Nyaa Publishers

ISBN: 978-995-645-462-7 

9 7 8 9 9 5 6 4 5 4 6 2 7

Cover picture: pulpit of Presbyterian Church Bastos - YaoundeCover design by Nyaa & Partners and Edward Ndansi

Emmanuel B. Masok

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It is a must read for its spiritual nutrients, academic depth, and a pastoral perspective for a post Agrippa era.Rt. Rev. Fonki Samuel Forba Moderator PCC, President Council of Protestant Churches in Cameroon.

Emm

anue

l B. M

asok

The Fall of Agrippa I is a thorough piece in biblical hermeneutics. The context is one of spiritual, social, political and economic melt-down, warranting an erudite preacher like the Rev. Masok. The author has engaged a social reading of biblical texts,but also interesting is its godly wisdom for a sick country like ours. Rev. Dr. Epiemembong Louis Ebong Systematic Theologian, University Don and Author.

Besides being a preacher, the Rev. Masok is a social and literary prophet. This book postulates a shift from rhetorics to praxis but also, a dire need for prayers for a dying nation. The prayer of king David suffices here; “O Lord confuse the counsel of Ahitophel” or if you like, of all the Agrippas of our times. Agrippa must fall. Besides theologians, students of hermeneutics, leaders, Politicians and entrepreneurs will find this book very useful.Dr. Giftus Nkam Ntambo PhD in African Literature/ Postcolonial studies, Literary Critic and Author.

This publication is incisive and comes in handy as a divine intervention to alert, especially the led, in Cameroon and their leadership.Sammy Oke Akombi Director, Buea Regional Linguistic Centre, Poet and novelist.

About the AuthorRev. Emmanuel B. Masok was ordained about eighteen years ago into the ministry of the Word and Sacraments of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC). He began preaching some twenty-four years ago when he got admission into the Presbyterian Theological Seminary (PTS) Kumba.

Rev. Masok is a holder of a Diploma in Theology (1998), a Bachelor’s degree in Theology (2006) and a Master of

Theology degree (2010) from the PTS Kumba.

He has served as Pastor in many parishes, and currently is the Presbyterial Secretary of the East Mungo North Presbytery and Parish Pastor of the Bastos Congregation in Yaounde. He is the President of the Areopagus (Systematic Theology Forum). Rev. Masok is married and has three children.

i

i

ii xi

.

x

Preface………………………………………………... v

Foreword……………………………………………… vii

Acknowledgements…………………………………… ix

Dedication…………………………………………….. xi

Prologue………………………………………………. 1

“God has Chosen the Poor”……………………….….. 9

“The Fall of Herod Agrippa I”………………………... 17

“Where there is no Vision, the People Perish”……….. 25

“I Have Overcome the World”……………………….. 32

“Power and Vision”…………………………………… 37

“Shepherds and the Chief Shepherd”…………………. 45

“O Lord, Confuse the Plans of ‘Absalom’”…………… 51

“Leaders who stand in the Gap”……………………… 59

“Leadership by Example”…………………………….. 70

“Loyalty to God Only”……………………………….. 76

“Peace and Goodwill to all Men”…………………….. 82

“The Hope of Easter”………………………………… 87

Epilogue…………………………………………... 94

Notes……………………………………………… 106

iii

Yaounde

iv

Published in Cameroon by

NYAA PUBLISHERS

P.O. Box 1467– Yaounde

www.nyaandpartners.com

nyaapublishers@yahoo.co.uk

Tel. : +237 677 304 697 / +237 242 014 031

First published, 2018

All rights reserved. However, for evangelistic purposes, this book can be used freely with or without acknowledgement.

ISBN: 978-9956-454-62-7

Printed in Cameroon by

NYAA & PARTNERS COMPANY

ix

I am grateful to all the Christians who have listened and practised the contents of these sermons. I am indebted to my Office Secretaries: Mrs. Lilian Ngwane, Miss Kidzeru Fontem, Miss Tabe Bronhilda Eboa and Mr. Asanji Eugenefor coping with my horrible handwriting while typing. I am equally indebted to my editor-in-Chief, Dr. Giftus Nkam Ntambo, and to three co-editors: Mr Sammy Akombi, Elders Comfort Njibamum and Ndille Dorothé, for their input. Special thanks go to the Rev. Dr. Epiemembong Louis Ebong for content editing. Inspite of all these inputs, I assume responsibility for any errors that may still be found in the book, and promise to improve. Since this is not a classic text book, referencing has been loose. I am grateful to all the anonymous sources cited. Finally, I am grateful to my family for sparing me time of absence while I carried out office and ministry work.

To God be the Glory!

viii

the text to create suspense, the denouement, the morals and a charge. The sermon, The Fall of Agrippa I, which happens to be the title of the book, is an exacting appropriation of the gospel morality, to a frail and troubled world like ours. Our hope is that the true “Agrippa I”, which is sin amongst us, will truly fall and righteousness will be enthroned. Rev. Emmanuel B. Masok’s collection of sermons is a must read piece, for its spiritual nutrients, but also for the depth of academia, wisdom and the way forward for our social and political quagmire. The Rev. Emmanuel B. Masok has exhibited the attributes of a scholar-priest. I strongly recommend this book to religious academics, students of homiletics and all in the body of Christ.

Rt. Rev. Fonki Samuel Forba Moderator, PCC Easter 2018

v

The Fall of Agrippa I is a collection of prophetic sermons on politics and leadership. These sermons were preached between 2014 – 2017 in PCC Nsimeyong and Bastos – Yaounde respectively. The context of the preaching is the decline in social, political and economic activities. This context was further compounded by the birth of the Anglophone crisis in the North West and South West Regions of Cameroon.

The task of the preacher is to use the Bible to provide answers to questions that are plaguing God’s people. Some people have argued against the blend between religion and politics, this is not true! Biblical reading is a transaction between the Bible world and the present-day world. The job of the preacher is to build a bridge between the two. What would Jesus say if he were preaching today in Cameroon? The preacher’s politics is not partisan, it is pulpit – politics that announces the gospel (good news) to those without hope, food, clothes, shelter, peace and the list goes on.

The Fall of Agrippa I is a skillful engagement between scripture and the Cameroonian social ominous context. The book draws wisdom from the virtues of Christian Leadership and how such virtues could be applicable to governance within the concert of the nation – state.

The goal of this book is to strengthen the consciousness for social and political change; also to enforce corporate social,

vi

civic and spiritual responsibilities against sinful, unpatriotic and uncivic practices. The ultimate achievement of this book should be the fall of Agrippa I – a personification of social evil, unwanted political regimes, political impostors, witches, and wizards and all those whose ways are contrary to the goodwill of God. O Agrippa! How art the mighty fallen! The downfall of Satan/Agrippa cannot be achieved just after one publication; consequently, there shall be a sequel to this book.

This book has a prologue on contemporary preaching and an epilogue on Christian leadership and entrepreneurial development in an emerging economy like ours. This book is written in free prose, spiced with numerous citations from the Bible, history, literary classics, grains of constructive anecdotes and spices of humor. I should be honest enough to say this is not a textbook par excellence, but every writing conveys knowledge. This book, if properly read with strength of mind and the prompting of a Spirit-filled heart, would lead to great spiritual, social and political change.

Emmanuel B. Masok (Rev.) Yaounde Easter 2018

vii

It is an honour to write the foreword of this collection of sermons. I have written three sermon books, and I know the value of reading a sermon after it was preached during service. I have written forewords for other similar publications, so, I gladly accepted the request to do this one as a contribution to the excellence of preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to the far ends of the earth.

The Rev. Emmanuel B. Masok is a senior Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC). He is currently the Parish Pastor of PCC Bastos – Yaounde, and the Presbyterial Secretary for the East Mungo North Presbytery. The Rev. Emmanuel B. Masok has been preaching for the last 24 years. As a true witness of Jesus Christ, he believes that preaching should be purely for the proclamation of the good news; and this proclamation must be simple, full and free. The Rev. Emmanuel B. Masok’s preaching mantra is an inspiration from Paul, “I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.” (1 Cor 2: 3-5)

The book in your hands is a wonderful blend of biblical scholarship and spirituality. The sermon plots are crafted like Eugenlowry’s loop structure of a homiletical plot. The sermons often begin with a displacement of the equilibrium of

vi

civic and spiritual responsibilities against sinful, unpatriotic and uncivic practices. The ultimate achievement of this book should be the fall of Agrippa I – a personification of social evil, unwanted political regimes, political impostors, witches, and wizards and all those whose ways are contrary to the goodwill of God. O Agrippa! How art the mighty fallen! The downfall of Satan/Agrippa cannot be achieved just after one publication; consequently, there shall be a sequel to this book.

This book has a prologue on contemporary preaching and an epilogue on Christian leadership and entrepreneurial development in an emerging economy like ours. This book is written in free prose, spiced with numerous citations from the Bible, history, literary classics, grains of constructive anecdotes and spices of humor. I should be honest enough to say this is not a textbook par excellence, but every writing conveys knowledge. This book, if properly read with strength of mind and the prompting of a Spirit-filled heart, would lead to great spiritual, social and political change.

Emmanuel B. Masok (Rev.) Yaounde Easter 2018

vii

It is an honour to write the foreword of this collection of sermons. I have written three sermon books, and I know the value of reading a sermon after it was preached during service. I have written forewords for other similar publications, so, I gladly accepted the request to do this one as a contribution to the excellence of preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to the far ends of the earth.

The Rev. Emmanuel B. Masok is a senior Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC). He is currently the Parish Pastor of PCC Bastos – Yaounde, and the Presbyterial Secretary for the East Mungo North Presbytery. The Rev. Emmanuel B. Masok has been preaching for the last 24 years. As a true witness of Jesus Christ, he believes that preaching should be purely for the proclamation of the good news; and this proclamation must be simple, full and free. The Rev. Emmanuel B. Masok’s preaching mantra is an inspiration from Paul, “I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.” (1 Cor 2: 3-5)

The book in your hands is a wonderful blend of biblical scholarship and spirituality. The sermon plots are crafted like Eugenlowry’s loop structure of a homiletical plot. The sermons often begin with a displacement of the equilibrium of

viii

the text to create suspense, the denouement, the morals and a charge. The sermon, The Fall of Agrippa I, which happens to be the title of the book, is an exacting appropriation of the gospel morality, to a frail and troubled world like ours. Our hope is that the true “Agrippa I”, which is sin amongst us, will truly fall and righteousness will be enthroned. Rev. Emmanuel B. Masok’s collection of sermons is a must read piece, for its spiritual nutrients, but also for the depth of academia, wisdom and the way forward for our social and political quagmire. The Rev. Emmanuel B. Masok has exhibited the attributes of a scholar-priest. I strongly recommend this book to religious academics, students of homiletics and all in the body of Christ.

Rt. Rev. Fonki Samuel Forba Moderator, PCC Easter 2018

v

The Fall of Agrippa I is a collection of prophetic sermons on politics and leadership. These sermons were preached between 2014 – 2017 in PCC Nsimeyong and Bastos – Yaounde respectively. The context of the preaching is the decline in social, political and economic activities. This context was further compounded by the birth of the Anglophone crisis in the North West and South West Regions of Cameroon.

The task of the preacher is to use the Bible to provide answers to questions that are plaguing God’s people. Some people have argued against the blend between religion and politics, this is not true! Biblical reading is a transaction between the Bible world and the present-day world. The job of the preacher is to build a bridge between the two. What would Jesus say if he were preaching today in Cameroon? The preacher’s politics is not partisan, it is pulpit – politics that announces the gospel (good news) to those without hope, food, clothes, shelter, peace and the list goes on.

The Fall of Agrippa I is a skillful engagement between scripture and the Cameroonian social ominous context. The book draws wisdom from the virtues of Christian Leadership and how such virtues could be applicable to governance within the concert of the nation – state.

The goal of this book is to strengthen the consciousness for social and political change; also to enforce corporate social,

iv

Published in Cameroon by

NYAA PUBLISHERS

P.O. Box 1467– Yaounde

www.nyaandpartners.com

nyaapublishers@yahoo.co.uk

Tel. : +237 677 304 697 / +237 242 014 031

First published, 2018

All rights reserved. However, for evangelistic purposes, this book can be used freely with or without acknowledgement.

ISBN: 978-9956-454-62-7

Printed in Cameroon by

NYAA & PARTNERS COMPANY

ix

I am grateful to all the Christians who have listened and practised the contents of these sermons. I am indebted to my Office Secretaries: Mrs. Lilian Ngwane, Miss Kidzeru Fontem, Miss Tabe Bronhilda Eboa and Mr. Asanji Eugenefor coping with my horrible handwriting while typing. I am equally indebted to my editor-in-Chief, Dr. Giftus Nkam Ntambo, and to three co-editors: Mr Sammy Akombi, Elders Comfort Njibamum and Ndille Dorothé, for their input. Special thanks go to the Rev. Dr. Epiemembong Louis Ebong for content editing. Inspite of all these inputs, I assume responsibility for any errors that may still be found in the book, and promise to improve. Since this is not a classic text book, referencing has been loose. I am grateful to all the anonymous sources cited. Finally, I am grateful to my family for sparing me time of absence while I carried out office and ministry work.

To God be the Glory!

x

Preface………………………………………………... v

Foreword……………………………………………… vii

Acknowledgements…………………………………… ix

Dedication…………………………………………….. xi

Prologue………………………………………………. 1

“God has Chosen the Poor”……………………….….. 9

“The Fall of Herod Agrippa I”………………………... 17

“Where there is no Vision, the People Perish”……….. 25

“I Have Overcome the World”……………………….. 32

“Power and Vision”…………………………………… 37

“Shepherds and the Chief Shepherd”…………………. 45

“O Lord, Confuse the Plans of ‘Absalom’”…………… 51

“Leaders who stand in the Gap”……………………… 59

“Leadership by Example”…………………………….. 70

“Loyalty to God Only”……………………………….. 76

“Peace and Goodwill to all Men”…………………….. 82

“The Hope of Easter”………………………………… 87

Epilogue…………………………………………... 94

Notes……………………………………………… 106

iii

Yaounde

ii xi

.

ii xi

.

1

PROLOGUE

“Contemporary challenges to preaching and hearing the gospel.” A Reflection on Amos 8:

11-12

The sovereign Lord declares: “I will send a famine not a famine of food or thirst for water but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord (Amos 8:11).” The Evangelist John says; Jesus Christ is the word of God, “In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God… the word became flesh (John 1:1, 14).” Paul the great apostle of the Lord goes further to exclaim, “Consequently faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ (Romans 10:17).”

Can God send a famine - a drastic scarcity - in hearing his words? Jesus Christ is the gospel (good news) of God; how can he become scarce to the hearing of men?Can humanity survive without the hearing of the word of God?Amos talks of the ‘words of God’. John talks of the ‘Word of God’ - what is the difference? Why is there so much preaching and ‘churching’ today with so little spiritual fruit to show? There is something to investigate about the way we preach or listen tothe word of God today. Either the preachers are not preaching well, or the listeners are not listening well.

2

Amos has used the word ‘famine’ in a figurative way. He used what he was familiar with to pass on his message. He was a dresser of Sycamore trees. From the Southern part of Israel, he was called to go to the Northern part Samaria to prophesy against evil. The judgment which God had planned for Israel was likened only to a famine. Famine is a time of drastic scarcity of food. Biblical famine in the days of Abraham was caused by natural factors. Famine in the days of Elijah was spiritually imposed as a sanction. The type of famine Amos was proclaiming was spiritual, and not a famine of physical food and water; it was famine of listening to the words of God; the scarcity in the proclamation of the word of God. The Bible reports that in the days when Eli was priest, the word of God was rare (1 Sam 3:1) and it was going to be rarer in the days of Amos. Saul provoked God and “God answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.” Israel provoked God and God said to Ezekiel, “I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth so that you will be silent and unable to rebuke them, though they are a rebellious house (Ezek. 3:26)”.

Amos proclaimed judgment, at a time when people lived their faith recklessly and there was an impending doomsday of exile to Assyria. Under exilic conditions, the words of God would be rare. Ears will itch to listen to the word of God for hope and life,but they would hear nothing. Prophet Hosea was right to say: “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge (the words of God). Because you have rejected knowledge (the words of God), I also reject you as my priests, because you have ignored the law of your God,

1

PROLOGUE

“Contemporary challenges to preaching and hearing the gospel.” A Reflection on Amos 8:

11-12

The sovereign Lord declares: “I will send a famine not a famine of food or thirst for water but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord (Amos 8:11).” The Evangelist John says; Jesus Christ is the word of God, “In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God… the word became flesh (John 1:1, 14).” Paul the great apostle of the Lord goes further to exclaim, “Consequently faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ (Romans 10:17).”

Can God send a famine - a drastic scarcity - in hearing his words? Jesus Christ is the gospel (good news) of God; how can he become scarce to the hearing of men?Can humanity survive without the hearing of the word of God?Amos talks of the ‘words of God’. John talks of the ‘Word of God’ - what is the difference? Why is there so much preaching and ‘churching’ today with so little spiritual fruit to show? There is something to investigate about the way we preach or listen tothe word of God today. Either the preachers are not preaching well, or the listeners are not listening well.

2

Amos has used the word ‘famine’ in a figurative way. He used what he was familiar with to pass on his message. He was a dresser of Sycamore trees. From the Southern part of Israel, he was called to go to the Northern part Samaria to prophesy against evil. The judgment which God had planned for Israel was likened only to a famine. Famine is a time of drastic scarcity of food. Biblical famine in the days of Abraham was caused by natural factors. Famine in the days of Elijah was spiritually imposed as a sanction. The type of famine Amos was proclaiming was spiritual, and not a famine of physical food and water; it was famine of listening to the words of God; the scarcity in the proclamation of the word of God. The Bible reports that in the days when Eli was priest, the word of God was rare (1 Sam 3:1) and it was going to be rarer in the days of Amos. Saul provoked God and “God answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.” Israel provoked God and God said to Ezekiel, “I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth so that you will be silent and unable to rebuke them, though they are a rebellious house (Ezek. 3:26)”.

Amos proclaimed judgment, at a time when people lived their faith recklessly and there was an impending doomsday of exile to Assyria. Under exilic conditions, the words of God would be rare. Ears will itch to listen to the word of God for hope and life,but they would hear nothing. Prophet Hosea was right to say: “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge (the words of God). Because you have rejected knowledge (the words of God), I also reject you as my priests, because you have ignored the law of your God,

3

I also will ignore your children (Hosea 4:6).” In other words, because you have rejected the words of the Lord, you will perish. “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” The greatest human need is communication from God. The words of God are words of life (John 6:63). Paul says the word of God is “the power unto salvation”(Rom 1:16). The word of promise, the blessings of the future, the assurance in times of trouble,are all in God’s word. How ghastly will man crash without this word! Amos declared: a time is coming you will have no prophecy, no warning and no counsel.

Amos used the metaphor of famine to illustrate that the word of God is food and drink. Physical food nourishes the body,but the word of God is food for the soul. Ezekiel qualifies the word of God as tasty like native honey. Peter describes the word of God as milk (1Peter 2:2). Matthew says man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that preceded out of the mouth of God (Matthew 4). Isaiah, the great prophet naturalises the word of God and says it is rain (Isaiah 55:11). A famine of listening tothe word of God is the worst thing that should befall mankind. Christians will be physically nourished, physically fat but spiritually thin. Unfortunately, since outward appearance is what counts these days, they will be applauded, and that is where the Church of today has failed. How do you sustain Church leaders who do not know the word of God? What will they use to teach and sustain the Church?

Why is there so much preaching and church-going and growing virtually few spiritual fruit to show? Has God struck

4

us with famine? No! Jesus Christ is the word of God. He is bearer of the message and the message himself. The word of God was hidden for 1200 years in the Dark Ages, not by God but by false Christianity.

Christian life is faith in God, and faith comes by hearing. If God strikes us with the famine of listening to his word, then he is inadvertently banishing Jesus Christ from our midst. God has not imposed famine on us, but we are starving for lack of his word. God is not withholding the truth of his word, but people do not want the truth preached to them, because they do not love the truth. Church! Church! Church! Everywhere, but we are starving. Water! Water! Water! Everywhere, but no water to drink. Preaching! Preaching! Preaching! Everywhere, but no revelation. This text is a challenge to the way we preach and the way we listen to the word of God.

The days of Jeremiah were ominous like ours, preaching or prophesying had become terse and worse like in these days of the prosperity gospel. Jeremiah had this to say: “The prophets (Pastors) are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusion of their minds (Jer. 14:14).” James L. Thornton, a great conservative preacher, preached the sermon, “When preaching is not preaching.” Thornton rebukes us preachers when he said, “Do not preach your ideas and agenda using God’s word as a launching pad. Do not simply tell story after story after story with a few scriptural thoughts scattered throughout and call it preaching.” Paul, advising the young

3

I also will ignore your children (Hosea 4:6).” In other words, because you have rejected the words of the Lord, you will perish. “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” The greatest human need is communication from God. The words of God are words of life (John 6:63). Paul says the word of God is “the power unto salvation”(Rom 1:16). The word of promise, the blessings of the future, the assurance in times of trouble,are all in God’s word. How ghastly will man crash without this word! Amos declared: a time is coming you will have no prophecy, no warning and no counsel.

Amos used the metaphor of famine to illustrate that the word of God is food and drink. Physical food nourishes the body,but the word of God is food for the soul. Ezekiel qualifies the word of God as tasty like native honey. Peter describes the word of God as milk (1Peter 2:2). Matthew says man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that preceded out of the mouth of God (Matthew 4). Isaiah, the great prophet naturalises the word of God and says it is rain (Isaiah 55:11). A famine of listening tothe word of God is the worst thing that should befall mankind. Christians will be physically nourished, physically fat but spiritually thin. Unfortunately, since outward appearance is what counts these days, they will be applauded, and that is where the Church of today has failed. How do you sustain Church leaders who do not know the word of God? What will they use to teach and sustain the Church?

Why is there so much preaching and church-going and growing virtually few spiritual fruit to show? Has God struck

4

us with famine? No! Jesus Christ is the word of God. He is bearer of the message and the message himself. The word of God was hidden for 1200 years in the Dark Ages, not by God but by false Christianity.

Christian life is faith in God, and faith comes by hearing. If God strikes us with the famine of listening to his word, then he is inadvertently banishing Jesus Christ from our midst. God has not imposed famine on us, but we are starving for lack of his word. God is not withholding the truth of his word, but people do not want the truth preached to them, because they do not love the truth. Church! Church! Church! Everywhere, but we are starving. Water! Water! Water! Everywhere, but no water to drink. Preaching! Preaching! Preaching! Everywhere, but no revelation. This text is a challenge to the way we preach and the way we listen to the word of God.

