Me:                      I am going to change the world

The World:         Change thyself first!

It is true that charity begins at home; it is also true that leadership and true salvation are inside-out; hence, when we meet potential change-agents, particularly the ones we know, it is a lot difficult to believe they can make significant differences. Particularly if we met them before they became “significant”; afterwards, everyone else can believe.

When David showed up to kill Goliath, everyone took him serious except his brother; to whom he answered, “is there not a cause?”. Of course, David, there is a cause; the only issue is why it had to be you that is concerned about it!

Why You?

The reason why this question is often difficult to answer can be attributed to knowledge – our knowledge of ourselves – our perception. David had an individual sense of significance and everyone who has achieved anything significant does. Your internal sense of mediocrity is not a virtue, particularly if you cannot rise above it.

For David, he rose above it, not because he found anything extraordinary about himself, but that He could see God in his very ordinary life. Our sense of significance need not come from ourselves, in-fact, it shouldn’t come from ourselves. It should come from the acknowledgement of our relationship with God and from our basic humanity; I will discuss the latter first.

Public Good and the Individual Sense of Significance

There is a correlation between the influence of individual liberty or the sense of it on the development of nations (public good). When men lived under tyrannical kings, the nobles owned everything of value and there were few incentives to be creative or aspiring; particularly for public good. Hence, when Goliath taunted Israel for 40 years, it was primarily King Saul’s problem – he had the most to lose. We see a similar structure in corporate firms and nations where CEOs and Presidents are the “kings”; the leader is deemed to be personally responsible for the socio-economic destinies of those under their jurisdictions. It is not common to see a “commoner” share these “kingly” burdens even though for the most part, the “king” is really no different from the commoner.

The result of this state of affair is that though everyone talks about the kings, few ponder on the things kings ponder on; it is as if we don’t know that this pondering, regardless of titles, is kingship itself. So, when for example, you take a look at the topics of our undergraduate and post-graduate thesis, particularly in Nigeria, you begin to see the incapacity of the current system to contribute significantly to the current problems of the society; we are not even asking the right questions, simply because of the lack of this sense of significance. You can do a better analysis by evaluating the quality and “kingliness” of the private meditations of the average young person.

Africa and The False Assumption of Significance

It is important to point out that it is often falsely assumed that those with positions are significant and should worry more about our development issues. Hence, it is not unusual that in Africa, it is assumed that the Colonial masters know better (the foreign-is-good syndrome), that the Professors know better, the PhDs, the Senators and the Executive Cabinet Members. Well, if they did, with all the AID money and support we’ve been receiving; the plethora of leadership and Academics at every level, our problems would have been solved.

It is even worse when these individuals believe they actually do know better. Good kings, however, know that the Davids, Josephs and Daniels of this world hold the answer and are not afraid to let them shine.

These false assumptions, to me, is one of the most limiting stereotypes of the African race, it breeds mediocrity, closes its eyes and is lost in perpetual prayer; waiting for a messiah. It is no surprise then that a lot of such “close-your-eye” religiosity is now focused on demons, witches and enemies; it is simply because the problems haven’t gone away – hence, someone need to be blamed.

In truth, Christianity is not a leap of faith into the dark but rather, into light. Arise from your slumber, allow Christ to give you light!

David believed God

David’s sense of significance came from His knowledge of God and His work in Him; all of us who claim such knowledge are called to find likewise courage in Him. Studying David’s life, we do not find a saint, rather, we find a man who sought and found God. By that knowledge (the truths he found) he literally changed the world, he changed himself too – he allowed truth to always conquer him and by that, he could conquer all, including his gravest errors.  

Me: You can change the world.

This paper aims to discuss the subject matter of corporate governance in the body of Christ. This discussion is critical at this point in the body of Christ, especially in Nigeria, in view of the leadership crisis the nation is experiencing. The church, as the light of the world, the ground and pillar of truth has a lot to teach and demonstrate about leadership.

For simplicity, the questions it desires to answer will be first presented and the rest of the paper will seek to answer them in no order; other related questions will be presented in the course of the paper. The questions are enumerated to help identification in discussing the answers provided.

Context

The discussion of corporate governance could be seen in certain quarters as predicated on the absence of trust; this posture, however, is incorrect as most successful corporate governance practices are those instituted by leadership. This corporate governance deliberations, therefore, proceeds from this premise – a deliberate attempt by leadership to do the right thing. A premise, other than this could portray and/or suggest a state of rebellion.

Questions:

1. What should be the organizational structure of the New Testament Church?
   1. How should the different tasks be distributed?
   2. How should the different departments relate with each other?
   3. Is there a model for such a structure?
2. What are the functions (tasks) of the New Testament Church?
3. What is Corporate Governance?
4. Is there biblical basis to enshrine Corporate Governance in the local church?

Introduction

Contemporary Definition of Corporate Governance

The subject of Corporate Governance refers to the framework of rules, relationships, systems and processes within and by which authority is exercised and controlled within an organisation.

It encompasses the mechanisms by which organisation and those in control are held to account.

In a nutshell, it has two elements:

1. Rules, Systems and Processes for Exercising Authority
2. Mechanisms for Accountability

Questions

1. Should leadership in the Church have rules and systems for exercising authority?
2. Should there be accountability structures?

