The Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the Most Rev. Henry Chukwudum Ndukuba has urged the church’s senior clergy in training to live up to the expectations and standard of the Anglican clergymen.
Addressing the clergymen who were undergoing a two weeks Advanced Management Course, themed Anglican Pastoral Ministry in the 21st Century at the Ibru Centre Agbarha-otor, via zoom, the Primate charged the clergymen to make good use of the course opportunity to develop themselves to the ideal Anglican clergymen they should be. Quoting 2Timothy 2:15: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”, he tasked them to be in touch with the truth of the Gospel as expressed in the historic Anglican formularies, namely, the Book of Common Prayers, Articles of Faith and the Church doctrines, and keep afloat the contending for the Faith.
He noted with regret that what the Church of Nigeria stands against and fight are gradually infiltrating the church and urged the clergy to make themselves available in the continued fight for the Faith. He admonished them: “Brethren, be resolute. Our lives and ministry continues and no one should think of himself as having arrived. We should not be copycats, but be the best of whom God has called us to be. Anglican Clergy is well disciplined and nurtured”.
The Primate counseled the clergymen that the Course is a rare opportunity that should not be joked with and appreciated the core faculty of the Course, namely, the Rt Rev. Dr Samuel Sowale, the Course Director and Bishop of Ilesa; the Rt Rev. David K. Bello Asst. Director and Bishop of Oturkpo and the Rt. Rev. Blessing Enyinda, the Registrar and Bishop of Ikwerre, saying that they are used to shape and reformulate the clergymen.
The Course Director, the Rt Rev. Dr Samuel Sowale, on behalf of the Faculty and the participants appreciated the Primate for the opportunity of the Course and for his challenging address.
The Senior Clergy Advanced Management Course of the Church of Nigeria, which used to hold twice a year, is now held annually in January. The 2021 session, which held between 18th and 29th January, is the 15th since the Course started in January 2012. Participants are senior clergy as sent and sponsored by the different dioceses of the Church of Nigeria. The course ended with a Closing Service which featured a final Charge and presentations of Certificates of Participation signed by the Primate and the Course Director.