The days of Jeremiah were ominous like ours, preaching or prophesying had become terse and worse like in these days of the prosperity gospel. Jeremiah had this to say: “The prophets (Pastors) are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusion of their minds (Jer. 14:14).” James L. Thornton, a great conservative preacher, preached the sermon, “When preaching is not preaching.” Thornton rebukes us preachers when he said, “Do not preach your ideas and agenda using God’s word as a launching pad. Do not simply tell story after story after story with a few scriptural thoughts scattered throughout and call it preaching.” Paul, advising the young

5

preacher Timothy, said:“The spirit clearly says that in the later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron (1Tim. 4:12).”

In one of their songs, ‘How to reach the masses’, ourlegendary Congregational Choirs of PCCadviseus to preach the gospel; ‘simple, full and free’ and leave the rest to God. It is with this knowledge that Paul in Corinth persuaded his listeners with his unique preaching identity. Paul said, “Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! If I preach voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make use of my rights in preaching it (1 Cor. 9:16 -18).”This is passion bereft of pecuniary benefits. Good preaching should be self-sufficient; and a good preacher should be self-motivated.

The preacher’s role is fourfold: teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness - this must be done with absolute conviction because the word of God is Spirit and life.

A young man interrupted me once while I was hitting hard on sin. He queried:“you’ve been preaching the gospel for nearly (over) two thousand years and the world is still not converted,” I replied to him: “We have had soap longer than two thousand years and people are still dirty.” Should

6

we abandon soap and water? Recently, I met two contemporary preachers bragging about their expertise in preaching. They challenged us Presbyterian Pastors for carrying papers from which we read sermons. I questioned, “does it really matter? One argued: how can you carry fire on paper, ‘true the word of God is fire’ - I retorted, but you can use paper to start a fire.”

Preaching and hearing go together. “It is important that we hear. It is important what we hear. It is important how we hear, just as it is also important what we hear.” Preachers must have in mind the four fundamental responses whenever the word of God is preached.

a. Whenever the word of God is preached, the devil keeps us from hearing it, understanding it and responding to it. The devil will not want us to hear, believe and be saved. That is why preaching must go hand in glove with prayers; prayers of illumination and the spirit of impartation must prevail.

b. Whenever the word of God is preached, it is destroyed by the pressure to sin or the pressure to stop believing. Initially the word is received with joy and shortly the pressure of sin causes us to stop believing. Sexual pressures, alcohol, drugs, the pressure to succeed and gain lots of material possessions. Dear Christians, do not put yourselves in tempting situations, flee temptation, depend on scriptural promises to defeat temptation, and spend more time on positive spiritual influences.

5

preacher Timothy, said:“The spirit clearly says that in the later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron (1Tim. 4:12).”

In one of their songs, ‘How to reach the masses’, ourlegendary Congregational Choirs of PCCadviseus to preach the gospel; ‘simple, full and free’ and leave the rest to God. It is with this knowledge that Paul in Corinth persuaded his listeners with his unique preaching identity. Paul said, “Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! If I preach voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make use of my rights in preaching it (1 Cor. 9:16 -18).”This is passion bereft of pecuniary benefits. Good preaching should be self-sufficient; and a good preacher should be self-motivated.

The preacher’s role is fourfold: teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness - this must be done with absolute conviction because the word of God is Spirit and life.

A young man interrupted me once while I was hitting hard on sin. He queried:“you’ve been preaching the gospel for nearly (over) two thousand years and the world is still not converted,” I replied to him: “We have had soap longer than two thousand years and people are still dirty.” Should

6

we abandon soap and water? Recently, I met two contemporary preachers bragging about their expertise in preaching. They challenged us Presbyterian Pastors for carrying papers from which we read sermons. I questioned, “does it really matter? One argued: how can you carry fire on paper, ‘true the word of God is fire’ - I retorted, but you can use paper to start a fire.”

Preaching and hearing go together. “It is important that we hear. It is important what we hear. It is important how we hear, just as it is also important what we hear.” Preachers must have in mind the four fundamental responses whenever the word of God is preached.

a. Whenever the word of God is preached, the devil keeps us from hearing it, understanding it and responding to it. The devil will not want us to hear, believe and be saved. That is why preaching must go hand in glove with prayers; prayers of illumination and the spirit of impartation must prevail.

b. Whenever the word of God is preached, it is destroyed by the pressure to sin or the pressure to stop believing. Initially the word is received with joy and shortly the pressure of sin causes us to stop believing. Sexual pressures, alcohol, drugs, the pressure to succeed and gain lots of material possessions. Dear Christians, do not put yourselves in tempting situations, flee temptation, depend on scriptural promises to defeat temptation, and spend more time on positive spiritual influences.

7

c. Whenever the word of God is preached, the cares, the riches and pleasures of life choke it up. The riches and pleasures of this life are not in themselves sinful. God made them for our good; but we are now misusing these things to the extent that they are choking our hearing of the word of God. There are some who have no noticeable sin attached to their lives but their pursuit for gorgeous living is costing them the hearing of the word of God. We need a balance between our heavenly goal and our earthly pursuits. Set your heartson heavenly things, not on earthly ones.

d. When the word of God is preached, some hear it and keep it. We need to hear the word and keep it in order to bear fruit. To hear the word of God means to obey and follow it. However, if we hear the word and do not obey it, we will bear no fruit. Fruit bearing is the evidence of proper hearing. Fruit bearing is also the condition for which God answers our prayers. “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name (John 15:16)”. The element of the fruit of the Spirit: love, peace, kindness, joy, long suffering among others, are the legitimate conditions for answered prayers. James, the brother of the Lord, has a lasting piece of advice to us all, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after

8

looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.(James 1:22-24).”

Therefore, the following points are important for any effective preaching and fruit bearing:

We must improve upon our preparation before preaching.

We must add prayers to the teaching and preaching. We can make a concise plan to teach the word of God in our local congregation. We may be determined to increase the hearing of the gospel. We can also prayerfully bedetermined to do what we hear.“The man who hears and refuses to obey walks out of the church having betrayed himself into deception. One cannot hear the truth and remain the same.”

We can thus conclude thatGod has not banished Jesus from our midst. The goodnews is still being preached. The problem is with the hearers who either refuse to hear or hear and do not practice what they hear. Pastors too ought to improve upon their preaching in order to provide rich spiritual food for the flock to feed on.

7

c. Whenever the word of God is preached, the cares, the riches and pleasures of life choke it up. The riches and pleasures of this life are not in themselves sinful. God made them for our good; but we are now misusing these things to the extent that they are choking our hearing of the word of God. There are some who have no noticeable sin attached to their lives but their pursuit for gorgeous living is costing them the hearing of the word of God. We need a balance between our heavenly goal and our earthly pursuits. Set your heartson heavenly things, not on earthly ones.

d. When the word of God is preached, some hear it and keep it. We need to hear the word and keep it in order to bear fruit. To hear the word of God means to obey and follow it. However, if we hear the word and do not obey it, we will bear no fruit. Fruit bearing is the evidence of proper hearing. Fruit bearing is also the condition for which God answers our prayers. “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name (John 15:16)”. The element of the fruit of the Spirit: love, peace, kindness, joy, long suffering among others, are the legitimate conditions for answered prayers. James, the brother of the Lord, has a lasting piece of advice to us all, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after

8

looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.(James 1:22-24).”

Therefore, the following points are important for any effective preaching and fruit bearing:

We must improve upon our preparation before preaching.

We must add prayers to the teaching and preaching. We can make a concise plan to teach the word of God in our local congregation. We may be determined to increase the hearing of the gospel. We can also prayerfully bedetermined to do what we hear.“The man who hears and refuses to obey walks out of the church having betrayed himself into deception. One cannot hear the truth and remain the same.”

We can thus conclude thatGod has not banished Jesus from our midst. The goodnews is still being preached. The problem is with the hearers who either refuse to hear or hear and do not practice what they hear. Pastors too ought to improve upon their preaching in order to provide rich spiritual food for the flock to feed on.

9

TEXT: JAMES 2: 1-13

“GOD HAS CHOSEN THE POOR”

A BBC blogger quoting Oxfam and Forbes, states that the wealth of the richest 1% is equal to that of the other 99%. Oxfam also calculated data from Credit Suisse that the richest 62 people in the world had as much wealth as the poorest half of the global population. We live in a world where material riches count for everything. The rules governing the materially affluent are different from those governing the materially poor.“In a materialistic society (like ours),man is likely to value the opinion of a rich man over that of a poor man even when those opinions [SIC] have nothing to do with money making”.

It seems as if to be poor is a crime. The Japanese have a proverb which says that“Even Buddha cannot save those without money”. Cicero once asked the question, “What is the use being kind to a poor man?” So, because of the society's treatment of the poor, everybody wants to get rich by hook or crook. Sometimes, even the poor deny their poor status and cloth themselves in the borrowed robes of the rich. It is difficult to attribute blamesto either the rich or the poor. Some people never say they are poor, they simply say they are ‘broke’. They say to be ‘broke’ is better than to be poor because for them to be ‘broke’ means to be poor with hope.

10

We live at a time when opportunities are scarce; and possibilities of prospering are limited. Some were born with "golden spoons" in their mouths but others threw away their own "golden spoons"; others had their kernels cracked for them by benevolent spirits. Some bought their way or stole their way to the top.Bill Gates widens the discussion when he said, “If you were born poor, it is not your mistake. But if you die poor, it is your mistake”. What do you think?

The purpose of this sermon is not to investigate the cause of poverty but to appeal for compassion for those who are poor, whether they caused it, or they found themselves in it. The good news of Jesus Christ today is that ‘God has chosen the poor’. And this is how the apostle James puts it: “Listen, my brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?” (James 2:5).Abraham Lincoln once said, “the Lord must love the common people, He made so many of them”. The other day, I overheard one medical doctor saying that “the poor who come for treatment are his best patients”. I asked him ‘why’? He answered: “because God pays for them”. What a way to say the poor are a privileged group in front of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Beloved in the Lord, you see, Christ hungers and thirsts in the person of the poor. He says, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” (Mtt. 25:40). Every wretched and poor man is Jesus Christ in disguise. The great apostle Paul says,” Be careful, however,

9

TEXT: JAMES 2: 1-13

“GOD HAS CHOSEN THE POOR”

A BBC blogger quoting Oxfam and Forbes, states that the wealth of the richest 1% is equal to that of the other 99%. Oxfam also calculated data from Credit Suisse that the richest 62 people in the world had as much wealth as the poorest half of the global population. We live in a world where material riches count for everything. The rules governing the materially affluent are different from those governing the materially poor.“In a materialistic society (like ours),man is likely to value the opinion of a rich man over that of a poor man even when those opinions [SIC] have nothing to do with money making”.

It seems as if to be poor is a crime. The Japanese have a proverb which says that“Even Buddha cannot save those without money”. Cicero once asked the question, “What is the use being kind to a poor man?” So, because of the society's treatment of the poor, everybody wants to get rich by hook or crook. Sometimes, even the poor deny their poor status and cloth themselves in the borrowed robes of the rich. It is difficult to attribute blamesto either the rich or the poor. Some people never say they are poor, they simply say they are ‘broke’. They say to be ‘broke’ is better than to be poor because for them to be ‘broke’ means to be poor with hope.

10

We live at a time when opportunities are scarce; and possibilities of prospering are limited. Some were born with "golden spoons" in their mouths but others threw away their own "golden spoons"; others had their kernels cracked for them by benevolent spirits. Some bought their way or stole their way to the top.Bill Gates widens the discussion when he said, “If you were born poor, it is not your mistake. But if you die poor, it is your mistake”. What do you think?

The purpose of this sermon is not to investigate the cause of poverty but to appeal for compassion for those who are poor, whether they caused it, or they found themselves in it. The good news of Jesus Christ today is that ‘God has chosen the poor’. And this is how the apostle James puts it: “Listen, my brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?” (James 2:5).Abraham Lincoln once said, “the Lord must love the common people, He made so many of them”. The other day, I overheard one medical doctor saying that “the poor who come for treatment are his best patients”. I asked him ‘why’? He answered: “because God pays for them”. What a way to say the poor are a privileged group in front of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Beloved in the Lord, you see, Christ hungers and thirsts in the person of the poor. He says, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” (Mtt. 25:40). Every wretched and poor man is Jesus Christ in disguise. The great apostle Paul says,” Be careful, however,

11

that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak” (1 Cor 8:9-10).

Do not get me wrong, poverty is not a virtue; and wealth is not a sin. Both poverty and riches can easily sway one into sin,but it seems Jesus’ identification with the poor is a clear message and an annoyance to systems of the world that createpoverty. Poverty in any society is not an accident, it is created. When human systems create poverty or when poverty is systemic, Jesus has no choice but to identify with the poor. Jesus says, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor…” (Luke 4:18).

The principal mission of the Church today should be to preach the good news to the poor. The Church must fight against those things that create poverty and enslave God’s people into frustration and misery. There is misery amongst us to such an extent that the wretchedness of our people questions the omnipotence of God. While the majority are getting poorer, a handful is getting richer and more comfortable.

The Late John F Kennedy, one-time president of the USA, once said:“if the free society cannot help the many who are poor; it can never save the few who are rich”. Beloved in the Lord, we have no choice; we have the poor to live with; someone has said, the lunatics may not be wanted but they outnumber, and so they own the place. God has chosen the poor; respect them. Respect is a sign of Christian maturity. To respect the poor is to attribute dignity and recognise God’s

12

image in them, no matter how poor they may be. Respect for every human being is fundamental for our existence. Respect is part of love, if you love people you will respect them irrespective of whether they are poor or rich. When we serve the poor and the sick, we serve Jesus. Any insult to the poor is directed to God who made them in His image. We do not celebrate laziness which leads to poverty; rather we are celebrating faith that tolerates, and unconditional love for one another. Jesus Christ says: ‘love one another or love your neighbour as you love yourselves.’ You see, it is the lack of love that leads to favouritism, discrimination, and tribalism.See where we are today as a nation due to these negative "-isms."

Our Christianity is losing its human touch: the poor are suffering and perishing, yet the few who are rich are getting richer. God has kept a commendation for the poor like the one he kept for the poor widow. It was in the temple, a congregation like this, as the people filed past some with so much aura and ego, it was the offering of a widow without a name who was commended – the widow’s mite. The humility and innocence in poverty means a lot to Jesus Christ. The recognition of the poor widow has become God’s day for the poor. After all is said and done, God will recognize the little deeds of those "small people", the ordinary people, the people without names and titles, the poor people and the scum of the earth.

Beloved in the Lord, the war on global poverty rages on, I am sure you are aware that poverty always wins this war.

11

that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak” (1 Cor 8:9-10).

Do not get me wrong, poverty is not a virtue; and wealth is not a sin. Both poverty and riches can easily sway one into sin,but it seems Jesus’ identification with the poor is a clear message and an annoyance to systems of the world that createpoverty. Poverty in any society is not an accident, it is created. When human systems create poverty or when poverty is systemic, Jesus has no choice but to identify with the poor. Jesus says, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor…” (Luke 4:18).

The principal mission of the Church today should be to preach the good news to the poor. The Church must fight against those things that create poverty and enslave God’s people into frustration and misery. There is misery amongst us to such an extent that the wretchedness of our people questions the omnipotence of God. While the majority are getting poorer, a handful is getting richer and more comfortable.

The Late John F Kennedy, one-time president of the USA, once said:“if the free society cannot help the many who are poor; it can never save the few who are rich”. Beloved in the Lord, we have no choice; we have the poor to live with; someone has said, the lunatics may not be wanted but they outnumber, and so they own the place. God has chosen the poor; respect them. Respect is a sign of Christian maturity. To respect the poor is to attribute dignity and recognise God’s

12

image in them, no matter how poor they may be. Respect for every human being is fundamental for our existence. Respect is part of love, if you love people you will respect them irrespective of whether they are poor or rich. When we serve the poor and the sick, we serve Jesus. Any insult to the poor is directed to God who made them in His image. We do not celebrate laziness which leads to poverty; rather we are celebrating faith that tolerates, and unconditional love for one another. Jesus Christ says: ‘love one another or love your neighbour as you love yourselves.’ You see, it is the lack of love that leads to favouritism, discrimination, and tribalism.See where we are today as a nation due to these negative "-isms."

Our Christianity is losing its human touch: the poor are suffering and perishing, yet the few who are rich are getting richer. God has kept a commendation for the poor like the one he kept for the poor widow. It was in the temple, a congregation like this, as the people filed past some with so much aura and ego, it was the offering of a widow without a name who was commended – the widow’s mite. The humility and innocence in poverty means a lot to Jesus Christ. The recognition of the poor widow has become God’s day for the poor. After all is said and done, God will recognize the little deeds of those "small people", the ordinary people, the people without names and titles, the poor people and the scum of the earth.

Beloved in the Lord, the war on global poverty rages on, I am sure you are aware that poverty always wins this war.

13

The inequality gap widens, all one sees nowadays is squalor, poverty and sadness. While many are in need, a privileged few are swimming in vast wealth, these people need to examine their consciences,how they came about such large fortunes: it was through ideas or deals? Are they the most hard-working people? Are they the most highly favoured? Remember that God knows the deepest secrets in the hearts of men.

When we attend to the needs of those in want, we give them what is theirs not ours. The poor are not asking your own share, simply give them what is theirs and keep what is yours. Our attention to the poor is more than performing works of mercy, we are paying a debt of justice (Gregory the great).

The Holy scriptures reminds us over and overthat one great way to heaven is to care for the poor,“Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me" (Matt 19:21). Again, “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36). My brothers and sisters, it is better to go to heaven with rags than to go to hell in fine clothes.

“Life humbles the rich by giving them problems that money can’t resolve or dissolve”. The warning to those who oppress the poor continues with the injunction of the apostle James, “Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and

14

silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter” (James 5:1-5).

My Brothers and Sisters, Scripture further warns us about greed for earthly possessions when it states, “…Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." (Luke 12:15). Imelda Marcos is the widow of the Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos. She served as first lady from 1966 to 1986 during the dictatorship of her husband. Imelda was forced to testify of her legacy and she boasted, “At least I left shoes in my closets and not skeletons. Besides,I didn’t have 3000 pairs of shoes; I only had 1060”. Tamed arrogance! Even if this first lady wore one pair a day, she will not wear all those shoes in two or three years and they were many people in Manila,the capital of Philippines,who had not even a pair of shoes. Presidential arrogance!

Crag M.Witts wrote a nice article in his blog, Red Letter Christians. The title of the article is interesting, “Hating the poor but loving Jesus”. What sarcasm, “If anyone says, "Ilove God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.” (1 John 4:20)

13

The inequality gap widens, all one sees nowadays is squalor, poverty and sadness. While many are in need, a privileged few are swimming in vast wealth, these people need to examine their consciences,how they came about such large fortunes: it was through ideas or deals? Are they the most hard-working people? Are they the most highly favoured? Remember that God knows the deepest secrets in the hearts of men.

When we attend to the needs of those in want, we give them what is theirs not ours. The poor are not asking your own share, simply give them what is theirs and keep what is yours. Our attention to the poor is more than performing works of mercy, we are paying a debt of justice (Gregory the great).

The Holy scriptures reminds us over and overthat one great way to heaven is to care for the poor,“Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me" (Matt 19:21). Again, “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36). My brothers and sisters, it is better to go to heaven with rags than to go to hell in fine clothes.

“Life humbles the rich by giving them problems that money can’t resolve or dissolve”. The warning to those who oppress the poor continues with the injunction of the apostle James, “Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and

14

silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter” (James 5:1-5).

My Brothers and Sisters, Scripture further warns us about greed for earthly possessions when it states, “…Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." (Luke 12:15). Imelda Marcos is the widow of the Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos. She served as first lady from 1966 to 1986 during the dictatorship of her husband. Imelda was forced to testify of her legacy and she boasted, “At least I left shoes in my closets and not skeletons. Besides,I didn’t have 3000 pairs of shoes; I only had 1060”. Tamed arrogance! Even if this first lady wore one pair a day, she will not wear all those shoes in two or three years and they were many people in Manila,the capital of Philippines,who had not even a pair of shoes. Presidential arrogance!

Crag M.Witts wrote a nice article in his blog, Red Letter Christians. The title of the article is interesting, “Hating the poor but loving Jesus”. What sarcasm, “If anyone says, "Ilove God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.” (1 John 4:20)

15

We can change the story of poverty. Jesus Christ sent us not to attempt to love 1000 people, he said love one, then another. Sometimes the poor do not even need much.They simply want to be recognised. This is how it works:

If we believe, we would pray; If we pray, we would love; If we love, we would serve. (Anonymous)

Paraphrasing Mother Teresa of Calcutta, I say, you are a little pencil in God’s hands, sending love letters to the world. A teacher asked his pupil, “Peter! How would you divide 10 small potatoes equally amongst 20 people? Peter promptly replied,“I will mash the potatoes”. Brethren, with simple wisdom and love, we can multiply the small resources we have and distribute to all. In those days, our parents housed about 20 persons, beginning from in-laws,then,relatives in one little house. Have you ever wondered how they cared for those people? They had love and God multiplied their resources. There are some amongst us who are helping the poor but we could still do better.

If you give a man a fish, he will eat once. If you teach a man to fish, he will eat for the rest of his life. If you are thinking a year ahead, sow a seed. If you are thinking one hundred years ahead, educate the people. By sowing seed, you will harvest once. By planting a tree, you will harvest one hundredfold. (Kuantzu)

16

Does God reject the rich? No! As long as their wealth is not a hindrance to their faith, and as long as they do not oppress the poor. God has kept a blessing for those who care for the poor. “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwelling” (Is. 58: 9b-12).The world hates the poor but God loves them and has chosen them. Respect them. Amen.

PCC Bastos – Yaounde August 21, 2016

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We can change the story of poverty. Jesus Christ sent us not to attempt to love 1000 people, he said love one, then another. Sometimes the poor do not even need much.They simply want to be recognised. This is how it works:

If we believe, we would pray; If we pray, we would love; If we love, we would serve. (Anonymous)

Paraphrasing Mother Teresa of Calcutta, I say, you are a little pencil in God’s hands, sending love letters to the world. A teacher asked his pupil, “Peter! How would you divide 10 small potatoes equally amongst 20 people? Peter promptly replied,“I will mash the potatoes”. Brethren, with simple wisdom and love, we can multiply the small resources we have and distribute to all. In those days, our parents housed about 20 persons, beginning from in-laws,then,relatives in one little house. Have you ever wondered how they cared for those people? They had love and God multiplied their resources. There are some amongst us who are helping the poor but we could still do better.

If you give a man a fish, he will eat once. If you teach a man to fish, he will eat for the rest of his life. If you are thinking a year ahead, sow a seed. If you are thinking one hundred years ahead, educate the people. By sowing seed, you will harvest once. By planting a tree, you will harvest one hundredfold. (Kuantzu)

16

Does God reject the rich? No! As long as their wealth is not a hindrance to their faith, and as long as they do not oppress the poor. God has kept a blessing for those who care for the poor. “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwelling” (Is. 58: 9b-12).The world hates the poor but God loves them and has chosen them. Respect them. Amen.