Answers can be found in the following passages of Scripture:

1. The Oracle of Kingship – recognizes the equality of the people of God, particularly with respect to the conscious humility of their leadership – so that his heart be not lifted up above his brethren (Deut 17: 14-20).
2. The Doctrine of Service (John 13; Mark 10:35-45) recognizes the servant posture of leadership; to serve and not to be served.
3. The Doctrine of Agreement – recognizes the need for homogeneity of will in the exercising of Church power. (Math 18:20, 1 Cor 14:29.
4. The practice of the Saints – the republican Apostolic approach exemplifies these understanding. (Acts 15).
5. The Above-Board Dispensation of the Apostles – in dealing with the complains of the Hellenists portray these understanding. They had complained about their widows and were told to appoint for themselves a board of Deacons. Note that the apostles’ teachings ensured they had men that met the qualifications, but it is the people that chose the men. (Acts 6:1-7)

So, we will proceed on the premise that there should be accountability structures in the Church, and that the presence of these structures does not imply the lack of trust; however, more emphasis will be made on the pillars of this premise.

It is important that the reader notes that beyond the organizational structures that make for corporate governance, is the heart for such. In fact, it is the opinion of the authors that no corporate governance intervention will be successful on the long term if the posture of the heart and the affections of the mind are not first addressed.

The Posture of the Heart

The Oracle of Kingship

In Deut 17, we see that indeed all leadership possess the capacity to multiply riches for itself and usually does; yet, the best of civilizations (judged by the well-being of the citizens) is seen when this does not happen; the best of Church history occurred in the era where her leadership refused (intentionally) not to multiply riches; the worst of church history occurred when the church got lost with economic and political power.

The oracle of Kingship is wise not because it makes the leader humble but more importantly, because it makes the people humble. Followers tend to outdo their leaders and part of Africa’s problem is embedded in the character of her religious leadership. Note also, from the Words of Jesus to the Jews with respect to the Pharisees and Scribes in Mathews 23:1-12; a situation can arise where doctrine is not the issue but rather, lifestyle.

The Oracle of Kingship is more about the heart of the leader than anything else; the leadership must not see itself as better than the followers in kind.

The Doctrine of Service

Leadership exists to serve the body; the service of the body is not only in word and doctrine but in socio-economic welfare as seen with the early church – “that none lacked” was a big part of the focus; the subject of the service was not just in the delivery of the Word but very much in the meeting of the needs of the body. Nearly all mentions of giving and sacrifice in the New testament was to meet the need of the saints. Again, the practice of this has political implications; the early Church saw dramatic giving; not because of coercion but because it was one for another – all for one, one for all.

The prophecy of Jesus about the sheep and the goats offer excellent review material on this subject (Math 25:33-46).

The Doctrine of Agreement

Leadership authority is best exercised in agreement and agreement requires diversity and humility; hence, the early church had a council of elders and apostles. The Roman Civilization had a wonderful mixture of power deployment where Ceaser had to agree with the Senate; we also see such in the Trinity; the Father loves the Son and gives him everything; the Son loves the Father and does only His will; the Spirit loves the Son and the Father and will not speak of Himself. The three agree; unity in diversity. Uni-varsity.

The Church is not borrowing division of power and the principle of agreement in diversity from the world; it is the nature of reality; deriving its bearing from the First Cause.

The Above Board Dispensation

The decision of the Apostles to ask for the appointment of leaders was to give the Church leaders ownership in the disbursement of their gifts. “We are not masters of your faith; we are helpers of your joy” (2 Cor 1:24). Leadership is a tool for the edification of the Saints and the best of its work is seen in the independence of the saints, not in their captivity. Leaders must see to the maturity of the Saints, and nothing matures the saint as responsibility.

Summary

The Premise of Corporate Governance in the Church is founded on the following:

A non-materialistic leadership committed to the spiritual and material blessing of the led, deployed in a manner that depicts sufficient transparency to avoid accusation, with structures for consensus building between membership and the leadership.

We find this in the lifestyle of Apostle Paul who took up vocation not just because he needed the money; he wanted to be above board. He knew that these things mattered.

The functions of the Church

1. Spiritual Edification – Word and Prayer
2. Material Edification – ministry to the widows, the poor and the less privileged.

Current Assessment

A current assessment of most church expenses will reveal a trend like this

• 85% to Overhead (rent, equipment, purchases)
• 5% to wages, honorarium
• 5% to social services and welfare

Sometimes, there are no other evangelical platforms outside the four corners of the Church.

There are reasons for this, however, the major outcomes are that there are a lot of people complaining like they did in the early church; the Church appears not to be solving their social problems.

The reason why it is not solving their social problem is simply because her leaders are not accountable to them.

A survey to examine what individuals that give to their church really think the church should do with the resources given will really help. It is the belief of the author that there is a great disparity between what church finances are used for and what those that give them think they should be used for.

Also, the over-monetization of “giving” can jeopardize the growth of other relatively low-cash requiring ministries that need the ordination and support of the local church to flourish (e.g. Prison Ministries, Education Services, Psychological Care, Elderly Care etc.). For these, the major requirement are individuals committed to the sacrificial giving of their time with little or no compensation.

In practice though; a truly representative council appointed by membership (to avoid sycophancy) should represent the view of the whole; and it is this representative council that should determine expenditure and regular reports made available to her membership. It is important to note that this is not different from what we expect of civil authorities and the Church of God ought to be the ground and pillar of truth; the absence of which reflects the truth that what we expect of civil authorities is a cultural shift of which the church must lead.

