ANGLICAN DIOCESE OF JOS
CHRISTIAN INSTUITE
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BISHOP'S CHARGE 1998
In the Name
of the Father, and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit,
Amen.
Dear Friends
Today is a landmark in our history: today we begin the Seventh Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Jos, and it is this Synod which
will take us into the next millennium. To be called to be a member of this particular Synod is therefore a great privilege and also
an enormous responsibility. We welcome you all and look forward to working together at this crucial time. We are also delighted
to greet all our distinguished guests, who have honoured us by gracing this occasion with their presence. We thank you for your
unfailing support and friendship, and we pray that the Almighty Father will reward you abundantly.
It is a particular pleasure to welcome our Guest Preachers, the Most Rev.P.J.Akinola, Archbishop of Province III and Bishop of
Abuja, and the Rt.Rev.Z.L. Nyam, who was recently consecrated and enthroned as the Bishop of Kano. Your Grace and My
Lord, we are delighted that you are here; we thank you for your prayers and for bringing us the word of God.
We thank the Cathedral Church of St.Luke for hosting us so willingly and so gladly. We praise God for your hard work, your
dedication and your willingness to serve. We recognize and appreciate the contributions of individual members and of various
groups, as well as those of the whole body of the church. May the Lord reward you all.
Our theme this year is taken from Ephesians 2:10:
"We are God's workmanship: a New Creation"
It is my conviction that what this nation needs today in every state is God's workmen: people who will work for God in bringing
about restoration, renewal and reconstruction in every aspect of life. A nation like ours, which is so blessed, abundantly blessed,
with resources both human and natural, some of which are yet to be discovered, should not remain as poor as we are. Worst of
all is the fact that with over one hundred and fifty years of Christianity in Nigeria, and with countless numbers of denominations,
the church is unable or unwilling to make a real impact on the nation with the gospel: this is unbelievable. The answer is perhaps
that there are no workmen for God. It is not unlikely that the workmen in the church are also working out their own gains, their
own future and their own interests. It is quite possible that the workmen in the church began as workmen for God but lost out in
the oil boom or were carried away by the corrupt systems of the nation and became like the world. Maybe the workmen have
become discouraged and have given up, or are just waiting and watching.
I believe that if a nation is so greatly endowed, it is for a purpose, because God always has a purpose in blessing a nation. That
purpose, as was the case with the children of Israel, is for the church to be a beacon of light and salvation to the world (1 Peter
2:9-10). We can only be this if we make ourselves available, and abandon ourselves totally to God through Jesus Christ and
become his workmen. We all must understand that we are saved to be God's workmen in all goodness and righteousness,
regardless of how bad the circumstances may be.
The apostle Paul was very aware of the situation in Ephesus; he lived there for three years, preaching the gospel on a daily
basis and, with tears, pleading with the people to repent (Acts 19). The region of Ephesus, like the nation of Nigeria had
everything going for it in its time, but it was full of idol-worshippers.
Paul visited the three major towns during the course of his missionary journeys in the area: Athens, Corinth and Ephesus.
Athens was the intellectual centre of the ancient world; Corinth was above all a great commercial centre. Ephesus had a harbour
which opened into the Cayster River which in turn led to the Aegean Sea. This meant that Ephesus was commercially important
as it not only commanded much rich farm land, but also dominated the trade which followed the river valley, and it was at the
intersection of various other trade routes. In addition it was a political centre: at certain times the Roman governor came there
and important court cases were tried. This vast city was also the seat of the athletics competition known as the Pan-Ionian
games, which people from the whole region came to watch. Above all, however, Ephesus was one of the main religious centres
of the Graeco-Roman world. When Paul was mobbed the town clerk said to the crowd:
"Men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of Ephesus is the temple keeper of the great Artemis, and of
the sacred stone that fell from the sky?"
(Acts 19:35)
In Ephesus, Artemis (or Diana as the Romans called her) had become identified with an Asian fertility goddess. The great glory
of the city was the magnificent Temple of Artemis, a huge structure which was one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world.
This temple housed the image of the goddess, a grotesque many-breasted figure, signifying fertility. This image was so old that
it was thought to have fallen from the sky. Superstition and occult practices of all kinds flourished. Magic words and formulae,
known as "Ephesian letters", and claiming to bring safely, success or answers to other prayers, were sold. In the city silversmiths
made small images of the goddess and the temple, and sold them as souvenirs. This was Ephesus.
St.Paul's letter to the Christians there is addressed to "God's people at Ephesus, to the faithful incorporate in Christ Jesus" (v.1).
The emphasis upon being "in Christ" is very important, and verses 3-14 of chapter one are a breathless outpouring of praise
and a recounting of the wonders God has done for us, and the offers God holds out to us "in Christ". God has given us so many
blessings - which we so easily forget! All these blessings stem from the greatest miracle and blessing of them all: the astonishing
fact that "God chose us" (1:4). God chose us to be his people, to be faultless and full of love, to be adopted as his children
"through Jesus Christ". Children are expected to be like their fathers, and God who loves us and calls us wants us to be like him,
faultless and living lives full of love. This is so, not in order that we ourselves may have praise and honour in the eyes of men,
but in order that God may be glorified and praised (1:6,12,14). All this is possible only "in Christ". It is in Christ that we can find
forgiveness of sins; it is in Christ that we are freed from slavery to Satan, to sin, to evil and to death (1:7).
God created us; we are his workmanship, and he now offers us the opportunity of working with him to bring about his purposes
for all mankind, so that all mankind may become a new creation! This is a singular honour and privilege, which we can never
deserve, but which is ours "in Christ". God's will is that everything in heaven and earth might be brought into a unity in Christ.
The church can never speak of peace or unity to a divided world if she herself is not united. A local church which is riddled by
disputes and arguments, where members do not talk to each other or where there are court cases, cannot grow or even stand
firm. The foundation is broken, so the walls must fall. Paul therefore prays for the Christians. The apostle gives thanks for their
faith and their love (1:15), and he prays that they may be enlightened so that they may know the hope to which they are called
(1:18).
The vision held out here is glorious, but if we are to fulfill our vocation of being "in Christ", we too must be men and women of
prayer, whose lives are characterized by faith, hope and love. This means that we must do away with all sin: there must be
purification. Our God is a holy God and no uncleanness is found in him. Jesus came to seek and to save sinners and the lost,
but as the sinner comes face to face with the purifying fire of God's love, he must either reject that love or be changed. Faced
with the holiness of God, sin is shown up for what it is, and the sinner convicted. The prophet Isaiah cried out:
"Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have
seen the King, the Lord of hosts!" (Is.6:5)
Only when the seraphim had touched his mouth with a burning coal brought from the very presence of God and had declared
that his sin was utterly removed, could Isaiah say: "Here am I, send me." In Christ, we and all people are being built into a
spiritual dwelling for God (Eph.2:22). We must therefore be purified, dedicated and holy. We are God's workmanship: created by
God; made a new creation in Christ, and called to be God's workmen.
So then in Ephesians chapter two Paul goes on to call the Christians to remember what their life was like before they heard the
gospel. As Gentiles, they were in a world without hope, and without God; they were separated and excluded; they were far away.
Now, however, in union with Christ, through the sacrifice of Christ Jesus, all are brought near. In Christ all are made one. On
the cross Christ broke the barrier, annulled the divisive power of the law, and created a single humanity in himself. The creation
of barriers is therefore an offence to Jesus Christ. To create barriers within the church is doubly offensive! Race, tribe, status,
education, sex, age and all other barriers have been abolished by Christ and to put them up again is the work of Satan. Those
who persist in setting up such barriers generally think that they are "inside" and their purpose is to exclude others. If they do not
change, they will one day discover that the position is reversed: those who were excluded by man are brought near in Christ,
whereas those who lack Christ's love and seek to exclude others, thereby exclude themselves from the Kingdom of God
(Mt.25:31-46).
In times past, not only the Christians to whom Paul was writing, but also Paul himself, and indeed the whole of mankind, were
"dead" because of sin and wickedness, because of bondage to the ways of the world, to the devil, to selfish ambition and
desires. The same is true today: many people seem to be very much alive, many are materially prosperous, and are successful
in the eyes of the world, but they are spiritually dead. They cannot see the seriousness of their position: they cannot look
beyond this life.
God, however, is merciful and loving, and has therefore brought us to life with Christ. This is not something we could ever
deserve or earn: it is thanks to the sheer grace of God that we are saved (2:8). It is sheer gift; it is not a reward for work done,
or for a life lived. "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that all who believe in him should not perish but
have everlasting life." (Jn.3:16) We cannot save ourselves; we cannot escape from the clutches of sin and death; we cannot
resist Satan. One of the problems of sin is that it seems very attractive: by stealing and oppressing the poor we can become
rich; by injustice we can become powerful; by cheating we can gain worldly status; by fornication we can find physical pleasure.
The rotten fruit is wrapped in a beautiful wrapping paper and it is only later that we discover that what is inside stinks and is
devoured by maggots. In our own power we can neither resist the glittering wrapping, nor can we escape from the rotten result.
In Christ, however, escape is possible, salvation is found and life is freely offered, by the grace of God, to all who put their faith in
him. God did not create and call us in order that we might sin and propagate evil. His purpose was, and is, that we should live
the life he wants us to live: a life characterized by faith, hope and love; a life which Christ Jesus can use as a vessel for reaching
out to all other people. "We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for the life of good deeds which God designed for
us" (Eph.2:10). We are called to be his workmen.
With all this in mind (3:1) Paul again emphasizes that he prays for the young church. The vital importance of prayer comes
through very clearly in this epistle: only through prayer can lives be changed. Paul therefore begins as if to pray, but he
interrupts himself, and first sets out God's will and purpose concerning the Gentiles. Paul himself had a unique role to play in the
unfolding of this purpose. God had called Paul not just for Paul's own sake, but for the benefit of others (3:2), "in order that I
might proclaim him among the Gentiles" (Gal.1:15-16). Paul, a former strict Jew, now considers it a totally undeserved privilege
that he should be called to proclaim the gospel to the Gentiles! This was God's purpose for Paul and God's purpose for the
world. This is how God works: we are not called simply for our own salvation, but so that we in turn may be God's workmen and
women, bringing the good news of the gospel to others. Paul emphasizes that God had revealed something new to him,
something which had hitherto been a "mystery" or a "secret". Previous generations had not known this truth, but now it has been
revealed. This "mystery" is that "through the gospel the Gentiles are joint heirs with the Jews, part of the same body, sharers
together in the promise made in Christ Jesus" (3:6). The Jews had always regarded themselves as a race set apart from others.
That they should now receive Gentiles as "brothers", accept Gentiles on an equal footing before God, eat food with them,
worship with them, and even learn from them - this was revolutionary, but this is what it means to be a new creation! If the church
had failed at this point, it would have been disastrous.
If the church today is to be renewed, we too must squarely face the fact that some of our set ways and some of our unquestioned
assumptions must be turned upside down. When established ideas are called into question, prejudices instantly arise, and
defences are erected. But the church must move on, and those who are not prepared to move will find themselves left further
and further behind. Always Christ goes ahead of us, and we must follow - or lose him for ever!
To our shame today many non-christians look at the local church, and assume that the church, and therefore the gospel, is only
for a particular tribe. When this happens, the church has neither grasped the meaning of the "mystery" of which Paul speaks,
nor had the courage to accept its implications!
God's purpose is that everyone should hear the gospel, because all are members of one body, with no thought of status,
favouritism or prejudice. To proclaim this gospel and to endure the insults, the abuse and the suffering which it may involve is a
privilege (3:13)! Moreover, this is what Christ commands us to do, and as God's workmen we must obey!
Therefore the apostle prays earnestly for the church (3:14-21). He prays that the Christians may be filled with "the fullness of
God" so that there is room in their lives for nothing other than that which comes from God. He prays for the inward strength and
power which the Holy Spirit gives; he prays that their faith may be so sure that Christ may live in them in love, indeed that they
may be completely taken over by love. He longs for them to know and to love God in a way which is so total that it is difficult to
express in words, but Paul knows that God can answer his prayer by doing more than he has been able specifically to request.
Paul does not ask God first for the small things: for money, for church buildings, for success, or even for health or freedom. He
concentrates on the things of eternal value, the things which will renew the church. If God gives these things, will he not also
deal with all the small, relatively petty needs of his people!
Throughout the ages the prophets had called for obedience, and Jesus himself had made it very clear that the test of the
disciples' love was in their obedience (John 14:15). So in chapter four Paul urges the church to "live up to your calling". Their
faith must be shown in the type of lives they live at every moment. There is no room for Sunday-Sunday Christians or part-time
followers. Everyone must be humble, gentle and patient because all are united together and form part of one whole. Unity in
Christ remains the underlying theme. Unity, however, does not mean uniformity, and we have each been given particular gifts
from God. These gifts are not for our own glory, to increase our own status or wealth. The gifts given by God are to be used to
benefit others, to build up the whole body, to spread the gospel and to enable others to do likewise.
Christian living must be firmly built upon a sound doctrinal base, but Christian doctrine on its own is valueless if it does not
manifest itself in the manner of life lived. A person may follow a theology or religious studies course and even gain a higher
degree, but if this remains as purely academic knowledge and has no effect on that person's life, then it is barren and useless. A
graduate of religious studies may be a first-class crook! What matters is not a certificate or an academic gown, but a changed
life, a new creation, a life so lived according to the gospel that other lives are attracted to that person, and the gospel is thereby
spread.
Paul now deals with various practical details. He knows what people are like and he speaks out boldly. In matters of the gospel
there can be no compromise. All that belongs to their former way of life, a life which was without Christ and without the gospel
must be "put off", so that a new way of life can be "put on". When your cloth becomes dirty or unsuitable you do not simply put
another on top of it, and then another on top of that ... You take off the one before you put on the next. Jesus said that if you
have new wine, it must go into new wineskins. You cannot keep the old and somehow combine it with the new, otherwise the new
will be spoiled. If you accept Christ and want to live a new life in him, you cannot continue with deliberate sin; you cannot pray to
Christ and at the same time keep a charm in your pocket; you cannot go to church and also to another non-Christian place; you
cannot keep malice against your spouse, your friend, your brother, and still claim to be a Christian. To be re-newed means to be
totally new, not partially so. Christians must be what they say they are! Children of God must resemble their Father in every
way. To be "different" from a largely pagan society is not always easy: abuse, ridicule and misunderstanding are easily incurred.