PCC Bastos – Yaounde August 21, 2016

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Text: Acts 12: 20-25

“THE FALL OF HEROD AGRIPPA I”

The text today is about the fall and death of Herod Agrippa I around the year A.D 44. Agrippa I was impeached by Yahweh – God Almighty because he persecuted the Church and declared himself “God”. Agrippa I’s hatred for the Church and his unbridled pride can only be likened to the Roman Emperor Domitian, whose “bad heart” earned him the unenviable description of a devil according to the distinguished Scottish theologian, William Barclay. While Domitian loved to be addressed asHis Excellency, “Lord and God Domitian”, Agrippa I said his speech was the “Voice of God”. The fall and death of Agrippa I, is a stern warning to earthly kings and whosoever, including Pastors, who attribute to themselves the status of a deity.

Furthermore, the fall of Agrippa I is a warning to all those who, due to human strength, manipulate the Church and God’s people. The message of hope is that the end will come, and the dawn of a new day will be seen. The law of gravitation does not lie. Whatever goes up, no matter how long it stays up, must come down. Whatever goes around will surely come around and, as long as there is a beginning, there is an end. O king Agrippa!How art the mighty fallen? While the thrones of despot kings like Agrippa I, Domitian and

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others fall, the kingdom of God remains, and the word of God will continue to prevail. Soli Deo Gloria – To God alone be the glory.

The Jewish historian, Josephus, reports that Agrippa I was the son of Aristobulus and Bernice, and grandson of Herod the great (the Herod who wanted to kill Jesus). Agrippa I was born around the year 10 B.C. As early as 6 years of age, Agrippa was sent to Rome for education. He grew accustomed to luxury, extravagance, indebtedness and even served a short spell in prison term. Due to his family connections, he found favour in the eyes of neighbouring kings and rulers. One stroke of fortune and political opportunism saw Agrippa I become the ruler of Judea and Samaria, otherwise known as Palestine. Agrippa I ruled Palestine with pious and sincere adherence to the Jewish law, which brought him praise from the Jews, but at the same time enmity with early Christians whom he persecuted. Agrippa I’s cold-blooded persecution of the early believers was meant to win him further popularity.With a huge ego, unrestrained ambition and social recklessness, Agrippa I undermined Yahweh, the Lord God Almighty.

Agrippa I persecuted the Church of God with great violence. In the early parts of Acts chapter 12, it is stated how Agrippa I had James, the brother of John put to death with the sword. Agrippa I proceeded to imprison Apostle Peter. In the midst of thesepersecutions, the few fervent early believers prayed with all fervour. While Peter was still imprisoned, the angel of the Lord appeared, and light shone in the cell, the

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Text: Acts 12: 20-25

“THE FALL OF HEROD AGRIPPA I”

The text today is about the fall and death of Herod Agrippa I around the year A.D 44. Agrippa I was impeached by Yahweh – God Almighty because he persecuted the Church and declared himself “God”. Agrippa I’s hatred for the Church and his unbridled pride can only be likened to the Roman Emperor Domitian, whose “bad heart” earned him the unenviable description of a devil according to the distinguished Scottish theologian, William Barclay. While Domitian loved to be addressed asHis Excellency, “Lord and God Domitian”, Agrippa I said his speech was the “Voice of God”. The fall and death of Agrippa I, is a stern warning to earthly kings and whosoever, including Pastors, who attribute to themselves the status of a deity.

Furthermore, the fall of Agrippa I is a warning to all those who, due to human strength, manipulate the Church and God’s people. The message of hope is that the end will come, and the dawn of a new day will be seen. The law of gravitation does not lie. Whatever goes up, no matter how long it stays up, must come down. Whatever goes around will surely come around and, as long as there is a beginning, there is an end. O king Agrippa!How art the mighty fallen? While the thrones of despot kings like Agrippa I, Domitian and

18

others fall, the kingdom of God remains, and the word of God will continue to prevail. Soli Deo Gloria – To God alone be the glory.

The Jewish historian, Josephus, reports that Agrippa I was the son of Aristobulus and Bernice, and grandson of Herod the great (the Herod who wanted to kill Jesus). Agrippa I was born around the year 10 B.C. As early as 6 years of age, Agrippa was sent to Rome for education. He grew accustomed to luxury, extravagance, indebtedness and even served a short spell in prison term. Due to his family connections, he found favour in the eyes of neighbouring kings and rulers. One stroke of fortune and political opportunism saw Agrippa I become the ruler of Judea and Samaria, otherwise known as Palestine. Agrippa I ruled Palestine with pious and sincere adherence to the Jewish law, which brought him praise from the Jews, but at the same time enmity with early Christians whom he persecuted. Agrippa I’s cold-blooded persecution of the early believers was meant to win him further popularity.With a huge ego, unrestrained ambition and social recklessness, Agrippa I undermined Yahweh, the Lord God Almighty.

Agrippa I persecuted the Church of God with great violence. In the early parts of Acts chapter 12, it is stated how Agrippa I had James, the brother of John put to death with the sword. Agrippa I proceeded to imprison Apostle Peter. In the midst of thesepersecutions, the few fervent early believers prayed with all fervour. While Peter was still imprisoned, the angel of the Lord appeared, and light shone in the cell, the

19

chains on Peter’s ankle fell off, and the gates of the prison were flung open for the majestic escape of Peter. The next day Agrippa I launched an unsuccessful man hunt for Peter. In utter dismay, Agrippa I ordered the execution of the two guards in the place of the missing Peter. The Book of Proverbs reminds us that when the righteous are in authority the people rejoice but where the wicked rule the people suffer.

The escape of Peter humiliated Agrippa I in front of the Jews in Judea and all who had come to the Passover festival.Agrippa I retreated to a part of Caesarea. Tyre and Sidon were seaport cities about 167-199 kilometers north of Jerusalem. For some reason,Agrippa I was angry with these two cities. But the people of Tyre and Sidon had made Blastus, Agrippa I’s Chamberlain, their friend. Through him they asked Agrippa I to restore peace with them because their food supplies came from the territory over which Agrippa I reigned.

The Jewish historian, Josephus, also reports that Agrippa I had a great festival at this time. Josephus further reports that the people praised Agrippa I as a ‘God’. Luke explains that Agrippa I pompously presented himself in a beautiful garment. He sat on his throne and delivered a speech to the people whichthey declared was the voice of a ‘God’ and not a man. The people ignorantly praised Agrippa I as a ‘God’(Acts 12: 20-24). They may possibly have done this in order to appease his wrath. Nevertheless, because of his arrogance, Agrippa I accepted their praise and worship. As a result, an angel of the Lord immediately struck Agrippa I with

20

an illness. He was struck down because he did not give glory to God (Ps. 115:1), but accepted worship of himself. Agrippa I subsequently died in A.D. 44 and was eaten by worms. How art the mighty fallen? Such would be the faith of those who make themselves ‘God’ amongst men.

The lesson from Agrippa I’sdeath should be remembered by anyone who would seek to accept any worship that should be given to God alone. We also learn from this passage that persecution cannot kill the Church of God. In times of persecution the Church should pray fervently, and help will come from above. The Church should never compromise its prophetic voice to please those who want to take the place of God here on earth. God forbid that any of you should compromise your faith in times of persecution. The history of the Church has proven that the more the Church was persecuted, the more it grew. The blood of Martyrs is the fresh seed of growth for the Church. Agrippa I fell but the Church of God marches on. Your oppressors will soon fall but Christ in you is your hope of glory.

Napoleon Bonaparte, the great military statesman at the height of his exploits declared himself a ‘God’ who created “circumstances” and “chances.” But his disgrace and defeat, at Waterloo, was a sign that he was not God; he was a mere helpless, finite human being. Victor Hugo said in his famous “Les Miserables”, that Napoleon lost the Battle at Waterloo not because of the absence of military might,but because God had impeached him. The fall of Agrippa I – How art the mighty fallen!

19

chains on Peter’s ankle fell off, and the gates of the prison were flung open for the majestic escape of Peter. The next day Agrippa I launched an unsuccessful man hunt for Peter. In utter dismay, Agrippa I ordered the execution of the two guards in the place of the missing Peter. The Book of Proverbs reminds us that when the righteous are in authority the people rejoice but where the wicked rule the people suffer.

The escape of Peter humiliated Agrippa I in front of the Jews in Judea and all who had come to the Passover festival.Agrippa I retreated to a part of Caesarea. Tyre and Sidon were seaport cities about 167-199 kilometers north of Jerusalem. For some reason,Agrippa I was angry with these two cities. But the people of Tyre and Sidon had made Blastus, Agrippa I’s Chamberlain, their friend. Through him they asked Agrippa I to restore peace with them because their food supplies came from the territory over which Agrippa I reigned.

The Jewish historian, Josephus, also reports that Agrippa I had a great festival at this time. Josephus further reports that the people praised Agrippa I as a ‘God’. Luke explains that Agrippa I pompously presented himself in a beautiful garment. He sat on his throne and delivered a speech to the people whichthey declared was the voice of a ‘God’ and not a man. The people ignorantly praised Agrippa I as a ‘God’(Acts 12: 20-24). They may possibly have done this in order to appease his wrath. Nevertheless, because of his arrogance, Agrippa I accepted their praise and worship. As a result, an angel of the Lord immediately struck Agrippa I with

20

an illness. He was struck down because he did not give glory to God (Ps. 115:1), but accepted worship of himself. Agrippa I subsequently died in A.D. 44 and was eaten by worms. How art the mighty fallen? Such would be the faith of those who make themselves ‘God’ amongst men.

The lesson from Agrippa I’sdeath should be remembered by anyone who would seek to accept any worship that should be given to God alone. We also learn from this passage that persecution cannot kill the Church of God. In times of persecution the Church should pray fervently, and help will come from above. The Church should never compromise its prophetic voice to please those who want to take the place of God here on earth. God forbid that any of you should compromise your faith in times of persecution. The history of the Church has proven that the more the Church was persecuted, the more it grew. The blood of Martyrs is the fresh seed of growth for the Church. Agrippa I fell but the Church of God marches on. Your oppressors will soon fall but Christ in you is your hope of glory.

Napoleon Bonaparte, the great military statesman at the height of his exploits declared himself a ‘God’ who created “circumstances” and “chances.” But his disgrace and defeat, at Waterloo, was a sign that he was not God; he was a mere helpless, finite human being. Victor Hugo said in his famous “Les Miserables”, that Napoleon lost the Battle at Waterloo not because of the absence of military might,but because God had impeached him. The fall of Agrippa I – How art the mighty fallen!

21

Agrippa I epitomizes the bad and the ugly side of public office. Agrippa I is a good example of the way the strong conduct themselves in public life. Agrippa I represents the strong, the wealthy, the opportuned, the privileged few, who conduct themselves with sheer arrogance, brute force and excessive show of power and influence. As Lord Acton puts it, “power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely”. Agrippa I stands for a modern village king who sits on his people against their will and may have no plan to step down. The people suffer under his weight, they die slowly, and the pastors say they died in peace. The people have no choice and they can do nothing. Their only hope is for the village king to be impeached in front of the Divine. Agrippa I can be institutional power; the head of that institution survives through tireless propaganda machinery which gives him/her infallible power and unconquerable god-like status. Agrippa I can be anyone beside you who has seized your bread, or who is stepping on your toes and obstructing your future. Just like Herod Agrippa I fell, all other Agrippas of our time will fall but the kingdom of God will remain forever,because it is built on a solid rock. Scripture is our comfort, it assures us “He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty” (Luke 1:51-53).

The Holy Book makes us to know that there is none Holy as the Lord; there is none beside him; neither is there anyone like our God; there is none Holy as the Lord. Worship

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him and give him only the glory.

In the Book of Exodus, God warned,"You shall have no other gods before me. "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; …” (Ex 20:3-5). If you have a carved image or any human being you consider your ‘God’ here on earth, you are like Agrippa I, you will fall and worms will eat you up.

I have heard some people declaring themselves as follows, “I am your God, without me where would you have been and what would you have become?”That is the spirit of Agrippa I. People who consider themselves the ‘God’ of other people’s lives, and by so doing, they take the place of Yahweh, the Lord God Almighty. Whatever good they might have done, they nullify it. Yes, Yahweh – God Almighty used you to help someone for his glory and not for your boast. O Agrippa!How art the mighty fallen? In another instance, I have heard and seen “Man-worship.” Do you remember the case of a politician who said his party “was the way, the truth and the life for his tribes’ people” and consequently, the leader of his party was surely meant to bethe “Messiah”. That is the spirit of Agrippa. This is not humility before God. Such political bigots do those things seeking cheap notice. After they would have gotten the notice of man, God will not notice them. I have also come across self-worship, whereby a man worships himself/herself. Such a person believes everything starts and ends with the self. The man who worships himself

21

Agrippa I epitomizes the bad and the ugly side of public office. Agrippa I is a good example of the way the strong conduct themselves in public life. Agrippa I represents the strong, the wealthy, the opportuned, the privileged few, who conduct themselves with sheer arrogance, brute force and excessive show of power and influence. As Lord Acton puts it, “power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely”. Agrippa I stands for a modern village king who sits on his people against their will and may have no plan to step down. The people suffer under his weight, they die slowly, and the pastors say they died in peace. The people have no choice and they can do nothing. Their only hope is for the village king to be impeached in front of the Divine. Agrippa I can be institutional power; the head of that institution survives through tireless propaganda machinery which gives him/her infallible power and unconquerable god-like status. Agrippa I can be anyone beside you who has seized your bread, or who is stepping on your toes and obstructing your future. Just like Herod Agrippa I fell, all other Agrippas of our time will fall but the kingdom of God will remain forever,because it is built on a solid rock. Scripture is our comfort, it assures us “He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty” (Luke 1:51-53).

The Holy Book makes us to know that there is none Holy as the Lord; there is none beside him; neither is there anyone like our God; there is none Holy as the Lord. Worship

22

him and give him only the glory.

In the Book of Exodus, God warned,"You shall have no other gods before me. "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; …” (Ex 20:3-5). If you have a carved image or any human being you consider your ‘God’ here on earth, you are like Agrippa I, you will fall and worms will eat you up.

I have heard some people declaring themselves as follows, “I am your God, without me where would you have been and what would you have become?”That is the spirit of Agrippa I. People who consider themselves the ‘God’ of other people’s lives, and by so doing, they take the place of Yahweh, the Lord God Almighty. Whatever good they might have done, they nullify it. Yes, Yahweh – God Almighty used you to help someone for his glory and not for your boast. O Agrippa!How art the mighty fallen? In another instance, I have heard and seen “Man-worship.” Do you remember the case of a politician who said his party “was the way, the truth and the life for his tribes’ people” and consequently, the leader of his party was surely meant to bethe “Messiah”. That is the spirit of Agrippa. This is not humility before God. Such political bigots do those things seeking cheap notice. After they would have gotten the notice of man, God will not notice them. I have also come across self-worship, whereby a man worships himself/herself. Such a person believes everything starts and ends with the self. The man who worships himself

23

says: “I am the Lord myself; I have no other God before myself”. Such people eat, drink and die. Scripture warns us:“This is what the Lord says: "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord. He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives” (Jer. 17:5-6).

The fall of Agrippa I and all other Agrippas is hope to the persecuted Church. When the church is persecuted, she has Christ on her side, whereas persecutors like Agrippa I will eventually be eaten up by worms. The fall of Agrippa I is a clear indication that human thrones are temporary, they will fall no matter how strong they are, but the kingdom of God remains forever.

Crowns and thrones may perish Kingdoms rise and wane, But the Church of Jesus

Constant will remain; Gates of hell can never

‘Gainst that Church prevail; We have Christ’s own promise,

And that cannot fail.The fall of Agrippa I is the predictable end of evil. No matter how evil is painted beautiful, evil is evil and evil doers will fall. The fall of Agrippa I is the fall of lies-telling and that the truth will always prevail. I know malice attacks truth, ignorance derides truth, but in the end, truth remains. “Truth is

24

not determined by majority vote”.

While Agrippa I is the extreme of human wickedness and quest for power, there are some righteous people in high places who are true representation of what the Church is and what Christ wants.

The story is told that when Queen Victoria had just ascended her throne, she went, as is the custom of Royalty, to hear “The Messiah” rendered. She had been instructed as to her conduct by those who knew her well,and was told that she must not rise when the others stood at the singing of the Hallelujah Chorus. When that magnificent chorus was being sung and the singers were shouting “Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth,” she sat with great difficulty. It seemed as if she would rise in spite of the custom of Kings and Queens, but finally when they came to that part of the chorus where with a shout they proclaimed Him ‘King of Kings’, suddenly the young queen rose and stood with bowed head, as if she would take her own crown off her head and cast it at His feet (J. Wilbur Chapman).

Worship only God and give only Him the glory. Amen.

PCC Bastos – Yaounde August 7, 2016

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says: “I am the Lord myself; I have no other God before myself”. Such people eat, drink and die. Scripture warns us:“This is what the Lord says: "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord. He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives” (Jer. 17:5-6).

The fall of Agrippa I and all other Agrippas is hope to the persecuted Church. When the church is persecuted, she has Christ on her side, whereas persecutors like Agrippa I will eventually be eaten up by worms. The fall of Agrippa I is a clear indication that human thrones are temporary, they will fall no matter how strong they are, but the kingdom of God remains forever.

Crowns and thrones may perish Kingdoms rise and wane, But the Church of Jesus

Constant will remain; Gates of hell can never

‘Gainst that Church prevail; We have Christ’s own promise,

And that cannot fail.The fall of Agrippa I is the predictable end of evil. No matter how evil is painted beautiful, evil is evil and evil doers will fall. The fall of Agrippa I is the fall of lies-telling and that the truth will always prevail. I know malice attacks truth, ignorance derides truth, but in the end, truth remains. “Truth is

24

not determined by majority vote”.

While Agrippa I is the extreme of human wickedness and quest for power, there are some righteous people in high places who are true representation of what the Church is and what Christ wants.

The story is told that when Queen Victoria had just ascended her throne, she went, as is the custom of Royalty, to hear “The Messiah” rendered. She had been instructed as to her conduct by those who knew her well,and was told that she must not rise when the others stood at the singing of the Hallelujah Chorus. When that magnificent chorus was being sung and the singers were shouting “Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth,” she sat with great difficulty. It seemed as if she would rise in spite of the custom of Kings and Queens, but finally when they came to that part of the chorus where with a shout they proclaimed Him ‘King of Kings’, suddenly the young queen rose and stood with bowed head, as if she would take her own crown off her head and cast it at His feet (J. Wilbur Chapman).

Worship only God and give only Him the glory. Amen.

PCC Bastos – Yaounde August 7, 2016

25

TEXT: PROV. 29:18

“WHERE THERE IS NO VISION, THE PEOPLE PERISH”

An Indian fable tells usof a hunter who went shooting antelopes everyday. One day, in the forest, a brave antelope walked right up to him. It was the most beautiful animal he had ever seen; the king of the antelopes. The antelope said to the hunter, “Sir, so many of my people are dying from your arrows and the wounds they inflict.Soon, we shall be wiped out entirely. I would like to ask you a favour: would you agree to shoot only one antelope a day? To make it easy for you, we have agreed amongst ourselves that every day one of us will volunteer to be hunted down by you. You may kill the antelope on whom the lot has fallen that day, but please let the rest of us live.”

The hunter considered the antelope’s words and answered, “Good! I’ll do what your people want me to do.” And from then on, he hunted only the antelope that had been designated to sacrifice itself.

Then one day, he noticed that the lot had fallen on the king of the antelopes himself. The hunter objected, “How can I possibly kill you?”

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The antelope king then explained: “Today the lot had fallen on a young mother antelope whose calf was so small that it would die without its mother’s milk. Since I am the king, it is my duty in a case like this to decide who should take that mother’s place today. But how can I demand of someone else what I am not ready to do myself? So, now, shoot me so that our agreement may be fulfilled.”

Ashamed, the hunter threw his bow to the ground and broke his arrows across his knee. “King of the antelopes,” he said, “your generosity puts me to shame. Allow me to be your friend. I will never again hunt and kill your people.”

That is, of course, a symbol of Christ giving His life for us – Fr Karl Liesner, SJ. What does this tell us about leadership?

“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character give him power”, says Abraham Lincoln. Plato was of the same opinion when he said,“The measure of a man is what he does with power.” Why do men crave for power? And why has the struggle for public office, Church positions and family leadership produced so much rancor, bitterness and hatred, if it were only for sacrificial services as is the case with the king of the antelopes? So, you see, public offices and positions of authority are not necessarily for service, but for the pride and posh that goes with it. Lord Acton was partially right when he said,“Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” I said partially because recently, I read a small piece by Aung San Suukyi titled, “Freedom from fear”. There, she wrote “It is not power that corrupts but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts those who

25

TEXT: PROV. 29:18

“WHERE THERE IS NO VISION, THE PEOPLE PERISH”

An Indian fable tells usof a hunter who went shooting antelopes everyday. One day, in the forest, a brave antelope walked right up to him. It was the most beautiful animal he had ever seen; the king of the antelopes. The antelope said to the hunter, “Sir, so many of my people are dying from your arrows and the wounds they inflict.Soon, we shall be wiped out entirely. I would like to ask you a favour: would you agree to shoot only one antelope a day? To make it easy for you, we have agreed amongst ourselves that every day one of us will volunteer to be hunted down by you. You may kill the antelope on whom the lot has fallen that day, but please let the rest of us live.”

The hunter considered the antelope’s words and answered, “Good! I’ll do what your people want me to do.” And from then on, he hunted only the antelope that had been designated to sacrifice itself.

Then one day, he noticed that the lot had fallen on the king of the antelopes himself. The hunter objected, “How can I possibly kill you?”

26

The antelope king then explained: “Today the lot had fallen on a young mother antelope whose calf was so small that it would die without its mother’s milk. Since I am the king, it is my duty in a case like this to decide who should take that mother’s place today. But how can I demand of someone else what I am not ready to do myself? So, now, shoot me so that our agreement may be fulfilled.”

Ashamed, the hunter threw his bow to the ground and broke his arrows across his knee. “King of the antelopes,” he said, “your generosity puts me to shame. Allow me to be your friend. I will never again hunt and kill your people.”

That is, of course, a symbol of Christ giving His life for us – Fr Karl Liesner, SJ. What does this tell us about leadership?

“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character give him power”, says Abraham Lincoln. Plato was of the same opinion when he said,“The measure of a man is what he does with power.” Why do men crave for power? And why has the struggle for public office, Church positions and family leadership produced so much rancor, bitterness and hatred, if it were only for sacrificial services as is the case with the king of the antelopes? So, you see, public offices and positions of authority are not necessarily for service, but for the pride and posh that goes with it. Lord Acton was partially right when he said,“Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” I said partially because recently, I read a small piece by Aung San Suukyi titled, “Freedom from fear”. There, she wrote “It is not power that corrupts but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts those who

27

wield it and fear of the scourge of power. Power corrupts those who are subject to it”. George Deacon argues in support of SuuKyi thus: “If absolute power corrupts absolutely, where does that leave God?”