Can Church Members Be Trusted to Partake of the Budgetary Process?

The answer to this would depend on our perspective of who a believer is or who a believer should be? A body of believers or their chosen representatives are more than qualified to partake of budgetary processes and to make key decisions that pertain to the growth and flourishing of the body in keeping with the spirit of “I do not call you servants, for servants do not know what their masters do”.

Development of representative members full of the Holy Spirit and Wisdom is the call of the fivefold Ministry and their absence is an indictment and not an excuse for the lack of corporate governance.

Note

We live in a consumerist society; where costlier is better; new is good and the people of God have somehow fallen for this, as the rest of the world has. It is as if we have allowed the world to dictate our prayer points; our targets; at the end of the day, we have a money transfer where cash flows regularly from the Church to the world; rather than the other way around. It is so because the world is winning the culture war. Whoever dictates the culture, dictates the flow of resources. The distinction should have been easy and is still is easy – ideally, the Church’s focus is men (fishers of men), the world’s focus is things (fishers of fish).

The authors believe that this culture of consumerism is at the heart of most of the challenges of corporate governance; it breeds a cycle of neediness.

Lessons from Church History

When the Pope was selling indulgences to build Cathedrals (the House of the Lord); it is not exactly right that the house of the Lord was exactly what the people wanted or needed; they, the masses are the House of the Lord. We need to be so focused on building the people that we won’t know when the structures pop up under us.

So, in a nutshell, the absence of corporate governance at best reinforces the separation of clergy and laity; where laity give to clergy to do the work of God; whereas it shouldn’t be that way. The result is either dark ages or it is atheism. History has shown that leadership are not wholly without blame in scenarios of civil revolt; particularly when those revolts revolve around material resources.

Harmonizing the Two Works – Accountability

As seen with the early Church; the Apostles didn’t seek doctrinal validation from the people – though they sought it from one another, the Fivefold Ministry must have peer-review structures.

The social aspect of the work should be done very transparently and is the bulk of the work that requires money.

Money and the Work of God

In a nutshell, it behooves on leadership not to fall for the trappings of materialism (big structures) at the expense of the people. A well-engaged membership led by accountable leaders will give money; as much as is required to do the work of God; it is their work. Also, good leadership recognizes that the entire Church is the Body of Christ and not fall for the Lutheran dictum of “this is my body”; hence, the work of God is much beyond the congregation itself.

The result is partnership; in the correct sense, the membership is not partnering with the pastor; they are partnering with themselves to reach the world. The right approach to these matters provide the followership with a very good understanding of how life should be lived and this affects every other aspect of their lives. One of the factors that contribute to the apparent madness on our streets is because people simply do not see enough love in places of worship; they see God as a tool to get blessings and unfortunately the gospel of faith can be erroneously understood this way, simply because it was inadvertently taught that way.

We are not just people of faith; we are people of love; the posture of faith is redemption not cars or things.

A Church focused on reaching the world in love, focuses on developing her members to gain the spiritual and material resources to do that work effectively. It is at the center of the action happening in the society. To be able to do this effectively, resource (spiritual and physical) management and deployment is key.

How to Organize the Body

A lot is lost when church leadership is centered around only the teachers of the Word; there is more to the work than that; a lot more can be done when leadership supports other non-Word ministries to thrive and the accountable body throws resources at this kind of work.

Leadership should focus on supporting the Ministries of the Laymen; they should be taught to live Christ in their work and must not be made to think that they “give to God” only when they give to the Church; their 8am to 5pm every weekday is as sacred as their Sundays.

A local church, for example should start “Society for Girl-Child Education”; “Society for Artisanal Workers Development” etc. according to the needs and callings of her membership. These engagements should be seen as a powerful Ministry of the Word; it wasn’t just the words of Jesus that got people; it was more of His Acts. Miracles and Healings will happen when we unleash and support our people to do the work of God in such Societies.

It is important to note that it is such societies that brought Christianity to us in Africa and the much-needed social amenities.

On Motivation and Accountability for Gifts and Offerings

For speed, the points are enumerated.

1. Transparency should be instituted at all levels of leadership simply to be above board.
2. Remuneration for leadership should be reasonable and in compliance with “so that his heart be not exalted above his brethren”.
3. Leadership should intentionally be humble; there is great wisdom in that. Not because of lack of capacity but because of it.
4. Leadership should let the people contribute to decisions on how funds are deployed.
5. Regular reporting structures are part and parcel of corporate governance.