But there can be no compromise. What matters is not what other people think, but what God requires.
The way of life which the Ephesians had been taught to follow when they had first heard the gospel was in stark contrast to their
pagan way of life. Paul emphasizes that they had indeed been taught: their Christian faith was not something which they had
casually picked up (4:20-21). To live as a Christian requires proper teaching, and this the Ephesian church received. In any
church, the pastors and the leaders bear a huge responsibility. It is no use accusing the members of bad behaviour if they have
not been properly taught!
The old way of life was in the process of that decay which leads to death. What may seem to be enjoyment is a transitory
delusion; the downhill spiral into darkness and death is inevitable. In contrast, Christians must be "renewed in mind and spirit",
they must put on a completely new nature which is like Christ, and which shows itself in their daily behaviour and manner. Paul is
not implying that we can somehow contrive to bring about our own new birth: no-one has ever given birth to himself! The new
nature is God's creation, not ours, but when God recreates us in Christ according to his own likeness, that must show itself in our
lives.
Paul gives six examples of what is required (4:25-5:4). Each time he does not simply say, "Do not do this", but he goes on to
add, "Instead, do this ...", "Put off" and "Put on". Put off lying, and put on truth. Put off bad temper; put on a defence against
the devil. Put off stealing; put on hard work. Put off all bad talk and gossip; put on words of encouragement and help. Put off all
evil, slander, and insults; put on love. Put off fornication, indecency and coarse talk; put on thankfulness.
The pagan ways which we are to put off are the things of darkness. If we follow any of those ways of life instead of following God,
we are following an idol, and no-one who worships an idol has any part in God's kingdom. Jesus said: "I am the light of the
world", and he also said that his followers were to be "light", shedding not their own light, but the light of Christ. There is no
darkness which the light of Christ cannot penetrate, and in that light evil is shown up for what it is. Once the Ephesians had been
in darkness, but when Christ entered their lives, light entered, and now they should be at home in the light. All those things
which they are to put off belong to the darkness; all that they are to put on belongs to the light. "God is light and in him there is
no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5). Light and darkness are incompatible. Where there is light, darkness cannot exist.
So then we must be careful (Eph.5:15-20)! Time is running out. We do not know what the next day may bring, indeed we do not
know whether the next day or the next moment may be our last here on earth. We must be wise in the use of time and we must
not delay one moment in matters of faith and commitment. The challenge of renewal is total and radical. The church as a whole,
and also every individual within it, is God's workmanship, and is called to be a new creation.
If the church is to be renewed, the family must be renewed. If the family is to be renewed, individual relationships must be
renewed. Our relationships with one another stem from, and are governed by, our relationship with Christ (5:21). Because we
want to love Christ we are united with him in one body, and therefore we shall seek to love one another, and to treat one another
as fellow members of that one body. Without Christ this would be impossible. There are many threats to the unity and stability of
the family. Paul, however, reminds husbands and wives of their duties, and not their rights!
The people to whom Paul wrote came from a variety of backgrounds, and in every case family life was under threat. The Jew
prayed every morning, and gave thanks that God had not made him "a Gentile, a slave or a woman". For the Jew a woman was
a property, a thing and not a person; she could be divorced for almost any reason at all but she herself could not divorce a man
unless he became leprous. In fact some Jewish girls were at that time refusing to marry at all because the position of the wife
was so uncertain! In the Greek world the position was worse. Prostitution was an essential part of Greek life and their whole way
of life made companionship between man and wife next to impossible. The Greek expected his wife to run the home and to care
for the legitimate children, but he found his pleasure and his companionship elsewhere. In Rome in Paul's day, marriage was not
any better. Women in Rome dated their years by the names of their husbands. Chastity was a casualty of the increasing luxury
of civilization.
It was against this background that Paul called men and women to a new fidelity, a new purity and a new fellowship in the married
life. Wives should be subject to their husbands (v.22). The wife's duty is in submitting to the husband (cf. Col.3:18; Titus 2:5; 1
Peter 3:1ff), and the wife is to accept the leadership of her husband. Just as the Christian obeys Christ, so also is the wife to
obey her husband "out of reverence for Christ" (Eph.3:21). It is important for a man or a woman to marry a fellow-believer, so
that each can respect and listen to the other. The basis of what Paul is saying here concerning husbands is not that of control,
as to who controls who or what, but love. This requires sacrificial love; a love which is totally unselfish, that seeks not its own
satisfaction, nor even affection answering affection, but that strives for the highest good of the one loved. This love has its
standard and model in the love of Christ for his Church. Following this, husbands are reminded not of their due, but of what they
owe in self-giving and devotion. There must also be a purifying love: any love that drags a person down is false love; any love
that does not refine the character, any love that weakens the moral fibre, any love from which a person emerges a worse person,
is not love. Real love is the greatest cleanser and purifier of all life. Marriage also calls for a caring love. A man must love his
wife as he loves his own body; he nourishes and cherishes his own body. He must be caring, regarding his wife not as a kind of
permanent servant, but as the one person whom it is his duty to cherish!
In this way, the two shall become one (v.31). This statement from the creation story is the most profound and fundamental
statement in the whole of Scripture concerning God's plan for marriage. This implies no polygamy, no promiscuity and no
divorce. Prior to marriage a man or woman has his or her closest bond with parents, and owes to them the greatest obligation.
The new bond and obligation of marriage transcends the old! It involves: the most intimate relationship; the highest loyalty;
leaving parents, and parents renouncing their rights over their married children; doing things together and so becoming one. It
has been said that "the sweetest place on earth, and the nearest place to heaven is a happy Christian home" - where the wife
obeys the husband, and the husband loves the wife and the two become one. Therefore husbands and wives must love one
another. Children should obey their parents, and parents should not provoke the children. Slaves should serve willingly and
obediently, and masters should treat slaves properly (Eph.5:22-6:9).
The vision which Paul holds before us of an authentic Christian family life challenges many assumptions of society today, just as
it did two thousand years ago. The lack of integrity in family relationships is seen in the light regard in which the marriage bond
is held, and in the nature of the relationship between husband and wife. Despite the risk which it entails, abortion is often seen
as an easy way out of problems. In addition, homosexuality is like a creeping paralysis which is gaining a disconcerting hold
upon many countries and societies today. The more this practice is perpetuated, the more generally acceptable it becomes, and
the more society becomes blind to its destructive influence. No justification of homosexuality can be found in the Bible, and it has
never been set forth as God's plan for mankind. The message of God is abundantly clear in Romans 1:18-27.
The cost of following in the way of Christ, and the cost of mission may be high. It may sometimes involve struggle against
principalities and powers, political struggle, fighting ill-health, poverty, deprivation and suffering. St.Paul knew all about such
conditions and such struggles. However, he speaks not from academic knowledge, but from personal experience when he says,
"Finally, find your strength in the Lord and in his mighty power." (Eph.6:10) Without the Lord we are nothing, and we can do
nothing. Without the Lord, life is not worth living and we have no hope for the future. If, however, we put on the full armour which
God provides, we shall be able to withstand all the devices, attacks and challenges of the devil.
Notice that the first two "pieces of armour" which Paul mentions are truth and integrity, then followed by the gospel of peace,
faith, salvation, the word of God and prayer. If we are armed with these, we shall do more than just stand our ground: we shall
go out and attack the strongholds of the enemy, thus continuing our Lord's work of announcing good news to the poor,
proclaiming release for the prisoners, recovery of sight for the blind, and letting the broken victims go free (Luke 4:18). This is in
fact what our Lord commands us to do, and if we want to be faithful to him, we must obey. The challenge of mission is not to a
select few, it is to the whole church. Sadly, however, many of our churches today are more concerned with maintenance than
with mission; they are more concerned with building physical structures than with building the people. This is to misunderstand
the gospel, and to disobey the Lord Jesus Christ. The challenge of mission is not just a challenge to go to distant lands: the
"unreached" may be on our own doorstep, or in our own family. It is a challenge to witness to all peoples, in all places, at all
times. This is what it means to be God's workmen. This is what renewal entails. Our lives must be changed, and we must move
on clad in the full armour of God, and relying on prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Looking at the letter to the Ephesians we are left with no doubt that God is in search of workmen and women who will be available
to become instruments of change and renewal. The Christians in Ephesus were called to this: individually they recognized their
calling, collectively they experienced the grace of God and as a united body they fought against sin, the flesh and the devil.
They also established a standard and an ideal for family life. They were a force to reckon with in prayer and spiritual warfare.
They were focused on the mission of God without question.
This is what I believe God wants to see in this diocese. Are there any volunteers who will be committed to this? The church is in
need of revival and renewal, but it needs people who will believe the word of God and act upon it with all their heart and mind to
bring about a meaningful change. I am convinced that the only thing that Satan is afraid of is a believer who has abandoned
himself totally to become God's workman. There is no power on earth, no government, no religious organization that would not
recognize a Joseph, a Daniel, a David, a Solomon, and above all, Jesus Christ the Son of God. The world is not afraid of
Christians who do not believe and who do not radically live out their belief. Christians may be rich materially, Christians may be
in power in government, but this means nothing to the people of the world because it takes only a little while for worldliness to
take control. However, the belief that is in Jesus Christ, a belief in the promise of Jesus as recorded in John 4:12, "Truly, truly I
say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the
Father" - such a belief makes the believer a workman who, knowing that he or she has been created by God, now works with
God to make all things new to the glory of God.
"We are God's workmanship: a New Creation"
EVANGELISM AND MISSION
We continue to report on the work of God in this diocese which is done in his name and for his glory. We have seen quite a
number of clergy take very seriously their call to mission and evangelism, and they have seen the results. There is an increase
in the number of worshippers, in joyful worshipping and in diversity in expressions of worship. We were privileged to be in the
Langtang Mission early last year and we followed that up with the Keffi-Akwanga Mission in November. We saw the hand of God
where we used modern electronic equipment in mission as well as were there was no such equipment. We were greatly blessed
as we saw people come to Christ and new congregations established. The week of the Keffi-Akwanga Mission will be reflected in
the Missions Report.
Our experience in these few years of mission has shown that if the clergyman of a given area is not convinced about evangelism,
then evangelism will not happen in his area. The anglican hierarchy is such that the priest in charge is a key to the work of
evangelism in his local area of assignment. This is not wrong: it is biblical and apostolic. Therefore we have decided to put
before God in prayer on a regular basis the need to raise up clergy who have experienced a new birth in Christ, who have had a
definite encounter of regeneration in Christ, who know what it is to walk in the Spirit, who are daily being filled with the Spirit of the
Lord Jesus Christ, and who are willing to work for the Lord. We pray that God will raise up such workers in our midst for his glory.
This prayer is requested also on my own behalf, so that I will myself lead following the example of the Lord. You will agree with
this prayer because Jesus did not compromise is selecting and training the apostles who, having recognized the power of the
Holy Spirit, were on fire for God. They in turn selected the seven who were also on fire for God: they had to maintain the same
flow of frequency, the same flow of power-current, the same output of unbroken distribution and dissemination of spiritual gifts
and talents. Without this the church would have died early. I am calling for a return to this apostolic experience for mission.
Let me give an example to illustrate what I mean. If the Holy Spirit power is coming out from source and operating on 240
electrical voltage and the spiritual leader of a congregation is giving a total output of 110 voltage to his congregation, then,
because no congregation can be higher than its spiritual leader, that congregation will be operating at 55 voltage. Out of this
congregation will be recruited another worker for the ministry who is operating at 55: he will go to school, be trained and sent to
the parish where his congregation's output will be only 222. Out of his congregation will be recruited another worker for mission.
This process, if allowed to continue unchecked, will by the fifth generation have a congregation that cannot honestly say what the
gospel is; they will hardly even be able to say what they believe, and at best they will be like the world. Evangelism under such
circumstances will be a burden, or interpreted to suit the interpreter's desire, or in fact it will be ridiculed.
It shall not be so with us! We have come to the point where the laity in our diocese must offer of themselves for a greater
explosion of mission, of the type the apostles and the men and women of God throughout the ages have experienced and have
passed on. Prayers must be at the high point of all our activities, not only in the church, but in the homes and everywhere. We
must read the word of God, and not only believe, but also put it into practice. We must go out in obedience to the word of God,
to share the gospel on a one to one basis, everywhere and to everybody. When we accept this call to be Spirit-filled and
Spirit-led, we will enjoy the results and God will be glorified. There will be godly churches taking godly decisions with a unity of
purpose. There will be growth in numbers and in our spiritual lives. Power tussles will be over; all other problems will take their
proper place as the work progresses.
Our Diocesan Missioner once said that if a car battery was dead, what was needed was a replacement. While it was approaching
its point of uselessness, you could call people to come and push and the car might start, but after they have pushed and the car
has started you are left alone with a dying battery. The solution is not to call people every day to push, but to replace the
battery. The same is true for our ministry and evangelism. You could invite a great preacher or a team of missioners or
evangelists to evangelize your area, and things might start to move for a little while, but if the priest himself is not fresh with the
fullness of the Spirit of God, the situation will soon go back to what it was.
I want to appeal to our clergy and laity and to the entire people of this diocese to heed this call most urgently. We have no time
and we cannot wait any longer. We must get up and get on with the work now. We must make our diocese a centre of
conversion for all who are here, for those who come here and for all whom we meet. Similarly, our churches throughout the
diocese must be centres of conversions to Christ. All preaching therefore must be done with the aim of enabling people to hear
the gospel, and to return to God through Jesus Christ alone. Believers must be encouraged to amend their lives and they must
also be encouraged to be an encouragement to other peoples' lives. Unbelievers should be given the chance to repent as the
whole church obeys the Great Commission. A summary of the Gospel of salvation is as follows:
1. God loves you and offers a wonderful plan for your life.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever who believes in him shall not perish but have
eternal life" (John 3:16)
"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10)
But not all people have this full and satisfying life because ......
