By 'Gbenga Bankole
In her quest to equip church workers for effective and impactful kingdom service, Christ Apostolic Church, All Saints' Chapel, CAC General Secretariat, Ibadan, has held 2023 edition of her Annual Leaders Summit.
The programme, which is part of the activities to commemorate the 2nd anniversary of the church was held on Monday May 1, 2023 with the theme "Commitment, Service, Loyalty and Integrity: Hallmarks of Christian Leadership (Text: Ephesians 4:11-16).
The Guest Minister, who is the Acting Director of Admin and Music Director of CAC Nigeria and Overseas, Pastor Tope Dada while ministering on the theme of the programme said anyone with strained or broken relationship with God cannot be an acceptable leader in the church.
He stated that no one or leader can separate from the Source (God) and remain fresh, adding that without Christ it is impossible to be a Christian leader.
Pastor Tope Dada noted that Christian leaders must be real Christians, people who have personal encounter with Christ.
According to him, every leader who wants to serve must be faithful, available and teachable, adding that as a Christian leader if you are not available for the work of God, He cannot trust anything in your hands.
The Clergyman stressed that Christian leaders must be committed to serving and must be true servants, working for the people of God and taking responsibilities.
On loyalty, Pastor Tope Dada said Christian leaders must be loyal to God, leaders and the vision/team.
Speaking on integrity, the Cleric said a leader's integrity must be integrity of the heart (that is in words and actions), social integrity and ministerial integrity.
"A leader with integrity is honest and truthful in all his dealings (Proverbs 11:3). A leader with integrity is accountable for his actions and takes responsibility for his misdeeds. A leader with integrity is consistent in his words and actions (James 5:12)," he stated.
Earlier in his welcome speech, the Chaplain of CAC All Saints' Chapel, Pastor T.D. Asokeji quoting Mark chapter 3 verse 13 which says "and He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him" said it is not everybody that the Lord will call because He has a choice of people that He wants to be with Him.
He added that; "Though He (Jesus) calls everybody to salvation, it is a special privilege to be called into ministry or into service. If you are a worker in a church, it is not a right but a responsibility which we have to be eternally grateful."
Pastor Asokeji who is the Special Assistant to the President also said that; "it is a bigger privilege that you are workers. We must be taught for the purpose of effectiveness. Leadership is determined by service. If you are too big to serve, you will be too small to lead. In this church we don't have Elders who are idle. Elders must not be chosen because they have been in church for the long time, they must be chosen because there is a need for their service."
Pastor Asokeji noted that service, loyalty and integrity are ingredients of effective service.
The programme anchored by Evang. Ayodeji Soyombo, the Evangelist of the Assembly ended with questions and answers questions and closing hymn.
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