Leading outside the norm is a call for change in the style of leadership and operation. It is a call to go beyond just preserving the past; instead, it is about interacting with the present and creating the future.

As the world changes and things evolve, the Church is challenged to present the old and evergreen gospel of salvation in a way that will appeal to the people of this generation and the one to come. This calls for a change in our approach without compromising the integrity of the message.

Strategic Position

As Christian educators, God has placed us in a strategic position to influence this change in our various levels of assignment. However, this can only be possible if we think and see beyond the norm. To accomplish this task, we must have a reasonable understanding of “The WWW” -The World, The Word and The Work.

1. The World

What are the concerns of the world? What is the world looking for?

1. Expression
2. Financial security and safety
3. Sense of belonging
4. Self-worth
5. Personal meaning

2. The Word

What is our disposition to the word of God? In a world where people are becoming lonely- amidst the crowd – and are experiencing failure and disappointment, despite the frantic efforts being made. In a world where poverty instead of riches, depression and suicide are becoming the order of the day, it becomes essential for Christian educators to speak to the world’s situation through the instrumentality of God’s word. So, we need to pay attention to the following:

What the Word Means

1. Investing in the word – Buy the truth, do not sell it (Proverbs 23:23; 2Timothy 2:15)
2. Ingesting the word-Meditate on the word of God day and night(Joshua 1:8b)
3. Indwelling the word -Observing to do according to what is written in the word of God (Joshua 1:7)
4. Sowing the word-Sow the seed of the word into the life of others. The word must not depart from your mouth (Joshua 1:8a)
5. Applying the word – Check for the position of God’s word in any given situation (Psalm119:11)

3. The Work

In the 21st century will, as a matter of responsibility, give due attention to the following as they affect the health of our ministry and the church with the people, program and planning.

a. Change

• Change your mindset.
• Change is the only constant thing.

Only a fool does the same thing in the same way and expects a different result. Every man is a product of his belief or mindset (Numbers 13:27-33).-

• There will always be people with either a fixed mindset or a flexible mindset.
• As a leader, believe that change is possible.

b. Communication

• Communicate your change.
• Develop and communicate your core values (as a church or an arm of the church).-
• You can make use of compelling graphics on social media, e-mails, text messages, phone calls and personal visitation, depending on your setting. Speak the language of your audience – images and languages that appeal to their reasoning.
• Use of languages and methods that will make your message sink.

c. Content

• Develop contents that speak to the needs and sentiments of your audience (Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman -John 4:4-42).
• Be creative and innovative in your content development.
• Let your content be captivating and participatory.
• Be Dynamic, Dramatic and Dialogical (3D).
• Digitalize the education ministry.-
• Create a digital platform for your class or update if there is an existing one.
• Engage members with ICT skills-especially the youths and teenagers.
• Enhance your coverage by having an online or hybrid class for the sake of members in the diaspora.

d. Capacity

• Build Capacity.
• Be intentional about helping your members to unlock their potential. Help them to fan their gifts into flame (2 Timothy 1:6).
• Develop more leaders and build leadership teams that work.
• Develop your ability to convert pains to hidden ingredients.
• Never get too old to be renewed, recharged and reinvigorated.
• Increase volunteer engagement.

 e. Concentration

• Decide on where to concentrate your limited time and resources.
• Concentrate more on the essentials to make your ministry effective.
• Give higher priority to the content that produces higher results.
• Everything you do can be equally good but not equally fruitful.

f. Community

• Fellowship, Interaction, Warmth, Association, Family Living etc.
• As much as you develop content, you must also focus on community.
• Communal living must be promoted among members.
• When communal living is in place, the differences that typically divide spec language, culture, and problem-solving styles) can be a booster of innovation.
• Focus on keeping both your physical and virtual community.

g. Courting

• Court the younger generation.
• Involve them in policy-making and execution of your operations.
• Crush the barrier between the older and younger generations.
• Expose them to leadership.
• Leverage their youthful insights and exposures.
• Take advantage of their strength and zeal for God.
• Give them opportunities to express themselves.
• Allow them to make mistakes and correct them in love.
• This becomes your opportunity to develop their competence.
• Be the father who gives feathers for the young ones to fly.
• Then watch them fly.

h. Collaborate

• Synergize with other ministries within and outside the local church.
• Provided the motives are similar and genuine.

i. Composure

• Calmness
• Aplomb
• Levelheadedness
• Presence of Mind
• Imperturbability
• State of Harmony or Serenity
• Polished Appearance
• Self-Control

Conclusion

A Christian educator is God’s instrument of influence in a dying world. Educators only need to be sensitive to the world around them and depend on the Holy Spirit to develop strategies for reaching out without compromising the integrity of God’s word.

Christian Faith

With these, we can function as leaders who can sustain the Christian faith without fearing what tomorrow brings. Successful Christian educators must look beyond themselves or the ministry’s goals and create for the greater good.

Holistic Approach

This means considering how their actions impact not only their members but also society as a whole. They will achieve this by taking a more holistic approach to the world, and God’s Word and working to create positive change beyond their immediate sphere of influence.

We can understand that this is a great mission. Let us expatiate more about the mission.

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Rev. Dr ‘Kunle Ayo-Akinjole Lead Pastor, New Creation Baptist Church, Bogije Lekki, Lagos

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Missions are defined as the task of proclaiming the Good News about Jesus Christ to everyone or group that has not heard it. It describes the activity of believers in fulfilling or carrying out the Great Commission (Matthew28:19-20).

Christian missions are efforts made towards the propagation of the Gospel. It signifies purposeful movement towards fulfilling the great assignment given to every believer which is to move from place to place, preaching the Good News.

Main Lesson

There was a war between Syria and Israel under the leadership of their kings. The Syrians brought several captives from the land of Israel and among them was a ‘little maid,’ who worked with Naaman’s wife. Though her name was not mentioned, her testimonies affected the whole nation for good.

She was taken away from her land, her family and even her friends to become a slave in Syria. Being held in captivity; she would have been bitter, sad, and angry towards God, for allowing such in her life.  However, she exhibited none of these traits but left all in the hands of God Who knows her mistress and her husband with all humility and respect.

King of Syria

Naaman, on the other hand, was the captain of the army of the king of Syria and through him, the Lord delivered the Syrians from all forms of attack. He was a wealthy, great and valiant man who had victory in most of his battles.

He was famous and loved by the king of Assyria. Though he was a great man, there was something that was not right in his life; he was sick of leprosy. What is leprosy? (Allow responses)Leprosy is an infectious disease that causes painful white patches to appear on the skin and destroy the nerves. Leprosy is a shameful disease; the patient is always placed in isolation, far away from where people are.

Who is the man?

Naaman was privileged not to be isolated from the society because of his position. He was married and had many slaves serving him and his wife. Among them was a little slave girl from Israel.

While in Naaman’s house, the slave girl witnessed her master and through her, he was healed of leprosy. Anywhere you find yourself, you must witness Jesus’ love, sacrifices, compassion, healing, deliverance, and breakthrough people around you. You can read similar posts on our Bible teaching page of the site.