Pastor Seed Ibrasang
By Gbenga Bankole & Boluwatife Oparinde
The Deputy Missions Director of Christ Apostolic Church, Nigeria and Overseas, Pastor Seed Ibrasang, has addressed the need for enhancing doctrinal literacy among the clergy and laity, expressing that doctrinal illiteracy and negligence are causing enormous negative consequences.
Pastor Ibrasang highlighted some of these enormous consequences as proliferation of heresies/syncretism; stunted/weak believers tossed to and fro by wind of doctrines; dangerous ministerial practices; division; unholy living; bad leadership in all spheres of life; numbing the conscience of unbelievers; lack of victory in spiritual warfare; idolizing men; and reproach to handlers of the Word of Truth.
The cleric related these while delivering the first lecture titled "Enhancing Doctrinal Literacy among the Clergy and Laity" at the opening session of the ongoing Christ Apostolic Church 2023 Pastors' Conference holding at Babalola International Memorial and Miracle Camp, Ikeji Arakeji, Osun State.
Being part of the lectures of the Pastors' conference themed "Proving our Growth Through Sound Doctrine", the cleric stated that "a call to enhance doctrinal literacy is an appreciation of what we are doing so far, but with a need for improvement. It is simply saying, 'it can be better, it can be better, bigger and greater'. Sound doctrine is foundational to genuine Christianity. Without controversy, sound orthodoxy gives birth to sound orthopraxy."
"As ministers of the Gospel, our roles are clearly spelt out in Ephesians 4:11-13, and what builds faith and gives knowledge of the Son of God, leading to a perfect man and measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, is sound doctrine committed to us. Sound Doctrine is useful for exhortation and for conviction of those who contradict (Titus 1:9)," the cleric said.
Speaking on important factors for enhancing literacy, the Deputy Missions Director highlighted the need for the certainty of the right (sound doctrine); and the focus of the pastor reading the scriptures to the church, encouraging believers, and teaching them.
"In teaching believers, the quality and quantity of doctrine matters. A balanced diet produces healthy people, similarly, a balanced doctrine will produce a healthy church, and a healthy church will naturally grow," the cleric said.
Continuing that the ultimate goal of sound doctrine is salvation of souls, and keeping close watch to oneself and teaching, and staying true to what is right as prerequisites of enhancing literacy among clergy, Pastor Ibrasang added that, "in order to enhance doctrinal literacy, our mission needs to emphasize mandatory discipleship classes in all our assemblies. We must commend our Christian Education department for the excellent themes of the Sunday School, the Living Water Devotional and the Unified Bible Study manual. It is now our responsibility as ministers to teach and encourage members of the Church to commit themselves to the use of these materials for their spiritual growth."
Furthering on important factors in enhancing literacy, the clergyman noted a deliberate mentoring among ministers of God should be made clarion with commitment for a better tomorrow; alongside the consolidation of theological training for better understanding of biblical concepts.
According to him, "as a mission, we must give priority to theological education as the products of theological seminary are the leaders of our Assemblies. Maximum support in every aspect that will standardize these places of learning should be faithfully given."
Adding the need to also improve on the education of church members by opening nursery/primary schools, secondary schools and tertiary institutions where necessary, Pastor Ibrasang concluded that, "we must not forget that our mission as a church is to lead people into the knowledge of God through an in-depth study of the word of God, prevailing prayer and spiritual worship. Sound doctrine, however, is the bedrock of prevailing prayers and spiritual worship. Having the right doctrine and the right spirit, therefore should be our earnest desire."