2. Man is sinful.
"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom.3:23) God created man to have and to enjoy a close relationship
with himself. But man chose to go his own way and the relationship was broken. Going our own way in either big or small things
is what the Bible calls sin.
"We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each one of us has turned to his own way;" (Isaiah 53:6)
Man is separated.
"For the wages of sin is death" (Rom.6:23) - that is, spiritual separation from God. Because God is holy and man is sinful, there
is a great separation between the two. Man tries to reach God through his own efforts, by: being religious; living a good life;
prayer; attending church; doing no harm to anyone etc.. But he can never succeed.
However, there is a way back to God.
3. Jesus died in our place.
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom.5:8)
Jesus rose from the dead.
"Christ died for our sins ... He was buried ... He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. (1 Cor. 15:3-4)
Jesus is the only way.
"Jesus said to him, `I am the way and the truth and the life; no-one comes to the Father, except through me'." (John 14:6)
It is only God who can bring us back to himself. This he did by sending Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins.
But it is not enough just to know these facts.
4. We must receive Christ through faith.
"But to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." (John 1:12) All
they needed to do was to trust him to save them. "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith ... not by works, so that
no-one can boast." (Eph.2:8,9)
We must receive Christ by a personal invitation.
Christ says, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with
him, and he with me." (Rev.3:20)
Receiving Christ involves trusting God to come into our lives and to forgive our sins; it involves turning away from sin and
allowing Christ to live his life in us.
There are two different kinds of lives:
(a) Life controlled by self:
This person [P] is controlling his own life. Christ [ ] is still outside his life. The different areas of his life - religion, money, work,
problems etc. (represented in the diagram by dots) - are all under his control. He has no peace.
(b) Life controlled by Christ:
Here Christ [ ] has come into the person's life [P] to control it. He allows Christ to control every area of his life: religion, money,
work, problems etc.. He is at peace with God.
Every person must decide (i) which of these two patterns your life is like; and (ii) which of these two patterns you would like your
life to be like. You can receive Christ now through faith. You can receive him as Saviour and Lord by asking him, in prayer, to
come into your life and trusting him to do so. You must mean what you pray, for God knows your heart and you cannot deceive
him. You could pray something like this: "Lord Jesus, I admit that I have been running my own life and have sinned against you.
Come into my life and forgive my sins. Take control of my life and make me a new person. Thank you for answering my prayer.
Amen."
The mission we are involved in is for us to be God's workmen for renewal and revival in the family, in the church and in society: in
the family as we learn from Scripture how husband and wife become one, and children are nurtured in the fear of the Lord, where
everything is done in love, where the Bible is taught and prayers are regularly said; in the Church, as we strive to walk in the
Spirit and provide avenues of spiritual growth for each individual and empower every Christian for spiritual warfare against Satan
and all his workers; in the society as we work together for a just community and an environment conducive to meaningful
development for all.
NIGERIA
Our nation continues to need our prayers, but most importantly, Nigeria needs God's workmen in every aspect of their existence
in and outside the Church, at work, at home and at leisure. God needs men and women of courage who will stand for the truth of
the gospel and live by it on a daily basis. I received a letter with an article entitled, "If Noah had been a Nigerian": I leave the rest
to your imagination!
And the Lord spoke to Noah and said: "I will give you six months to build me an Ark. At the end of six months I will send rainfall to
cover the entire earth and destroy all bad people. However, I want to save a few good people, and the animals, two of every
kind. So I am ordering you to build an Ark for me" said the Lord. And in a flash of lightning he delivered the specifications for an
Ark.
"No problem", said Noah, trembling in fear and fumbling with the blueprints.
"Six months, and it starts to rain" thundered the Lord. "You'd better have my Ark completed, or learn to swim for a very long
time."
And six months passed. The skies began to cloud up and rain began to fall. The Lord saw that Noah was sitting in his front yard,
weeping. And there was no ark. "Noah," shouted the Lord, "Where is my Ark?" A lightning bolt crashed into the ground next to
Noah, for emphasis.
"Oga, a beg make you forgive me," begged Noah. "I don try - ah! ah! De trouble wey my eye see no be small, I swear. Dem tell
me say I need certificate of occupancy before I go kuku build de Ark. I don waka Ministry of Works so tey, I tire. Then, I come
see say na money dem want, and I carry all de money wey I get gif dem. Na im dem tell me say make I add extra windows for
"cross ventilation", and make I divide de toilet from de bath, so that if I de go toilet, another person fit de bath. Anyway, I pay one
engineer so, make im modify de plans for me. So, after I don finish dat one, I come go for forest to go get wood. Dem tell me say
I no fit cut wood without permit from Forestry people. Anyway, I go see de forestry people dem, and dem say I fit go cut de wood.
When I reach de village now, dem no gree make I cut wood. Dem say I must gif dem their share - because na so one big man
come from town come cut all de wood for here before for export, and he no pay dem compensation. Na wa oh! and me think say
government no de gree us export wood. Finally, as dem wan fight me, I quickly settle de village chief, and dem com gree say
make I take de wood. Before I go carry de wood reach my house, na so so wahala for road. I settle police, I settle soldier, I settle
customs, I settle immigration, I settle taxman, I settle local government, den when I don reach my house now, de truck driver and
him boys say if I no settle dem, dey no go help me offload de wood.
As I start to build de ark now, na im task force people come mark "X" for de ark, say I no suppose to build de ark for dis place.
Dem ask me say whether I no know say "environmental sanitation decree" no dey allow dis kind thing for inside town. Anyway I
think say na my neighbour im call dem, de man dey jealous me well well. Wetin I go do, I settle dem too. As I say make I kuku
hurry finish de ark, na im de carpenters wey dey help me come talk say dem no go work again unless I gif dem extra money. Me
sef I surprise wen dem tell me say dem hear say na big government contract wey I de do and plenty money dey inside. To cut
long tory, I settle dem too. Anyway, people plenty now wey dey build de Ark, apprentice full ground. As I begin to gather de
animal dem, I come jam another trouble. De "404" people dem no want make I take their dogs, dem say na delicacy. Bushmeat
and fowl people no gree me. Even de people wey dey chop "isi ewu" come vex with me. Dem ask me whether I no know say
meat don too cost these days, why I wan carry de small meat wey dey ground? So, I wan tell you now say, I no fit find dog, fowl,
goat, or bush meat, and in fact I just manage get cow as one mallam don nearly dagger me when I want take de cow dem.
One day as I dey build de ark now, na im NDLEA come arrest me carry me go prison for questioning. Dem talk say, dem hear
say I wan carry de Ark smuggle cocaine and indian hemp go America. Later sha, dem come find say no be me dem dey look for,
so dem release me. I never even reach home, when SSS come arrest me for further questioning, say dem hear say I be
NADECO, and I wan carry de Ark go smuggle guns and bombs come overthrow Naija government. Anyway, I come convince dem
say I no know wetin be NADECO, dem release me but tell me make I dey report to force headquarters every day.
As I dey gather de animal dem, na im FEPA come send me letter say I never gif dem environmental impact assessment for de
animal shit wey I go throway and de flood where You wan send. I tell dem say na You wan send flood cover de whole world.
Dem no happy at all! Dem tell me say nobody fit do dat kind ting without permission from dem. Anyway, as de chief engineer
say make I show am de place where de flood go start, I give am map of de world, he no satisfy, so I settle am too.
As you see me de cry so, na because e be like say dis wahala no dey finish. De local government chairman where my house
dey come call me tribalistic. Him talk say I must gif work to some of de town boys. I tell am make he send them, him no gree.
Everyday him go send "area boys" to come cause wahala for me. Dem wan spoil de small part of de ark wey I don build so. Dem
no dey gree us work again. Every day when dem come here, I must gif dem money otherwise, dem wan scatter de Ark. Oga
Lord, I tell you, I don tire, even sef de other day, tax collector come, come say I never pay tax, say dem wan arrest me. I tell dem
say I don pay tax last year, dem tell me say dis year I must pay de tax in advance, so I don kuku spend all de money wey I get for
settling. Make I tell you de truth, I no think say I go fit finish dis your Ark sef, even if you gif me five years," Noah wailed.
The sky began to clear, The sun began to shine. A rainbow arched across the sky. Noah looked up and smiled. "You mean
say you no go send flood take destroy de earth?" Noah asked hopefully.
"Wrong!" thundered the Lord. "But being Lord of the Universe has its advantages. I fully intend to smite the Earth, but with
something far worse than a flood. something Man invented himself."
"Wetin be dat?" asked Noah.
There was a long pause, and then the Lord spake his Last Word, "Government and 419."
Let me state that I am convinced that this nation will change, as did Nineveh and several nations around the world who heard the
voice of God and repented, if only we become true workmen who not only prophesy, but believe what we prophesy and live it,
teach it, and implement it as the message of God. I am further convinced that God wants to bless this nation and to use this
nation to bless many other nations, but the men and women who will wait in prayer like Habakkuk and stand in the convictions of
what they have prayed - these kind of workmen must now show up and be ready for action. God, I believe, is patiently looking
out for any Bishop, any priest, any deacon, any lay person who will be available and become a workman for a new creation of
God. The problem of the nation is with the church and can only be solved if the Christians choose to believe God and his word
and to be instruments of change. When that happens, the church will be renewed first of all, then the nation will be blessed.
Will the church survive? Will the church be the light of the world when in fact church crises abound in almost every state of the
Federation? The church that should be praying for the nation is in court, even after the prayers. The church that should be
preaching to the unsaved and unreached is having endless meetings about how to resolve one big crisis, one small crisis, or
both. The church that should be serving has become a casualty and is itself in need of service. Will the church survive? Where
are the workmen of God in our nation? The politics of the church are no different from those of the world and now there is so
much of the world in the church that both the church and the world look alike in Nigeria. Where are the workmen for God?
Let me comment on the Transition Programme. There is so much talk about candidates for elective offices being approved from
Abuja and most candidates vying for offices claim to have approval from Abuja. This, if true, is dangerous. Firstly: this would
mean that those who have no access to this faceless "Abuja approval" will never get elected to any office in this country, no
matter how popular they are, and no matter how wonderful their credentials may be. Where then is the hope for the poor?
Where then is the hope for justice and peace? Where then is the hope for truth and national reconciliation? Secondly: if indeed
this faceless "Abuja approval" is true, then we should be told not to waste out time in voting, since the poor have no access to
Abuja nor do they know this so-called "faceless Abuja". One thing I know: we hope in the living God, and those who trust in God
will never be put to shame. This prayer is not just a prayer of the poor man, but that all believers must wait and see the
salvation of the Lord.
"Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today;" (Exodus 14:13)
For the purpose of emphasis, let me repeat what I said early last year. Our present need as a people is for a godly leader, a
forthright and courageous person who will seek justice and truth. Such a person, if he claims to be a Christian, must be seen to
be a Christian, as the Bible says. If and when such a person is found, it will take the forces of hell to stop the people standing
behind him. This is a warning against imposing just any candidate on the people. A word is enough for the wise.
If the Transition Programme is to be credible, it must be free and fair for all without reference to any faceless group of persons,
no matter where they are. We call on the present military regime to continue firmly and undeterred, until a democratically elected
government is put in place in every facet of national government. We are on a journey of nation building and the foundation
must be solid. Therefore, truth, justice and peace must be sought while equality for all is pursued.
While we are still grappling with serious national problems, we as a nation are said to have been introduced and enlisted into the
Organization of Islamic Countries (O.I.C.). The religious implications of this, if it is true, are many. For the sake of peace,
progress and prosperity, may I advise the government to look into this issue carefully and insist upon maintaining the secular
status of our nation, with no special leanings or favours to any one particular religion over another.
The church is interested in the various policies being drawn in the name of the Nigerian nation. Without any doubt it would
appear that government is unwilling to check the excesses of some religious zealots in government; for example: the building of
mosques in government and public places such as Central Bank, the Market etc, without corresponding Christian places of
prayer. This certainly is a good ground for instability and confusion. Government must be clear in its objective to govern,
without which whatever peace there is now will be short-lived.
What shall we say about petrol and its effects on the psyche of Nigerians? Able-bodied men and women have left the farms and
are now selling petrol by the roadside. Those who have cars have stopped thinking of achieving anything meaningfully and are
spending more time thinking of how to get petrol. Travelling has become more expensive than it has ever been in the history of
this country. What we are told is that there is petrol but it is being hoarded. As a prophet of God, whether the petrol is hoarded
or it is actually not available, the message of God is that there will be judgement and no amount of money can save anybody, it
does not matter who, from the judgement of God.
Let me follow this up with an appeal to the Federal Road Safety Corps, that they should ensure that large trucks should and must
have rear lights. The same trucks should be barred from having more than two headlights: I have seen one with ten! The same
trucks which use diesel should have their exhaust pipe pointing upwards instead of pouring out smoke which creates a cloudy
visibility for smaller cars, and pollutes the atmosphere.
We must all learn to preserve the life that God has given to us and we must each present this same life back to God as a living
sacrifice for his use, so that we may be healthy and strong workmen and women.
Hear this, O people of God: the evil of this country has reached its highest peak and God can no longer bear it. Judgement is
coming soon, beginning in the church. You who enjoy the suffering of the poor; you who do nothing to stop evil; you who plan
and execute evil against the church and the poor - your time is up! God has seen the suffering of his people and has heard the
cry of the church. Evil-workers and perpetrators of war, hatred and bloodshed: your time is up! God's judgement is about to
take place. He who has ears to hear let him hear.