Examples of Accountability Structures

1. Leadership Councils; the use of a senate-like Council or board as the highest decision-making organ of an organisation is important in avoiding individual excesses, of which we are all vulnerable when left unchecked. This structure also protects the larger body from offence, as most times, issues that may offend are quickly resolved within the council. As seen with the Council of Apostles and Elders at Jerusalem, doctrinal matters form a key element of the functions of that council. Wisdom can also be gleaned from the Protestant reformation, which successfully enthroned the authority of Scriptures (rather than church traditions) as the principal source of truth; hence, the powers of the Council must derive from Scriptures alone, in keeping with the spirit of “we are not masters of your faith, but helpers of your joy”.
2. Budget/Budget Review Meetings – these are annual, semi-annual or quarterly meetings where the Church (all members) deliberate on what it wants to do with the resources of God committed to it, it should be noted that if Shareholders of earthly companies can make inputs on their budget at the annual general meetings and Government Executives seek budget approvals, leadership in the house of God should be much nobler. The people of the Lord, are holy.  The Holy Spirit, if we ask Him, can inform us what to focus on per quarter, or per annum. At the review meetings, the progress of the work is explained and discussed; with inputs made from membership. Note that since the Church’s focus is her membership; there is nothing (be it building projects, giving, etc.) that should be deemed too discreet for her; however, in certain cases, it might be best to limit participation to elected representatives.
3. Appointments: for the day-to-day operations; the people themselves should appoint leaders to represent them in these matters; these appointments should be reviewed regularly to avoid nepotism and sycophancy. It is important to note that these structures are fundamental pillars of the early Church; they were indeed essential pillars borne not out of tradition, but more from an understanding of the full counsel of God, of the nature of men and the whiles of the enemy.

Advantages of this Approach

• This will quell the current giving and tithing controversy in many quarters; believers should not just give their tithe and walk away (God wants the entirety of their lives); they should be part and parcel of His work. When people get involved with God’s work, they will give more than 10%.
• This will also create the right kind of citizens – the salt of the earth – the non-inclusiveness of followership in leadership is the major limit to Africa’s development and the prevailing Church governance structure in many quarters reinforces that; if Church leadership (the holiest) are accountable to their people, the people will force their earthly leaders to be accountable. Let thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

• Also, if Church leaders present a humble outlook in accordance with the Oracle of Kingship, it will catalyze the emergence of servant leadership with the hallmark that it utilizes the very little resources we have, to do much more. This is important because part of the biggest challenge of consumerism is that it wastes the opportunities and is in a perpetual cycle of neediness; from such, no prayers can save.

• A well run governance structure in church will impact positively on the society at large. History has taught that the most effective governance structures governments have adopted world over, originated from the church.

 Conclusion

A lot rises and falls on leadership; and in the Body of Christ, this responsibility becomes even more significant. We must all strive to get the noble commendation at the end of days. We can do so by taking heed to ourselves and to the flock that is committed to us.

The question of the deadness of God is one that had resonated well in literal circles in the not too distant past and in this text, I seek to outline points for and against these positions within the context of observed human realities. In other words, I refer to the attitude and whims of contemporary society with respect to this theme.

Note that the question does not say “is there a God?” rather it posits that He had actually existed but no longer does. Consider it from the perspective of an observer of contemporary society and religion; of our practices, value system and evolving culture.

Before we continue, please note that the deadness of God is not a logical posture because God is a necessary being by definition – He is the inventor of life and death; if He were to die, then He is not God to begin with. That said, there is still plenty to gain by considering this theme.

Note also that this consideration is not altogether new and had been well written about by serious minded scholars who had romanticised the concept, particularly the German philologist Friedrich Nietzsche, who is ascribed to having invented the term. Like in all matters that relate to our notion of God, there are very serious applications, so, eager your mind and read in between the lines.

Below is a reading from one of his writings –

The Gay Science, Section 125: The Madman

By

Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

Have you not heard of that madman who lit a lantern in the bright morning hours, ran to the market-place, and cried incessantly: “I am looking for God! I am looking for God!”

As many of those who did not believe in God were standing together there, he excited considerable laughter. Have you lost him, then? said one. Did he lose his way like a child? said another. Or is he hiding? Is he afraid of us? Has he gone on a voyage? or emigrated? Thus they shouted and laughed. The madman sprang into their midst and pierced them with his glances.

“Where has God gone?” he cried. “I shall tell you. We have killed him – you and I. We are his murderers. But how have we done this? How were we able to drink up the sea? Who gave us the sponge to wipe away the entire horizon? What did we do when we unchained the earth from its sun? Whither is it moving now? Whither are we moving now? Away from all suns? Are we not perpetually falling? Backward, sideward, forward, in all directions? Is there any up or down left? Are we not straying as through an infinite nothing? Do we not feel the breath of empty space? Has it not become colder? Is it not more and more night coming on all the time? Must not lanterns be lit in the morning? Do we not hear anything yet of the noise of the gravediggers who are burying God? Do we not smell anything yet of God’s decomposition? Gods too decompose. God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him. How shall we, murderers of all murderers, console ourselves? That which was the holiest and mightiest of all that the world has yet possessed has bled to death under our knives. Who will wipe this blood off us? With what water could we purify ourselves? What festivals of atonement, what sacred games shall we need to invent? Is not the greatness of this deed too great for us? Must we not ourselves become gods simply to be worthy of it? There has never been a greater deed; and whosoever shall be born after us – for the sake of this deed he shall be part of a higher history than all history hitherto.”

Here the madman fell silent and again regarded his listeners; and they too were silent and stared at him in astonishment. At last he threw his lantern to the ground, and it broke and went out. “I have come too early,” he said then; “my time has not come yet. The tremendous event is still on its way, still travelling – it has not yet reached the ears of men. Lightning and thunder require time, the light of the stars requires time, deeds require time even after they are done, before they can be seen and heard. This deed is still more distant from them than the distant stars – and yet they have done it themselves.”

It has been further related that on that same day the madman entered divers churches and there sang a requiem. Led out and quietened, he is said to have retorted each time: “what are these churches now if they are not the tombs and sepulchers of God?”

