The tenure of Pastor Gabriel Uyeh as the Chairman of the LAWNA Territory of The Apostolic Church, may be drawing to a close. But the event of Saturday, July 26 at the premises of the church in Ketu, Lagos was a clear indication that his impact in the church will endure for a long time..
It was the maiden annual public lecture series named after him. Beyond the lecture was a time to celebrate the values he parades in his over six decades in the church.
The event was also a time to launch the book with the title, “Riches of grace, faith and service in church’ in honour of Pastor Uyeh.
The book is a compendium of articles written by 30 theologians and was published by Glorious Vision University, Ogwa Edo state.
In his review of the book, Ven. Prof. Solomon Mapayeda described it as a rare collection.
The public lecture
The main event was however the public lecture by Professor Kehinde Ayantayo who cracked the ribs of his listeners with some seemingly uncomfortable truth.
He spoke on the topic; Christian Values and Advancing the course for National Development.
Though he had a prepared a paper, Ayantayo spoke extempore; delivering his lines with drama and yet passing across his message.
He believes one of the challenges plaguing the church is blind devotion of church people.
Ayantayo who was one time Head of the Department of Religion at the University of Ibadan noted that many people in Church are so deluded that they find it difficult to use their brain but would rather defer to their spiritual leader.
While noting that it’s important to obey pastors and do their bidding, he said there are some instructions that come from the pulpit that should be resisted by a discerning congregation.
Faith and reason
According to him faith and reason are intertwined and should not be exclusive. “people should use their brain. For instance how can a church leader ask his congregation to eat grass and they will do same if they have not been deluded.
“So the challenge we have is blind devotion which has not given people capacity for independent thinking. He stretched this truth further urging his listeners not to follow church leaders blindly.
He said also that the Church will do well to tamper with many of its age long tradition and evolve with the reality of the present age.
For example, he feels the time spent in some churches is rather too long wondering how Christians will have time for their personal devotional life with God and also to impact the society.
Ayantayo noted that many Church leaders do not live what they preach. According to him, many churches have poor welfare package for their workers.
He reasoned that if the church really wants to be an agent of change, it must first look inwards and practice what it preaches within its walls.
“You are a pastor and you have a driver. How much do you pay your driver. How do you treat your domestic staff. Those are the issues that should be addressed within the church.’ Ayantayo said.
Contentment
He posits that the virtue of contentment is key to living a meaningful life. “God has designed our stomach not to take more than what it can contain.
“We should live a life that reflects God’s glory and stop amassing wealth that we don’t need. This virtue of contentment must start from the Church.” He stated.
He used the opportunity to address issue of injustices in the church while also calling on pastors to pay attention to their health.
He opined that any church organisation that does not pay attention to its youth will fizzle in no time.
“The youth have come of age. Gone are the days we ignore the youth . They are more brilliant than us. Let’s see how we can harness their potentials. We need to help our youths to maximise their potential if we really want the church to make the desired impact.”
Accountability
The professor of ethics and religion also observed that many churches are not transparent enough. “There is need for the church to live by example. Many churches are secretive about their income and expenditure. They don’t make public their books. I believe if we want to make impact the church should give account of what transpires yearly. I am begging us, let accountability be part of us.”
The issue of unity in the church also took a bit of his attention. He noted that while people of the other faith have a kind of synergy that gives them inroad in the polity, many churches are divided over doctrinal issues and issues that are not strong enough to divide them.
He also warned against pedestrian treatment of the word of God adding that the context of some of the things stated in the Bible is not applicable in today’s world.
He cited the instance where Jesus said ‘when a man strikes you on the right cheek turn to him the other’ to explain that in Jesus era, taking that posture does not mean being docile and looking on without action. It actually sends a strong warning to the person who striking you to beware. It’s a strong non-violence approach to revolution . ‘But today we interpret it to mean docility’
There was an interactive session during which Ayantayo took time to give more insight into his position about the Church. He disabused the minds of many on some doctrinal issues that are causing division in the church.
Honour for Pastor Uyeh
At the event many participants spoke glowingly about the celebrant, Pastor Uyeh describing him as a man with a large heart who has greatly impacted the Body of Christ.
The Provost LAWNA Theological Seminary , Jos, Pastor Emmanuel Olowoyeye said the public lecture was to honour the leadership qualities of Pastor Uyeh while he is still alive.
He described Pastor Uyeh as representing a generation of humble, caring and compassionate leaders who deserves public accolade and acclamation.
The President of The Apostolic Church Nigeria, Pastor Sampson Igwe praised the initiative behind the lecturer and urged the Church to begin to take steps that will make it more relevant to the contemporary world.
He reasoned that the values of love, compassion and faith should be the hallmark of the Christian faith. Igwe also believes the Church should give the poor increased attention.
“The Church is potentially a powerful agency and can also provide solution to the many problems of the nation and consequently promoting Christian values.” Igwe said.
The event attracted dignitaries from across Nigeria. The Chief of Staff of the Ogun State Government, Dr. Oluwatoyin Taiwo seized the opportunity of the book launch to encourage Christians to embrace politics.
According to him things are changing in the political space. ‘We should not leave the terrain to people who dont know God. I am in government and I can tell you that I am a testimony to the greatness of God. I am a light in government and God has been our greatest strength.’
In a later interview with newsmen, Taiwo said he had known Pastor Uyeh for many years recalling his sacrifice and love for God.
About Pastor Uyeh
Pastor Uyeh was born on January 18, 1944. He came from an idolatrous background until he met Christ in 1962. He joined the church almost immediately. He started ministerial work as a local worker in the church in 1963.
He was ordained pastor in 1976 and rose through the ranks until 2023 when he was inducted the 6th Territorial Chairman of The Apostolic Church Nigeria LAWNA Territory and the National Vice President of the Church .
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