The Bishop of Lagos Diocese, Anglican Communion who is also the host bishop of the Church of Nigeria 2024 Bishops’ and Wives retreat, the Rt. Rev’d Ifedola Okupevi has urged Church Fathers and Mothers to pursue a shepherd leader model for the advancement and effectiveness of the mission of God to the world.
He made reference to the Gospel read at the opening service of the retreat where he preached on the theme ‘Shepherding God’s Family’ which was taken from John 10:1-18 and this further prompted the question: who is a shepherd? He further explained that a shepherd is identified as a caring, courageous, and a guide.
Bishop Okupevi emphasized on the essence for this theme, “This is a call for leaders in the Ecclesiastical community to pursue a shepherd leader model for the advance and effectiveness of the mission of God to the world”.
The Bishop also made reference to Psalm 23 which is a reassuring assertion that “the Lord is my shepherd and I shall not want”.
Many other examples were sighted as well as those who had been chosen as leaders but couldn’t carry on the assignment.
“We have been called to call others. We have been called to depopulate the kingdom of Satan. We have been called to tell others that Christ has died, Christ is risen, and Christ will come again”. These were his closing statements, as he also encouraged everyone to recite Psalm 23 as a reminder of who they are in Christ.
Jennifer Jubril