Ministers Seeds Editorial For the Contending
In
Dear friend,
FAITH.
The Abiding Minister is the periodic
publication of this ministry which also serves
as the resource material for our major
programs. This edition is devoted to, our first
ever MINISTERS’ SEED CONFERENCE, which
seeks to bring together the children of
- MIKE ADEDAMOLA OLUNM.
eloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto
you of the common salvation, it was needful for
me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye
should earnestly contend for the faith which was once
delivered unto the saints. (Jude 1:3)
While preparing for this conference, the holy Spirit dropped
something in my spirit that I want us to Look into as we begin
discussions this moning.
Some of us had the opportunity to study social studies or
Civic Education. We were taught the definition of family. We
were told that a group of people related by blood or
marriages is referred to as a family. The natural order of
things is that father and mother birth children who also take
on spouses and have their own children and the first couple
become grandparents. This entire family depends on each
other as should be. Depending on how affluent they are, the
grandfather covers the children and grandchildren and
ensures that they are not in trouble. The parents could also
influence things to go in the favour of their children. All this
are not so bad because of cause that is what parents are for,
to provide for, guide and protect us.
ministers of God. The aim is to make them to
learn together at the feet of the Master and
to seek common solutions to challenges that
are peculiar to them.
For this first edition, we have the children of
notable ministers of God as well as those who
have carved a niche for themselves in
ministry ministering to their colleagues. It is
the aim of the gathering is to ensure that it is
only the children of ministers that will be
ministering at the annual conference so that
they will be able to communicate with other
ministers children in the language that they
will understand.
Some of us seated here have or still in fact believe that the
same thing operates in the kingdom of God. We believe that
our parents’ Goodwill with God is enough to cover us. We
believe that since our parents are preachers or commitment
church workers, their salvation covers us children too.
I want us to know that God has no grandchildren. Salvation
therefore is as personal as it gets. I am certain of this
because the Bible says in the book of John 14:6 that 7 am
the way and the truth and the life; no one comes to the
father except through me’. As much as we would want to
be willed our fathers salvation just as all other earthly
possessions that may like to get from them and as much as
our fathers would like to do the same, the Bible says that;
Yes, each of us will give personal account to God God
(Romans 14:12 (NLT)}There are no hand me downs when it
comes to the issue if salvation.
At the same time however, looking at the scriptures will
make us to realize that though salvation is personal, it is
something that God hates when a minister of God does not
raise his children in a way that willmake such children to be
useful for God.
Prophet Eli, one of the foremost prophets in the land of
Israel, got into trouble with God, despite his exploits for God
because of the way he raised his children. The following
were the words of God to the prophet through young Samuel;
Consequently, apart from brief reports of ministry activities, we have Pastor Femi Emmanuel ministering to us on STRATEGIES FOR CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH AS PASTORS CHILDREN. Mike Adedamola
Oluniyi’s write up is on THE CHALLENGES OF
CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH, while my own
write up (not strictly for the conference) is on
THE PERILS OF CHRISTIAN MINISTRY. There is
also 50 WAYS TO STRENGTHEN MINISTRY
WITH THE YOUTH from Lewis Centre.
The edition promises to be a rich resource material for the target audience and the Christian youth generally. Welcome to the world of Abiding Grace!
Rev’d. Dr. Mike Oluniyi.