(1882)

My Commentary

Nietzsche was not regarded as a great author for nothing, though I do not agree with his conclusions and life, I do clearly see his perspective. Life could appear as if man had actually killed God, in fact, God made that kind of life possible. We can, as he wrote, drink up the sea, find sponges to wipe away the entire horizon and smell the putrefaction that result from our actions. The Madman was apt, the deed requires time even after they are done and could be more distant from us than the distant stars, though we have done it ourselves. Religious institutions could become the tombs and sepulchers of an ancient deity – like many are today, though still thronged by ardent worshippers.

Note also the conclusions of the madman – “What festivals of atonement, what sacred games shall we need to invent? Is not the greatness of this deed too great for us? Must we not ourselves become gods simply to be worthy of it? There has never been a greater deed; and whosoever shall be born after us – for the sake of this deed he shall be part of a higher history than all history hitherto.”

The consequences of killing God are that we have to become more creative, to invent new games and brace up to be gods ourselves. Is it not striking that we now have more living legends, idols and stars? Even luxury objects like automobiles and games like soccer have ardent worshippers. The days are darker; hence, lamps need be lit in the day. Does it appear as if we are perpetually falling? Backward, sideward, forward, in all directions?

Another Perspective

If it is true, as I believe it is, that God is the source of life and hence cannot be dead but could allow us live as if He is, does it not infer that it is us that are dead? In other words, a life lived with the notion of the deadness of God is not all-together unlivable but lived within the confines of our deadness. Now, this deadness does not preclude our capacity to enthrone ourselves as gods to replace the one we’ve “murdered”. It appears to me that this is the more likely situation and like we said earlier, all notions of God have practical applications.

For example, the author of the text above, Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche, spent the last eleven years of his 55 years as an insane person, this is not to say that his writings made him mad but that madness is a very good illustration of a state of consciousness where absolutes are abolished. Hitler’s Germany was built by men’s strong notions about God and reality and sought to impose those notions on all of us; they were not altogether unaided by Nietzsche’s philosophy. The United States of America was built by men who held a particular notion of God and today those notions are fast changing with obvious effects. The religious terrorism of our days is fuelled by man’s belief of God.

Hence, the challenges are multi-fold. For one, if you believe God is dead, then prepare to take His place and be ready for Him when He actually shows up. If you believe Him alive, then be prepared to prove it as well.

The Challenge for the Church

As a Christian, my perspective of society is not from the perspective of pity and it should not be; this was something that Nietzsche struggled with. He believed the church took a pitiful stance on the world, believed in her inherent evilness and repressed creativity and adventure. This perspective of religion is still rife today; young people are afraid that God will “dull” them.

To counter this, some churches have resorted to become more “alive” and have without knowing it become dead; in other words, become like the world too.

To me, the balance is to love the world. Now, to “love the world” is not to love contemporary culture and value system but to love creation itself. “…for God so loved the world”. Love is not pitiful, which is an apathetic posture; Love is more engagement driven. When we love people, we would condemn less and build up more without approving the wrong or killing them in the name of God. If we love science, we would be great scholars without denying God and invent new things – good ones. If we love the people of our nation; we would naturally be patriots.

I see no better life than this and it appears to me that God made it so that we could arrive at this position of love; for Him, our fellow men and for ourselves, without which we would always stumble.

Cheers.

Leaders are dealers in hope. They are not hope-dealers because they are more optimistic than the rest of the team but because they are less afraid – not unafraid – to follow their instincts. They smell out water and follow the chase, some have died before they found water but the ones we celebrate today are those who found their chase just before the last breadth.

Often times, their chase is not entirely rational especially at first, at least to the onlooker. It is not that leaders are entirely irrational but often operate with different hues of rationality. Much more than others, the leader is much more prone to cross-examine herself; as she is operating by a higher yardstick. The fears and criticisms of onlookers help her in this quest – to verify her persuasions, hence the necessity of these.

She is special, like the rest of us are and her task also is; so she thinks herself double so and with this, Heaven agrees.

Her failings force her to learn more, to study more and to engage the deliberate act of exposing herself to new ideas and people. She knows the drawings by heart but needs the information out here to help execute her blueprint. Between the actual execution and the learning curves are timelines – the price the leader must pay, the ability to survive this interval is a combination of the Grace of God and practical wisdom. Wisdom to prepare for the rainy day and the Grace of God when preparations fail – as they often do.

The leader is therefore spiritual – she hears things and most time has a great deal more faith in those things than in the observable. To kill her before time, one must first disconnect the vital link –this meditative heart, to fill it with noise and cares.

A leader knows that life is really a preparation for death – not a cessation from existence but a completion of the race of this particular phase of life. She lives not to survive it or to just exist because she knows she would always do (we all will keep existing), rather she lives to be ready for the finish line –to die. With her, God is really glad, for she has lived as she ought to.

For her journey, she must find wisdom and faith. This is written to remind him that both are within grasps, that though the errors of life be many, but with faith and wisdom, one can arrive ready –having done all that God had required of us. For some, that path might involve many failures but these kinds are akin to those of a child learning to walk. The one who stumbled trying – and all would, might have failed to stand but the wisdom is not in calm sitting but in the faith to try again.

Faith is not man’s quest for God, it cannot be, for where can he find Him? It is God’s quest for man; hence, genuine acts of Faith are best seen in man’s response to the passions of God. When the Scripture says “seek Me and you shall find Me”, it is not because of the greatness of our efforts but in our response to the one who so earnestly seeks us. The true seeker is truly sought. Yes, in many ways, God has been really looking for you.