Jesus Christ says,“If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all” (Mark 9:35).“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

From our biblical sociology, “True leadership means to receive power from God and use it under God’s rule to serve people in God’s way” (Leighton Ford). In the words of John Wooden, “The most powerful leadership tool you have is your own personal example”. Yes!My friends, true leadership is by good example and good example is influence. Unlike Napoleon Bonaparte who said men are better led by toys, I think men would be led easily by the good example of their leaders than by force. Good leaders must first become good servants. The bottom line is that character is power.

John Quincy Adams was asked a question, ‘What is leadership?’ His answer was simple, He said:“Lead and inspire people. Don’t try to manage and manipulate people, rather empower them to develop their society. If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader”.

Many years ago, leadership in Africa was in the hands of humble and simple people – Primary school teachers, village catechists and local community focal persons. The foundation of most African countries after independence was

28

built by these simple people with little education,but with great determination emanating from selfless character. These simple leaders led the nationalist struggles and after nationalism, they began to build their countries. In the’80s, university leavers and graduates took over the leadership matter. Look at where Africa is today. Judge for yourself whether we are moving forward or going backward. What have we gained from school or university education? What have we gained from our elite associations, if not to write ‘motions of support’ to unwanted political leaders? What have we gained from professors in politics, if not to craft huge slogans with nothing to show for years later? What have we got from these university professors if not schemes to rig elections, and at other times, to set confusion in the villages, especially where the chieftaincy stool is vacant? What type of leadership style do we bequeath to these children?

Alexander the great once said, I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep. I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion”. What did he mean? Alexander was advocating the leadership style of “one strongman” and every other person, a blind person. That is the type of ‘democracy’ we see in Africa today: that of one strongman, with a hand full of cronies manipulating the entire nation. Recently, President Barack Obama said that Africa does not need ‘strongmen’ but ‘strong institutions’. With strong institutions a sheep can lead a group of lions. Leadership should not be about the one man, it should be about the people. In the past, we had dictators and autocrats, today we need leaders who are partners with their people and they can walk side by side with their people.

27

wield it and fear of the scourge of power. Power corrupts those who are subject to it”. George Deacon argues in support of SuuKyi thus: “If absolute power corrupts absolutely, where does that leave God?”

Jesus Christ says,“If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all” (Mark 9:35).“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

From our biblical sociology, “True leadership means to receive power from God and use it under God’s rule to serve people in God’s way” (Leighton Ford). In the words of John Wooden, “The most powerful leadership tool you have is your own personal example”. Yes!My friends, true leadership is by good example and good example is influence. Unlike Napoleon Bonaparte who said men are better led by toys, I think men would be led easily by the good example of their leaders than by force. Good leaders must first become good servants. The bottom line is that character is power.

John Quincy Adams was asked a question, ‘What is leadership?’ His answer was simple, He said:“Lead and inspire people. Don’t try to manage and manipulate people, rather empower them to develop their society. If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader”.

Many years ago, leadership in Africa was in the hands of humble and simple people – Primary school teachers, village catechists and local community focal persons. The foundation of most African countries after independence was

28

built by these simple people with little education,but with great determination emanating from selfless character. These simple leaders led the nationalist struggles and after nationalism, they began to build their countries. In the’80s, university leavers and graduates took over the leadership matter. Look at where Africa is today. Judge for yourself whether we are moving forward or going backward. What have we gained from school or university education? What have we gained from our elite associations, if not to write ‘motions of support’ to unwanted political leaders? What have we gained from professors in politics, if not to craft huge slogans with nothing to show for years later? What have we got from these university professors if not schemes to rig elections, and at other times, to set confusion in the villages, especially where the chieftaincy stool is vacant? What type of leadership style do we bequeath to these children?

Alexander the great once said, I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep. I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion”. What did he mean? Alexander was advocating the leadership style of “one strongman” and every other person, a blind person. That is the type of ‘democracy’ we see in Africa today: that of one strongman, with a hand full of cronies manipulating the entire nation. Recently, President Barack Obama said that Africa does not need ‘strongmen’ but ‘strong institutions’. With strong institutions a sheep can lead a group of lions. Leadership should not be about the one man, it should be about the people. In the past, we had dictators and autocrats, today we need leaders who are partners with their people and they can walk side by side with their people.

29

Today, Cameroon is in problems, two regions are virtually ungovernable. The government says it is a question of ‘bilingualism’ and ‘multiculturalism’. This may not be true. It is a question about the misuse of power over the years - the proud minority and the silent majority. I think this problem should be looked into as the protest of a silent majority – the majority of Anglophones and Francophones against the excessive abuse of power by a handful. It is more than ‘multiculturalism’. It is political greed.

Today we have come to witness the coronation of Brother AkoTakem Chancel as the traditional ruler of Tali II in Upper Bayang Sub-Division. Brother Chancel is front row Christian of the PCC – Nsimeyong Congregation, Yaounde. Brother Chancel is a privileged Cameroonian who holds an envious position in the Government. He is also the Son of his father from this village. For the few years that I have known Brother Chancel, he passes for a gentle man, focused, purposeful and devoted to his faith. Of his many achievements in life, he wants to add chieftaincy title at the behest of his kith and kin. This is a 3 in 1 event. First it is traditional initiation into the chieftaincy traditions of the ancestors of Tali II. Second, it is a civil rite – the presentation of an auxiliary to the Government of Cameroon. Lastly and most importantly, it is a day of consecration from God Almighty to a fellow brother to rule God’s people. People have asked whether a true Christian can be a true traditional ruler or,as some asked long ago,‘Can a Pastor be the Chief of his village?’ That is the difficult question Brother Chancel has to answer in his private moments. While studying the sociology of religion, we were

30

told in school that when the gospel culture of Jesus Christ comes face to face with another culture and there is a conflict, the gospel culture of Jesus takes precedence. Then again,a man’s faith is in his heart. It is only he/she who knows where his allegiance is. So, irrespective of what traditional, civil or religious manifestations we do here today, it is only Brother Chancel and God who know where his heart is;and God will help him as far as he is willing to be led.

It is on these grounds that we have come from Yaounde to sanctify you, to purify you, to consecrate you and to remind you that you will have divine approval if you lead your people in the fear of God. “When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan” (Prov. 29:2).

There is nothing wrong if a son of the soil who has gotten prominence returns to provide leadership and direction to his people, and it seems as if that is what is en vogue today: that technocrats in Government circles return to take chieftaincy titles and so become the bridge of development between their people and theGovernment (Chief Oru of Okoroba, Chief Igelle of Bagundu, Chief TanyiRobinson of Tinto Mbu). This move is important at a time when every community must have their own child where the National cake is being shared.

So,Brother Chancel, it is with hope and expectation that your kith and kin have chosen you to lead them. Assume the office with honour,but with modesty and service. Avoid the intricacies of village politics, land matters, royalties

29

Today, Cameroon is in problems, two regions are virtually ungovernable. The government says it is a question of ‘bilingualism’ and ‘multiculturalism’. This may not be true. It is a question about the misuse of power over the years - the proud minority and the silent majority. I think this problem should be looked into as the protest of a silent majority – the majority of Anglophones and Francophones against the excessive abuse of power by a handful. It is more than ‘multiculturalism’. It is political greed.

Today we have come to witness the coronation of Brother AkoTakem Chancel as the traditional ruler of Tali II in Upper Bayang Sub-Division. Brother Chancel is front row Christian of the PCC – Nsimeyong Congregation, Yaounde. Brother Chancel is a privileged Cameroonian who holds an envious position in the Government. He is also the Son of his father from this village. For the few years that I have known Brother Chancel, he passes for a gentle man, focused, purposeful and devoted to his faith. Of his many achievements in life, he wants to add chieftaincy title at the behest of his kith and kin. This is a 3 in 1 event. First it is traditional initiation into the chieftaincy traditions of the ancestors of Tali II. Second, it is a civil rite – the presentation of an auxiliary to the Government of Cameroon. Lastly and most importantly, it is a day of consecration from God Almighty to a fellow brother to rule God’s people. People have asked whether a true Christian can be a true traditional ruler or,as some asked long ago,‘Can a Pastor be the Chief of his village?’ That is the difficult question Brother Chancel has to answer in his private moments. While studying the sociology of religion, we were

30

told in school that when the gospel culture of Jesus Christ comes face to face with another culture and there is a conflict, the gospel culture of Jesus takes precedence. Then again,a man’s faith is in his heart. It is only he/she who knows where his allegiance is. So, irrespective of what traditional, civil or religious manifestations we do here today, it is only Brother Chancel and God who know where his heart is;and God will help him as far as he is willing to be led.

It is on these grounds that we have come from Yaounde to sanctify you, to purify you, to consecrate you and to remind you that you will have divine approval if you lead your people in the fear of God. “When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan” (Prov. 29:2).

There is nothing wrong if a son of the soil who has gotten prominence returns to provide leadership and direction to his people, and it seems as if that is what is en vogue today: that technocrats in Government circles return to take chieftaincy titles and so become the bridge of development between their people and theGovernment (Chief Oru of Okoroba, Chief Igelle of Bagundu, Chief TanyiRobinson of Tinto Mbu). This move is important at a time when every community must have their own child where the National cake is being shared.

So,Brother Chancel, it is with hope and expectation that your kith and kin have chosen you to lead them. Assume the office with honour,but with modesty and service. Avoid the intricacies of village politics, land matters, royalties

31

andthe“I know it all”syndrome. Often, you will be expected to come down to the level of your people, and notthe other way round. Provide harmony amongst God’s people and redeem the image of chieftaincy from the many accusations levied on it today. They say knowledge is power so help your people go to school; and being a God-fearing king yourself, lead your people into the saving gospel of Jesus Christ.

“Franz Joseph, Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary, had one of the longest reigns in history (1846-1916). He was a highly disciplined person, but also very kind. Early in his reign, an epidemic of cholera overran Europe. Franz was advised to leave Vienna and take refuge in Salzburg until the plague was over. “Will there be room enough in Salzburg for all my children?” asked the Emperor. “Certainly, your Majesty,” replied his counselors, “There is plenty of room for all the royal family.” “Is there really room for all my children?” the monarch repeated as he pointed from his palace window to the crowds below. “Look at all those people. They are my children. Should their father forsake them in danger? No. My beloved Viennese have always shared my joys and my sorrows. I will not abandon them in their hour of trouble!” (Fernandez P. 2010.100 Inspiring Anecdotes.Bombayi Pauline Sisters P. 43)

Occasion: CORONATION OF HRH AKO TAKEM Chancel.Tali II, March 2017

32

Text: John 16: 32b - 33

“I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD”

“In this world, you will have trouble! Take heart, I have overcome the world.” My friends, the world has troubles,but we have Christ. The world will suffer us,but Jesus Christ will save us. The world will dominate us, but Jesus has overcome the world. That is our consolation on this first day of the year 2017. “Times of trouble have often been times of triumph, suffering seasons have generally been sifting seasons in which the Christian has lost its chaff, and the hypocrite its courage” – (William Secker).

When Jesus told his disciples upon his crucifixion that trouble lay ahead of them, he was referring to the great persecution. Shortly after Jesus, John went on self-exile to the Island of Patmos,where he could barely speak in coded language. John had his head cut off by Herod and the disciples were dispersed. Ironically, the more the early disciples were persecuted the more they trusted the Lord and the Church grew by leaps and bounds. In this world, you will face trouble. But take heart, Jesus says,“I have overcome the world”.

Jesus easily identified the world and its systems, worldliness and the devil as the greatest causes of human predicaments and troubles. For Jesus, worldliness was the

31

andthe“I know it all”syndrome. Often, you will be expected to come down to the level of your people, and notthe other way round. Provide harmony amongst God’s people and redeem the image of chieftaincy from the many accusations levied on it today. They say knowledge is power so help your people go to school; and being a God-fearing king yourself, lead your people into the saving gospel of Jesus Christ.

“Franz Joseph, Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary, had one of the longest reigns in history (1846-1916). He was a highly disciplined person, but also very kind. Early in his reign, an epidemic of cholera overran Europe. Franz was advised to leave Vienna and take refuge in Salzburg until the plague was over. “Will there be room enough in Salzburg for all my children?” asked the Emperor. “Certainly, your Majesty,” replied his counselors, “There is plenty of room for all the royal family.” “Is there really room for all my children?” the monarch repeated as he pointed from his palace window to the crowds below. “Look at all those people. They are my children. Should their father forsake them in danger? No. My beloved Viennese have always shared my joys and my sorrows. I will not abandon them in their hour of trouble!” (Fernandez P. 2010.100 Inspiring Anecdotes.Bombayi Pauline Sisters P. 43)

Occasion: CORONATION OF HRH AKO TAKEM Chancel.Tali II, March 2017

32

Text: John 16: 32b - 33

“I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD”

“In this world, you will have trouble! Take heart, I have overcome the world.” My friends, the world has troubles,but we have Christ. The world will suffer us,but Jesus Christ will save us. The world will dominate us, but Jesus has overcome the world. That is our consolation on this first day of the year 2017. “Times of trouble have often been times of triumph, suffering seasons have generally been sifting seasons in which the Christian has lost its chaff, and the hypocrite its courage” – (William Secker).

When Jesus told his disciples upon his crucifixion that trouble lay ahead of them, he was referring to the great persecution. Shortly after Jesus, John went on self-exile to the Island of Patmos,where he could barely speak in coded language. John had his head cut off by Herod and the disciples were dispersed. Ironically, the more the early disciples were persecuted the more they trusted the Lord and the Church grew by leaps and bounds. In this world, you will face trouble. But take heart, Jesus says,“I have overcome the world”.

Jesus easily identified the world and its systems, worldliness and the devil as the greatest causes of human predicaments and troubles. For Jesus, worldliness was the

33

greatest challenge to faith. My dear brothers and sisters, our troubles in 2017 will not be persecution but worldliness, carnality, fleshy desires from the devil and his agents, some of whom are our brothers, our leaders and those nearby. In the year 2017, our greatest problems will come from evil political systems, exploitative capitalist economic systems and evil social and philosophical systems.

Jesus has overcome the world. Someone has defined the world as unredeemed human cultures, ways of thinking, values and desires, perceptions and attitudes that contradict true Christian principles. Furthermore, worldliness is the acceptance of these values and assumptions,especially as they contradict the Word of God.

Jesus has overcome the world because He lived in the world, the world could not derail him from his mission. He was in the world but not of the world. So,on that day when the devil met him in the wilderness during his 40 days’ fast,“… the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. All this I will give you, he said, if you will bow down and worship me. Jesus said to him, Away from me, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only” (Matt 4:8-10). Jesus had overcome the world.

In another instance, he was tempted to deny His sole mission of dying on the cross and after a tough inner battle, Jesus submitted his will to God the Father and said: “…, My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet

34

not as I will, but as you will” (Matt 26:39). The systems of this world finally orchestrated the death of Jesus. The Jews killed Him, buried Him and declared that He was finished. Three days later, he was raised from the dead and he declared triumphantly, “I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades” (Rev 1:18). More than 2000 years after, the world and its systems have not been able to wipe the influence of Jesus. Jesus’ principles and values about life still remain unrivalled and the best for our society. Therefore, Jesus is right to say, I have overcome the world. Thus, if Christ has overcome the world and its systems then we His followers can do the same and that will be the secret for the year 2017, overcoming the world in the pattern of Jesus Christ. In this world you will face troubles! Take heart I have overcome the world.

Democracy is one of the systems of the world. Today, many democracies in Africa are not accountable to their people,therefore, the type of democracy we see in Africa cannot guarantee justice, equity, and fairness. So,Jesus Christ is right to say in this world, we will face trouble! But we should take heart because He has overcome the world.

The capitalist money economy is another system of the world. In this system, the rich grow richer and the poor become poorer. We have been told that in the 2017 budget of Cameroon, the tax base has been broadened by the introduction of about 30 to 40 new taxes and custom duties. Take the increase in prices ofcommunal stampsfrom 200

33

greatest challenge to faith. My dear brothers and sisters, our troubles in 2017 will not be persecution but worldliness, carnality, fleshy desires from the devil and his agents, some of whom are our brothers, our leaders and those nearby. In the year 2017, our greatest problems will come from evil political systems, exploitative capitalist economic systems and evil social and philosophical systems.

Jesus has overcome the world. Someone has defined the world as unredeemed human cultures, ways of thinking, values and desires, perceptions and attitudes that contradict true Christian principles. Furthermore, worldliness is the acceptance of these values and assumptions,especially as they contradict the Word of God.

Jesus has overcome the world because He lived in the world, the world could not derail him from his mission. He was in the world but not of the world. So,on that day when the devil met him in the wilderness during his 40 days’ fast,“… the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. All this I will give you, he said, if you will bow down and worship me. Jesus said to him, Away from me, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only” (Matt 4:8-10). Jesus had overcome the world.

In another instance, he was tempted to deny His sole mission of dying on the cross and after a tough inner battle, Jesus submitted his will to God the Father and said: “…, My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet

34

not as I will, but as you will” (Matt 26:39). The systems of this world finally orchestrated the death of Jesus. The Jews killed Him, buried Him and declared that He was finished. Three days later, he was raised from the dead and he declared triumphantly, “I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades” (Rev 1:18). More than 2000 years after, the world and its systems have not been able to wipe the influence of Jesus. Jesus’ principles and values about life still remain unrivalled and the best for our society. Therefore, Jesus is right to say, I have overcome the world. Thus, if Christ has overcome the world and its systems then we His followers can do the same and that will be the secret for the year 2017, overcoming the world in the pattern of Jesus Christ. In this world you will face troubles! Take heart I have overcome the world.

Democracy is one of the systems of the world. Today, many democracies in Africa are not accountable to their people,therefore, the type of democracy we see in Africa cannot guarantee justice, equity, and fairness. So,Jesus Christ is right to say in this world, we will face trouble! But we should take heart because He has overcome the world.

The capitalist money economy is another system of the world. In this system, the rich grow richer and the poor become poorer. We have been told that in the 2017 budget of Cameroon, the tax base has been broadened by the introduction of about 30 to 40 new taxes and custom duties. Take the increase in prices ofcommunal stampsfrom 200

35

to600 francs for papers in the A4 format; and 400 – 1000 francs for papers of higher format. Who stands to benefit in this new tax policies? The high and the mighty or the poor and the downtrodden? In this world you will face trouble! Take heart, Jesus has overcome the world.

We will face trouble from dangerous social philosophies of life. Someone must not be born from an influential family or be related to influential persons in order to succeed. Someonemust not bribe his way in order to get to the top. We must change the mentality that public property is no man’s thing, so the best way to handle it is to steal it. These are social thought patterns that are ruling the minds of our people and what do you expect? In this world you will face trouble. Take heart,Jesus has overcome the world.

Jesus was in the world,but he was not of the world. He was within corrupt systems,yet without being corrupt. Jesus was in a system in which people’s minds were perverted but He refused to think like the world. Therefore, John admonishes us,“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15). Similarly,the great apostle Paul has encouraged us, “…not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Rom 12:2).

The year 2017 would be won by those who in the Spirit of Jesus Christ resist the trappings of this world and the

36

temptations of the devil. Some of our people say that if you cannot beat them join them. This is called compromise and not character. Character would be the key. Character suggests integrity: integrity is persistence in doing the little good things we do. Those who show strength of character will surely get the Lord on their side. The ABCs of spiritual growth is found in the phrase “Adversity Builds Character”. If Joseph had not been Egypt’s prisoner, he would never have been Egypt’s governor. The iron chains around his feet ushered him the golden chain around his neck. King David says,“The righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all” (Psalm 34:19).

May God make every day of your life a happy one not by shielding you from all sorrow or pain,but by strengthening you to bear it as it comes, not by making your path easy,but by making you strong to travel any path, not by taking hardship from you,but by taking fear from your heart, not granting you unbroken sunshine but by keeping your face bright. Not by making your life always pleasant,but raising your spirit during low moments. Amen

PCC Bastos – Yaounde January 1, 2017 New Year Day.

35

to600 francs for papers in the A4 format; and 400 – 1000 francs for papers of higher format. Who stands to benefit in this new tax policies? The high and the mighty or the poor and the downtrodden? In this world you will face trouble! Take heart, Jesus has overcome the world.

We will face trouble from dangerous social philosophies of life. Someone must not be born from an influential family or be related to influential persons in order to succeed. Someonemust not bribe his way in order to get to the top. We must change the mentality that public property is no man’s thing, so the best way to handle it is to steal it. These are social thought patterns that are ruling the minds of our people and what do you expect? In this world you will face trouble. Take heart,Jesus has overcome the world.

Jesus was in the world,but he was not of the world. He was within corrupt systems,yet without being corrupt. Jesus was in a system in which people’s minds were perverted but He refused to think like the world. Therefore, John admonishes us,“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15). Similarly,the great apostle Paul has encouraged us, “…not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Rom 12:2).

The year 2017 would be won by those who in the Spirit of Jesus Christ resist the trappings of this world and the

36

temptations of the devil. Some of our people say that if you cannot beat them join them. This is called compromise and not character. Character would be the key. Character suggests integrity: integrity is persistence in doing the little good things we do. Those who show strength of character will surely get the Lord on their side. The ABCs of spiritual growth is found in the phrase “Adversity Builds Character”. If Joseph had not been Egypt’s prisoner, he would never have been Egypt’s governor. The iron chains around his feet ushered him the golden chain around his neck. King David says,“The righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all” (Psalm 34:19).

May God make every day of your life a happy one not by shielding you from all sorrow or pain,but by strengthening you to bear it as it comes, not by making your path easy,but by making you strong to travel any path, not by taking hardship from you,but by taking fear from your heart, not granting you unbroken sunshine but by keeping your face bright. Not by making your life always pleasant,but raising your spirit during low moments. Amen

PCC Bastos – Yaounde January 1, 2017 New Year Day.

37

TEXT: PHILIPPIANS 1: 9-10

“POWER AND VISION”

Today, we launch the season of elections in PCC, Nsimeyong, Yaounde. This is in line with the re-organisation of the basic organs of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC), first the Elders’ election, then Groups’ election, the Presbytery election and the Synod election.

Abraham Lincoln said, “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give power.” In order not to be led into an imbroglio of power struggle, we have decided to launch this season with prayer. Leadership is providing direction. Another word for directionis vision. The good old adage from scripture is true that “where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18 - KJV). We would be risking our great congregation if we do not state where we are going before we even start choosing our leaders. There is an argument whether we should choose leaders who will in turn define vision or we first define the vision and get men who fit the vision. What do you think?

Where there is no vision, we all will perish: by this, I mean to say if we select people who meet our narrow interest of friendship and tribalism, then for the next five years, we have to scent our mess. Someone has said, “Power is never

38

good unless the one who has it is true” and Lord Acton John (1834-1902), the English historian corroborates:

Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men. There is no worse heresy than that the office sanctifies the holder of it.

Aung San SuuKyi contradicts Lord Acton when she said: “it is not power that corrupts those who wield it.The fear of the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it.” Power is a delicate thing.

