kings 12:15) and Ignorance (Hosea 4:6)" offered the Bible as *the main media to combat any challenges in the world today, most especially the Pauline Epistles."
The cleric stated that, "Teaching the sound doctrines of the Scripture (2Tim 3:15-17); Teaching the truth of the Gospel. (Jn 14:16-17); Teaching the basic things of life , ministry, and eternity (Mt.16:26); Putting records straight (Lk1:1-4); Showcasing the power of God in our midst in order to strengthen our faith. (Rev. 12:11, Jn. 20:30-31)" are media roles in the contemporary church.
Pastor Osiyemi concluded that, "there are three important things the church has not understood but the devil and his agents are using them against us and these are: the power of money; the power of government; and the power of media. As a church, we need to wakeup."
Delivering the third lecture titled "The place of Knowledge for Workers in Church Growth", the Regional Superintendent, Essien Region, Pastor Isaac Olu Eyebiokin, emphasizing the need for knowledge, told his audience that, "some churches have scattered because of lack of knowledge. The Bible says my people were destroyed because of knowledge. Lack of knowledge makes one to lose opportunities, promotions and makes someone to retrogress."
"Lack of knowledge is the problem of Nigeria. The leaders are using their personal knowledge and wisdom to run the affairs of Nigeria, and that's why we are facing series of challenges today," he continued.
Pastor Eyebiokin expressed that, "knowledge is more powerful than wisdom.Wisdom destroys thing easily. Knowledge is like spring of water that comes out gently and it may be flowing for ever, but wisdom comes like rain with full force and stop later. Among the tools the devil is using today on the believers is lack of Knowledge . Many Pastors have made their Elders enemies of the church because of their lack of knowledge. Lack of knowledge destroys things."
Encouraging the ministers and workers to seek for knowledge, the clergyman stated that, "if one has a gift of dream and such person cannot interprete it, it means such person has no knowledge (1 Cor. 12:8). If a Sunday school cannot teach well, such person has no knowledge. All departments in the church cannot grow if they lack knowledge. So, knowledge is a prerequisite to growth. With knowledge, one is able to do the right thing at the right time."
Pastor Eyebiokin counselled his audience to ardently get knowledge by reading the scriptures, adding that only the scriptures can make one wise and boost faith in God.
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