Man’s righteousness therefore is not a product of good deeds but in the obedience to God. If you have really tried hard at being good, you would agree that the self awareness posture required to pursue righteousness quickly leads to the discovery of one’s depravity. We are not perfect creatures, but we can be. The passions of God for us, makes such possible.

Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

The Nature of the Call
This call of God, however, is not essentially a physical or material calling, it is that and much more. It is true that God must not be judged by the material, many have missed Him by so doing.

The call of God is to God. ”Abraham” He says,”I am your exceedingly great reward”. For Abraham, his son Isaac was the promise – the material result of his faith, yet God wanted to bring him to the place beyond Isaac. This divine desire is same for all of us. The day Abraham believed God was the day he pleased Him and his faith was accounted for righteousness; yet, it took a longer while for Abraham to get Isaac. Our Isaacs are not as important as our response to the call.

Yes, material results are not as important to God as we think of them; though in many ways we deal with Him in the material, He is more concerned with what goes on in our hearts. Every business man knows how easy it is to lose money after it is made; the wise one learns that the critical thing is the nature of the heart of the individual, with or without the resources. By that, it is easier to judge men, not in the size of their pockets, but in the size of their hearts.

1Ki 4:29 And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore.

God in the Mundane
God speaks to us, when we are in relationship with him and sometimes even when we are not. Now, it is difficult to claim to know God if such a relationship of hearing does not exist; if we are not in pursuit of Him on a daily basis. But if we are, we would find that even in every day things of work and living, God has a will for us as individuals; that agenda sometimes look mundane and not so spiritual but the source is always very clear, even when the message is not.

For someone, it was to literally help carry the cross of Christ. Another gave his tomb to be used for His burial and countless persons have in the ordinary course of human pursuit dedicated their lives and resources to doing the biddings of God. However, beyond these desires of God from us is His desire of our lives – we are desired to be creatures of a particular sort.

2Pe 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

He desires us to be creatures of love in a world where such love is alien and of righteousness where corruption is rife. It is a calling away from ourselves and to God – for it is only in Him that we can truly find ourselves. We’ve not always lived up to call, yet like Paul, it should be the relentless pursuit.

The Glory and the Glorifier
God is both – the glory and the one that glorifies. True glory is to know the applause of God – the ‘well-done, thou good and faithful servant’ commendation. The pursuit of the high calling is to pursue that commendation above every other accomplishment. In pleasing God, we might gain the glory of men but must learn to count such as nothing and fleeting. His is the one that endures.

The Fear of the Lord
The Lord commandeers his own, like soldiers in an army, we obey the supreme command. There are times when in battle array, when in the thick of the battle we are jostled from our positions and shaken by enemy fire, it is particularly then that good soldiers listen to receive the orders of their commanding officer. The one who fears the Lord waits upon Him, he might be slow but eventually he would arrive right on time.

Who am I?
I am thine!

1Pe 2:9-11 But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you- from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted. Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul.

Muchas Gracias

SCENE ONE

THE BEGINNING

Truth often times cannot be simply stated or we would have no need of teachers, or at best it would be a parable. This is not an apology but rather an explanation for the length of this write up, contained herein are my contemplations and attempt to glean wisdom from a multitude of teachers, if this article is lengthy it is because their thoughts and words were much.

(it is advised that you read a scene per time and digest the thoughts before the next),

We will begin with examining the meaning behind the statement;  “Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding; he who does it destroys his own soul. “ Prov. 6: 32

The feelers from the above are;

It takes ignorance to commit adultery thus a wisdom challenge

A man by adultery destroys, deprives, batters or spoils his soul

In the context of this text, the soul referred to the creature within the man, the source of vitality, freshness, purpose, passion, the living man.

Adultery on the other hand implies to apostate, to renounce a belief or an allegiance, it often is taken to include fornication.

Sexual relationships in my opinion is the most creative and most gratifying experience available to man. Therein man,  the most powerful, unique and influential force on planet earth is created by the union of  a man and woman or their seeds to give birth to another individual.

This new individual possesses a flesh and other non-physical part ; a soul and a spirit, the spirit and soul of the offspring is clearly distinct from those of the parents though the flesh is a random combination of both.

This distinction in the body, soul and spirit components of a new spring gives the following pointers;

1. The body of the newborn is a product of a unique random genetic mix of his parents.
2. His spirit however is very unique and very much independent of that of both parents.

My contemplation from the above is that  in a every sexual activity, there is a third factor that is responsible for the spirit of the newborn. Thus God is an active participator in every sexual activity and this is regardless of the religious orientation of the players. Thus this God-factor is the birthing power that births the spirit of the newborn (the real man), this explains why nobody is an accident or illegitimate.

The scenario like in rape or in an extramarital relationship might be wrong, an accident, cruel or improper but the birthing of the righteous spirit of a newborn is always right, it is initiated but not brought about by the parties.

This bears repetition and I will repeat it, no one is an accident or illegitimate. Like a piano master or a painter like Michael Angelo, the canvass can be wrong but not his art. For when the master is done, the canvass or the initial music would look just appropriate for the event.