ADMINISTRATION
Our diocese continues to grow and so we, like Moses, must break up our administration. To be honest, the diocese is very large
in its geographical coverage with much to be done by way of evangelistic coverage. For this reason we have broken up the
administration responsibilities into three:
1. Mission of the Church.
2. Administration of the Diocese i.e. Finance;
Implementation of Policies; Boards and Committees.
3. Administration and day to day running of the diocese.
Having looked at our growth and prayed about it, I feel led to appoint the Rev.Canon V.G.Sanda as the Diocesan Director of
Administration, and Mrs.E.A.Pam as the Assistant Director of Administration. I will continue to be the Chief Missioner and Pastor
of this Diocese.
Children's Ministry
Because of the seriousness of our outreach to children we have decided to create a Department of Children's Ministry. This
department will oversee all Children's Ministry: all aspects of Sunday School work and whatever has to do with children and
children's mission comes under this department. Its first Director is Mrs.A.Falade, and the Chaplain is the Rev.D.James. We will
hold this department responsible for the bringing up of children to faith in Christ, and for the organization of all diocesan
programmes for children, and of Sunday School teaching and materials.
YERWA ARCHDEACONRY
My visit to Yerwa Archdeaconry on 22nd April left me heart-broken and with tears. The communal clash was so bad that young
men are out in battle. My fear is for the future of that place for young people and for women. I am appealing to the church and
to government to work out whatever will make for peace. We are so poor in every way, materially, spiritually and physically that
we do not need any communal clashes. Our churches in Yerwa Archdeaconry are all dislocated and not able to operate in any
viable way. We, however, have decided to retain our witness there and the presence of the church leadership. Therefore Yerwa
Archdeaconry is hereby declared a Missionary Archdeaconry. All its workers remain in place while the administrative status of
the Archdeaconry remains but operates as a mission field.
NEW PARISHES
New parishes have been created as follows:
Jos South Archdeaconry: St.Bartholomew's Parish, Jos
Shendam Archdeaconry: Namu Parish
Langtang Archdeaconry: Wase Parish
Pankshin Archdeaconry: Jikon Parish
Lankan Parish
MERIT AWARD
1. Engr.S.O.Ajose: a committed Christian, a devout man of God who believes in the mission of the Church. He has kept the
finances of the church accurately, decently and consistently. He has a heart for the things of God and is very committed to the
mission of the church.
2. Chief Mrs.M.Lot: a very generous giver to everything that has to do with the mission of the church. She would give her last
kobo if that were all she had to offer to the Lord. She has given whatever she could offer.
3. Mr.Bala Angbazo: a Royal Father, a traditional chief, a committed Christian, but very humble and concerned for the spiritual
well-being of his people. He has welcomed us and has welcomed the people of God at any and all times for mission. He also is
willing to offer whatever he has for the mission of the church.
4. Mrs. Mary Saidu: a gifted, dynamic leader amongst women in the Zumuntar Mata, the evangelistic arm of the women's work,
and a very serious worker in mission.
5. Barr.O.A.Onyema: a seasoned lawyer who has very faithfully served this diocese as Registrar since its inception, many times
at the risk of his life and personal comfort.
6. Mama Hawa Saidu: an elder in this Diocese and a faithful church woman, thoroughly committed to the work of the church.
7. The Rev.Canon Dr.T.Gyuse: our Diocesan Missioner who is everywhere in the world for the work of mission.
8. Mrs.H.Gofwen: a gifted Christian teacher and preacher of the gospel who is very humble and available at all times for the work
and mission of the church. In addition to teaching in the Christian Institute, she serves faithfully in the Diocese.
These all have proved themselves to be available and willing to be "Workers together with Christ", as is inscribed upon the Merit
Award Medallion. We are God's workmanship and as he makes us a new creation in him, so we work with him to bring others to
be renewed, restored and re-created in him. The persons we honour today set us examples of such service; they will be
decorated at the Thanksgiving Service on Sunday.
CLERGY MATTERS
We wish joyfully to make the Rev.Canon D.Yerima and the Rev.Canon E.P.Dah Statutory Canons of our Diocese. During the
year we had announced the Rev.Canon H.Okeke as a Statutory Canon. In recognition of the hard work and laborious service of
our brother the Rev.S.Akwaden, we wish to make him an Honorary Canon of our Diocese.
In the interests of mission, and in furtherance of our fellowship in the gospel, the Rev.J.Ali has been transferred to Damaturu
Diocese, and both the Rev.J.Ayuba and the Rev.A.P.Dabang have moved to Wusasa Diocese. We rejoice that the Rev.Ayuba
has since been made a Canon by the Bishop of Wusasa.
PROVINCIAL NEWS
The year 1997 saw the church take a bold step forward, as the Province of the Church of Nigeria was divided into three:
Province I, the West, under the present Archbishop and Primate, the Most Rev.J.A.Adetiloye; Province II, the East, under the
Most Rev.B.C.Nwankiti; Province III, the North, under the Most Rev.P.J.Akinola. We congratulate the new Archbishops and
continue to pray for God's guidance and strength for them and for the church.
We also congratulate those who were consecrated and enthroned as Bishop during the year:
Kaduna Diocese: The Rt.Rev.J.I.Fearon was translated from Sokoto Diocese
Ekiti Diocese: The Rt.Rev.S.A.Abe
Abakaliki Diocese: The Rt.Rev.B.Onyeibor
Kano diocese: The Rt.Rev.Z.L.Nyam
Ughelli Diocese: The Rt.Rev.V.O.Muoghereh
Sokoto Diocese: The Rt.Rev.J.A.Akinfenwa
For us in Jos Diocese it was a particular privilege and joy to witness the Consecration and Enthronement of the
Rt.Rev.A.B.Lamido as the first Bishop of the new Diocese of Wusasa. Bishop Lamido trained here at the Christian Institute, and
was ordained in this diocese. We wish him and his wife, Mary, every blessing in their new field of ministry, and assure them of
our continued prayers.
LAMBETH CONFERENCE
The Lambeth Conference, the world-wide gathering of Anglican Bishops which is held once every ten years, will take place in
England from 17th July to 9th August this year. We ask for your prayers for this meeting, that the Lord will guide with his wisdom,
and that the church may remain faithful to her calling and firmly built on Biblical teaching.
We also wish to use this medium to thank all who have contributed financially to make it possible for us to attend this conference.
We are very grateful and may the Lord reward you.
FURTHER STUDY
Most unexpectedly we have ourselves been offered an opportunity for further study. We have been given a full scholarship to do
a Doctor of Ministry programme at Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry in America. This is a part-time course, and will
necessitate our attending contact sessions in June and January each year, beginning next month. We thank God for this open
door, and ask you to pray with us, that the programme may prove a blessing to the whole diocese.
CONGRATULATIONS
We rejoice with all who gained distinction and blessing in one form or another during the year. The full list of those who were
ordained deacon and commissioned as Evangelists will be found in an Appendix to this Charge, as will the list of newly appointed
Diocesan Officials and members of the various Boards. We congratulate them and pray that God will give them wisdom as they
fulfill their duties.
CONCLUSION
Towards the end of the eighteenth century some young men and women and a few church people in Europe and America
committed themselves to prayer and to preaching and teaching the word of God. They were thoroughly dedicated and God
confirmed their intentions. The result was a massive outbreak of evangelistic endeavours to Africa, Asia and Latin America. We
are today an answer to the prayers and efforts of committed people who laboured on their knees and who used their resources
wisely. Now in our own time, we are at the turn of the millennium, and I have this great burden that God may want to use us from
Jos to be a blessing to the world. Shall we be faithless?
The call to renewal is radical and it is to the whole church and to every individual within that church. The call to renewal
demands that we ourselves be purified, that we be one "in Christ", living out our faith in every moment of our daily lives. The call
to renewal demands that we be prepared to move on, living changed lives, clad in the full armour of God, relying on the power of
the Holy Spirit and rooted in prayer. This is what it means to be men and women who will work for God and become instruments
of change and renewal. God is searching for such people. Our nation and all other nations urgently need such people. No
matter how bad the prevailing circumstances may be, God can work through such people to bring about a new creation.
The vision set before us is glorious. If we are to be true to our calling, this vision can and must become a reality, because in
Christ
"We are God's workmanship: a New Creation"
+Benjamin Jos May 1998
APPENDIX I
MEMBERSHIP OF SYNOD
The Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Jos shall comprise the following:
The Bishop of the Diocese
The Clergy of the Diocese
The Diocesan Officials
The Bishop's Nominees
The Delegates:
Each Archdeaconry may send representatives as follows:
- The Archdeaconry Board may send
: the Archdeaconry Secretary
: one elected representative
- Each Parish may send one representative, except that the Parish of the Archdeaconry Headquarters church may send two
representatives if they so desire.
- A church designated by the Bishop as a Chapelry may send one representative.
Mothers' Union / Women's Guild: The Diocesan President and one representative
APPENDIX II
DIOCESAN OFFICIALS
The following Diocesan Officials are to serve for three years i.e. for the life of the Seventh Synod of the Diocese:
Chancellor: Barr.I Hamman
Registrar: Barr.O.Onyema
Deputy Registrars: Barr.B.Falade
Barr.Y.Pam
Diocesan Director of Administration:
Rev.Canon V.G.Sanda
Assistant Director of Administration: Mrs.E.A.Pam
Finance Adviser: Sir Chief N.I.Olife
Treasurers: [to be elected]
Finance Officer: The Rev.E.F.G.Nyitsse
Clerical Secretary: [to be elected]
Lay Secretary: [to be elected]
Administrative Chaplain to the Bishop:
Dss.Susan C.Essam
Press Secretary: Miss C.Bentu
Diocesan Architects: Arch.G.U.Obiefuna
Arch.Ogunrayewa
Arch.Y.Gomwalk
Chairman, Diocesan Education Board:
Mrs.A.Gomwalk
Diocesan Missioner: Rev.Canon Dr.T.Gyuse
Assistant Diocesan Missioners:
Rev.Canon M.S.Bello
Rev.Canon I.Lar
Rev.Canon H.Okeke
Director of Children's Ministry: Mrs.A.Falade Chaplain for Children's Ministry: The Rev.D.James
Diocesan Youth Chaplain: The Rev.R.R.Wonole
Assistant Youth Chaplains: The Rev.S.D.Fube
Mr.A.Eboh
Diocesan Boys' Brigade Chaplain: Mr.K.Jatau
E.F.A.C. Chaplain: Rev.Canon G.U.Njoku
Assistant E.F.A.C. Chaplain: Rev.P.Z.Jibi
Prison Chaplain & Chaplain for the Blind:
Mr.M.Ndian
Chaplain for the care of Widows:
Rev.Canon O.O.Ajayi
APPENDIX III
DIOCESAN BOARDS and SCHOOL BOARDS
The members of all Boards are to serve for three years i.e. for the life of the Seventh Synod of the Diocese:
The Christian Institute Board of Governors
Chairman: The Rt.Rev.A.B.Lamido, Bishop of Wusasa
Members: The Rev.Canon Dr.E.B.Ajulo
The Rev.Dr.Y.Yilpet
Dr.J.Onyeka
Mrs.Hannatu Gomwalk
Mrs. G.Kwashi
Mr.J.Chuwang
The Diocesan Education Board
Chairman: Mrs.A.Gomwalk
Members: The Rev.Canon S.C.Onuegbu,
The Rev.Canon I.Lar
Mr.Ikeobi
Barr.Y.Pam
Mr.P.Mafuyai
Dss Susan C.Essam
Gospel Medical Services Board
Chairman: Dr.B.Aisien
Members: Dr.G.Toma
Dr.C.T.Baerg
Dr.(Mrs.) Okeke
Mrs.M.Genka
Mr.N.P.Bewarang
Mr.Bode Akintola
Diocesan Investment Board
Chairman: Mrs.L.Dangin
Members: Mr.Stephen Miner
Mrs.E.A.Pam
Prince O.P.Ejidike
Engr.O.Awosika
Bishopscourt Building Committee
Chairman: Chief H.Umejiaku
Members: Mr.S.Akiga
Mr.H.Pam
Arc.A.Umaru
Mrs.E.Okonkwo
Mrs.R.St.John
Engr.O.Oyafemi
St.John's College, Jos
Chairman: Mrs.E.A.Pam
Members: Dr.V.Adetula
Mr.S.Akiga
Mrs.Elizabeth Gomwalk
Chief H.Umejiaku
St.James' Christian Academy, Lafia
Chairman: Mrs.M.Ayenaje
Members: Mr.Godwin Ajaguobi
Mr.Michael Adichie
Mr.Bako Shigudu
Dr.C.Madu
St.Paul's College, Kwatas
Chairman: Mr.P.Mafuyai
Members: Dr.S.Agina
Arch.A.Umaru
Mr.H.Pam
Mr.E.Jebak
St.Benedict's Seminary & St.Helen's Convent
Chairman: Mr.Joseph Fube
Members: Mr.Ishaku Katlang
Canon M.S.Bello
Mrs.Mary Dimka
APPENDIX IV
The following were ordained deacon during the past twelve months:
20th July 1997:
Rev.Luka B.Allu
Rev.Dennis C.Egbogah
Rev.Saul Faden
Rev.Joseph K.Gombul
Rev.Daniel B.James
Rev.Daniel G.Kangdim
Rev.D.Lapkat Mwanshak
Rev.Bartholomew O.C.Nnaji
Rev.Iliya D.Yakubu
14th December 1997:
Rev.Habila Ardzard
Rev.Stanley D.Fube
Rev.Philip Z.Jibi
Rev.Iliya T.Mapack
Rev.Henry I.Okozi
Rev.Yoilah K.Yilpet
The following persons were commissioned as Evangelists:
20th July 1997:
Mrs.Beatrice I.Ezeudemba
14th December 1997:
Mrs.N.Molokwu
The Church of Nigeria
(Anglican Communion)
DIOCESE OF JOS
delivered to
THE FIRST SESSION OF
THE SEVENTH SYNOD
at 10.00 a.m. on
Friday, 22nd May, 1998
in
St.Luke's Cathedral Church, Jos
by
THE RT. REV. BENJAMIN A. KWASHI
(Bishop of Jos)
of the Father, and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit,
Amen.