Vision is the tool for finding direction. It is said, if you do not know where you are coming from, you cannot know where you are going to, and if you do not know where you are going to, at least know where you are coming from.Vision is the discovery of God’s plan; in Jeremiah God says, “ForI alone know the plans I have for you” (Jer 29:11). Only God knows the vision for this congregation; let us pray to know it, let us not spoil it by showing a selfish character of choosing our friends, family members, tribesmen, benefactors or drinking mates for leadership in the church. Woe to you who want to spoil God’s plan for PCC, Nsimeyong, Yaounde.

Twenty-two (22) years ago, we had a basic vision to get a place of worship. Our chief goal was to leave PCC Bastos, and bring the church nearer the Biyem-Assi neighbourhood. The vision was so clear, though blurred by some people. Since the vision was heavenly, it could not die. The vision grew from just wanting to leave PCC Bastos to

37

TEXT: PHILIPPIANS 1: 9-10

“POWER AND VISION”

Today, we launch the season of elections in PCC, Nsimeyong, Yaounde. This is in line with the re-organisation of the basic organs of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC), first the Elders’ election, then Groups’ election, the Presbytery election and the Synod election.

Abraham Lincoln said, “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give power.” In order not to be led into an imbroglio of power struggle, we have decided to launch this season with prayer. Leadership is providing direction. Another word for directionis vision. The good old adage from scripture is true that “where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18 - KJV). We would be risking our great congregation if we do not state where we are going before we even start choosing our leaders. There is an argument whether we should choose leaders who will in turn define vision or we first define the vision and get men who fit the vision. What do you think?

Where there is no vision, we all will perish: by this, I mean to say if we select people who meet our narrow interest of friendship and tribalism, then for the next five years, we have to scent our mess. Someone has said, “Power is never

38

good unless the one who has it is true” and Lord Acton John (1834-1902), the English historian corroborates:

Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men. There is no worse heresy than that the office sanctifies the holder of it.

Aung San SuuKyi contradicts Lord Acton when she said: “it is not power that corrupts those who wield it.The fear of the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it.” Power is a delicate thing.

Vision is the tool for finding direction. It is said, if you do not know where you are coming from, you cannot know where you are going to, and if you do not know where you are going to, at least know where you are coming from.Vision is the discovery of God’s plan; in Jeremiah God says, “ForI alone know the plans I have for you” (Jer 29:11). Only God knows the vision for this congregation; let us pray to know it, let us not spoil it by showing a selfish character of choosing our friends, family members, tribesmen, benefactors or drinking mates for leadership in the church. Woe to you who want to spoil God’s plan for PCC, Nsimeyong, Yaounde.

Twenty-two (22) years ago, we had a basic vision to get a place of worship. Our chief goal was to leave PCC Bastos, and bring the church nearer the Biyem-Assi neighbourhood. The vision was so clear, though blurred by some people. Since the vision was heavenly, it could not die. The vision grew from just wanting to leave PCC Bastos to

39

wanting a befitting place of worship. It was a heavenly vision; no one complained. Men and women sold out themselves financially to build this edifice. Before this edifice was constructed, down pours of rain, scorching heat from the sun rays, pinching cold from the morning breeze had ruffled the Christians - nobody complained. Today, we can all sit in this posh and gigantic building, one amongst the best in Cameroon. Our house of worship is now the concrete evidence of our faith and has also become the measure of excellence.

We note that when there is vision, there is direction and there is success. We equally note that when the vision is heavenly, God makes a way. Lastly, when a vision is fulfilled, one can evaluate the commitment of leaders and their followers over time.

Our congregation has evolved from that City Bilingual Academy (CBA) classroom and the basement of this building (primary vision), to the finished building then, yet without décor-a sense of taste and adornments (secondary vision) and now we are in this house of worship, painted, starched with brown sand, a proud tower, fine furniture, state of the art ceiling, leading to the dedication service which took place a few days ago (tertiary vision). Our vision has evolved from primary to secondary and to tertiary; so,what next? What type of congregation do we want? Institutions and individuals easily fall into a stage of saturation when they reach this level of development, as if there is nothing again to do. Then without realising it, the days of progress turn into regression.

40

PCC Nsimeyong Christians, what type of congregation do we want? Until you diagnose the problem, you cannot know how to solve it. Vision determines leaders. Stay quiet for a while and ponder about this…

The spirit of excellence

There could be three types of vision:

Vision that looks inward becomes duty. Vision that looks outward becomes aspiration. Vision that looks upward becomes faith.

Our vision looks upward, and it is revealed to us as the pursuit of ‘excellence’. Yes, the spirit of excellence! That is our goal, and the parameter by which to choose our leaders. Paul prayed for this spirit for the Philippian church: “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ, ” (Philippians 1: 9-10 - KJV). Daniel had an excellent spirit and so was appointed over presidents (Daniel 6:3). Jesus was meek but not weak, a sign of excellence in spirit. Paul prayed for the Philippians to have greater knowledge and discernment,so that they can excel in love. In order to excel in love and show it as Christians, they needed to choose things that were excellent or choose what is best. The ability to choose what was best comes from knowledge of the word of God – I mean the values and the priorities of the word of God.

39

wanting a befitting place of worship. It was a heavenly vision; no one complained. Men and women sold out themselves financially to build this edifice. Before this edifice was constructed, down pours of rain, scorching heat from the sun rays, pinching cold from the morning breeze had ruffled the Christians - nobody complained. Today, we can all sit in this posh and gigantic building, one amongst the best in Cameroon. Our house of worship is now the concrete evidence of our faith and has also become the measure of excellence.

We note that when there is vision, there is direction and there is success. We equally note that when the vision is heavenly, God makes a way. Lastly, when a vision is fulfilled, one can evaluate the commitment of leaders and their followers over time.

Our congregation has evolved from that City Bilingual Academy (CBA) classroom and the basement of this building (primary vision), to the finished building then, yet without décor-a sense of taste and adornments (secondary vision) and now we are in this house of worship, painted, starched with brown sand, a proud tower, fine furniture, state of the art ceiling, leading to the dedication service which took place a few days ago (tertiary vision). Our vision has evolved from primary to secondary and to tertiary; so,what next? What type of congregation do we want? Institutions and individuals easily fall into a stage of saturation when they reach this level of development, as if there is nothing again to do. Then without realising it, the days of progress turn into regression.

40

PCC Nsimeyong Christians, what type of congregation do we want? Until you diagnose the problem, you cannot know how to solve it. Vision determines leaders. Stay quiet for a while and ponder about this…

The spirit of excellence

There could be three types of vision:

Vision that looks inward becomes duty. Vision that looks outward becomes aspiration. Vision that looks upward becomes faith.

Our vision looks upward, and it is revealed to us as the pursuit of ‘excellence’. Yes, the spirit of excellence! That is our goal, and the parameter by which to choose our leaders. Paul prayed for this spirit for the Philippian church: “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ, ” (Philippians 1: 9-10 - KJV). Daniel had an excellent spirit and so was appointed over presidents (Daniel 6:3). Jesus was meek but not weak, a sign of excellence in spirit. Paul prayed for the Philippians to have greater knowledge and discernment,so that they can excel in love. In order to excel in love and show it as Christians, they needed to choose things that were excellent or choose what is best. The ability to choose what was best comes from knowledge of the word of God – I mean the values and the priorities of the word of God.

41

The American Heritage Dictionary defines excellence as: “The state, quality or condition of excelling, superiority.”The word to ‘excel’ is defined as: “to do better than, surpass, to show superiority, surpass others.” All these synonyms suggest the idea of going beyond limit or standard. It is often said that good is not enough when better is possible. From a carnal or worldly dimension, it is as if we want to go into a competition. No! Not with others. Yes! With ourselves. Here, let us make a distinction between success and excellence.

Brain Harbour, in his well worded book Rising Above the Crowd, says: “Success means being the best. Excellence means being your best. Success to many, means being better than everyone. Excellence means being better tomorrow than you were yesterday. Success means exceeding the achievements of others. Excellence means matching your practice with your potential.” The pursuit of excellence is about a congregation wanting to do its best of what they have for the Glory of God and with the mind of growing and improving, but not with the idea of outstripping others. What we need in PCC Nsimeyong now is those who can take us beyond this level materially, socially, but most significantly spiritually. Whether this current group of Elders can do it – I do not know, whether a completely new group can do it, I cannot say – what I can say is that we need to move to another level.

The spirit of excellence is about doing the best we can with the spiritual gifts and talents for God’s glory. It involves using spiritually gifted people to do common, everyday

42

spiritual things, but in very uncommon ways, irrespective ofwhether people are watching, for in the long run, it will reflect the glory of God.

Excellence is not a skill – it is an attitude (Ralph Martson) that touches every area of one’s life. Paul says, “But since you excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in love we have kindled in you – see that you also excel in this grace of giving” (2 Cor. 8:7).

We need the spirit of excellence in character. We need to refine the way we think as church men and women. We need excellence in our speech; that is, the way we talk as leaders. We need excellence in purity – instead of being filled with alcohol; we should be filled with the Holy Spirit. We need excellence in the way we teach the word of God, pray and conduct our spiritual life. For example, what is the difference between the Pastors or Elders and the other Christians – that is to say,if we put away the gowns or collar aside. What strikes you towards an Elder? We need excellence in the way we present our congregation – we are referring to our processes, procedures and presentations. We need an excellent spirit in the management of our financial resources, for example, acquiring land, property and commerce for the future. What about an excellent spirit in making our congregation digital in communication.

My dear friends, the period was called Dark Age not because the light did not shine,but because people refused to

41

The American Heritage Dictionary defines excellence as: “The state, quality or condition of excelling, superiority.”The word to ‘excel’ is defined as: “to do better than, surpass, to show superiority, surpass others.” All these synonyms suggest the idea of going beyond limit or standard. It is often said that good is not enough when better is possible. From a carnal or worldly dimension, it is as if we want to go into a competition. No! Not with others. Yes! With ourselves. Here, let us make a distinction between success and excellence.

Brain Harbour, in his well worded book Rising Above the Crowd, says: “Success means being the best. Excellence means being your best. Success to many, means being better than everyone. Excellence means being better tomorrow than you were yesterday. Success means exceeding the achievements of others. Excellence means matching your practice with your potential.” The pursuit of excellence is about a congregation wanting to do its best of what they have for the Glory of God and with the mind of growing and improving, but not with the idea of outstripping others. What we need in PCC Nsimeyong now is those who can take us beyond this level materially, socially, but most significantly spiritually. Whether this current group of Elders can do it – I do not know, whether a completely new group can do it, I cannot say – what I can say is that we need to move to another level.

The spirit of excellence is about doing the best we can with the spiritual gifts and talents for God’s glory. It involves using spiritually gifted people to do common, everyday

42

spiritual things, but in very uncommon ways, irrespective ofwhether people are watching, for in the long run, it will reflect the glory of God.

Excellence is not a skill – it is an attitude (Ralph Martson) that touches every area of one’s life. Paul says, “But since you excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in love we have kindled in you – see that you also excel in this grace of giving” (2 Cor. 8:7).

We need the spirit of excellence in character. We need to refine the way we think as church men and women. We need excellence in our speech; that is, the way we talk as leaders. We need excellence in purity – instead of being filled with alcohol; we should be filled with the Holy Spirit. We need excellence in the way we teach the word of God, pray and conduct our spiritual life. For example, what is the difference between the Pastors or Elders and the other Christians – that is to say,if we put away the gowns or collar aside. What strikes you towards an Elder? We need excellence in the way we present our congregation – we are referring to our processes, procedures and presentations. We need an excellent spirit in the management of our financial resources, for example, acquiring land, property and commerce for the future. What about an excellent spirit in making our congregation digital in communication.

My dear friends, the period was called Dark Age not because the light did not shine,but because people refused to

43

see (paraphrased from James A. Michener). So,Helen Keller (1880 - 1968),an American author and lecturer was right to say, “The most pathetic person in the world is someone who has sight but has no vision.” I think we have a vision, now let us choose men and women who have sight and can do great things for the Lord.

Spirit of Excellence and Leadership

Church expert and statistician, George Barna asserts: “Leadership remains one of the glaring needs of the church. People are often willing to follow God’s vision, but too frequently they have no exposure to either vision or true leadership.” As I said somewhere, often,we have in Church, leaders who want to lead people to a place that they do not know. The most difficult things in the Church today is to distinguish between spiritual leadership and natural leadership. You can be a head of your tribal meeting; that does not necessarily mean you can be a leader in the Church. Here we are talking about the spirit of excellence, hence spiritual leadership.

Natural leadership deals with our natural surroundings, spiritual leadership brings natural qualities under God’s authority for maximum use to his glory and praise. Oswald J. Sanders, the great revivalist, puts it; “[Christian leadership is] a blending of natural and spiritual qualities.” In spiritual leadership, those who are called have a humble but decisive task to move the people from where they are to where God wants them to be. An excellent quality of spiritual leadership

44

is to inspire; the power to inspire to follow Jesus Christ. Leadership is influence, that is, spiritual influence. If you have someone who cannot influence you to pray, read the Bible, repent from sin, and develop the spirit of the fear of the Lord, then such a person is not a spiritual leader; such a person may be a natural leader, at least, but at most, such a person is a spiritual adventurer. Even Napoleon Bonaparte knows the difference between spiritual leadership in the Church and temporal leadership. He says: “There are only two forces in the world, the sword and the Spirit. In the long run the sword will be conquered by the Spirit.” Seek men who have the excellent leadership spirit of Jesus Christ.

If we want the best for our congregation, then we must choose the best amongst our people. People whose hearts are a well of excellence. You see excellence in their appearance, in the speech, excellence of heart. We cannot give what we do not have. Our leaders must reflect the new status of our congregation.

PCC Nsimeyong – Yaounde Eve of Elders’ election January 2014

43

see (paraphrased from James A. Michener). So,Helen Keller (1880 - 1968),an American author and lecturer was right to say, “The most pathetic person in the world is someone who has sight but has no vision.” I think we have a vision, now let us choose men and women who have sight and can do great things for the Lord.

Spirit of Excellence and Leadership

Church expert and statistician, George Barna asserts: “Leadership remains one of the glaring needs of the church. People are often willing to follow God’s vision, but too frequently they have no exposure to either vision or true leadership.” As I said somewhere, often,we have in Church, leaders who want to lead people to a place that they do not know. The most difficult things in the Church today is to distinguish between spiritual leadership and natural leadership. You can be a head of your tribal meeting; that does not necessarily mean you can be a leader in the Church. Here we are talking about the spirit of excellence, hence spiritual leadership.

Natural leadership deals with our natural surroundings, spiritual leadership brings natural qualities under God’s authority for maximum use to his glory and praise. Oswald J. Sanders, the great revivalist, puts it; “[Christian leadership is] a blending of natural and spiritual qualities.” In spiritual leadership, those who are called have a humble but decisive task to move the people from where they are to where God wants them to be. An excellent quality of spiritual leadership

44

is to inspire; the power to inspire to follow Jesus Christ. Leadership is influence, that is, spiritual influence. If you have someone who cannot influence you to pray, read the Bible, repent from sin, and develop the spirit of the fear of the Lord, then such a person is not a spiritual leader; such a person may be a natural leader, at least, but at most, such a person is a spiritual adventurer. Even Napoleon Bonaparte knows the difference between spiritual leadership in the Church and temporal leadership. He says: “There are only two forces in the world, the sword and the Spirit. In the long run the sword will be conquered by the Spirit.” Seek men who have the excellent leadership spirit of Jesus Christ.

If we want the best for our congregation, then we must choose the best amongst our people. People whose hearts are a well of excellence. You see excellence in their appearance, in the speech, excellence of heart. We cannot give what we do not have. Our leaders must reflect the new status of our congregation.

PCC Nsimeyong – Yaounde Eve of Elders’ election January 2014

45

Text: Ezekiel 34:1-10

“SHEPHERDS AND THE CHIEF SHEPHERD”

A metaphor is a complex process that reveals how we think. How we think drives our actions. Does the metaphor we use to describe Church leadership really matter? Does it really matter the way Church leaders are described? Why is Church leadership likened to the work of a shepherd? Is shepherding the most glaring example of good service? Why are Christians referred to as sheep? The sheep again is dirty, smelly, reputably stupid, unable to care for itself and prone to wandering into troublesome situations. A flock of sheep has become a metaphor for a group of the blindly led in the most uncritical way.

We live at a time when many Church leaders, Pastors to be specific prefer to be known as skilled teachers, sleek communicators, chief executive officers, innovative entrepreneurs and life coaches. Does this make the shepherd - leadership metaphor-irrelevant? A skilled veteran Pastor was once asked by a parishioner why he did not find a better example of Christian leadership than this stale kind of shepherd-sheep. The Pastor explained: “I can’t find any figure equivalent to the shepherd idea in our modern, urban

46

world,” the Pastor explained, “Besides, if I drop the shepherd and flock idea, I would have to tear about five hundred pages out of my Bible, plus leave the modern church with a distorted view of spiritual leadership.” Shepherd leadership remains a God-given model for Christian leadership, God himself, throughout scripture is pictured as a shepherd “The Lord is my shepherd.” Jesus Christ described himself as the “good shepherd.” As long as God remains the shepherd, we remain the sheep of his pasture.

The English word ‘Pastor’ derives its roots from the Latin word for shepherd. The original meaning of the Latin-derived word ‘pastor’ finds its root in the Old Testament word ‘ra'ah’ and the New Testament word ‘poimen,’ both of which mean ‘shepherd.’ A pastor is one endowed for services in the body of Christ; it is not a fixed office but a moral and spiritual relationship between God and those whom the Pastor is called to serve. “Pastor” is an official title or position in the Church, but as we know, there is no entitlement to titles without service. In the Church, everyone does the work of a Pastor, though not everyone goes with the title. The metaphorical shepherd represents “God the Father, Jesus and leaders of a congregation who help the flock to feed on the word of God and prevent them from unsound doctrine.”

A leader is one who is called to lead. What then is the difference between a shepherd and other leaders like CEOs? A shepherd leads but leading is not the only aspect in shepherding. A shepherd leads and adds pastoral care. Pastoral care involves motivation and encouragement to understand and assume the mission of Jesus Christ. As you

45

Text: Ezekiel 34:1-10

“SHEPHERDS AND THE CHIEF SHEPHERD”

A metaphor is a complex process that reveals how we think. How we think drives our actions. Does the metaphor we use to describe Church leadership really matter? Does it really matter the way Church leaders are described? Why is Church leadership likened to the work of a shepherd? Is shepherding the most glaring example of good service? Why are Christians referred to as sheep? The sheep again is dirty, smelly, reputably stupid, unable to care for itself and prone to wandering into troublesome situations. A flock of sheep has become a metaphor for a group of the blindly led in the most uncritical way.

We live at a time when many Church leaders, Pastors to be specific prefer to be known as skilled teachers, sleek communicators, chief executive officers, innovative entrepreneurs and life coaches. Does this make the shepherd - leadership metaphor-irrelevant? A skilled veteran Pastor was once asked by a parishioner why he did not find a better example of Christian leadership than this stale kind of shepherd-sheep. The Pastor explained: “I can’t find any figure equivalent to the shepherd idea in our modern, urban

46

world,” the Pastor explained, “Besides, if I drop the shepherd and flock idea, I would have to tear about five hundred pages out of my Bible, plus leave the modern church with a distorted view of spiritual leadership.” Shepherd leadership remains a God-given model for Christian leadership, God himself, throughout scripture is pictured as a shepherd “The Lord is my shepherd.” Jesus Christ described himself as the “good shepherd.” As long as God remains the shepherd, we remain the sheep of his pasture.

The English word ‘Pastor’ derives its roots from the Latin word for shepherd. The original meaning of the Latin-derived word ‘pastor’ finds its root in the Old Testament word ‘ra'ah’ and the New Testament word ‘poimen,’ both of which mean ‘shepherd.’ A pastor is one endowed for services in the body of Christ; it is not a fixed office but a moral and spiritual relationship between God and those whom the Pastor is called to serve. “Pastor” is an official title or position in the Church, but as we know, there is no entitlement to titles without service. In the Church, everyone does the work of a Pastor, though not everyone goes with the title. The metaphorical shepherd represents “God the Father, Jesus and leaders of a congregation who help the flock to feed on the word of God and prevent them from unsound doctrine.”

A leader is one who is called to lead. What then is the difference between a shepherd and other leaders like CEOs? A shepherd leads but leading is not the only aspect in shepherding. A shepherd leads and adds pastoral care. Pastoral care involves motivation and encouragement to understand and assume the mission of Jesus Christ. As you

47

can see, ministry is not achieving selfish goals; it is about growing people in Christ, whereby everyone counts: the weak, the lazy, the slow and less productive have a place in the leadership vision of the shepherd. Every shepherd-leader is first of all a sheep whotrusts God as anultimate Leader.The other descriptions of leaders in the Bible include: stewards, servants, son and prince. The implication of these metaphors is that final authority is not in the hands of the Church leader. The Church leader is a vassal, regent, deputy, and caretaker. In other words, the way we appoint leaders and equip them counts. Many bad leaders in the Church reflect a bad selection process of leadership. They are under authority themselves. Church leaders are never in-charge. A true Christian leader is a servant not a boss.

Good Christian leadership is fully founded in the theological vision of God and his work on earth. The work of God revolves around Christ’s saving work for mankind. Jesus’ will is to save all men. Having this in mind, then, a secular leader with astute entrepreneurial skills is rather concerned with profit and productivity. The secular leader sees clients as a means to an end and not an end in itself. The good shepherd model of leadership remains the model for Church ministry. In statesmanship, there are theories of power and therefore authority: The robber theory that all power is for mastery, the healing theory that all power is to amass wealth, and the good shepherd theory that all power is for service.

48

Good vs. Bad Shepherds

Our text makes a contrast between good and bad shepherds as follows:

Good Shepherds Bad Shepherds

An English proverb says: “Good pasture make fat sheep.” Christians who have left us for other churches have repeatedly said, they were not cared for when they needed us most. There may be some truth in this, which is that, if they fell for other reasons, as good shepherds we ought to have gone after them. Many desire offices in the Church, but how many are dedicated to care for the flock. The craze of new churches today is a small indication that pastoral services in ‘established churches’ have become dire. No matter how bad shepherds are, Jesus remains the Good Shepherd.

Thus,the Church is a sheepfold whose one and necessary door is Christ (Jn. 10:1-10). She is a flock which God Himself foretold that He would be the Shepherd (cf. Is. 40:11; Ez. 34:11ff.). Although guided by human shepherds, her sheep are nevertheless ceaselessly led and nourished by Christ Himself, the Good Shepherd and the Prince of Shepherds (cf. Jn. 10:11; 1 Pet. 5:4), who gave His life for the sheep (cf. Jn. 10:11-15).

- Take care of the flock. - Strengthen the weak and sick

sheep. - Rule lovingly and gently. - Gather and protect the sheep. - Give their best to the sheep.

- Take care of themselves. - Worry about their own health.

- Rule harshly and brutally. - Abandon and scatter the sheep. - Keep the best to themselves.