SCENE  TWO

SEX NOT MARRIAGE

From the last contemplation, sexual experiences regardless of the legality or morality create a template, canvass or a system through which the infinite resource of God is channeled to create the biggest force on earth; man. It is in my opinion that this system created by the union of a man and a woman is not like a reversible reaction, it is irreversible. It also is God’s avenue for providing resources for the work on earth (ideas, passions, burdens e.t.c).

“What? know ye not that he which is joined to a harlot is one body? for two, saith He, shall be one flesh.” 1Co 6:16

The author of this text was quoting the statement of God in Genesis that “the two shall become one” for an adultery scenario. This tells me that it is not “marriage” that makes two one but sex. One can thus be one flesh with another regardless of whether they went to the altar or not, I’ll dare say that the statement “What God has joined together” is not because the two came to the altar to become joined but rather because they partook of God’s “joining system” for creation. When we partake of sex, He joins us.

Note that the term “the two shall become one” was a statement made by God in Gen 2. It is the covenant basis for the joining. In 1 Cor 6: 16, it becomes clear that this joining is not limited to a marriage scenario but to every sexual relationship and this also can be gleaned from the fact that God didn’t make that pronouncement because there was a crowd of witnesses (as in marriage) but because  Adam spoke.

So, whenever two individuals become joined in sex they inadvertently invoke God’s joining and then spirit creation when there is a baby.

THE HOLY INSTITUTION

Sex and by extension marriage is the only institution or system that gives God a legal entry (in a way) to create in our universe, it is therefore His Institution. If humanity decides not to have sex or to pervert sex (as in sodomy and adultery) the Hands of God is in a way held back. This explains the devil’s winning strategy with homosexualism, divorce and adultery.

I am of the opinion that the system is not only necessary for procreation but also for work fulfillment, God said that Adam needed help and a sexual relationship was the answer (not just company). A woman therefore does not just bring company to man or an avenue for sexual satisfaction but also an avenue to supply soulish and spiritual resources that only her can supply. Resources that the man definitely needs for it is not good that he be alone, thus a man needs a woman except when he decides or is assured by God that he needn’t that nature of help!

Remember that the whole institution was a product of a man’s proclamation/intent; “And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh. She shall be called Woman because she was taken out of man”. It is not based on ceremonies or witnesses or because we came before an altar, if that were the case Isaac wouldn’t be said to have married Rebecca.

Remember that the motivation for this contemplation began with;

“Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding; he who does it destroys his own soul. “ Prov 6: 32

SCENE THREE

THE NATURE OF THAT JOINING

I’ve hitherto deduced that there is a joining which is irreversible that allows the Creator to create a spirit and that the environment, legality or scenario of the act is immaterial to the quality of the creation as they do not contribute to the spirit of the newborn. So we are all direct creations of God held in trust by our parents.

That irreversible system, what is it made of?

This joining, to me is really holistic and occurs in three dimensions;

1. Flesh: the sexual act and maybe the mixing of the seeds
2.  The soulish-spirit component, I am yet to make a clear divide between this but suffix to say that the soul is that which is essentially man’s (under his influence or as a result of his deliberations and is more or less a reflection of and the pathway for the interactions between the spirit and the flesh). The spirit is not really his though it is the inner him.
3. As above

We do not own our spirits, the spirit is God’s. that is why He is God (The Father of all spirits).

Thus on mating individuals create an interface for fusion of the contents of their spirit (not the spirit itself), their soul components and their bodies.

This explains why one could get possessed by sleeping with a possessed individual, (spirit joining), acquire HIV or STD (flesh) and also the passions, aspirations, proclivities and ills (soulish) of his/her mate.

Our souls are the ultimate beneficiaries of the success or loss of our spirit and flesh. And any deprivation of the spirit or flesh is a deprivation of the soul.

“…he sins against his soul”

SCENE FOUR

IMPLICATIONS

…he sins against his soul

Jesus made us to understand that adultery is more than fornication but a change of allegiance (apostate) and when one lusts after a woman or man they’ve committed adultery because they have only one person to desire or to be in allegiance to (the spouse).

The sin of adultery (this includes all sexual acts outside of a marriage structure and lusting) therefore has plenty connotations;

1. A disobedience to God
2. Profaning or trivializing of God’s main entryway (see Scene 2)
3. A deprivation of the soulish-spiritual benefits of the spouse
4. A contamination of the soulish-spiritual identity of the person
5. A state of missing the mark as God has designed the system in such a manner that the spouse becomes a channel for reaching you and adultery messes up that system
6. Deformation of the soul; the soul is always longing for growth and expression and this is the main reason people opt for relationships in the first place, we want to express the innate potentials and this development could be powerfully fueled by such sexual systems. Thus a comprehensive understanding of the tripartite nature of that system is needed to nurture, grow and cherish a marriage relationship. When individuals fail to balance the 3 points of growth (spirit, soul and flesh) or worse still venture outside that system they make a caricature of the whole works (point 4)
7. However, note that the development of the gifting, thoughts, affections, morals, vitality, purpose and intellect are all components of the soul and is man’s first duty. The urge for sexual expression also is soulish in nature and in marriage brings a powerful stimuli to the development of all other soulish components.