Dear Friends
Today is a landmark in our history: today we begin the Seventh Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Jos, and it is this Synod which
will take us into the next millennium. To be called to be a member of this particular Synod is therefore a great privilege and also
an enormous responsibility. We welcome you all and look forward to working together at this crucial time. We are also delighted
to greet all our distinguished guests, who have honoured us by gracing this occasion with their presence. We thank you for your
unfailing support and friendship, and we pray that the Almighty Father will reward you abundantly.
It is a particular pleasure to welcome our Guest Preachers, the Most Rev.P.J.Akinola, Archbishop of Province III and Bishop of
Abuja, and the Rt.Rev.Z.L. Nyam, who was recently consecrated and enthroned as the Bishop of Kano. Your Grace and My
Lord, we are delighted that you are here; we thank you for your prayers and for bringing us the word of God.
We thank the Cathedral Church of St.Luke for hosting us so willingly and so gladly. We praise God for your hard work, your
dedication and your willingness to serve. We recognize and appreciate the contributions of individual members and of various
groups, as well as those of the whole body of the church. May the Lord reward you all.
Our theme this year is taken from Ephesians 2:10:
"We are God's workmanship: a New Creation"
It is my conviction that what this nation needs today in every state is God's workmen: people who will work for God in bringing
about restoration, renewal and reconstruction in every aspect of life. A nation like ours, which is so blessed, abundantly blessed,
with resources both human and natural, some of which are yet to be discovered, should not remain as poor as we are. Worst of
all is the fact that with over one hundred and fifty years of Christianity in Nigeria, and with countless numbers of denominations,
the church is unable or unwilling to make a real impact on the nation with the gospel: this is unbelievable. The answer is perhaps
that there are no workmen for God. It is not unlikely that the workmen in the church are also working out their own gains, their
own future and their own interests. It is quite possible that the workmen in the church began as workmen for God but lost out in
the oil boom or were carried away by the corrupt systems of the nation and became like the world. Maybe the workmen have
become discouraged and have given up, or are just waiting and watching.
I believe that if a nation is so greatly endowed, it is for a purpose, because God always has a purpose in blessing a nation. That
purpose, as was the case with the children of Israel, is for the church to be a beacon of light and salvation to the world (1 Peter
2:9-10). We can only be this if we make ourselves available, and abandon ourselves totally to God through Jesus Christ and
become his workmen. We all must understand that we are saved to be God's workmen in all goodness and righteousness,
regardless of how bad the circumstances may be.
The apostle Paul was very aware of the situation in Ephesus; he lived there for three years, preaching the gospel on a daily
basis and, with tears, pleading with the people to repent (Acts 19). The region of Ephesus, like the nation of Nigeria had
everything going for it in its time, but it was full of idol-worshippers.
Paul visited the three major towns during the course of his missionary journeys in the area: Athens, Corinth and Ephesus.
Athens was the intellectual centre of the ancient world; Corinth was above all a great commercial centre. Ephesus had a harbour
which opened into the Cayster River which in turn led to the Aegean Sea. This meant that Ephesus was commercially important
as it not only commanded much rich farm land, but also dominated the trade which followed the river valley, and it was at the
intersection of various other trade routes. In addition it was a political centre: at certain times the Roman governor came there
and important court cases were tried. This vast city was also the seat of the athletics competition known as the Pan-Ionian
games, which people from the whole region came to watch. Above all, however, Ephesus was one of the main religious centres
of the Graeco-Roman world. When Paul was mobbed the town clerk said to the crowd:
"Men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of Ephesus is the temple keeper of the great Artemis, and of
the sacred stone that fell from the sky?"
(Acts 19:35)
In Ephesus, Artemis (or Diana as the Romans called her) had become identified with an Asian fertility goddess. The great glory
of the city was the magnificent Temple of Artemis, a huge structure which was one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world.
This temple housed the image of the goddess, a grotesque many-breasted figure, signifying fertility. This image was so old that
it was thought to have fallen from the sky. Superstition and occult practices of all kinds flourished. Magic words and formulae,
known as "Ephesian letters", and claiming to bring safely, success or answers to other prayers, were sold. In the city silversmiths
made small images of the goddess and the temple, and sold them as souvenirs. This was Ephesus.
St.Paul's letter to the Christians there is addressed to "God's people at Ephesus, to the faithful incorporate in Christ Jesus" (v.1).
The emphasis upon being "in Christ" is very important, and verses 3-14 of chapter one are a breathless outpouring of praise
and a recounting of the wonders God has done for us, and the offers God holds out to us "in Christ". God has given us so many
blessings - which we so easily forget! All these blessings stem from the greatest miracle and blessing of them all: the astonishing
fact that "God chose us" (1:4). God chose us to be his people, to be faultless and full of love, to be adopted as his children
"through Jesus Christ". Children are expected to be like their fathers, and God who loves us and calls us wants us to be like him,
faultless and living lives full of love. This is so, not in order that we ourselves may have praise and honour in the eyes of men,
but in order that God may be glorified and praised (1:6,12,14). All this is possible only "in Christ". It is in Christ that we can find
forgiveness of sins; it is in Christ that we are freed from slavery to Satan, to sin, to evil and to death (1:7).
God created us; we are his workmanship, and he now offers us the opportunity of working with him to bring about his purposes
for all mankind, so that all mankind may become a new creation! This is a singular honour and privilege, which we can never
deserve, but which is ours "in Christ". God's will is that everything in heaven and earth might be brought into a unity in Christ.
The church can never speak of peace or unity to a divided world if she herself is not united. A local church which is riddled by
disputes and arguments, where members do not talk to each other or where there are court cases, cannot grow or even stand
firm. The foundation is broken, so the walls must fall. Paul therefore prays for the Christians. The apostle gives thanks for their
faith and their love (1:15), and he prays that they may be enlightened so that they may know the hope to which they are called
(1:18).
The vision held out here is glorious, but if we are to fulfill our vocation of being "in Christ", we too must be men and women of
prayer, whose lives are characterized by faith, hope and love. This means that we must do away with all sin: there must be
purification. Our God is a holy God and no uncleanness is found in him. Jesus came to seek and to save sinners and the lost,
but as the sinner comes face to face with the purifying fire of God's love, he must either reject that love or be changed. Faced
with the holiness of God, sin is shown up for what it is, and the sinner convicted. The prophet Isaiah cried out:
"Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have
seen the King, the Lord of hosts!" (Is.6:5)
Only when the seraphim had touched his mouth with a burning coal brought from the very presence of God and had declared
that his sin was utterly removed, could Isaiah say: "Here am I, send me." In Christ, we and all people are being built into a
spiritual dwelling for God (Eph.2:22). We must therefore be purified, dedicated and holy. We are God's workmanship: created by
God; made a new creation in Christ, and called to be God's workmen.
So then in Ephesians chapter two Paul goes on to call the Christians to remember what their life was like before they heard the
gospel. As Gentiles, they were in a world without hope, and without God; they were separated and excluded; they were far away.
Now, however, in union with Christ, through the sacrifice of Christ Jesus, all are brought near. In Christ all are made one. On
the cross Christ broke the barrier, annulled the divisive power of the law, and created a single humanity in himself. The creation
of barriers is therefore an offence to Jesus Christ. To create barriers within the church is doubly offensive! Race, tribe, status,
education, sex, age and all other barriers have been abolished by Christ and to put them up again is the work of Satan. Those
who persist in setting up such barriers generally think that they are "inside" and their purpose is to exclude others. If they do not
change, they will one day discover that the position is reversed: those who were excluded by man are brought near in Christ,
whereas those who lack Christ's love and seek to exclude others, thereby exclude themselves from the Kingdom of God
(Mt.25:31-46).
In times past, not only the Christians to whom Paul was writing, but also Paul himself, and indeed the whole of mankind, were
"dead" because of sin and wickedness, because of bondage to the ways of the world, to the devil, to selfish ambition and
desires. The same is true today: many people seem to be very much alive, many are materially prosperous, and are successful
in the eyes of the world, but they are spiritually dead. They cannot see the seriousness of their position: they cannot look
beyond this life.
God, however, is merciful and loving, and has therefore brought us to life with Christ. This is not something we could ever
deserve or earn: it is thanks to the sheer grace of God that we are saved (2:8). It is sheer gift; it is not a reward for work done,
or for a life lived. "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that all who believe in him should not perish but
have everlasting life." (Jn.3:16) We cannot save ourselves; we cannot escape from the clutches of sin and death; we cannot
resist Satan. One of the problems of sin is that it seems very attractive: by stealing and oppressing the poor we can become
rich; by injustice we can become powerful; by cheating we can gain worldly status; by fornication we can find physical pleasure.
The rotten fruit is wrapped in a beautiful wrapping paper and it is only later that we discover that what is inside stinks and is
devoured by maggots. In our own power we can neither resist the glittering wrapping, nor can we escape from the rotten result.
In Christ, however, escape is possible, salvation is found and life is freely offered, by the grace of God, to all who put their faith in
him. God did not create and call us in order that we might sin and propagate evil. His purpose was, and is, that we should live
the life he wants us to live: a life characterized by faith, hope and love; a life which Christ Jesus can use as a vessel for reaching
out to all other people. "We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for the life of good deeds which God designed for
us" (Eph.2:10). We are called to be his workmen.
With all this in mind (3:1) Paul again emphasizes that he prays for the young church. The vital importance of prayer comes
through very clearly in this epistle: only through prayer can lives be changed. Paul therefore begins as if to pray, but he
interrupts himself, and first sets out God's will and purpose concerning the Gentiles. Paul himself had a unique role to play in the
unfolding of this purpose. God had called Paul not just for Paul's own sake, but for the benefit of others (3:2), "in order that I
might proclaim him among the Gentiles" (Gal.1:15-16). Paul, a former strict Jew, now considers it a totally undeserved privilege
that he should be called to proclaim the gospel to the Gentiles! This was God's purpose for Paul and God's purpose for the
world. This is how God works: we are not called simply for our own salvation, but so that we in turn may be God's workmen and
women, bringing the good news of the gospel to others. Paul emphasizes that God had revealed something new to him,
something which had hitherto been a "mystery" or a "secret". Previous generations had not known this truth, but now it has been
revealed. This "mystery" is that "through the gospel the Gentiles are joint heirs with the Jews, part of the same body, sharers
together in the promise made in Christ Jesus" (3:6). The Jews had always regarded themselves as a race set apart from others.
That they should now receive Gentiles as "brothers", accept Gentiles on an equal footing before God, eat food with them,
worship with them, and even learn from them - this was revolutionary, but this is what it means to be a new creation! If the church
had failed at this point, it would have been disastrous.
If the church today is to be renewed, we too must squarely face the fact that some of our set ways and some of our unquestioned
assumptions must be turned upside down. When established ideas are called into question, prejudices instantly arise, and
defences are erected. But the church must move on, and those who are not prepared to move will find themselves left further
and further behind. Always Christ goes ahead of us, and we must follow - or lose him for ever!
To our shame today many non-christians look at the local church, and assume that the church, and therefore the gospel, is only
for a particular tribe. When this happens, the church has neither grasped the meaning of the "mystery" of which Paul speaks,
nor had the courage to accept its implications!
God's purpose is that everyone should hear the gospel, because all are members of one body, with no thought of status,
favouritism or prejudice. To proclaim this gospel and to endure the insults, the abuse and the suffering which it may involve is a
privilege (3:13)! Moreover, this is what Christ commands us to do, and as God's workmen we must obey!
Therefore the apostle prays earnestly for the church (3:14-21). He prays that the Christians may be filled with "the fullness of
God" so that there is room in their lives for nothing other than that which comes from God. He prays for the inward strength and
power which the Holy Spirit gives; he prays that their faith may be so sure that Christ may live in them in love, indeed that they
may be completely taken over by love. He longs for them to know and to love God in a way which is so total that it is difficult to
express in words, but Paul knows that God can answer his prayer by doing more than he has been able specifically to request.
Paul does not ask God first for the small things: for money, for church buildings, for success, or even for health or freedom. He
concentrates on the things of eternal value, the things which will renew the church. If God gives these things, will he not also
deal with all the small, relatively petty needs of his people!
Throughout the ages the prophets had called for obedience, and Jesus himself had made it very clear that the test of the
disciples' love was in their obedience (John 14:15). So in chapter four Paul urges the church to "live up to your calling". Their
faith must be shown in the type of lives they live at every moment. There is no room for Sunday-Sunday Christians or part-time
followers. Everyone must be humble, gentle and patient because all are united together and form part of one whole. Unity in
Christ remains the underlying theme. Unity, however, does not mean uniformity, and we have each been given particular gifts
from God. These gifts are not for our own glory, to increase our own status or wealth. The gifts given by God are to be used to
benefit others, to build up the whole body, to spread the gospel and to enable others to do likewise.
Christian living must be firmly built upon a sound doctrinal base, but Christian doctrine on its own is valueless if it does not
manifest itself in the manner of life lived. A person may follow a theology or religious studies course and even gain a higher
degree, but if this remains as purely academic knowledge and has no effect on that person's life, then it is barren and useless. A
graduate of religious studies may be a first-class crook! What matters is not a certificate or an academic gown, but a changed
life, a new creation, a life so lived according to the gospel that other lives are attracted to that person, and the gospel is thereby
spread.
Paul now deals with various practical details. He knows what people are like and he speaks out boldly. In matters of the gospel
there can be no compromise. All that belongs to their former way of life, a life which was without Christ and without the gospel
must be "put off", so that a new way of life can be "put on". When your cloth becomes dirty or unsuitable you do not simply put
another on top of it, and then another on top of that ... You take off the one before you put on the next. Jesus said that if you
have new wine, it must go into new wineskins. You cannot keep the old and somehow combine it with the new, otherwise the new
will be spoiled. If you accept Christ and want to live a new life in him, you cannot continue with deliberate sin; you cannot pray to
Christ and at the same time keep a charm in your pocket; you cannot go to church and also to another non-Christian place; you
cannot keep malice against your spouse, your friend, your brother, and still claim to be a Christian. To be re-newed means to be
totally new, not partially so. Christians must be what they say they are! Children of God must resemble their Father in every
way. To be "different" from a largely pagan society is not always easy: abuse, ridicule and misunderstanding are easily incurred.