47

can see, ministry is not achieving selfish goals; it is about growing people in Christ, whereby everyone counts: the weak, the lazy, the slow and less productive have a place in the leadership vision of the shepherd. Every shepherd-leader is first of all a sheep whotrusts God as anultimate Leader.The other descriptions of leaders in the Bible include: stewards, servants, son and prince. The implication of these metaphors is that final authority is not in the hands of the Church leader. The Church leader is a vassal, regent, deputy, and caretaker. In other words, the way we appoint leaders and equip them counts. Many bad leaders in the Church reflect a bad selection process of leadership. They are under authority themselves. Church leaders are never in-charge. A true Christian leader is a servant not a boss.

Good Christian leadership is fully founded in the theological vision of God and his work on earth. The work of God revolves around Christ’s saving work for mankind. Jesus’ will is to save all men. Having this in mind, then, a secular leader with astute entrepreneurial skills is rather concerned with profit and productivity. The secular leader sees clients as a means to an end and not an end in itself. The good shepherd model of leadership remains the model for Church ministry. In statesmanship, there are theories of power and therefore authority: The robber theory that all power is for mastery, the healing theory that all power is to amass wealth, and the good shepherd theory that all power is for service.

48

Good vs. Bad Shepherds

Our text makes a contrast between good and bad shepherds as follows:

Good Shepherds Bad Shepherds

An English proverb says: “Good pasture make fat sheep.” Christians who have left us for other churches have repeatedly said, they were not cared for when they needed us most. There may be some truth in this, which is that, if they fell for other reasons, as good shepherds we ought to have gone after them. Many desire offices in the Church, but how many are dedicated to care for the flock. The craze of new churches today is a small indication that pastoral services in ‘established churches’ have become dire. No matter how bad shepherds are, Jesus remains the Good Shepherd.

Thus,the Church is a sheepfold whose one and necessary door is Christ (Jn. 10:1-10). She is a flock which God Himself foretold that He would be the Shepherd (cf. Is. 40:11; Ez. 34:11ff.). Although guided by human shepherds, her sheep are nevertheless ceaselessly led and nourished by Christ Himself, the Good Shepherd and the Prince of Shepherds (cf. Jn. 10:11; 1 Pet. 5:4), who gave His life for the sheep (cf. Jn. 10:11-15).

- Take care of the flock. - Strengthen the weak and sick

sheep. - Rule lovingly and gently. - Gather and protect the sheep. - Give their best to the sheep.

- Take care of themselves. - Worry about their own health.

- Rule harshly and brutally. - Abandon and scatter the sheep. - Keep the best to themselves.

49

“There was once a man who owned several hundred sheep. His servants used to take these sheep out for feeding, and each evening, as they brought them back, they found two or three missing. He asked his servants to go and look for them, but for fear of wild beasts, they did not trouble themselves about them. The owner had a love for them and wanted to save them. “If I go myself, searching for these sheep, they will not recognise me, as they have not seen me before. They would recognise my servants, but the servants will not go. So, I must become like a sheep”. He went out and found that some had gone astray and some had been wounded. They readily followed him, thinking he was a sheep like one of them. He brought them in and sat with them home, and then he took off his sheep skin. He was not sheep, but man. He became a sheep in order to save those lost sheep. So God is not man, He became man in order to savemen.”

The sweetest assurance scripture gives us is that God himself is our shepherd. The implication is that our ultimate focus for pasture and drink is God and not the shepherds amongst you. When human shepherds fail, there is still the assurance of the Lord who is a shepherd and Jesus is the good shepherd. Your Pastor may fail you,but the Lord will never fail you.

Many of us often recount Psalm 23, but wehave not yet/never met the Shepherd himself.

“Some years ago, a great actor was asked at a drawing-room function to recite for the pleasure of his fellow-guests. He consented and asked if there was anything they specially

50

wanted to hear. After a minute’s pause, an old minister asked for Psalm 23. A strange look came over the actor’s face. He paused for a moment, then said, ‘I will,on one condition – that after I have recited it, you, my friend, will do the same.’

‘I!’ said the preacher, in surprise, ‘I am not an elocutionist, but, if you wish it, I shall do so.’

Impressively, the actor began the Psalm. His voice and intonation were perfect. He held his audience spellbound, and, as he finished, a great burst of applause broke from his guests. As it died away, the old man rose and began to declaim the same Psalm. His voice was not remarkable, his tone was not faultless, but, when he finished, there was not a dry eye in the room.

The actor rose and his voice quivered as he said, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, I reached your eyes and ears: he reached your hearts. The difference is just this: I know the Psalm, but he knows the Shepherd.’”

PCC Nsimeyong – Yaounde April 4, 2013

49

“There was once a man who owned several hundred sheep. His servants used to take these sheep out for feeding, and each evening, as they brought them back, they found two or three missing. He asked his servants to go and look for them, but for fear of wild beasts, they did not trouble themselves about them. The owner had a love for them and wanted to save them. “If I go myself, searching for these sheep, they will not recognise me, as they have not seen me before. They would recognise my servants, but the servants will not go. So, I must become like a sheep”. He went out and found that some had gone astray and some had been wounded. They readily followed him, thinking he was a sheep like one of them. He brought them in and sat with them home, and then he took off his sheep skin. He was not sheep, but man. He became a sheep in order to save those lost sheep. So God is not man, He became man in order to savemen.”

The sweetest assurance scripture gives us is that God himself is our shepherd. The implication is that our ultimate focus for pasture and drink is God and not the shepherds amongst you. When human shepherds fail, there is still the assurance of the Lord who is a shepherd and Jesus is the good shepherd. Your Pastor may fail you,but the Lord will never fail you.

Many of us often recount Psalm 23, but wehave not yet/never met the Shepherd himself.

“Some years ago, a great actor was asked at a drawing-room function to recite for the pleasure of his fellow-guests. He consented and asked if there was anything they specially

50

wanted to hear. After a minute’s pause, an old minister asked for Psalm 23. A strange look came over the actor’s face. He paused for a moment, then said, ‘I will,on one condition – that after I have recited it, you, my friend, will do the same.’

‘I!’ said the preacher, in surprise, ‘I am not an elocutionist, but, if you wish it, I shall do so.’

Impressively, the actor began the Psalm. His voice and intonation were perfect. He held his audience spellbound, and, as he finished, a great burst of applause broke from his guests. As it died away, the old man rose and began to declaim the same Psalm. His voice was not remarkable, his tone was not faultless, but, when he finished, there was not a dry eye in the room.

The actor rose and his voice quivered as he said, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, I reached your eyes and ears: he reached your hearts. The difference is just this: I know the Psalm, but he knows the Shepherd.’”

PCC Nsimeyong – Yaounde April 4, 2013

51

TEXT: 2 SAMUEL 15: 1-14 & 30-31

“O LORD!CONFUSE THE PLANS OF ‘ABSALOM’”

Absalom was the third son of the legendary king of Israel, David. His mother was Maacah. Absalom, as the Bible puts it, was one-in-town in terms of size, shape and fitness; such a man, you would easily describe as every woman’s dream (2 Samuel 14:14). Absalom was “beautifully” handsome, gorgeously built and graciously endowed with charisma. The Bible is right when it describes charm as deceptive and beauty as fleeting. Some girls argue that most handsome men are playboys, so they will not marry them because they will have no peace.

Hidden behind Absalom’s finesse was the evil hand of political manipulation compared only to the unadulterated intrigues of Iago in Othello. In Act V, scene 2, lines 1-7, Othello convinced himself to kill his wife Desdemona, despite his love for her. Othello confesses:

It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul. Let me not name it to you, the stars. It is the cause. Yet I’ll not shed her blood No scar that whiter skin of hers than snow, And smooth as monumental alabaster. Yet she must die, else she will betray more men. Put out the light, and then put out the light.

52

Othello killed his wife because Iago had manipulated him to believe that she was having an inappropriate relationship with Cassio, his trusted confidant. Iago’s evil scheme was made to assist him usurp the position of Cassio. If Desdemona was killed, don’t ask me what happened to Cassio.

The Election Season draws near, we are wary of the ‘Iagos’ and the ‘Absaloms’ who manipulate their way to power and position at any cost, even at the ultimate cost of human/family blood.

This is howthe manipulation of Absalom worked out: “Also, whenever anyone approached him to bow down before him, Absalom would reach out his hand, take hold of him and kiss him. Absalom behaved in this way towards all the Israelites who came to the king asking for justice, and so he stole the hearts of the people of Israel... Then Absalom sent secret messengers throughout the tribes of Israel to say, ‘As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpets, then say, “Absalom is king in Hebron.” (2 Samuel 15: 5-6 & 10).

Absalom wanted power and position more than he intended to serve the people of God. Absalom developed a scheme called stealing the heart of the people by wooing them through back-slapping, hand kissing and cheap compliments. Absalom was a prince-in-waiting, but was not mindful of Solomon, his brother. Absalom could go to any length even against his father. Absalom successfully convinced Ahitophel, his father’s chief counsel to take side with him and crown himself king. Dearly beloved, picture

51

TEXT: 2 SAMUEL 15: 1-14 & 30-31

“O LORD!CONFUSE THE PLANS OF ‘ABSALOM’”

Absalom was the third son of the legendary king of Israel, David. His mother was Maacah. Absalom, as the Bible puts it, was one-in-town in terms of size, shape and fitness; such a man, you would easily describe as every woman’s dream (2 Samuel 14:14). Absalom was “beautifully” handsome, gorgeously built and graciously endowed with charisma. The Bible is right when it describes charm as deceptive and beauty as fleeting. Some girls argue that most handsome men are playboys, so they will not marry them because they will have no peace.

Hidden behind Absalom’s finesse was the evil hand of political manipulation compared only to the unadulterated intrigues of Iago in Othello. In Act V, scene 2, lines 1-7, Othello convinced himself to kill his wife Desdemona, despite his love for her. Othello confesses:

It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul. Let me not name it to you, the stars. It is the cause. Yet I’ll not shed her blood No scar that whiter skin of hers than snow, And smooth as monumental alabaster. Yet she must die, else she will betray more men. Put out the light, and then put out the light.

52

Othello killed his wife because Iago had manipulated him to believe that she was having an inappropriate relationship with Cassio, his trusted confidant. Iago’s evil scheme was made to assist him usurp the position of Cassio. If Desdemona was killed, don’t ask me what happened to Cassio.

The Election Season draws near, we are wary of the ‘Iagos’ and the ‘Absaloms’ who manipulate their way to power and position at any cost, even at the ultimate cost of human/family blood.

This is howthe manipulation of Absalom worked out: “Also, whenever anyone approached him to bow down before him, Absalom would reach out his hand, take hold of him and kiss him. Absalom behaved in this way towards all the Israelites who came to the king asking for justice, and so he stole the hearts of the people of Israel... Then Absalom sent secret messengers throughout the tribes of Israel to say, ‘As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpets, then say, “Absalom is king in Hebron.” (2 Samuel 15: 5-6 & 10).

Absalom wanted power and position more than he intended to serve the people of God. Absalom developed a scheme called stealing the heart of the people by wooing them through back-slapping, hand kissing and cheap compliments. Absalom was a prince-in-waiting, but was not mindful of Solomon, his brother. Absalom could go to any length even against his father. Absalom successfully convinced Ahitophel, his father’s chief counsel to take side with him and crown himself king. Dearly beloved, picture

53

thegrey old King David, crying and fleeing up the hills, away from his own son Absalom with something like an AK 47 in hand, ready to besiege the capital and ambush the royal army. Absalom wittingly manipulated the people, betrayed trust and divided the kingdom to suit his own purposes. “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people” (Proverbs 14:34). When evil men attempt to manipulate others in the congregation to ascend to power, be sure that the congregation will end up being divided into factions and the Spirit of God will give way to the spirit of Satan. “When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan” (Proverbs 29:2). O Lord, confuse the plans of ‘Absalom’.

In the face of our elections, who then is ‘Absalom’, and who possesses the spirit of Absalom in this congregation? William Shakespeare in Macbeth, Act I, scene 4, lines 10-11 says: “There is no art to find the mind’s construction on the face” and Chinua Achebe confirms it in his proverbial wisdom that, “All lizards lie prostrate, how can one know which one has belly ache?” Also, in Act I, Scene 8, line 82 of Macbeth, Macbeth tells his wife lady Macbeth, “false face must hide what the false heart does not know.” What was the falsity of his plans? To become king of Scotland.Through what means? By killing King Duncan and causing the heir-apparent, Fleance, to flee and seek asylum elsewhere. “Power doesn’t corrupt people, people corrupt power.” “The love of power is the love of ourselves.” The incredible disillusion of the greatness of power blinds almost all who seek the power of morality.

54

O Lord, confuse the plans of ‘Absalom’. The spirit of Absalom is manifesting and undermining those who are already in leadership position. That spirit is amongst some. They move round and promise Christians how they will do better than this or that Elder if they were voted. The spirit of Absalom is the spirit of camouflage, trying to be good, seeming busy before and now in the congregation, moving around seeking to visit or comfort Christians,not because it is actually intended, but for the purpose of being voted. This is what I call being a religious hypocrite. The spirit of Absalom is rooted in hidden agendas, hidden struggles and hidden alliances to get power. Absalom’s spirit manifests in self-promotion, a carefully crafted self-image, false humility, divisiveness and antagonism. While others are boisterous in their egoistic search for power, some people hope to gain power by pretending to be weak and uninterested. For others, they keep on repeating, and repeating and repeating a lie of how hard working and committed they are until this lie becomes truth. The fear of losing power can also be a corrupting influence and cause to scheme.Thus, anyone trying to manipulate his way to power has already shown great weakness and does not deserve to lead. Our people say: “Agood leader is not appointed but recognised.” Paul describes the work of spiritual impostors thus: “For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.”(2 Cor 11: 13-15)

53

thegrey old King David, crying and fleeing up the hills, away from his own son Absalom with something like an AK 47 in hand, ready to besiege the capital and ambush the royal army. Absalom wittingly manipulated the people, betrayed trust and divided the kingdom to suit his own purposes. “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people” (Proverbs 14:34). When evil men attempt to manipulate others in the congregation to ascend to power, be sure that the congregation will end up being divided into factions and the Spirit of God will give way to the spirit of Satan. “When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan” (Proverbs 29:2). O Lord, confuse the plans of ‘Absalom’.

In the face of our elections, who then is ‘Absalom’, and who possesses the spirit of Absalom in this congregation? William Shakespeare in Macbeth, Act I, scene 4, lines 10-11 says: “There is no art to find the mind’s construction on the face” and Chinua Achebe confirms it in his proverbial wisdom that, “All lizards lie prostrate, how can one know which one has belly ache?” Also, in Act I, Scene 8, line 82 of Macbeth, Macbeth tells his wife lady Macbeth, “false face must hide what the false heart does not know.” What was the falsity of his plans? To become king of Scotland.Through what means? By killing King Duncan and causing the heir-apparent, Fleance, to flee and seek asylum elsewhere. “Power doesn’t corrupt people, people corrupt power.” “The love of power is the love of ourselves.” The incredible disillusion of the greatness of power blinds almost all who seek the power of morality.

54

O Lord, confuse the plans of ‘Absalom’. The spirit of Absalom is manifesting and undermining those who are already in leadership position. That spirit is amongst some. They move round and promise Christians how they will do better than this or that Elder if they were voted. The spirit of Absalom is the spirit of camouflage, trying to be good, seeming busy before and now in the congregation, moving around seeking to visit or comfort Christians,not because it is actually intended, but for the purpose of being voted. This is what I call being a religious hypocrite. The spirit of Absalom is rooted in hidden agendas, hidden struggles and hidden alliances to get power. Absalom’s spirit manifests in self-promotion, a carefully crafted self-image, false humility, divisiveness and antagonism. While others are boisterous in their egoistic search for power, some people hope to gain power by pretending to be weak and uninterested. For others, they keep on repeating, and repeating and repeating a lie of how hard working and committed they are until this lie becomes truth. The fear of losing power can also be a corrupting influence and cause to scheme.Thus, anyone trying to manipulate his way to power has already shown great weakness and does not deserve to lead. Our people say: “Agood leader is not appointed but recognised.” Paul describes the work of spiritual impostors thus: “For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.”(2 Cor 11: 13-15)

55

In the days of Jesus, James and John, the two sons of Zebedee began to manipulate their way to power and high position. At one point, they solicited the expertise of their crooked mother as campaign manager to cone Jesus. Jesus’ answer is clear to all who are flexing their muscles to grab power at all costs: “Can you drink the cup of [suffering] I am going to drink?” He continues: “He who wants to be first must be last.” Many want power,but cannot pay the price for it. You see, leadership is a lonely journey.

A lady read the names of newly elected elders in PCC Bonaberi, Douala in 2004. Many of them by coincidence came from Bafut. She unconsciously screamed: “Manjong di work.” Does this imply anything? The nature of electoral fraud and manipulation in church elections is difficult to uncover, but it is not absent. Such manipulations take place outside the church premises. ‘Njangi’ houses suddenly become a kind of church political arena for mobilisation. Tribalism becomes the closest currency by which to purchase votes. Food, free bottles of beer and sometimes paying someone’s financial dues becomes effective campaign tools.

In myopinion, those who also really spoil elections in the congregation are those who vote for people whom they know nothing about. Equally, those who rig elections are those who do not understand exactly what the process means and where it will take the congregation to. It is your right to vote but it is not your right to install someone who will mislead the Church of God. We have an enviable right to choose our leaders today. If we blunder, we may never have a

56

chance to choose the consequences that follow having bad leaders in office. In secular politics, they say, it is unpatriotic not to vote,but in spirituality, it is honest not to vote, especially if you are not sure of what you are doing.

There are two dangerous spirits of manipulation in the Church: the spirit of Jezebel and that of Absalom; none is preferable. Do not even attempt to choose one. Woe to you who, for want of the manipulative spirits of Jezebel and Absalom, you want to betray the plan of God for this congregation. Woe to you manipulators of elections; you travel from end to end pretending to win converts for Christ but when they listen to you, you use them for your own ends.

King Solomon, arguably the wisest person in biblical times, mentions six things the Lord hates; four of them are related to the ones used by the Absaloms of our times in manipulating election: “a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers” (Proverbs 6: 18-19). My dear brethren, take the following as personal caution in order not to be led into the sin of Absalom:

• If ever you think that being a leader in the Church will boost your personal recognition, then know that malevolent and degenerative forces are at work in your life!

• If ever you seek to manipulate someone to vote for you for personal gain, you have sided with Satan and lost the anointing of God!

55

In the days of Jesus, James and John, the two sons of Zebedee began to manipulate their way to power and high position. At one point, they solicited the expertise of their crooked mother as campaign manager to cone Jesus. Jesus’ answer is clear to all who are flexing their muscles to grab power at all costs: “Can you drink the cup of [suffering] I am going to drink?” He continues: “He who wants to be first must be last.” Many want power,but cannot pay the price for it. You see, leadership is a lonely journey.

A lady read the names of newly elected elders in PCC Bonaberi, Douala in 2004. Many of them by coincidence came from Bafut. She unconsciously screamed: “Manjong di work.” Does this imply anything? The nature of electoral fraud and manipulation in church elections is difficult to uncover, but it is not absent. Such manipulations take place outside the church premises. ‘Njangi’ houses suddenly become a kind of church political arena for mobilisation. Tribalism becomes the closest currency by which to purchase votes. Food, free bottles of beer and sometimes paying someone’s financial dues becomes effective campaign tools.

In myopinion, those who also really spoil elections in the congregation are those who vote for people whom they know nothing about. Equally, those who rig elections are those who do not understand exactly what the process means and where it will take the congregation to. It is your right to vote but it is not your right to install someone who will mislead the Church of God. We have an enviable right to choose our leaders today. If we blunder, we may never have a

56

chance to choose the consequences that follow having bad leaders in office. In secular politics, they say, it is unpatriotic not to vote,but in spirituality, it is honest not to vote, especially if you are not sure of what you are doing.

There are two dangerous spirits of manipulation in the Church: the spirit of Jezebel and that of Absalom; none is preferable. Do not even attempt to choose one. Woe to you who, for want of the manipulative spirits of Jezebel and Absalom, you want to betray the plan of God for this congregation. Woe to you manipulators of elections; you travel from end to end pretending to win converts for Christ but when they listen to you, you use them for your own ends.

King Solomon, arguably the wisest person in biblical times, mentions six things the Lord hates; four of them are related to the ones used by the Absaloms of our times in manipulating election: “a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers” (Proverbs 6: 18-19). My dear brethren, take the following as personal caution in order not to be led into the sin of Absalom:

• If ever you think that being a leader in the Church will boost your personal recognition, then know that malevolent and degenerative forces are at work in your life!

• If ever you seek to manipulate someone to vote for you for personal gain, you have sided with Satan and lost the anointing of God!

57

• If ever you dig a pit to discredit another person because of election, you are sure to be buriedin that very grave!

• If ever you believe that you need what someone else has to be happy, whether it is possessions or position, you have lost sight of God, lost your security in Him and you are right inside Absalom’s spirit.

• If ever you are not content with your little position of service and you want another person’s position by hook or by crook, you can be sure you won’t be content with that either.

• If ever you sow seeds of dissention and division, you can be sure that you are operating in the spirit of Luciferand not the Christ of Calvary!

O Lord!Confuse the plan of ‘Absalom’. David prayed a similar prayer against his chief adviser,Ahitophel, who had taken side with Absalom and declared himself king. David, a grey old man, who had given his life to God, built the nation of Israel and fought the invading armies of the neighbours of the sub-region; saw his efforts dashed by his son Absalom. The throne was threatened, his territory was terrorised, his people had become feeble, and his pride was priced out. He had been betrayed by a trusted son and a trusted guard. He had no energy again except to open his mouth with a voice, yet a heart touching prayer:

O Lord!TurnAhitophel’s counsel into foolishness.

I believe God heard his prayer. We have laboured and built this congregation; woe to anyone who wants to destroy it! Woe to anyone who wants to force himself into office! Woe to

58

all manipulators! Woe to all who are fanning the flames of manipulators… I have no energy but I can still shout to God and I believe he listens: O Lord, confuse the plans of “Absalom”… Amen.

PCC Nsimeyong – Yaounde Eve of Elders Election February 2014

57

• If ever you dig a pit to discredit another person because of election, you are sure to be buriedin that very grave!

• If ever you believe that you need what someone else has to be happy, whether it is possessions or position, you have lost sight of God, lost your security in Him and you are right inside Absalom’s spirit.

• If ever you are not content with your little position of service and you want another person’s position by hook or by crook, you can be sure you won’t be content with that either.

• If ever you sow seeds of dissention and division, you can be sure that you are operating in the spirit of Luciferand not the Christ of Calvary!

O Lord!Confuse the plan of ‘Absalom’. David prayed a similar prayer against his chief adviser,Ahitophel, who had taken side with Absalom and declared himself king. David, a grey old man, who had given his life to God, built the nation of Israel and fought the invading armies of the neighbours of the sub-region; saw his efforts dashed by his son Absalom. The throne was threatened, his territory was terrorised, his people had become feeble, and his pride was priced out. He had been betrayed by a trusted son and a trusted guard. He had no energy again except to open his mouth with a voice, yet a heart touching prayer:

O Lord!TurnAhitophel’s counsel into foolishness.

