The Primate of the Church of Nigeria, The Most Rev. Dr Henry Ndukuba has counselled the senior clergy of the Church to align themselves with the purpose of God and partner with Him in bringing transformation to the society.
He stated this while officially opening the sixteenth edition of the Church of Nigeria’s Senior Clergy Advanced Management Course presently going on at the Ibru Ecumenical Centre Agbarha-otor.
Ndukuba, who addressed the clergy virtually via zoom, noted that the course would offer the participants the opportunity to improve themselves, interact with others and exchange ideas, and encouraged them to build friendship with one another and be open to learning. “There is need to continually be renewed. None has all that is needed to himself. Like Paul, who despite not lacking spiritual gifts and demonstrating the power of God continued to press on, no one can say that he has arrived. All should be willing to receive direction and learn”, the Primate said.
The Metropolitan told the clerics that ministry is not a job but a vocation because of the calling which brought them in, and prayed that the course would help them understand their calling and consecration and serve as a process for God to impact on their lives and ministries.
The Primate of the Church of Nigeria reminded the clergy of the Church that mission, evangelism and intentional discipleship constitute the emphasis of the church in the present dispensation, tagged “Decade of the Reign of God”, urging them to key into their realisation in their ministries. He cautioned them against indiscipline, materialism and admonished them to serve God faithfully, walking and working with Him.
He said: “Brothers, I urge you, by the mercies of God, to individually and collectively, offer yourselves to God. I believe God that through you, God will raise a generation that will serve Him in this perilous time. Humble yourself and be diligent to serve God. Guard against insatiable quest for material things and status. Keep within the rules and boundaries of what God has called us to do. Indiscipline is the source of confusion. The Anglican Church is ordered and there is no room for rascality. Whatever is learnt should not undermine what we have received.”
The Course Coordinator, The Most Rev. Dr Blessing Enyindah, appreciated Primate Ndukuba for finding time to address the class despite his tight schedule. He said that the group has been challenged, encouraged and enlightened.
The Senior Clergy Advanced Management Course of the Church of Nigeria, which is attended by the selected senior clergymen of different dioceses kicked off on Monday 17th January 2022.