Pastor Gideon O. Oladokun
By Gbenga Bankole
The Superintendent of Christ Apostolic Church, Itire Districts' Coordinating Council (DCC), Lagos, Pastor Gideon O. Oladokun has said a healthy church must be a soul winning and growing church, noting that no church can claim to be healthy when nobody is being developed.
Pastor Oladokun stated this while ministering on the topic "Ten Factors of a Healthy Church" last Sunday at the inauguration of CAC Mercyland Unity Zone and induction of Pastor J.A. Adelakun as the pioneer Zonal Superintendent.
He further said whatever position we occupy in the church is not greater than soul wining, emphasizing that the primary duty of the church is soul winning.
The Clergyman said a church can be very sick, it can move from the position of sickness to death, stressing that so many churches are dead but are still singing, praying and dancing.
On ten factors of a healthy church, Pastor Oladokun said a healthy church must be authentic, explaining that "Church leaders must demonstrate sincerity and must be authentic in all they do. Members must see the Pastor as 'my pastor.' There are three levels of Pastors; their Pastor, our Pastor and my Pastor. When church members don't see the church Pastor as 'my Pastor' it shows that their membership is not authentic."
He further said that one of the ten factors of a healthy church is everyone must do personal evangelism, saying that no church can be healthy without making church members soul winners.
Pastor Oladokun further said on the ten factors of a healthy church that "the members of the healthy church must be proud of the Pastor and the church. When members are proud of their Pastors, they will gladly invite people to their church. You must be very close to anyone who happens to be your Pastor. When you're familiar with your Pastor you're the luckiest."
The Clergyman noted that there must be an atmosphere of love and acceptance, enthusiasm and joy, no compromise of essentials, small group opportunity, creative approach, quality Children Church and evangelistic leader are part of ten factors of a healthy church.