But there can be no compromise. What matters is not what other people think, but what God requires.
The way of life which the Ephesians had been taught to follow when they had first heard the gospel was in stark contrast to their
pagan way of life. Paul emphasizes that they had indeed been taught: their Christian faith was not something which they had
casually picked up (4:20-21). To live as a Christian requires proper teaching, and this the Ephesian church received. In any
church, the pastors and the leaders bear a huge responsibility. It is no use accusing the members of bad behaviour if they have
not been properly taught!
The old way of life was in the process of that decay which leads to death. What may seem to be enjoyment is a transitory
delusion; the downhill spiral into darkness and death is inevitable. In contrast, Christians must be "renewed in mind and spirit",
they must put on a completely new nature which is like Christ, and which shows itself in their daily behaviour and manner. Paul is
not implying that we can somehow contrive to bring about our own new birth: no-one has ever given birth to himself! The new
nature is God's creation, not ours, but when God recreates us in Christ according to his own likeness, that must show itself in our
lives.
Paul gives six examples of what is required (4:25-5:4). Each time he does not simply say, "Do not do this", but he goes on to
add, "Instead, do this ...", "Put off" and "Put on". Put off lying, and put on truth. Put off bad temper; put on a defence against
the devil. Put off stealing; put on hard work. Put off all bad talk and gossip; put on words of encouragement and help. Put off all
evil, slander, and insults; put on love. Put off fornication, indecency and coarse talk; put on thankfulness.
The pagan ways which we are to put off are the things of darkness. If we follow any of those ways of life instead of following God,
we are following an idol, and no-one who worships an idol has any part in God's kingdom. Jesus said: "I am the light of the
world", and he also said that his followers were to be "light", shedding not their own light, but the light of Christ. There is no
darkness which the light of Christ cannot penetrate, and in that light evil is shown up for what it is. Once the Ephesians had been
in darkness, but when Christ entered their lives, light entered, and now they should be at home in the light. All those things
which they are to put off belong to the darkness; all that they are to put on belongs to the light. "God is light and in him there is
no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5). Light and darkness are incompatible. Where there is light, darkness cannot exist.
So then we must be careful (Eph.5:15-20)! Time is running out. We do not know what the next day may bring, indeed we do not
know whether the next day or the next moment may be our last here on earth. We must be wise in the use of time and we must
not delay one moment in matters of faith and commitment. The challenge of renewal is total and radical. The church as a whole,
and also every individual within it, is God's workmanship, and is called to be a new creation.
If the church is to be renewed, the family must be renewed. If the family is to be renewed, individual relationships must be
renewed. Our relationships with one another stem from, and are governed by, our relationship with Christ (5:21). Because we
want to love Christ we are united with him in one body, and therefore we shall seek to love one another, and to treat one another
as fellow members of that one body. Without Christ this would be impossible. There are many threats to the unity and stability of
the family. Paul, however, reminds husbands and wives of their duties, and not their rights!
The people to whom Paul wrote came from a variety of backgrounds, and in every case family life was under threat. The Jew
prayed every morning, and gave thanks that God had not made him "a Gentile, a slave or a woman". For the Jew a woman was
a property, a thing and not a person; she could be divorced for almost any reason at all but she herself could not divorce a man
unless he became leprous. In fact some Jewish girls were at that time refusing to marry at all because the position of the wife
was so uncertain! In the Greek world the position was worse. Prostitution was an essential part of Greek life and their whole way
of life made companionship between man and wife next to impossible. The Greek expected his wife to run the home and to care
for the legitimate children, but he found his pleasure and his companionship elsewhere. In Rome in Paul's day, marriage was not
any better. Women in Rome dated their years by the names of their husbands. Chastity was a casualty of the increasing luxury
of civilization.
It was against this background that Paul called men and women to a new fidelity, a new purity and a new fellowship in the married
life. Wives should be subject to their husbands (v.22). The wife's duty is in submitting to the husband (cf. Col.3:18; Titus 2:5; 1
Peter 3:1ff), and the wife is to accept the leadership of her husband. Just as the Christian obeys Christ, so also is the wife to
obey her husband "out of reverence for Christ" (Eph.3:21). It is important for a man or a woman to marry a fellow-believer, so
that each can respect and listen to the other. The basis of what Paul is saying here concerning husbands is not that of control,
as to who controls who or what, but love. This requires sacrificial love; a love which is totally unselfish, that seeks not its own
satisfaction, nor even affection answering affection, but that strives for the highest good of the one loved. This love has its
standard and model in the love of Christ for his Church. Following this, husbands are reminded not of their due, but of what they
owe in self-giving and devotion. There must also be a purifying love: any love that drags a person down is false love; any love
that does not refine the character, any love that weakens the moral fibre, any love from which a person emerges a worse person,
is not love. Real love is the greatest cleanser and purifier of all life. Marriage also calls for a caring love. A man must love his
wife as he loves his own body; he nourishes and cherishes his own body. He must be caring, regarding his wife not as a kind of
permanent servant, but as the one person whom it is his duty to cherish!
In this way, the two shall become one (v.31). This statement from the creation story is the most profound and fundamental
statement in the whole of Scripture concerning God's plan for marriage. This implies no polygamy, no promiscuity and no
divorce. Prior to marriage a man or woman has his or her closest bond with parents, and owes to them the greatest obligation.
The new bond and obligation of marriage transcends the old! It involves: the most intimate relationship; the highest loyalty;
leaving parents, and parents renouncing their rights over their married children; doing things together and so becoming one. It
has been said that "the sweetest place on earth, and the nearest place to heaven is a happy Christian home" - where the wife
obeys the husband, and the husband loves the wife and the two become one. Therefore husbands and wives must love one
another. Children should obey their parents, and parents should not provoke the children. Slaves should serve willingly and
obediently, and masters should treat slaves properly (Eph.5:22-6:9).
The vision which Paul holds before us of an authentic Christian family life challenges many assumptions of society today, just as
it did two thousand years ago. The lack of integrity in family relationships is seen in the light regard in which the marriage bond
is held, and in the nature of the relationship between husband and wife. Despite the risk which it entails, abortion is often seen
as an easy way out of problems. In addition, homosexuality is like a creeping paralysis which is gaining a disconcerting hold
upon many countries and societies today. The more this practice is perpetuated, the more generally acceptable it becomes, and
the more society becomes blind to its destructive influence. No justification of homosexuality can be found in the Bible, and it has
never been set forth as God's plan for mankind. The message of God is abundantly clear in Romans 1:18-27.
The cost of following in the way of Christ, and the cost of mission may be high. It may sometimes involve struggle against
principalities and powers, political struggle, fighting ill-health, poverty, deprivation and suffering. St.Paul knew all about such
conditions and such struggles. However, he speaks not from academic knowledge, but from personal experience when he says,
"Finally, find your strength in the Lord and in his mighty power." (Eph.6:10) Without the Lord we are nothing, and we can do
nothing. Without the Lord, life is not worth living and we have no hope for the future. If, however, we put on the full armour which
God provides, we shall be able to withstand all the devices, attacks and challenges of the devil.
Notice that the first two "pieces of armour" which Paul mentions are truth and integrity, then followed by the gospel of peace,
faith, salvation, the word of God and prayer. If we are armed with these, we shall do more than just stand our ground: we shall
go out and attack the strongholds of the enemy, thus continuing our Lord's work of announcing good news to the poor,
proclaiming release for the prisoners, recovery of sight for the blind, and letting the broken victims go free (Luke 4:18). This is in
fact what our Lord commands us to do, and if we want to be faithful to him, we must obey. The challenge of mission is not to a
select few, it is to the whole church. Sadly, however, many of our churches today are more concerned with maintenance than
with mission; they are more concerned with building physical structures than with building the people. This is to misunderstand
the gospel, and to disobey the Lord Jesus Christ. The challenge of mission is not just a challenge to go to distant lands: the
"unreached" may be on our own doorstep, or in our own family. It is a challenge to witness to all peoples, in all places, at all
times. This is what it means to be God's workmen. This is what renewal entails. Our lives must be changed, and we must move
on clad in the full armour of God, and relying on prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Looking at the letter to the Ephesians we are left with no doubt that God is in search of workmen and women who will be available
to become instruments of change and renewal. The Christians in Ephesus were called to this: individually they recognized their
calling, collectively they experienced the grace of God and as a united body they fought against sin, the flesh and the devil.
They also established a standard and an ideal for family life. They were a force to reckon with in prayer and spiritual warfare.
They were focused on the mission of God without question.
This is what I believe God wants to see in this diocese. Are there any volunteers who will be committed to this? The church is in
need of revival and renewal, but it needs people who will believe the word of God and act upon it with all their heart and mind to
bring about a meaningful change. I am convinced that the only thing that Satan is afraid of is a believer who has abandoned
himself totally to become God's workman. There is no power on earth, no government, no religious organization that would not
recognize a Joseph, a Daniel, a David, a Solomon, and above all, Jesus Christ the Son of God. The world is not afraid of
Christians who do not believe and who do not radically live out their belief. Christians may be rich materially, Christians may be
in power in government, but this means nothing to the people of the world because it takes only a little while for worldliness to
take control. However, the belief that is in Jesus Christ, a belief in the promise of Jesus as recorded in John 4:12, "Truly, truly I
say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the
Father" - such a belief makes the believer a workman who, knowing that he or she has been created by God, now works with
God to make all things new to the glory of God.
"We are God's workmanship: a New Creation"
EVANGELISM AND MISSION
We continue to report on the work of God in this diocese which is done in his name and for his glory. We have seen quite a
number of clergy take very seriously their call to mission and evangelism, and they have seen the results. There is an increase
in the number of worshippers, in joyful worshipping and in diversity in expressions of worship. We were privileged to be in the
Langtang Mission early last year and we followed that up with the Keffi-Akwanga Mission in November. We saw the hand of God
where we used modern electronic equipment in mission as well as were there was no such equipment. We were greatly blessed
as we saw people come to Christ and new congregations established. The week of the Keffi-Akwanga Mission will be reflected in
the Missions Report.
Our experience in these few years of mission has shown that if the clergyman of a given area is not convinced about evangelism,
then evangelism will not happen in his area. The anglican hierarchy is such that the priest in charge is a key to the work of
evangelism in his local area of assignment. This is not wrong: it is biblical and apostolic. Therefore we have decided to put
before God in prayer on a regular basis the need to raise up clergy who have experienced a new birth in Christ, who have had a
definite encounter of regeneration in Christ, who know what it is to walk in the Spirit, who are daily being filled with the Spirit of the
Lord Jesus Christ, and who are willing to work for the Lord. We pray that God will raise up such workers in our midst for his glory.
This prayer is requested also on my own behalf, so that I will myself lead following the example of the Lord. You will agree with
this prayer because Jesus did not compromise is selecting and training the apostles who, having recognized the power of the
Holy Spirit, were on fire for God. They in turn selected the seven who were also on fire for God: they had to maintain the same
flow of frequency, the same flow of power-current, the same output of unbroken distribution and dissemination of spiritual gifts
and talents. Without this the church would have died early. I am calling for a return to this apostolic experience for mission.
Let me give an example to illustrate what I mean. If the Holy Spirit power is coming out from source and operating on 240
electrical voltage and the spiritual leader of a congregation is giving a total output of 110 voltage to his congregation, then,
because no congregation can be higher than its spiritual leader, that congregation will be operating at 55 voltage. Out of this
congregation will be recruited another worker for the ministry who is operating at 55: he will go to school, be trained and sent to
the parish where his congregation's output will be only 222. Out of his congregation will be recruited another worker for mission.
This process, if allowed to continue unchecked, will by the fifth generation have a congregation that cannot honestly say what the
gospel is; they will hardly even be able to say what they believe, and at best they will be like the world. Evangelism under such
circumstances will be a burden, or interpreted to suit the interpreter's desire, or in fact it will be ridiculed.
It shall not be so with us! We have come to the point where the laity in our diocese must offer of themselves for a greater
explosion of mission, of the type the apostles and the men and women of God throughout the ages have experienced and have
passed on. Prayers must be at the high point of all our activities, not only in the church, but in the homes and everywhere. We
must read the word of God, and not only believe, but also put it into practice. We must go out in obedience to the word of God,
to share the gospel on a one to one basis, everywhere and to everybody. When we accept this call to be Spirit-filled and
Spirit-led, we will enjoy the results and God will be glorified. There will be godly churches taking godly decisions with a unity of
purpose. There will be growth in numbers and in our spiritual lives. Power tussles will be over; all other problems will take their
proper place as the work progresses.
Our Diocesan Missioner once said that if a car battery was dead, what was needed was a replacement. While it was approaching
its point of uselessness, you could call people to come and push and the car might start, but after they have pushed and the car
has started you are left alone with a dying battery. The solution is not to call people every day to push, but to replace the
battery. The same is true for our ministry and evangelism. You could invite a great preacher or a team of missioners or
evangelists to evangelize your area, and things might start to move for a little while, but if the priest himself is not fresh with the
fullness of the Spirit of God, the situation will soon go back to what it was.
I want to appeal to our clergy and laity and to the entire people of this diocese to heed this call most urgently. We have no time
and we cannot wait any longer. We must get up and get on with the work now. We must make our diocese a centre of
conversion for all who are here, for those who come here and for all whom we meet. Similarly, our churches throughout the
diocese must be centres of conversions to Christ. All preaching therefore must be done with the aim of enabling people to hear
the gospel, and to return to God through Jesus Christ alone. Believers must be encouraged to amend their lives and they must
also be encouraged to be an encouragement to other peoples' lives. Unbelievers should be given the chance to repent as the
whole church obeys the Great Commission. A summary of the Gospel of salvation is as follows:
1. God loves you and offers a wonderful plan for your life.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever who believes in him shall not perish but have
eternal life" (John 3:16)
"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10)
But not all people have this full and satisfying life because ......