I believe God heard his prayer. We have laboured and built this congregation; woe to anyone who wants to destroy it! Woe to anyone who wants to force himself into office! Woe to

58

all manipulators! Woe to all who are fanning the flames of manipulators… I have no energy but I can still shout to God and I believe he listens: O Lord, confuse the plans of “Absalom”… Amen.

PCC Nsimeyong – Yaounde Eve of Elders Election February 2014

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TEXT: JEREMIAH 5:1

“LEADERS WHO STAND IN THE GAP”

On the eve of leadership election in the congregation, we trust the Holy Spirit to help us find persons who can stand in the gap or stand in between God’s judgement and God’s people, and intercede. Ours is a sin-sick society waiting for God’s decisive judgement. Ours is a sin-sick congregation at the verge of a highly combative invasion by Satan’s legion.

Thus, our text from Jeremiah is poignant: “Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem, look around and consider, search through her squares. If you find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive this city”(Jeremiah 5:1).

We can paraphrase this verse to fit our context as we meditate on who can become elder of the congregation as follows; “Go to the front, back and balcony of our congregation, look around and consider, search amongst the list of the nominees. If you can just find people who are spiritually worthy, I will bless this congregation.”

Dear congregation, spiritual leaders in their relationship with Jesus Christ will be the extension of God’s blessing to his people. Show me a congregation imbued with spiritual leaders and I will show you many opportunities for blessings. Therefore, a congregation that chooses to vote its

60

own type of leaders, not the type God wants, risks being spiritually starved for a long time.

Someone has said, ‘honest people are an endangered species in Cameroon’. In other words, honest people are rare to find to the extent that they face extinction. Sadly enough, this is also true of the Church. Recently, I heard someone say there are so many churchgoers and few Christians; there arefew Christians but even fewer believers, many deacons but few disciples; many churches but no Christianity. And for our election, many nominees, but how many God-fearing and prayerful ones?

Diogenes was a Greek philosopher who lived during the fourth century B.C. According to tradition, he renounced all worldly goods, made his home in a borrowed [bath] tub, and went through the streets of Athens with a lighted lamp in broad daylight,searching for a ‘good’ man. More than two centuries before Diogenes, Jeremiah searched the streets of Jerusalem looking for one righteous man. Instead,he found widespread sin and flagrant wickedness.

Search through the list of nominees, can you find the calibre of persons God wants? I mean righteous people, spiritually gifted people and people who carry along with them the glory of God. Each time someone talks about spiritually filled, prayerful and righteous Christians, the barrage of opposition from the congregation about this type of idea is surprising. Nobody wants to agree that there are some who are righteous and others who are unrighteous. Take it or

59

TEXT: JEREMIAH 5:1

“LEADERS WHO STAND IN THE GAP”

On the eve of leadership election in the congregation, we trust the Holy Spirit to help us find persons who can stand in the gap or stand in between God’s judgement and God’s people, and intercede. Ours is a sin-sick society waiting for God’s decisive judgement. Ours is a sin-sick congregation at the verge of a highly combative invasion by Satan’s legion.

Thus, our text from Jeremiah is poignant: “Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem, look around and consider, search through her squares. If you find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive this city”(Jeremiah 5:1).

We can paraphrase this verse to fit our context as we meditate on who can become elder of the congregation as follows; “Go to the front, back and balcony of our congregation, look around and consider, search amongst the list of the nominees. If you can just find people who are spiritually worthy, I will bless this congregation.”

Dear congregation, spiritual leaders in their relationship with Jesus Christ will be the extension of God’s blessing to his people. Show me a congregation imbued with spiritual leaders and I will show you many opportunities for blessings. Therefore, a congregation that chooses to vote its

60

own type of leaders, not the type God wants, risks being spiritually starved for a long time.

Someone has said, ‘honest people are an endangered species in Cameroon’. In other words, honest people are rare to find to the extent that they face extinction. Sadly enough, this is also true of the Church. Recently, I heard someone say there are so many churchgoers and few Christians; there arefew Christians but even fewer believers, many deacons but few disciples; many churches but no Christianity. And for our election, many nominees, but how many God-fearing and prayerful ones?

Diogenes was a Greek philosopher who lived during the fourth century B.C. According to tradition, he renounced all worldly goods, made his home in a borrowed [bath] tub, and went through the streets of Athens with a lighted lamp in broad daylight,searching for a ‘good’ man. More than two centuries before Diogenes, Jeremiah searched the streets of Jerusalem looking for one righteous man. Instead,he found widespread sin and flagrant wickedness.

Search through the list of nominees, can you find the calibre of persons God wants? I mean righteous people, spiritually gifted people and people who carry along with them the glory of God. Each time someone talks about spiritually filled, prayerful and righteous Christians, the barrage of opposition from the congregation about this type of idea is surprising. Nobody wants to agree that there are some who are righteous and others who are unrighteous. Take it or

61

leave it! In the Church there are sheep and there are goats, there are evil people and there are good ones, and now is the time to search for them. Thus, our text says:

“Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem, look around and consider, search through her squares. If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive this city (Jer. 5:1).

Take note of four action words: Go, look, find and search. Each word has a meaning and an implication.

Go – It is a command in the active voice, it indicates urgency like “Go now!”

Look – Carefully open your eyes and mind as you try to find.

Search – Judge, discern or meditate on the calibre God wants.

Find – Select or make a choice.

The implication of this passage on our election is clear, that is, it is difficult to make a choice when God asks us to do so. Anyone who says it is easy to select Elders must have just said that they did not look carefully, or consider meditatively. Such careless selection will only install the leaders we want, not those that God wants. The consequence is that we would have men and women who cannot stand in our gap.

Once, I read a Newsweek magazine and the author had described sin in America in spaces and metres: the caption of the article was.“Every square metre of sin.” The author of the

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article drew a tea cup and on it was a woman fully stretched naked. Indicating that evil in the USA was so common to be found even on a tea cup. America! Yes!America where we dream to go to – all that glitters is not gold. In Cameroon, all that is gold stinks.

Evil could fill a tea cup to the brim in the days of Jeremiah. The sin in the days of Jeremiah was that of evil kings and priests who failed to guide the people away from idolatry. God lamented to Jeremiah “Has a people ever changed its gods? But many people have exchanged their glory for worthless idols” (Jer.2:11). A little further, God lamented: “Does a maiden forget her jewellery, a bride her wedding ornaments? Yet my people have forgotten me, days without number.” God had become frustrated with the stinking stench of sin in Israel. The depravity of the human mind, the calumny of the human heart and the despicable dazzling sight of evil. Ah! The Lord Almighty said, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it” (Jer. 17:9). “Then the LORD said to me (Jeremiah), “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds” (Jer 14:14). God in his chagrin promised to bring judgement: "I will send four kinds of destroyers against them," declares the LORD, "the sword to kill and the dogs to drag away and the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth to devour and destroy… (As if this was not enough, the Lord continued)I will make their widows more numerous than the sand of the sea. At

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leave it! In the Church there are sheep and there are goats, there are evil people and there are good ones, and now is the time to search for them. Thus, our text says:

“Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem, look around and consider, search through her squares. If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive this city (Jer. 5:1).

Take note of four action words: Go, look, find and search. Each word has a meaning and an implication.

Go – It is a command in the active voice, it indicates urgency like “Go now!”

Look – Carefully open your eyes and mind as you try to find.

Search – Judge, discern or meditate on the calibre God wants.

Find – Select or make a choice.

The implication of this passage on our election is clear, that is, it is difficult to make a choice when God asks us to do so. Anyone who says it is easy to select Elders must have just said that they did not look carefully, or consider meditatively. Such careless selection will only install the leaders we want, not those that God wants. The consequence is that we would have men and women who cannot stand in our gap.

Once, I read a Newsweek magazine and the author had described sin in America in spaces and metres: the caption of the article was.“Every square metre of sin.” The author of the

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article drew a tea cup and on it was a woman fully stretched naked. Indicating that evil in the USA was so common to be found even on a tea cup. America! Yes!America where we dream to go to – all that glitters is not gold. In Cameroon, all that is gold stinks.

Evil could fill a tea cup to the brim in the days of Jeremiah. The sin in the days of Jeremiah was that of evil kings and priests who failed to guide the people away from idolatry. God lamented to Jeremiah “Has a people ever changed its gods? But many people have exchanged their glory for worthless idols” (Jer.2:11). A little further, God lamented: “Does a maiden forget her jewellery, a bride her wedding ornaments? Yet my people have forgotten me, days without number.” God had become frustrated with the stinking stench of sin in Israel. The depravity of the human mind, the calumny of the human heart and the despicable dazzling sight of evil. Ah! The Lord Almighty said, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it” (Jer. 17:9). “Then the LORD said to me (Jeremiah), “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds” (Jer 14:14). God in his chagrin promised to bring judgement: "I will send four kinds of destroyers against them," declares the LORD, "the sword to kill and the dogs to drag away and the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth to devour and destroy… (As if this was not enough, the Lord continued)I will make their widows more numerous than the sand of the sea. At

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midday I will bring a destroyer against the mothers of their young men; suddenly I will bring down on them anguish and terror (Jer 15:3 & 8).

It was in such charade that God asked Jeremiah to “Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem, look around and consider, search through her squares. If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive this city (Jer 5:1). Just one person! The whole nation, had gone berserk in sin and just one righteous person was rare to find. We used to describe Sodom as the worst place of sin on earth; this is not true. Sodom had at least 10 righteous people, in Jerusalem one could barely be found.

Dear congregation, if one righteous person was expected to stand in the gap and heal an entire city, consider what will happen if we have 22 elders of prayer and intercession. The Lord Almighty says: if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).

The one man whom Jeremiah sought was to STAND IN THE GAP. What does it mean to stand in the gap? Here are two illustrations to exemplify this: All cities in Israel were circled with a wall. A gap or breach in a city wall was a hole that an enemy used to enter the city and destroy its inhabitants. The only way to prevent the enemy from entering was for some men to risk their lives and stand in the gap or

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opening,and fight the enemy. Another illustration is the wall of the house. In between two cement blocks on a wall is a gap; mortar or cement is put in between to bind and strengthen the walls. To stand in the gap is to go between; it is to hold firm and strengthen. The man Jeremiah was asked to search and find,had three tasks:

a) To stand in the place of the people, b) To warn them to repent, c) To plead with God to have mercy.

In spiritual language, to stand in the gap is to intercede or pray to calm down and circumvent the anger of God. The word “intercede” is a combination of two Latin words: ‘inter’ which means ‘between’ and ‘ceed’ which also means ‘go’. To intercede or pray therefore, means to “go between.”Abraham stood in the gap when he prayed to God to turn his anger against the Sodomites. Abraham took God to task; he kept bargaining and haggling God like someone beating down the price in a “big mop” market. Abraham was an intercessor, he had a personal relationshipwith God; he had love for the people he was interceding for; he also knew the ways of God.

Dear congregation, what type of Elders do we need? We need Elders who can stand in the gap for the congregation. The great Church revivalist, E.M. Bounds, wondered aloud when he said, “The church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men. The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods but through men, he does not come on machineries but men, he does not anoint plans but men…

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midday I will bring a destroyer against the mothers of their young men; suddenly I will bring down on them anguish and terror (Jer 15:3 & 8).

It was in such charade that God asked Jeremiah to “Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem, look around and consider, search through her squares. If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive this city (Jer 5:1). Just one person! The whole nation, had gone berserk in sin and just one righteous person was rare to find. We used to describe Sodom as the worst place of sin on earth; this is not true. Sodom had at least 10 righteous people, in Jerusalem one could barely be found.

Dear congregation, if one righteous person was expected to stand in the gap and heal an entire city, consider what will happen if we have 22 elders of prayer and intercession. The Lord Almighty says: if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).

The one man whom Jeremiah sought was to STAND IN THE GAP. What does it mean to stand in the gap? Here are two illustrations to exemplify this: All cities in Israel were circled with a wall. A gap or breach in a city wall was a hole that an enemy used to enter the city and destroy its inhabitants. The only way to prevent the enemy from entering was for some men to risk their lives and stand in the gap or

64

opening,and fight the enemy. Another illustration is the wall of the house. In between two cement blocks on a wall is a gap; mortar or cement is put in between to bind and strengthen the walls. To stand in the gap is to go between; it is to hold firm and strengthen. The man Jeremiah was asked to search and find,had three tasks:

a) To stand in the place of the people, b) To warn them to repent, c) To plead with God to have mercy.

In spiritual language, to stand in the gap is to intercede or pray to calm down and circumvent the anger of God. The word “intercede” is a combination of two Latin words: ‘inter’ which means ‘between’ and ‘ceed’ which also means ‘go’. To intercede or pray therefore, means to “go between.”Abraham stood in the gap when he prayed to God to turn his anger against the Sodomites. Abraham took God to task; he kept bargaining and haggling God like someone beating down the price in a “big mop” market. Abraham was an intercessor, he had a personal relationshipwith God; he had love for the people he was interceding for; he also knew the ways of God.

Dear congregation, what type of Elders do we need? We need Elders who can stand in the gap for the congregation. The great Church revivalist, E.M. Bounds, wondered aloud when he said, “The church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men. The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods but through men, he does not come on machineries but men, he does not anoint plans but men…

65

men of prayer…” Yes!Men and women of prayer, indeed who can stand in the gap for the congregation.

Men and women who can stand: Between good and evil in the church, Between idleness and action in the church, Between the spiritually dead and the spiritually alive in the church,Between divine instruction and spiritual ignorance in the church, Between intercession (prayerfulness) and indifference (prayerlessness). Jesus Christ says to the church; watch and pray!

In the Church are God’s people and just at the corner are evil men trying to enter through the cracks and holes of their lives. These holes are caused by human weaknesses, the threat of guilt on consciences, failures, chinks in personalities; some who are recently healed from sin but not wholly healed from emotional wounds. Far from these, God’s finger is warning us, the wages of sin are inviting cruel deaths on us, the curses of our immorality is hanging on our heads, human blood stains on our fingers are pointing back at us, declaring our doomsday, lying tongues are about to be exposed with grave consequences, night gatherings that betray usare to be exposed. We need Elders who can stand in the gap and warn us of the immorality of our spirituality, the emptiness of our church going, and the unproductivity of our church activities.We need Elders who can pray for the Lord’s forgiveness and comfort.

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To stand in the gap is not a quick one-time thing. Rather, it is a regular request brought before the Lord many times until results are seen. So,prayer is a lifestyle and a spiritual relationship with God. We need Elders who pray more and talk less. We need Elders who do not just mentally agree that prayer is good but who actually pray.

When we have church leaders who do not fellowship with their Christians spiritually, the devil smiles. When our church leaders don't study the word of God, the devil laughs. When our leaders cannot pray for themselves and with their Christians, the devil shouts. In times of worry, if Elders pray, God will do the worrying for us.

Dear congregation, make no error in your choice of Elders. Choose people who can intercede on our behalf, for running errands around the congregation does not replace prayers. A German proverb says: “Pray as though no work would help and work as though prayer would help.”

Often, we lean on our own understanding, or count on some type of services rendered by ourselves in the church and do away with prayers. So,we succeed externally but fail eternally because in the eternal we succeed only by prevailing prayers (Chambers, paraphrased).

A man once went out lion hunting. Suddenly he saw a big lion coming towards him. He waited with his gun until the lion got nearer, to make sure that he would not miss it. Then he pulled the trigger and nothing happened! He had no bullets in his gun. Terrified he went down on his knees,

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men of prayer…” Yes!Men and women of prayer, indeed who can stand in the gap for the congregation.

Men and women who can stand: Between good and evil in the church, Between idleness and action in the church, Between the spiritually dead and the spiritually alive in the church,Between divine instruction and spiritual ignorance in the church, Between intercession (prayerfulness) and indifference (prayerlessness). Jesus Christ says to the church; watch and pray!

In the Church are God’s people and just at the corner are evil men trying to enter through the cracks and holes of their lives. These holes are caused by human weaknesses, the threat of guilt on consciences, failures, chinks in personalities; some who are recently healed from sin but not wholly healed from emotional wounds. Far from these, God’s finger is warning us, the wages of sin are inviting cruel deaths on us, the curses of our immorality is hanging on our heads, human blood stains on our fingers are pointing back at us, declaring our doomsday, lying tongues are about to be exposed with grave consequences, night gatherings that betray usare to be exposed. We need Elders who can stand in the gap and warn us of the immorality of our spirituality, the emptiness of our church going, and the unproductivity of our church activities.We need Elders who can pray for the Lord’s forgiveness and comfort.

66

To stand in the gap is not a quick one-time thing. Rather, it is a regular request brought before the Lord many times until results are seen. So,prayer is a lifestyle and a spiritual relationship with God. We need Elders who pray more and talk less. We need Elders who do not just mentally agree that prayer is good but who actually pray.

When we have church leaders who do not fellowship with their Christians spiritually, the devil smiles. When our church leaders don't study the word of God, the devil laughs. When our leaders cannot pray for themselves and with their Christians, the devil shouts. In times of worry, if Elders pray, God will do the worrying for us.

Dear congregation, make no error in your choice of Elders. Choose people who can intercede on our behalf, for running errands around the congregation does not replace prayers. A German proverb says: “Pray as though no work would help and work as though prayer would help.”

Often, we lean on our own understanding, or count on some type of services rendered by ourselves in the church and do away with prayers. So,we succeed externally but fail eternally because in the eternal we succeed only by prevailing prayers (Chambers, paraphrased).

A man once went out lion hunting. Suddenly he saw a big lion coming towards him. He waited with his gun until the lion got nearer, to make sure that he would not miss it. Then he pulled the trigger and nothing happened! He had no bullets in his gun. Terrified he went down on his knees,

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shaking all over. The lion came bounding up and seeing him on his knees it also went down on its knees. “What are you doing?” asked the man, trembling with fright. “I’m saying my grace before meals.” Said the lion.(Anonymous)

However, the lion was tamed,and it did not eat up the man because of the power of prevailing prayer. “There is no power like that of prevailing prayer - of Abraham pleading for Sodom, Jacob wrestling in the stillness of the night, Moses standing in the breach, Hannah intoxicated with sorrow, David heartbroken with remorse and grief, Jesus in sweat and blood… Such prayer prevails. It turns ordinary mortals into men of power. It brings power. It brings fire. It brings rain. It brings life. It brings God.”Paul says to the Church: pray without ceasing.

In the days of prophet Ezekiel, the prophet lamented: “I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so that I would not have to destroy it, but I found none. So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done, declares the Sovereign LORD” (Ezekiel 22: 30-31). If we vote in dishonesty without the help of the Holy Spirit, we may end up with no one to stand in our gap. In other words, a generous number of prayerless people. A prayerless Church is a powerless church; a prayerless Church is a dead church. A prayerless Church is an inefficient organisation. A prayerlessChurch leader is a faithless leader.

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Samuel Chadwick, the great revivalist and prayerful example of his time, was right to say: “Satan dreads nothing but prayer. His one concern is to keep the saints from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, he mocks our wisdom, but he trembles when we pray.”

When Church leaders do not pray, they:

Disobey God (1 Samuel 12:23). Disobey Christ’s command (“watch and pray,” Matthew 26:41).

Disobey the Word of God (“pray without ceasing,” 1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Are vulnerable to temptation (“watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation,” Matthew 26:41).

Express independence - no need for God. Give place to the enemy and are vulnerable to his

schemes (Ephesians 6:10-20). Are powerless Limit their relationship with God. Hinder themselves from knowing His will, His

priorities, His direction. Are forced to operate in the realm of the natural (what I

can do) versus the supernatural (what He can do). Are left weak, harried, and hassled. Are rooted in pride, self-sufficiency, laziness, and lack

of discipline. God wants to forgive our congregation! Who are those to pray for us? There are answers to prayers all over heaven before the foundation of the age, who can stand in our gap and bring

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shaking all over. The lion came bounding up and seeing him on his knees it also went down on its knees. “What are you doing?” asked the man, trembling with fright. “I’m saying my grace before meals.” Said the lion.(Anonymous)

However, the lion was tamed,and it did not eat up the man because of the power of prevailing prayer. “There is no power like that of prevailing prayer - of Abraham pleading for Sodom, Jacob wrestling in the stillness of the night, Moses standing in the breach, Hannah intoxicated with sorrow, David heartbroken with remorse and grief, Jesus in sweat and blood… Such prayer prevails. It turns ordinary mortals into men of power. It brings power. It brings fire. It brings rain. It brings life. It brings God.”Paul says to the Church: pray without ceasing.

In the days of prophet Ezekiel, the prophet lamented: “I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so that I would not have to destroy it, but I found none. So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done, declares the Sovereign LORD” (Ezekiel 22: 30-31). If we vote in dishonesty without the help of the Holy Spirit, we may end up with no one to stand in our gap. In other words, a generous number of prayerless people. A prayerless Church is a powerless church; a prayerless Church is a dead church. A prayerless Church is an inefficient organisation. A prayerlessChurch leader is a faithless leader.

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Samuel Chadwick, the great revivalist and prayerful example of his time, was right to say: “Satan dreads nothing but prayer. His one concern is to keep the saints from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, he mocks our wisdom, but he trembles when we pray.”

When Church leaders do not pray, they:

Disobey God (1 Samuel 12:23). Disobey Christ’s command (“watch and pray,” Matthew 26:41).

Disobey the Word of God (“pray without ceasing,” 1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Are vulnerable to temptation (“watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation,” Matthew 26:41).

Express independence - no need for God. Give place to the enemy and are vulnerable to his

schemes (Ephesians 6:10-20). Are powerless Limit their relationship with God. Hinder themselves from knowing His will, His

priorities, His direction. Are forced to operate in the realm of the natural (what I

can do) versus the supernatural (what He can do). Are left weak, harried, and hassled. Are rooted in pride, self-sufficiency, laziness, and lack

of discipline. God wants to forgive our congregation! Who are those to pray for us? There are answers to prayers all over heaven before the foundation of the age, who can stand in our gap and bring

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these answers down…? Nsimeyong you have a choice to make. Amen

PCC Nsimeyong – Yaounde Eve of Elders election February 2014

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TEXT: 1 TIM 4: 12B

“LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE”

Before now, the most famous leadership styles in the craft of statesmanship were: The Hireling Leadership Style:Those who were hirelings saw leadership as a means to selfishly exploit the led for their own gains. The Machiavellic Leadership Style: Those who were machiavellic in their style of leadership said, “The ends justify the means”, that is, the leader may use every evil method to achieve set out goals. In his book, The Prince,Niccolo Machiavelli once said, “The lion cannot protect himself from the traps and the fox cannot protect himself from the wolves. One must therefore be a fox to recognise traps and a lion to frighten wolves.”- Pretence! Intrigues! And Shrewdness! Are these your hallmarks for leadership?

