THREE DAYS INTERNATIONAL MINISTERS CONFERENCE OF MEN/WOMEN OF GOD’S COMMISSIONING OF ICOFCC AND AWARDS. THEME: “HELPING ME I DO NOT HAVE A FATHER”
INTERNATIONAL CIRCLE OF FAITH CHAPLAINCY CORPS (ICOFCC) (AFRICA/NIGERIA COMMAND) IN COLLABORATION WITH THE NATIONAL ORIENTATION AGENCY (NOA), IMO STATE ORGANIZE A 3 – DAY INTERNATIONAL MINISTERS CONFERENCE OF MEN/WOMEN OF GOD, COMMISSIONING OF ICOFCC AND AWARDS.
THEME: “HELP ME I DO NOT HAVE A FATHER”
At Rosy Arts Theater, Ikenegbu, Owerri, Imo State, January 17(Thursday.)-19(Saturday.) 2008, 10:00 am Daily DAY-2 (Friday. 18 Jan., 2008) LECTURE: “THE CHURCH AND MORAL DECADENCE IN THE NIGERIA CONTEXT”
LECTURER: Chief Deacon, Professor Chinyere I. Iwuoha, the Administrator, the New Jerusalem Liberation Church Int’l Inc., Temporary Headquarters Office, 13 School Road, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
KEYWORDS: [1] The Church, [2] Moral [3] Decadence, [4] The Nigeria context.
KEY1. Church
A house set apart for public worship.
a.The whole body of Christians
b.Any particular set or denomination of Christians
c.Any body professing a common creed, not necessarily Christians
KEY2. Moral:
(Character, Conduct, Ethical).
a. Character: mark, distinctive qualities, reputation
b. Conduct: the directing, the leading, the managing of behaviour
c.Eth ic (ethical): rules of behavior
NB: It calls for control-checks and balances, limits, tolerance levels
KEY3. Decadence.
State of decay; Degeneration/rotting away; A decline from a superior state or std; Wasting away; A falling into a worse or less perfect state; A wearing away; The impairing.
KEY(2+3). Immorality.
This implies the exhibition, practice and actions that are inconsistent with, show Disregard to, good character, proper and decent conduct and rules that are in consonance with Phil. 4:8 (Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. {honest: or, venerable}). Indulgence in animal passion, wickedness, and sexual perversions are serious ingredients of the vice called immorality. This is analogous to decision tree we encounter in quality control for conclusions or drawing inferences. It is similar to algorithm in computer programming which employs “IF” to aid the decision-making.
A school of thought are of the view that, ‘whatever you wish to do or talk about anything/anybody, check whether you will give positive response to this prerequisites, ◦Is it true/honest, (b) Is it friendly/comforting, (c) Is it edifying/Godly, (d) Is it necessary. If the responses to all the quizzes are POSITIVE, then say it or do it, but if not, then refrain/repent from such attitude/behaviour/conduct
KEY4. The Nigeria Context.
This means Nigeria’s unique background (historical and spiritual upbringing and experience, her conditions and setting); circumstance; environment (location, atmosphere); framework (agenda, plan); milieu (location); perspective (viewpoint); and situation (state of affair).
NB: These call for repairing and fortification of sound morals via teaching, counsel and encouragement
THE TEXT:
•APPOINTMENT OF PASTORS, DEACONS AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS POSITIONS IN THE CHURCH
(1 Tim. 3:1-7,8-12): The principles / procedures to follow/adopt are spelt out and good judgments are also embedded in our hearts, if we have sincere conscience towards the church and faithfulness towards God Almighty Father, of what to do. However, what is obtained are (have been) Nepotism (family business, whether qualified or not); (b) Politicking, (c) Man-know-man tactics, (d) Cash –and-carry practice (the highest bidder gets the position/office). All these ran contrary to prayerful Divine consultations prior to the selection of any worker/officer in the church or under some Ministries. Through these wrong basis novices are appointed at the expense of qualified/experienced candidates.
The tragedy of an immoral act; Prov. 7: 1-27; 5: 3-5
RESOUNDING CALL Proverbs 7:1-5; 6:20-24; 2 Peter 1:12-13; 3:1 The call to youth to keep and obey the word of God is much often repeated in the book of Proverbs. This repetition is not an indication of lack of other admonitions to make. Rather it is to emphasize the importance of upholding the Word of God as a standard to control youths’ thoughts, actions and reactions, and weigh their decision, keeping to God’s will, therefore, assist youths to know the right way to follow in the wilderness of this world. Not only this, it makes them avoid devil’s traps set for them in their success academically, physically and spiritually. Friend, what have you done with God’s Word? If you actually desire good life and victory, you must keep God’s commandments as “the apples of thin eye” No wonder the call is still resounding.
RECOUNTED CONDUCT
Proverbs 7:6-23; Genesis 39:7-12. The passage read in the book of Proverbs focuses our attention on the immoral conduct of a young boy and a woman. Having no fear and the Word of God in his heart, he was described as a person “void of understanding” Being easily persuaded (“simple”) and desiring to satisfy the sinful desire of the flesh (lust), he went to the place of temptation. Without any resistance, he fell and lost his life. What a lesson! He went to the place of doom “in the blood and dark night.” These, he was promised pleasure but got pain. His seducer, through her appearance, speech and promise, convinced him. For “with her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him” His emotion then was aroused and without thinking twice, off he went for his destruction. Compare this young man with Joseph in the Bible. Joseph, full of God’s Word and fear, saved his life from a seducer. Consequently, God rewarded him.
