The Church of God Mission International (CGMI) will on November 4, at its 39th International Convention in Benin City, Edo State, consecrate the Zonal Coordinator, Lagos East (CGMI), Mafoluku, Oshodi, Lagos, Rev. Sunny Faith Ugbah, as Bishop. Ugbah shares his thoughts with CHRIS IREKAMBA.ConventionIT is an international convention; an annual event of the church where all our members from different locations' Asia, North America and the rest of the world including Nigeria will converge in Benin City on November 1-6, 2011.The theme is 'Global Increase Without Limit'. Actually, we have been dwelling on the theme since the beginning of the year. It has to do with being effective; being productive in every area of ones life. We are talking about God giving you such a breakthrough that will attract a global attention. People have always seen the church as a local thing. But, we are looking at the church as a global force that can affect the international community. Personalities such as Jimoh Ibrahim, former Super Eagles defender, Taribo West and a host of others, will be there to speak on business, sport and other areas of life.Consecration as bishopWe thank God that this year, the ministry will be consecrating two Bishops' Rev. Finu and I' during the convention. For us in Lagos it's a special event because this is the first time in many years that we will be having a bishop in Lagos. We are looking forward to it with divine expectation.After consecration what next'We trust God that on Sunday, November 13, there will be an enthronement service in Lagos (at the Zonal Headquarters of the Church in Mafoluku) where one of the senior bishops will be coming to officially inaugurate the Lagos bishopric. The service will start by 10.30am. In that service, we are expecting government officials and the Christian community ' CAN, PFN and brethren from other churches. And after this, there will be a reception. For us it is a big event because it officially signals the establishment of the Lagos Bishopric of CGMI.What qualifies you'In our church, we don't apply to become bishops. The College of Bishops of the Ministry will, first of all, look at your maturity, dedication to the work of God, integrity and character and how far you've been able to go with the ministry before it considers you deserving of elevation. The office of a bishop is a higher responsibility, so it's not what you do anyhow. When you occupy that position, a lot is expected of you in terms of representing the denomination and of course, representing Christ as a bishop.CGMI, being a global ministry, believes so much in standard. We know that the issue of bishop has been abused. We don't consecrate people who are not mature. As you are working from one place to another, they are observing your development, observing your progress. They are taking notes of your strides in ministry. And when it gets to the time they feel you are mature enough to occupy that position. They give it to you.Expected roleAlready one is working as a zonal coordinator. It's like somebody in the church who has been functioning in the office of a deacon and now he's ordained as a deacon. The role will not be much different from what you've been doing before. You have a diocese to oversee and at the same time work closely with the Archbishop in order to promote the ministry and work, in partnership with other bishops across the world. You will be working with the church and at the same with the international community.On taking orders from a female ArchbishopWe don't see her as a woman; we see her as a leader. In fact, we call her 'the man, called Mama' because of the things she has accomplished. She doesn't really act as a woman because in this ministry we are not gender sensitive. In the kingdom of God, there is no female Holy Spirit or male Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit is Holy Spirit. And if the Holy Spirit fills you, you become a carrier of His divine presence. We've not really looked at her from that point of view. She is like a father figure; father not in the sense of gender but in the area of responsibility. And she has functioned effectively in that position. She has carried everybody along.Personally, I don't have any problem working with her. In fact, to me, it's a great honour to be close to the Archbishop. I hear of some church leaders that cannot be reached. But for her, she is very accessible. She is a listening leader. Some say a woman must not lead in the church of God. For me, it's lack of understanding of the scriptures. In the Bible we have women that played prominent roles, for instance, Priscilla. She was like a teacher to Apollos. We have other women too.
Click here to read full news..