2. Man is sinful.
"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom.3:23) God created man to have and to enjoy a close relationship
with himself. But man chose to go his own way and the relationship was broken. Going our own way in either big or small things
is what the Bible calls sin.
"We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each one of us has turned to his own way;" (Isaiah 53:6)
Man is separated.
"For the wages of sin is death" (Rom.6:23) - that is, spiritual separation from God. Because God is holy and man is sinful, there
is a great separation between the two. Man tries to reach God through his own efforts, by: being religious; living a good life;
prayer; attending church; doing no harm to anyone etc.. But he can never succeed.
However, there is a way back to God.
3. Jesus died in our place.
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom.5:8)
Jesus rose from the dead.
"Christ died for our sins ... He was buried ... He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. (1 Cor. 15:3-4)
Jesus is the only way.
"Jesus said to him, `I am the way and the truth and the life; no-one comes to the Father, except through me'." (John 14:6)
It is only God who can bring us back to himself. This he did by sending Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins.
But it is not enough just to know these facts.
4. We must receive Christ through faith.
"But to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." (John 1:12) All
they needed to do was to trust him to save them. "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith ... not by works, so that
no-one can boast." (Eph.2:8,9)
We must receive Christ by a personal invitation.
Christ says, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with
him, and he with me." (Rev.3:20)
Receiving Christ involves trusting God to come into our lives and to forgive our sins; it involves turning away from sin and
allowing Christ to live his life in us.
There are two different kinds of lives:
(a) Life controlled by self:
This person [P] is controlling his own life. Christ [ ] is still outside his life. The different areas of his life - religion, money, work,
problems etc. (represented in the diagram by dots) - are all under his control. He has no peace.
(b) Life controlled by Christ:
Here Christ [ ] has come into the person's life [P] to control it. He allows Christ to control every area of his life: religion, money,
work, problems etc.. He is at peace with God.
Every person must decide (i) which of these two patterns your life is like; and (ii) which of these two patterns you would like your
life to be like. You can receive Christ now through faith. You can receive him as Saviour and Lord by asking him, in prayer, to
come into your life and trusting him to do so. You must mean what you pray, for God knows your heart and you cannot deceive
him. You could pray something like this: "Lord Jesus, I admit that I have been running my own life and have sinned against you.
Come into my life and forgive my sins. Take control of my life and make me a new person. Thank you for answering my prayer.
Amen."
The mission we are involved in is for us to be God's workmen for renewal and revival in the family, in the church and in society: in
the family as we learn from Scripture how husband and wife become one, and children are nurtured in the fear of the Lord, where
everything is done in love, where the Bible is taught and prayers are regularly said; in the Church, as we strive to walk in the
Spirit and provide avenues of spiritual growth for each individual and empower every Christian for spiritual warfare against Satan
and all his workers; in the society as we work together for a just community and an environment conducive to meaningful
development for all.
NIGERIA
Our nation continues to need our prayers, but most importantly, Nigeria needs God's workmen in every aspect of their existence
in and outside the Church, at work, at home and at leisure. God needs men and women of courage who will stand for the truth of
the gospel and live by it on a daily basis. I received a letter with an article entitled, "If Noah had been a Nigerian": I leave the rest
to your imagination!
And the Lord spoke to Noah and said: "I will give you six months to build me an Ark. At the end of six months I will send rainfall to
cover the entire earth and destroy all bad people. However, I want to save a few good people, and the animals, two of every
kind. So I am ordering you to build an Ark for me" said the Lord. And in a flash of lightning he delivered the specifications for an
Ark.
"No problem", said Noah, trembling in fear and fumbling with the blueprints.
"Six months, and it starts to rain" thundered the Lord. "You'd better have my Ark completed, or learn to swim for a very long
time."
And six months passed. The skies began to cloud up and rain began to fall. The Lord saw that Noah was sitting in his front yard,
weeping. And there was no ark. "Noah," shouted the Lord, "Where is my Ark?" A lightning bolt crashed into the ground next to
Noah, for emphasis.
"Oga, a beg make you forgive me," begged Noah. "I don try - ah! ah! De trouble wey my eye see no be small, I swear. Dem tell
me say I need certificate of occupancy before I go kuku build de Ark. I don waka Ministry of Works so tey, I tire. Then, I come
see say na money dem want, and I carry all de money wey I get gif dem. Na im dem tell me say make I add extra windows for
"cross ventilation", and make I divide de toilet from de bath, so that if I de go toilet, another person fit de bath. Anyway, I pay one
engineer so, make im modify de plans for me. So, after I don finish dat one, I come go for forest to go get wood. Dem tell me say
I no fit cut wood without permit from Forestry people. Anyway, I go see de forestry people dem, and dem say I fit go cut de wood.
When I reach de village now, dem no gree make I cut wood. Dem say I must gif dem their share - because na so one big man
come from town come cut all de wood for here before for export, and he no pay dem compensation. Na wa oh! and me think say
government no de gree us export wood. Finally, as dem wan fight me, I quickly settle de village chief, and dem com gree say
make I take de wood. Before I go carry de wood reach my house, na so so wahala for road. I settle police, I settle soldier, I settle
customs, I settle immigration, I settle taxman, I settle local government, den when I don reach my house now, de truck driver and
him boys say if I no settle dem, dey no go help me offload de wood.
As I start to build de ark now, na im task force people come mark "X" for de ark, say I no suppose to build de ark for dis place.
Dem ask me say whether I no know say "environmental sanitation decree" no dey allow dis kind thing for inside town. Anyway I
think say na my neighbour im call dem, de man dey jealous me well well. Wetin I go do, I settle dem too. As I say make I kuku
hurry finish de ark, na im de carpenters wey dey help me come talk say dem no go work again unless I gif dem extra money. Me
sef I surprise wen dem tell me say dem hear say na big government contract wey I de do and plenty money dey inside. To cut
long tory, I settle dem too. Anyway, people plenty now wey dey build de Ark, apprentice full ground. As I begin to gather de
animal dem, I come jam another trouble. De "404" people dem no want make I take their dogs, dem say na delicacy. Bushmeat
and fowl people no gree me. Even de people wey dey chop "isi ewu" come vex with me. Dem ask me whether I no know say
meat don too cost these days, why I wan carry de small meat wey dey ground? So, I wan tell you now say, I no fit find dog, fowl,
goat, or bush meat, and in fact I just manage get cow as one mallam don nearly dagger me when I want take de cow dem.
One day as I dey build de ark now, na im NDLEA come arrest me carry me go prison for questioning. Dem talk say, dem hear
say I wan carry de Ark smuggle cocaine and indian hemp go America. Later sha, dem come find say no be me dem dey look for,
so dem release me. I never even reach home, when SSS come arrest me for further questioning, say dem hear say I be
NADECO, and I wan carry de Ark go smuggle guns and bombs come overthrow Naija government. Anyway, I come convince dem
say I no know wetin be NADECO, dem release me but tell me make I dey report to force headquarters every day.
As I dey gather de animal dem, na im FEPA come send me letter say I never gif dem environmental impact assessment for de
animal shit wey I go throway and de flood where You wan send. I tell dem say na You wan send flood cover de whole world.
Dem no happy at all! Dem tell me say nobody fit do dat kind ting without permission from dem. Anyway, as de chief engineer
say make I show am de place where de flood go start, I give am map of de world, he no satisfy, so I settle am too.
As you see me de cry so, na because e be like say dis wahala no dey finish. De local government chairman where my house
dey come call me tribalistic. Him talk say I must gif work to some of de town boys. I tell am make he send them, him no gree.
Everyday him go send "area boys" to come cause wahala for me. Dem wan spoil de small part of de ark wey I don build so. Dem
no dey gree us work again. Every day when dem come here, I must gif dem money otherwise, dem wan scatter de Ark. Oga
Lord, I tell you, I don tire, even sef de other day, tax collector come, come say I never pay tax, say dem wan arrest me. I tell dem
say I don pay tax last year, dem tell me say dis year I must pay de tax in advance, so I don kuku spend all de money wey I get for
settling. Make I tell you de truth, I no think say I go fit finish dis your Ark sef, even if you gif me five years," Noah wailed.
The sky began to clear, The sun began to shine. A rainbow arched across the sky. Noah looked up and smiled. "You mean
say you no go send flood take destroy de earth?" Noah asked hopefully.
"Wrong!" thundered the Lord. "But being Lord of the Universe has its advantages. I fully intend to smite the Earth, but with
something far worse than a flood. something Man invented himself."
"Wetin be dat?" asked Noah.
There was a long pause, and then the Lord spake his Last Word, "Government and 419."
Let me state that I am convinced that this nation will change, as did Nineveh and several nations around the world who heard the
voice of God and repented, if only we become true workmen who not only prophesy, but believe what we prophesy and live it,
teach it, and implement it as the message of God. I am further convinced that God wants to bless this nation and to use this
nation to bless many other nations, but the men and women who will wait in prayer like Habakkuk and stand in the convictions of
what they have prayed - these kind of workmen must now show up and be ready for action. God, I believe, is patiently looking
out for any Bishop, any priest, any deacon, any lay person who will be available and become a workman for a new creation of
God. The problem of the nation is with the church and can only be solved if the Christians choose to believe God and his word
and to be instruments of change. When that happens, the church will be renewed first of all, then the nation will be blessed.
Will the church survive? Will the church be the light of the world when in fact church crises abound in almost every state of the
Federation? The church that should be praying for the nation is in court, even after the prayers. The church that should be
preaching to the unsaved and unreached is having endless meetings about how to resolve one big crisis, one small crisis, or
both. The church that should be serving has become a casualty and is itself in need of service. Will the church survive? Where
are the workmen of God in our nation? The politics of the church are no different from those of the world and now there is so
much of the world in the church that both the church and the world look alike in Nigeria. Where are the workmen for God?
Let me comment on the Transition Programme. There is so much talk about candidates for elective offices being approved from
Abuja and most candidates vying for offices claim to have approval from Abuja. This, if true, is dangerous. Firstly: this would
mean that those who have no access to this faceless "Abuja approval" will never get elected to any office in this country, no
matter how popular they are, and no matter how wonderful their credentials may be. Where then is the hope for the poor?
Where then is the hope for justice and peace? Where then is the hope for truth and national reconciliation? Secondly: if indeed
this faceless "Abuja approval" is true, then we should be told not to waste out time in voting, since the poor have no access to
Abuja nor do they know this so-called "faceless Abuja". One thing I know: we hope in the living God, and those who trust in God
will never be put to shame. This prayer is not just a prayer of the poor man, but that all believers must wait and see the
salvation of the Lord.
"Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today;" (Exodus 14:13)
For the purpose of emphasis, let me repeat what I said early last year. Our present need as a people is for a godly leader, a
forthright and courageous person who will seek justice and truth. Such a person, if he claims to be a Christian, must be seen to
be a Christian, as the Bible says. If and when such a person is found, it will take the forces of hell to stop the people standing
behind him. This is a warning against imposing just any candidate on the people. A word is enough for the wise.
If the Transition Programme is to be credible, it must be free and fair for all without reference to any faceless group of persons,
no matter where they are. We call on the present military regime to continue firmly and undeterred, until a democratically elected
government is put in place in every facet of national government. We are on a journey of nation building and the foundation
must be solid. Therefore, truth, justice and peace must be sought while equality for all is pursued.
While we are still grappling with serious national problems, we as a nation are said to have been introduced and enlisted into the
Organization of Islamic Countries (O.I.C.). The religious implications of this, if it is true, are many. For the sake of peace,
progress and prosperity, may I advise the government to look into this issue carefully and insist upon maintaining the secular
status of our nation, with no special leanings or favours to any one particular religion over another.
The church is interested in the various policies being drawn in the name of the Nigerian nation. Without any doubt it would
appear that government is unwilling to check the excesses of some religious zealots in government; for example: the building of
mosques in government and public places such as Central Bank, the Market etc, without corresponding Christian places of
prayer. This certainly is a good ground for instability and confusion. Government must be clear in its objective to govern,
without which whatever peace there is now will be short-lived.
What shall we say about petrol and its effects on the psyche of Nigerians? Able-bodied men and women have left the farms and
are now selling petrol by the roadside. Those who have cars have stopped thinking of achieving anything meaningfully and are
spending more time thinking of how to get petrol. Travelling has become more expensive than it has ever been in the history of
this country. What we are told is that there is petrol but it is being hoarded. As a prophet of God, whether the petrol is hoarded
or it is actually not available, the message of God is that there will be judgement and no amount of money can save anybody, it
does not matter who, from the judgement of God.
Let me follow this up with an appeal to the Federal Road Safety Corps, that they should ensure that large trucks should and must
have rear lights. The same trucks should be barred from having more than two headlights: I have seen one with ten! The same
trucks which use diesel should have their exhaust pipe pointing upwards instead of pouring out smoke which creates a cloudy
visibility for smaller cars, and pollutes the atmosphere.
We must all learn to preserve the life that God has given to us and we must each present this same life back to God as a living
sacrifice for his use, so that we may be healthy and strong workmen and women.
Hear this, O people of God: the evil of this country has reached its highest peak and God can no longer bear it. Judgement is
coming soon, beginning in the church. You who enjoy the suffering of the poor; you who do nothing to stop evil; you who plan
and execute evil against the church and the poor - your time is up! God has seen the suffering of his people and has heard the
cry of the church. Evil-workers and perpetrators of war, hatred and bloodshed: your time is up! God's judgement is about to
take place. He who has ears to hear let him hear.
ADMINISTRATION
Our diocese continues to grow and so we, like Moses, must break up our administration. To be honest, the diocese is very large
in its geographical coverage with much to be done by way of evangelistic coverage. For this reason we have broken up the
administration responsibilities into three:
1. Mission of the Church.
2. Administration of the Diocese i.e. Finance;
Implementation of Policies; Boards and Committees.
