…Declares Methodist Synod Open
Lagos State First Lady, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu on Friday urged religious leaders to recommit and uphold sound teachings of God’s word to their followers, saying such was necessary to galvanize the people towards adhering to divine directives and commandments.
Speaking while declaring open the 5th Synod of Methodist Church of Nigeria, Diocese of Ereko, Lagos Island, the First Lady said religious leaders owe the people the obligation to properly guide them to embrace holiness and righteous living in order to make the world a better place.
Represented by a former Permanent Secretary in Lagos State, Dr. Ibironke Shodeinde, the First Lady said: “My charge to the Church and religious leaders today is that we should recommit ourselves to sound teachings of the word of God and strictly adhere to His commandments to make the world a better place. The world needs the critical intervention of the church and religious leaders to lead the way in holiness and righteous living.”
She congratulated the Bishop of Ereko Diocese, Rt. Rev. Joshua Adeogun; the Lay President, Mr Olushina Thorpe; and all the Presbyters, Clergy, Laity and members of the Diocese on the successful commencement of the 5th Synod, which she described as a commendable milestone.
“Synod is an important event in the Church Calendar. It is an assembly of leadership of the church in a Diocese and key stakeholders to decide important doctrinal matters, and as well fashion out ways to bring about both spiritual and physical growth.
“It is also a veritable avenue through which the Church lends its voice to critical issues affecting the polity and the generality of the people, thereby serving as the compass and conscience to right the wrongs and address societal ills,” she said.
On the theme of the Synod, “Watch And Pray”, taken from the book of Matthew 26: 41, the wife of the Governor said it was apt and rightly focused towards bringing people to the consciousness of the need to be watchful and prayerful in order to avoid falling into temptation.
“To be watchful means to be careful and take heed in doing the right thing on a consistent basis. This is why the Bible, in the book of Proverbs 4: 23: admonish us to “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
“Whatever conquers your heart rules your world. We must be watchful and mindful of what we feed our hearts with, in order not to fall for the antics of the devil,” she said.
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