REPORT OF THE WORLD BIBLE SCHOOL ABUJA TEAM, 2ND I.C.T. TRAINING AND LEADERSHIP SEMINAR ON 4TH-7TH SEPTEMBER 2019 @ CHURCH OF CHRIST KADO, ABUJA.

 INTRODUCTION

The need to develop the capacity of Preachers and WBS workers in Abuja and its environs on ICT and leadership skills necessitated the organization of these programs, because of the importance of continuous improvement on their work in the church.

This year’s date 4th–7th September 2019, and venue, Church of Christ, Kado was agreed upon during consultations with the facilitator, Brother Mike Udam, and the Church of Christ Kado, Abuja because of the centrality of the venue to participants.

REPORT

ICT TRAINING

The objective of the program is to train preachers and workers on the use of ICT for evangelism. It is to update their knowledge of the usage of computer and other ICT equipment.

The 3-day program had Brothers Mike Udam, Abiodun Adegoroye and Princewill Amaefule serving as facilitators, with 16 participants in attendance throughout the program. The training covered the following areas: Microsoft Word/Power Point Presentation, Cyber Crime Prevention, Effective Use of the Internet’s Search Engine -Google, et al. The participants were also given various educational materials meant for edification such as videos, texts etc., to aid their work in their various ministries in the Church.

The training program came to an end with appreciation made to the organizer and facilitator by the Abuja Preachers’ Forum.

LEADERSHIP SEMINAR

The seminar took place on Saturday, 7th September 2019. The venue was the auditorium of the church of Christ, Kado. About 40 brethren from various congregations in Abuja and its environs attended the seminar.

The thematic analysis was delivered by Brother Abiodun Adegoroye. He did emphasize that every gospel preacher should spend at least eight hours daily studying the word of God. This will enhance the preacher’s ability in dividing the word of God accurately, effectively and efficiently.

The first key note speaker was Brother Osita Onuora. He spoke on the topic, “Watch the pulpit and who manages it.” The following points were highlighted by the speaker:

1. The pulpit must always be higher than the pew.
2. The office of the preacher is the pulpit. For the pulpit to be effective, the man on the pulpit must of necessity develop himself to a higher position, higher than the pew.

• It is the sole responsibility of the preacher on the pulpit to set things in order and edify the church.

He concluded by saying that in order for the pulpit to be managed appropriately, the man on the pulpit must do the following:

1. Manage his speech.
2. Manage his conduct.

• Live a pure life.

The second key note speaker was Brother Mike Udam. He spoke on the topic, “Content Development and Effective Lesson Delivery.” The following points were highlighted by the speaker in his presentation:

1. The church must be fed from the pulpit whenever they meet.
2. The pulpit must feed the pew with milk and graduate to solid food.

• Four basic principles to deploy in content development were enumerated. These include:

1. Who are you preparing the ‘food’ for?
2. What is the span of your lesson?
3. What is your purpose for the lesson?
4. What do you intend to achieve by the lesson?

There were several other points enumerated. However, the speaker concluded the lesson by emphasizing that a great lesson is first prepared in the mind, drafted in a script and spoken to minds to cause a powerful change in their lives.

Apart from the keynote presentations by the guest speakers, there was an open forum where issues were raised and the panelists of selected evangelists with the keynote speakers proffered solutions using biblical principles. Some the issues raised were:

1. The concept of hiring and firing of preachers by congregations:

Here, it was concluded that the church does not have biblical mandate to hire and fire a preacher as if the church were in the secular business. But, if the preacher fails in his responsibility and does not manage the pulpit as he should, the church reserves the right to ask the preacher to quit instead of his destroying the image of the body of Christ.

2. The concept of the preacher being an employee of the church:

The church does not in any way occupy the position of an employer of preacher(s) because Christ is the only employer of the preacher and all the members of the church. Thus, the preacher is to work as fellow worker with other members of the church. However, if the preacher fails in his responsibilities, and does not manage the pulpit as well as living the life, the congregation has the right to end the working relationship she has with the preacher though their spiritual relationship may continue. This means that the preacher and all the members of the church need to maintain cordial relationship and fellowship in order to achieve the task of the master.

3. The issue of a preacher lording over the church:

The preacher has no biblical mandate to lord it over a congregation. Rather, the work of a preacher is to use the Scripture and guide the church to walk in the path of righteousness. The preacher is a servant leader just like every other person in the church is to use his/her gift to serve the church.

4. The issue of elders lording over the church:

The Bible has authoritatively instructed that elders should not lord it over the church, but that they should be examples and should lead by example (1Pe 5:1-3)

5. Relationship between preacher and elders in a congregation: The issue of who is superior?

This issue was one of the issues that generated serious tension. But, it was resolved that according to the instructions of the Holy Spirit, when it comes to administration in the church, the Elders serve as overseers. But when it concerns the spiritual wellbeing of the church, the preacher, being the angel of the church serves as the instrument of the Lord. This is because, the Lord Jesus being the only head and ruler of the church set up the church in such a way that the preachers and elders work as fellow workers in His vineyard. That is why the preacher has the authority from the word of God to caution, advice, and rebuke an elder or the eldership when they stray from their duties and the eldership equally have authority from the word of God to caution, advise and rebuke the preacher when he errs. It was seen as a scriptural check and balance. Above all, the preachers must respect, obey and love an elder or the eldership and vice versa.

6. How congregations should engage the services of young preachers who are not married:

It was concluded that congregations should not depend on the ideology of men in running the affairs of the church of Christ, but rather, the word of God should be guide in all matters. Examples of Paul, Timothy and Titus were cited as preachers who were not married, but were engaged in congregations as preachers. In addition, congregations were encouraged to always help young preacher in their ministry in any way possible.

FINANCE/SPONSORSHIP

The program was financed and sponsored by our WBS Missionary, Brother Chad Wagner, whose interest and mission in Leadership Development of Preachers and Leaders is highly motivational.

CONCLUSION:

The seminar was an eye opener to the participants on the effective management of the pulpit, the preacher’s qualities and skills development in managing the pulpit and developing content for the pulpit. Testimonies and appreciation from the participants confirmed the success of the program. It appears many have been empowered to develop positive attitudes towards the pulpit. Special thanks to Almighty God for the grace to serve in His vineyard and also to the resource persons, participants, host congregation and the organizer for the successful hosting of the program.

Thanks and God bless you.

Bro Alabi Samson

Team Leader, WBS Abuja Team.