3. Administration and day to day running of the diocese.
Having looked at our growth and prayed about it, I feel led to appoint the Rev.Canon V.G.Sanda as the Diocesan Director of
Administration, and Mrs.E.A.Pam as the Assistant Director of Administration. I will continue to be the Chief Missioner and Pastor
of this Diocese.
Children's Ministry
Because of the seriousness of our outreach to children we have decided to create a Department of Children's Ministry. This
department will oversee all Children's Ministry: all aspects of Sunday School work and whatever has to do with children and
children's mission comes under this department. Its first Director is Mrs.A.Falade, and the Chaplain is the Rev.D.James. We will
hold this department responsible for the bringing up of children to faith in Christ, and for the organization of all diocesan
programmes for children, and of Sunday School teaching and materials.
YERWA ARCHDEACONRY
My visit to Yerwa Archdeaconry on 22nd April left me heart-broken and with tears. The communal clash was so bad that young
men are out in battle. My fear is for the future of that place for young people and for women. I am appealing to the church and
to government to work out whatever will make for peace. We are so poor in every way, materially, spiritually and physically that
we do not need any communal clashes. Our churches in Yerwa Archdeaconry are all dislocated and not able to operate in any
viable way. We, however, have decided to retain our witness there and the presence of the church leadership. Therefore Yerwa
Archdeaconry is hereby declared a Missionary Archdeaconry. All its workers remain in place while the administrative status of
the Archdeaconry remains but operates as a mission field.
NEW PARISHES
New parishes have been created as follows:
Jos South Archdeaconry: St.Bartholomew's Parish, Jos
Shendam Archdeaconry: Namu Parish
Langtang Archdeaconry: Wase Parish
Pankshin Archdeaconry: Jikon Parish
Lankan Parish
MERIT AWARD
1. Engr.S.O.Ajose: a committed Christian, a devout man of God who believes in the mission of the Church. He has kept the
finances of the church accurately, decently and consistently. He has a heart for the things of God and is very committed to the
mission of the church.
2. Chief Mrs.M.Lot: a very generous giver to everything that has to do with the mission of the church. She would give her last
kobo if that were all she had to offer to the Lord. She has given whatever she could offer.
3. Mr.Bala Angbazo: a Royal Father, a traditional chief, a committed Christian, but very humble and concerned for the spiritual
well-being of his people. He has welcomed us and has welcomed the people of God at any and all times for mission. He also is
willing to offer whatever he has for the mission of the church.
4. Mrs. Mary Saidu: a gifted, dynamic leader amongst women in the Zumuntar Mata, the evangelistic arm of the women's work,
and a very serious worker in mission.
5. Barr.O.A.Onyema: a seasoned lawyer who has very faithfully served this diocese as Registrar since its inception, many times
at the risk of his life and personal comfort.
6. Mama Hawa Saidu: an elder in this Diocese and a faithful church woman, thoroughly committed to the work of the church.
7. The Rev.Canon Dr.T.Gyuse: our Diocesan Missioner who is everywhere in the world for the work of mission.
8. Mrs.H.Gofwen: a gifted Christian teacher and preacher of the gospel who is very humble and available at all times for the work
and mission of the church. In addition to teaching in the Christian Institute, she serves faithfully in the Diocese.
These all have proved themselves to be available and willing to be "Workers together with Christ", as is inscribed upon the Merit
Award Medallion. We are God's workmanship and as he makes us a new creation in him, so we work with him to bring others to
be renewed, restored and re-created in him. The persons we honour today set us examples of such service; they will be
decorated at the Thanksgiving Service on Sunday.
CLERGY MATTERS
We wish joyfully to make the Rev.Canon D.Yerima and the Rev.Canon E.P.Dah Statutory Canons of our Diocese. During the
year we had announced the Rev.Canon H.Okeke as a Statutory Canon. In recognition of the hard work and laborious service of
our brother the Rev.S.Akwaden, we wish to make him an Honorary Canon of our Diocese.
In the interests of mission, and in furtherance of our fellowship in the gospel, the Rev.J.Ali has been transferred to Damaturu
Diocese, and both the Rev.J.Ayuba and the Rev.A.P.Dabang have moved to Wusasa Diocese. We rejoice that the Rev.Ayuba
has since been made a Canon by the Bishop of Wusasa.
PROVINCIAL NEWS
The year 1997 saw the church take a bold step forward, as the Province of the Church of Nigeria was divided into three:
Province I, the West, under the present Archbishop and Primate, the Most Rev.J.A.Adetiloye; Province II, the East, under the
Most Rev.B.C.Nwankiti; Province III, the North, under the Most Rev.P.J.Akinola. We congratulate the new Archbishops and
continue to pray for God's guidance and strength for them and for the church.
We also congratulate those who were consecrated and enthroned as Bishop during the year:
Kaduna Diocese: The Rt.Rev.J.I.Fearon was translated from Sokoto Diocese
Ekiti Diocese: The Rt.Rev.S.A.Abe
Abakaliki Diocese: The Rt.Rev.B.Onyeibor
Kano diocese: The Rt.Rev.Z.L.Nyam
Ughelli Diocese: The Rt.Rev.V.O.Muoghereh
Sokoto Diocese: The Rt.Rev.J.A.Akinfenwa
For us in Jos Diocese it was a particular privilege and joy to witness the Consecration and Enthronement of the
Rt.Rev.A.B.Lamido as the first Bishop of the new Diocese of Wusasa. Bishop Lamido trained here at the Christian Institute, and
was ordained in this diocese. We wish him and his wife, Mary, every blessing in their new field of ministry, and assure them of
our continued prayers.
LAMBETH CONFERENCE
The Lambeth Conference, the world-wide gathering of Anglican Bishops which is held once every ten years, will take place in
England from 17th July to 9th August this year. We ask for your prayers for this meeting, that the Lord will guide with his wisdom,
and that the church may remain faithful to her calling and firmly built on Biblical teaching.
We also wish to use this medium to thank all who have contributed financially to make it possible for us to attend this conference.
We are very grateful and may the Lord reward you.
FURTHER STUDY
Most unexpectedly we have ourselves been offered an opportunity for further study. We have been given a full scholarship to do
a Doctor of Ministry programme at Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry in America. This is a part-time course, and will
necessitate our attending contact sessions in June and January each year, beginning next month. We thank God for this open
door, and ask you to pray with us, that the programme may prove a blessing to the whole diocese.
CONGRATULATIONS
We rejoice with all who gained distinction and blessing in one form or another during the year. The full list of those who were
ordained deacon and commissioned as Evangelists will be found in an Appendix to this Charge, as will the list of newly appointed
Diocesan Officials and members of the various Boards. We congratulate them and pray that God will give them wisdom as they
fulfill their duties.
CONCLUSION
Towards the end of the eighteenth century some young men and women and a few church people in Europe and America
committed themselves to prayer and to preaching and teaching the word of God. They were thoroughly dedicated and God
confirmed their intentions. The result was a massive outbreak of evangelistic endeavours to Africa, Asia and Latin America. We
are today an answer to the prayers and efforts of committed people who laboured on their knees and who used their resources
wisely. Now in our own time, we are at the turn of the millennium, and I have this great burden that God may want to use us from
Jos to be a blessing to the world. Shall we be faithless?
The call to renewal is radical and it is to the whole church and to every individual within that church. The call to renewal
demands that we ourselves be purified, that we be one "in Christ", living out our faith in every moment of our daily lives. The call
to renewal demands that we be prepared to move on, living changed lives, clad in the full armour of God, relying on the power of
the Holy Spirit and rooted in prayer. This is what it means to be men and women who will work for God and become instruments
of change and renewal. God is searching for such people. Our nation and all other nations urgently need such people. No
matter how bad the prevailing circumstances may be, God can work through such people to bring about a new creation.
The vision set before us is glorious. If we are to be true to our calling, this vision can and must become a reality, because in
Christ
"We are God's workmanship: a New Creation"
+Benjamin Jos May 1998
APPENDIX I
MEMBERSHIP OF SYNOD
The Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Jos shall comprise the following:
The Bishop of the Diocese
The Clergy of the Diocese
The Diocesan Officials
The Bishop's Nominees
The Delegates:
Each Archdeaconry may send representatives as follows:
- The Archdeaconry Board may send
: the Archdeaconry Secretary
: one elected representative
- Each Parish may send one representative, except that the Parish of the Archdeaconry Headquarters church may send two
representatives if they so desire.
- A church designated by the Bishop as a Chapelry may send one representative.
Mothers' Union / Women's Guild: The Diocesan President and one representative
APPENDIX II
DIOCESAN OFFICIALS
The following Diocesan Officials are to serve for three years i.e. for the life of the Seventh Synod of the Diocese:
Chancellor: Barr.I Hamman
Registrar: Barr.O.Onyema
Deputy Registrars: Barr.B.Falade
Barr.Y.Pam
Diocesan Director of Administration:
Rev.Canon V.G.Sanda
Assistant Director of Administration: Mrs.E.A.Pam
Finance Adviser: Sir Chief N.I.Olife
Treasurers: [to be elected]
Finance Officer: The Rev.E.F.G.Nyitsse
Clerical Secretary: [to be elected]
Lay Secretary: [to be elected]
Administrative Chaplain to the Bishop:
Dss.Susan C.Essam
Press Secretary: Miss C.Bentu
Diocesan Architects: Arch.G.U.Obiefuna
Arch.Ogunrayewa
Arch.Y.Gomwalk
Chairman, Diocesan Education Board:
Mrs.A.Gomwalk
Diocesan Missioner: Rev.Canon Dr.T.Gyuse
Assistant Diocesan Missioners:
Rev.Canon M.S.Bello
Rev.Canon I.Lar
Rev.Canon H.Okeke
Director of Children's Ministry: Mrs.A.Falade Chaplain for Children's Ministry: The Rev.D.James
Diocesan Youth Chaplain: The Rev.R.R.Wonole
Assistant Youth Chaplains: The Rev.S.D.Fube
Mr.A.Eboh
Diocesan Boys' Brigade Chaplain: Mr.K.Jatau
E.F.A.C. Chaplain: Rev.Canon G.U.Njoku
Assistant E.F.A.C. Chaplain: Rev.P.Z.Jibi
Prison Chaplain & Chaplain for the Blind:
Mr.M.Ndian
Chaplain for the care of Widows:
Rev.Canon O.O.Ajayi
APPENDIX III
DIOCESAN BOARDS and SCHOOL BOARDS
The members of all Boards are to serve for three years i.e. for the life of the Seventh Synod of the Diocese:
The Christian Institute Board of Governors
Chairman: The Rt.Rev.A.B.Lamido, Bishop of Wusasa
Members: The Rev.Canon Dr.E.B.Ajulo
The Rev.Dr.Y.Yilpet
Dr.J.Onyeka
Mrs.Hannatu Gomwalk
Mrs. G.Kwashi
Mr.J.Chuwang
The Diocesan Education Board
Chairman: Mrs.A.Gomwalk
Members: The Rev.Canon S.C.Onuegbu,
The Rev.Canon I.Lar
Mr.Ikeobi
Barr.Y.Pam
Mr.P.Mafuyai
Dss Susan C.Essam
Gospel Medical Services Board
Chairman: Dr.B.Aisien
Members: Dr.G.Toma
Dr.C.T.Baerg
Dr.(Mrs.) Okeke
Mrs.M.Genka
Mr.N.P.Bewarang
Mr.Bode Akintola
Diocesan Investment Board
Chairman: Mrs.L.Dangin
Members: Mr.Stephen Miner
Mrs.E.A.Pam
Prince O.P.Ejidike
Engr.O.Awosika
Bishopscourt Building Committee
Chairman: Chief H.Umejiaku
Members: Mr.S.Akiga
Mr.H.Pam
Arc.A.Umaru
Mrs.E.Okonkwo
Mrs.R.St.John
Engr.O.Oyafemi
St.John's College, Jos
Chairman: Mrs.E.A.Pam
Members: Dr.V.Adetula
Mr.S.Akiga
Mrs.Elizabeth Gomwalk
Chief H.Umejiaku
St.James' Christian Academy, Lafia
Chairman: Mrs.M.Ayenaje
Members: Mr.Godwin Ajaguobi
Mr.Michael Adichie
Mr.Bako Shigudu
Dr.C.Madu
St.Paul's College, Kwatas
Chairman: Mr.P.Mafuyai
Members: Dr.S.Agina
Arch.A.Umaru
Mr.H.Pam
Mr.E.Jebak
St.Benedict's Seminary & St.Helen's Convent
Chairman: Mr.Joseph Fube
Members: Mr.Ishaku Katlang
Canon M.S.Bello
Mrs.Mary Dimka
APPENDIX IV
The following were ordained deacon during the past twelve months:
20th July 1997:
Rev.Luka B.Allu
Rev.Dennis C.Egbogah
Rev.Saul Faden
Rev.Joseph K.Gombul
Rev.Daniel B.James
Rev.Daniel G.Kangdim
Rev.D.Lapkat Mwanshak
Rev.Bartholomew O.C.Nnaji
Rev.Iliya D.Yakubu
14th December 1997:
Rev.Habila Ardzard
Rev.Stanley D.Fube
Rev.Philip Z.Jibi
Rev.Iliya T.Mapack
Rev.Henry I.Okozi
Rev.Yoilah K.Yilpet
The following persons were commissioned as Evangelists:
20th July 1997:
Mrs.Beatrice I.Ezeudemba
14th December 1997:
Mrs.N.Molokwu
The Church of Nigeria
(Anglican Communion)
DIOCESE OF JOS
delivered to
THE FIRST SESSION OF
THE SEVENTH SYNOD
at 10.00 a.m. on
Friday, 22nd May, 1998
in
St.Luke's Cathedral Church, Jos
by
THE RT. REV. BENJAMIN A. KWASHI
(Bishop of Jos)