SCENE FIVE

Deductions from the above

1. Premarital or extra marital sex (sex outside a lifelong commitment) is a trap of purpose. (One may ask; why premarital sex since sex is essentially marriage? Answer; individuals need to attain a certain level of physical, soulish and spiritual maturity to fare well in a joint system because once they have sex they’re joined. But if they can unravel therein, stick it out and do a good job, with the right counsel, age won’t be much of a limit though peculiar problems may arise)
2. God hates divorce because it messes up the platform/system for creation (not just babies but purposes).
3. God hates adultery for the same reason; it muddles up the canvass and deprives the parties.
4. The whore monger not only sins against God, unlike other sins he sins against his soul.
5. The soulish component is the vitality, the purpose, the essence of man. It is the seat of creativity when in interface with the spiritual which can connect with God (Creator).
6. Adultery robs man of wholesome creativity, a creative individual who is whore-monger can at best produce distortions, perversions of the truth of God in him. He can be gifted but cannot truly use those gifts for the good of humanity but subjects those creativity to the influence of the spirits that he has acquired from his mates or can access him because of sin.
7. The Spirit of God does not reside in sinners, evil spirits do.
8. The gifts of God are soulish in nature.
9. Marrying a divorced individual is adultery as the bonding is not broken by the law of the land (it was never formed by it in the first place) but by God (Mark 10:11). The only provision he made for cancellation was in an adultery scenario (now we know why) and when the mate is unbelieving and leaves the partner (1 Cor 7:15)
10. The ability of a partner to sanctify his/her mate and offspring is because of the exchange of spirit content.
11. God always likened idolatry to adultery and the scenarios described above is identical.
12. Sexuality is really an issue of heart affection and sex is only an expression.
13. The subject of our affection is the subject and ultimately source of our resources (soulish resources in particular).
14. Adultery is therefore really apostasy (the Greek meaning); renunciation of faith or allegiance, it is ultimately an exchange.

SCENE SIX

In Conclusion

Man is the most powerful entity on earth and is charged with the function of multiplication and rulership on earth. He however needs a woman not only to procreate but to create a robust system through which all forms of creations arise. This creation is done in partnership with God who comes automatically on the scene and joins every two people in a sexual relationship.

The joining is tripartite and deviations from the ideal becomes man’s greatest challenge and results in a mangling, deprivation and offence against the soul and God asks; “what shall man give in exchange for his soul?”

Five minutes of pleasure?

GUILTY AS CHARGED!

If you’re guilty , you are not alone. The good news is here in black and white;

“And the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman taken in adultery. And standing her in the midst,  they said to Him, Teacher, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the Law commanded us that such should be stoned. You, then, what do you say?

They said this, tempting Him so that they might have reason to accuse Him. But bending down, Jesus wrote on the ground with His finger, not appearing to hear. But as they continued to ask Him, He lifted Himself up and said to them, He who is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone at her.

And again bending down, He wrote on the ground. And hearing, and being convicted by conscience, they went out one by one, beginning at the oldest, until the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. And bending back up, and seeing no one but the woman, Jesus said to her, Woman, where are the ones who accused you? Did not one give judgment against you?  And she said, No one, Lord. And Jesus said to her, Neither do I give judgment. Go, and sin no more. Then Jesus spoke again to them, saying, I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:3-12

Point is: Jesus forgives sin, even the sin of adultery and He also gives power to sin no more.

In my dictionary, that’s a whole lot of Good news!

Thank you

Okwonna Nelson

It wouldn’t dim the lights

Or dull the applause

Though I do it myself

For public applause is never a chance thing

Bad luck has never held back a nation

Neither will good luck save it

It would take awareness and commitment

It would take me

I am unique, impregnated with change

Destined a light

A destiny that calls my name

A call I must heed

Though there be other calls

Calls for moderation and caution

Given by loving loving hearts

Some by referees that will never play

Calls that would have killed Edison and emasculated David

Calls to feed my need

Visible calls

I however choose to heed the invisible

And to hear the inaudible

I choose to serve my seed rather than my need

I understand that the essence of reality is relationships

For truths tell of something

But reality is that of which truth is about

It is seen in the trinity

The father loved the Son and gave Him all

The Son loved the Father and does His will

The Spirit loves the Son and wouldn’t speak of Himself

Relationship is the essence of reality

Relationship based on service

Never for national cake

But for national task

My only regret is that I have but one life

One life to give for my Lord and Nation

Alas death is not an end but a hallway to Glory

So I choose to die knowing that thus is life

I choose today’s work

To love not myself alone but humanfolk

And that above myself

I chose to be ashamed to die

To die without winning a trophy for humanity

I’d rather die than rob the generation of Daphnie of something to be proud about

Someone said, “show me something to be proud about my nation and you’ll see how proud I can be”

I will

Years from now

Young hands would hold mine, though calloused, and say

“Papa tell us some tale of men gone before, tales of valor and fame”

Though it now seems there be no story to tell

I would mutter and say

“Thus the story began”

“How this might be” you ask

“I am the story” I answer

Real heroes never sought hero ship

They only heeded the call

The call that today tugs at my heart

The call that has made me a stranger and a fool

A call that has made days hours

I have come, in the volume of books it is written about me

To do thy will, Oh Lord!

The Author sat at His desk

Wrote “Time” and smiled

“Adam” and wept

With gingerly fingers He scribbled “Jesus”, felt the shame and pain

It was divine tears that touched the scrolls as He rolled them back,

Stood up and said “Let there be light”

Light came running at 3600km/s, and is still coming

He has never stopped speaking since

The other day He said “Nelson”

I cried, “Father!”