Recently, I met some church leaders who were justifying their abuse of church office with the opinion that, “leadership is leadership, whether in the Church or in the world.” Is this not a case of governance without morality and leadership without spirituality? The last of the leadership styles is the Good Shepherd Style of Leadership: the Good Shepherd lays down his life for his sheep; He risks being killed if only the sheep will be saved. The Good Shepherd is Jesus Christ and his style of leadership is immensely demonstrated by

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these answers down…? Nsimeyong you have a choice to make. Amen

PCC Nsimeyong – Yaounde Eve of Elders election February 2014

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TEXT: 1 TIM 4: 12B

“LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE”

Before now, the most famous leadership styles in the craft of statesmanship were: The Hireling Leadership Style:Those who were hirelings saw leadership as a means to selfishly exploit the led for their own gains. The Machiavellic Leadership Style: Those who were machiavellic in their style of leadership said, “The ends justify the means”, that is, the leader may use every evil method to achieve set out goals. In his book, The Prince,Niccolo Machiavelli once said, “The lion cannot protect himself from the traps and the fox cannot protect himself from the wolves. One must therefore be a fox to recognise traps and a lion to frighten wolves.”- Pretence! Intrigues! And Shrewdness! Are these your hallmarks for leadership?

Recently, I met some church leaders who were justifying their abuse of church office with the opinion that, “leadership is leadership, whether in the Church or in the world.” Is this not a case of governance without morality and leadership without spirituality? The last of the leadership styles is the Good Shepherd Style of Leadership: the Good Shepherd lays down his life for his sheep; He risks being killed if only the sheep will be saved. The Good Shepherd is Jesus Christ and his style of leadership is immensely demonstrated by

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servanthood. He says, "I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep”(John 10:11).

“There was once a man who owned several hundred sheep, his servants used to take these sheep out for feeding, and each evening, as they brought them back, they found two or three missing. He asked his servants to go and look for them, but for fear of wild beasts, they did not trouble themselves about them. The owner had love for them and wanted to save them. “If I go myself, searching for these sheep, they will not recognise me, as they have not seen me before. They would recognise my servants, but the servants will not go. So I must become like a sheep.” He went out and found that some had gone astray and some had been wounded. They readily followed him, thinking that he was a sheep like one of them. He brought them in and sat with them and fed them. When he had saved all the sheep and brought them home, then he took off his sheep skin. He was not sheep, but man. He became sheep in order to save those lost sheep. So God is not man, He became man in order to save men” (Sadhu Sundar Singh). Jesus is the Good Shepherd and He leads by example (Anonymous)

Jesus also says, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave” (Mt. 20:25-27).

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“We lead by serving and serve by leading.” We can liken Jesus’ Shepherd Leadership style to the contemporary transformational leadership theory otherwise known as leadership by example and influence.

James McGregor Burns propounded the transformational Leadership theory in 1978. In addition to the work of Burns, Bernard M. Bass explained in 1985, the psychological mechanism underlying the transformational leadership style. In simple terms, the transformational leadership style is leadership by example or leadership that seeks to “influence without authority”. Influence and example are related; a good example influences and an influence could be exercised through a good example. John C. Maxwell, in the same line as Burns, defines Leadership as“influence, nothing more, and nothing less.” Myles Munroe, the evangelist from the Bahamas,says:“Leadership is the capacity to influence others through inspiration motivated by a person, generated by a vision produced by a conviction, ignited by a purpose.”

Therefore:

Christian Transformational Leadership is leadership which declares biblical or Christian Foundation, or is specifically directed to the church. It holds that a leader’s vision, character, persuasiveness and ability to strategise, guarantees that he or she will be influential (transformational) to achieve shared goals.

Influence is not the same as manipulation. Manipulation is to motivate people in a dishonest way,

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servanthood. He says, "I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep”(John 10:11).

“There was once a man who owned several hundred sheep, his servants used to take these sheep out for feeding, and each evening, as they brought them back, they found two or three missing. He asked his servants to go and look for them, but for fear of wild beasts, they did not trouble themselves about them. The owner had love for them and wanted to save them. “If I go myself, searching for these sheep, they will not recognise me, as they have not seen me before. They would recognise my servants, but the servants will not go. So I must become like a sheep.” He went out and found that some had gone astray and some had been wounded. They readily followed him, thinking that he was a sheep like one of them. He brought them in and sat with them and fed them. When he had saved all the sheep and brought them home, then he took off his sheep skin. He was not sheep, but man. He became sheep in order to save those lost sheep. So God is not man, He became man in order to save men” (Sadhu Sundar Singh). Jesus is the Good Shepherd and He leads by example (Anonymous)

Jesus also says, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave” (Mt. 20:25-27).

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“We lead by serving and serve by leading.” We can liken Jesus’ Shepherd Leadership style to the contemporary transformational leadership theory otherwise known as leadership by example and influence.

James McGregor Burns propounded the transformational Leadership theory in 1978. In addition to the work of Burns, Bernard M. Bass explained in 1985, the psychological mechanism underlying the transformational leadership style. In simple terms, the transformational leadership style is leadership by example or leadership that seeks to “influence without authority”. Influence and example are related; a good example influences and an influence could be exercised through a good example. John C. Maxwell, in the same line as Burns, defines Leadership as“influence, nothing more, and nothing less.” Myles Munroe, the evangelist from the Bahamas,says:“Leadership is the capacity to influence others through inspiration motivated by a person, generated by a vision produced by a conviction, ignited by a purpose.”

Therefore:

Christian Transformational Leadership is leadership which declares biblical or Christian Foundation, or is specifically directed to the church. It holds that a leader’s vision, character, persuasiveness and ability to strategise, guarantees that he or she will be influential (transformational) to achieve shared goals.

Influence is not the same as manipulation. Manipulation is to motivate people in a dishonest way,

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whereas influence is about the hidden forces that make visible results which have an enduring effect”. “Spiritual influence and leadership take place at the level of the human spirit, and they are prompted by the Spirit of God, who works to reform the human spirit, bringing people back to the shape God designed in the first place.” The goal of Christian leadership is to lead people to Jesus Christ. It is not primarily running about some church chores.

Dear Pastors, leadership is action, not position. Leadership is the spiritual state of one’s heart. Pastors should have an idealised influence, I mean, Pastors should have a clear set of values, demonstrating them in every action, thus,posing as rolemodels for Christians; while Jesus remains our model par excellence. Paul demonstrates this when he says; “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1). This is boldness in the Spirit, not spiritual arrogance. This is raw spiritual confidence.Jesus was an example to Paul. Paul was an example to Timothy and Timothy was sent to be an example of Paul to the Christians of Corinth (1 Cor. 4: 16-17). Jesus is our great example, but then, who inspires you to follow Jesus’ example in the PCC?

As we grew up, we heard things like this, “Do what I say and not what I do.” What does this mean today? How does such a philosophy shape our knowledge of leadership? Paul says to Timothy, “Set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”(1 Tim. 4:12b).Note the five cardinal points of living an exemplary and influential life as a Pastor (i. Speech; ii. Life; iii. Love; iv.

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Faith; v. purity). I try to explain these five things in other words:

The value of time.The success of perseverance.The pleasure of working.The dignity of simplicity.The worth of character.The improvement of talent.The influence of example.The obligation of duty.The wisdom of economy.The virtue of patience.The joy of originating.The temptation of darkness.(Anonymous)

Collin Powell, the US Military General, has in recent times given a simple metre to measure if one is an influential leader. He told his subordinates this: “The day soldiers stop bringing their problems to you is the day you have stopped leading them…” We can equally say the day Christians stop bringing their problems to you is the day you have stopped being a Pastor. Today, I call you to reflect on the following qualities of a good leader the apostle Paul has listed in 1 Tim. 3: 1-7:

Blameless: Am I quick to improve those areas that can damage my integrity? Husband of one wife:Do I love my wife as Christ loved the church? Temperate, sober-minded, of good behaviour: Am I master of myself, that I may be a servant to many? Hospitable: Do I exhibit a warm and welcoming spirit? Able to teach: Do I consistently help others learn and become better disciples? Not given to wine: Am I sober, watchful and diligent, so that I do not damage those who watch me?

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whereas influence is about the hidden forces that make visible results which have an enduring effect”. “Spiritual influence and leadership take place at the level of the human spirit, and they are prompted by the Spirit of God, who works to reform the human spirit, bringing people back to the shape God designed in the first place.” The goal of Christian leadership is to lead people to Jesus Christ. It is not primarily running about some church chores.

Dear Pastors, leadership is action, not position. Leadership is the spiritual state of one’s heart. Pastors should have an idealised influence, I mean, Pastors should have a clear set of values, demonstrating them in every action, thus,posing as rolemodels for Christians; while Jesus remains our model par excellence. Paul demonstrates this when he says; “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1). This is boldness in the Spirit, not spiritual arrogance. This is raw spiritual confidence.Jesus was an example to Paul. Paul was an example to Timothy and Timothy was sent to be an example of Paul to the Christians of Corinth (1 Cor. 4: 16-17). Jesus is our great example, but then, who inspires you to follow Jesus’ example in the PCC?

As we grew up, we heard things like this, “Do what I say and not what I do.” What does this mean today? How does such a philosophy shape our knowledge of leadership? Paul says to Timothy, “Set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”(1 Tim. 4:12b).Note the five cardinal points of living an exemplary and influential life as a Pastor (i. Speech; ii. Life; iii. Love; iv.

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Faith; v. purity). I try to explain these five things in other words:

The value of time.The success of perseverance.The pleasure of working.The dignity of simplicity.The worth of character.The improvement of talent.The influence of example.The obligation of duty.The wisdom of economy.The virtue of patience.The joy of originating.The temptation of darkness.(Anonymous)

Collin Powell, the US Military General, has in recent times given a simple metre to measure if one is an influential leader. He told his subordinates this: “The day soldiers stop bringing their problems to you is the day you have stopped leading them…” We can equally say the day Christians stop bringing their problems to you is the day you have stopped being a Pastor. Today, I call you to reflect on the following qualities of a good leader the apostle Paul has listed in 1 Tim. 3: 1-7:

Blameless: Am I quick to improve those areas that can damage my integrity? Husband of one wife:Do I love my wife as Christ loved the church? Temperate, sober-minded, of good behaviour: Am I master of myself, that I may be a servant to many? Hospitable: Do I exhibit a warm and welcoming spirit? Able to teach: Do I consistently help others learn and become better disciples? Not given to wine: Am I sober, watchful and diligent, so that I do not damage those who watch me?

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Not violent, not quarrelsome: Do I have an approachable disposition that brings peace and healing? Not greedy, not covetous: Am I allowing my leadership to be controlled by the rich? Rules his own house well: Do I manage my own family before I try to manage the church? Not a novice: Am I a seasoned, solid example for both insiders and outsiders?

Occasion: Seminary Batch, PTS Kumba 1994-1998, meeting in Yaounde from the 21-23 February 2014.

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TEXT: 1 SAM. 22:14

“LOYALTY TO GOD ONLY”

Our text reveals two interesting episodes which help us to define what loyalty is, and whom we are to be loyal to. King Saul had a bitter conflict with the future king of Israel, David. Jonathan, the son of Saul, was not convinced that his father was on the right side of reason to kill David. So, Jonathan entered into a covenant with his friend, David. Each time Saul planned to kill David, Jonathan would reveal the plan (1 Sam. 19 & 20). My friends, was Jonathan loyal or disloyal to his father?

The Priest Ahimelech,son of Ahitub, in the midst of the conflict between Saul and David consulted the Lord God and also stood on the side of David. When Saul learned that Ahimelech was supporting David, he became very angry and felt betrayed by the Priest. He invited Ahimelech and questioned his loyalty to the throne. Ahimelech was between life and death. As a mark of loyalty, one would have expected Ahimelech to pacify the king, Instead Ahimelech answered the king without fear or favour, “Who of all your servants is as loyal as David, the king's son-in-law, captain of your bodyguard and highly respected in your household?” (1 Sam 22:14-15). Immediately, Saul ordered that Ahimelech the Priest, son of Ahitub,be killed. Ahimelech died in his own pool of cold blood. If you were in the place of Ahimelech,

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Not violent, not quarrelsome: Do I have an approachable disposition that brings peace and healing? Not greedy, not covetous: Am I allowing my leadership to be controlled by the rich? Rules his own house well: Do I manage my own family before I try to manage the church? Not a novice: Am I a seasoned, solid example for both insiders and outsiders?

Occasion: Seminary Batch, PTS Kumba 1994-1998, meeting in Yaounde from the 21-23 February 2014.

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TEXT: 1 SAM. 22:14

“LOYALTY TO GOD ONLY”

Our text reveals two interesting episodes which help us to define what loyalty is, and whom we are to be loyal to. King Saul had a bitter conflict with the future king of Israel, David. Jonathan, the son of Saul, was not convinced that his father was on the right side of reason to kill David. So, Jonathan entered into a covenant with his friend, David. Each time Saul planned to kill David, Jonathan would reveal the plan (1 Sam. 19 & 20). My friends, was Jonathan loyal or disloyal to his father?

The Priest Ahimelech,son of Ahitub, in the midst of the conflict between Saul and David consulted the Lord God and also stood on the side of David. When Saul learned that Ahimelech was supporting David, he became very angry and felt betrayed by the Priest. He invited Ahimelech and questioned his loyalty to the throne. Ahimelech was between life and death. As a mark of loyalty, one would have expected Ahimelech to pacify the king, Instead Ahimelech answered the king without fear or favour, “Who of all your servants is as loyal as David, the king's son-in-law, captain of your bodyguard and highly respected in your household?” (1 Sam 22:14-15). Immediately, Saul ordered that Ahimelech the Priest, son of Ahitub,be killed. Ahimelech died in his own pool of cold blood. If you were in the place of Ahimelech,

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what would you have done:shown loyalty to the king and spare your life;or disloyalty to God and safe your Physical life?

In the two illustrations above, we see two levels of loyalty:loyalty between friends at a social level which is purified by trust, and loyalty between man and God which cannot be altered by the fear of man. Thus, in simple terms, loyalty is trust without fear.

For Jonathan, loyalty to his friend David rises above blood. As someone has said “blood makes us related,but loyalty makes you family”. A loyal friend can be better than 10 wicked brothers. For Jonathan, loyalty in the social dimension must be truthful, moral and spiritual. And since his father,King Saul,was not truthful and sincere inhis plan to kill David, there was no way he should be loyal to him. Jonathan in other words was saying, I will be loyal only to the one who is truthful and does the things of God. As long as his father was not doing the things of God, there was therefore no way he would be on his side. The example of Jonathan is worth emulating by Cameroonians who are blinded by tribe, wherein tribe determines loyalty. People are loyal if the idea is from a tribesman and if the party is formed by their tribesman. Some people are not loyal to you; they are loyal to their need of you. Once their need changes, so does their loyalty. Americans are reputed as having permanent interest, not permanent friends. Like a musician was singing “when there is money, there is friendship, when there is no money, there is no friendship”. I hear some people say, “they cannot bite the finger that feeds them”. So, will you still feed from the finger even when it

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carriesfaeces? A woman’s loyalty is tested when her husband has nothing;and a man’s loyalty is tested when he has everything. A couple may not be perfect to each other but let them be loyal to each other.

For Ahimelech, loyalty to God is above loyalty to one’s own life. Ahimelech had God, his life and King Saul to choose from. He chose God and lost the king and his life. The lesson we learn from Ahimelech is that, loyalty to God supersedes one’s own life. Ahimelech’s decision to be loyal to God over King Saul opens up the debate whether the Church and the citizens should be loyal to evil regimes and governments. Mark Twain says, “loyalty to the nation all the time and loyalty to the government when it deserves it.” So,to what extent should the Church be loyal to a government that kills its people, rapes her daughters, lies to her people and even sets the people against one another?

Today, I see Christians who are loyal to a government system whose proceedings do not reflect the will of God. I see Christians who are defending a government that is on its last days. I see Christians today who have chosen their jobs and positions over truth and God. These people forget to know that when these jobs and positions would have ended, they would have to face the people and God. I see Pastors who are loyal to the rich in their congregations over God who called them into ministry. As Ahimelech refused to be loyal to the evil King Saul, the church must be ready to redefine the extent of its relationship and co-operation with evil governments and regimes that distort the image of God in God’s people. Also, those of you who defend evil governments must know that

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what would you have done:shown loyalty to the king and spare your life;or disloyalty to God and safe your Physical life?

In the two illustrations above, we see two levels of loyalty:loyalty between friends at a social level which is purified by trust, and loyalty between man and God which cannot be altered by the fear of man. Thus, in simple terms, loyalty is trust without fear.

For Jonathan, loyalty to his friend David rises above blood. As someone has said “blood makes us related,but loyalty makes you family”. A loyal friend can be better than 10 wicked brothers. For Jonathan, loyalty in the social dimension must be truthful, moral and spiritual. And since his father,King Saul,was not truthful and sincere inhis plan to kill David, there was no way he should be loyal to him. Jonathan in other words was saying, I will be loyal only to the one who is truthful and does the things of God. As long as his father was not doing the things of God, there was therefore no way he would be on his side. The example of Jonathan is worth emulating by Cameroonians who are blinded by tribe, wherein tribe determines loyalty. People are loyal if the idea is from a tribesman and if the party is formed by their tribesman. Some people are not loyal to you; they are loyal to their need of you. Once their need changes, so does their loyalty. Americans are reputed as having permanent interest, not permanent friends. Like a musician was singing “when there is money, there is friendship, when there is no money, there is no friendship”. I hear some people say, “they cannot bite the finger that feeds them”. So, will you still feed from the finger even when it

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carriesfaeces? A woman’s loyalty is tested when her husband has nothing;and a man’s loyalty is tested when he has everything. A couple may not be perfect to each other but let them be loyal to each other.

For Ahimelech, loyalty to God is above loyalty to one’s own life. Ahimelech had God, his life and King Saul to choose from. He chose God and lost the king and his life. The lesson we learn from Ahimelech is that, loyalty to God supersedes one’s own life. Ahimelech’s decision to be loyal to God over King Saul opens up the debate whether the Church and the citizens should be loyal to evil regimes and governments. Mark Twain says, “loyalty to the nation all the time and loyalty to the government when it deserves it.” So,to what extent should the Church be loyal to a government that kills its people, rapes her daughters, lies to her people and even sets the people against one another?

Today, I see Christians who are loyal to a government system whose proceedings do not reflect the will of God. I see Christians who are defending a government that is on its last days. I see Christians today who have chosen their jobs and positions over truth and God. These people forget to know that when these jobs and positions would have ended, they would have to face the people and God. I see Pastors who are loyal to the rich in their congregations over God who called them into ministry. As Ahimelech refused to be loyal to the evil King Saul, the church must be ready to redefine the extent of its relationship and co-operation with evil governments and regimes that distort the image of God in God’s people. Also, those of you who defend evil governments must know that

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loyalty and patriotism is not when we defend lies but when we question why lies are told. My friends, don’t let your loyalty to man become slavery. So,loyalty is not fear of a higher authority, instead loyalty conquers fear. Who are we to be loyal to: God or man?

We preach this sermon at a time when there is crisis of trust – who can be trusted? Someone has said, “Trust is earned, respect is given, and loyalty is demonstrated…” Can the youths demonstrate their loyalty to God? The youths of today are warned to be careful with anything that competes with their loyalty to Jesus Christ. For many youths, it is opportunity that determines their loyalty. This does not make character serious and it does not prove integrity. A good heart, dignity, morals and good character are far better than a briefcase of certificates. If only people can trust the youths of today, they will be given many things. God rewards loyalty with loyalty and disloyalty with distance. “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart” (Prov. 3:3).

As you would have seen from the quotation of Proverbs above, another word for loyalty is faithfulness. God is faithful to the faithful, merciful to the merciful and generous to the generous. May your faith see the invisible, believe the unbelievable and receive the impossible.“Let him who does wrong continue to do wrong; let him who is vile continue to be vile; let him who does right continue to do right; and let him who is holy continue to be holy.Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.”(Rev 22:11-13).

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A servant of King Charles V (1519 – 1558), was dying after many years of faithful service to his master. He had served the king for many years and the king had a special love for him.

One day the king came to see the dying servant and said: “My dear friend, you have served me so devotedly and faithfully. As a token of my gratitude I would like to give you a gift. Is there anything at all that you desire? Let me know what it is, and I will see that you receive it.”

“Yes,” said the dying man, there is one favour I would like to receive from you.”

Give me one day more of life – just one day more.”

The king’s face grew sad as he said: “My friend, I am considered to be one of the most powerful monarchs upon this earth, but what you ask is entirely beyond my power to give. Only God can grant and sustain the gift of life.”

With a deep sigh, the dying man said: Then it is plain to me that I was foolish not to spend more time in the service of God than I spent in the service of an earthly king!” (Paul M. 2012 Anecdotesand stories. Bombay & Paul society)

The Holy Book makes us to know that there is none Holy as the Lord, there is none beside him, neither is there anyone like our God, there is none Holy as the Lord. Worship him and give him only the glory.

In the Book of Exodus, God warned “You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in

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loyalty and patriotism is not when we defend lies but when we question why lies are told. My friends, don’t let your loyalty to man become slavery. So,loyalty is not fear of a higher authority, instead loyalty conquers fear. Who are we to be loyal to: God or man?

We preach this sermon at a time when there is crisis of trust – who can be trusted? Someone has said, “Trust is earned, respect is given, and loyalty is demonstrated…” Can the youths demonstrate their loyalty to God? The youths of today are warned to be careful with anything that competes with their loyalty to Jesus Christ. For many youths, it is opportunity that determines their loyalty. This does not make character serious and it does not prove integrity. A good heart, dignity, morals and good character are far better than a briefcase of certificates. If only people can trust the youths of today, they will be given many things. God rewards loyalty with loyalty and disloyalty with distance. “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart” (Prov. 3:3).

As you would have seen from the quotation of Proverbs above, another word for loyalty is faithfulness. God is faithful to the faithful, merciful to the merciful and generous to the generous. May your faith see the invisible, believe the unbelievable and receive the impossible.“Let him who does wrong continue to do wrong; let him who is vile continue to be vile; let him who does right continue to do right; and let him who is holy continue to be holy.Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.”(Rev 22:11-13).

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A servant of King Charles V (1519 – 1558), was dying after many years of faithful service to his master. He had served the king for many years and the king had a special love for him.

One day the king came to see the dying servant and said: “My dear friend, you have served me so devotedly and faithfully. As a token of my gratitude I would like to give you a gift. Is there anything at all that you desire? Let me know what it is, and I will see that you receive it.”

“Yes,” said the dying man, there is one favour I would like to receive from you.”

Give me one day more of life – just one day more.”

The king’s face grew sad as he said: “My friend, I am considered to be one of the most powerful monarchs upon this earth, but what you ask is entirely beyond my power to give. Only God can grant and sustain the gift of life.”

With a deep sigh, the dying man said: Then it is plain to me that I was foolish not to spend more time in the service of God than I spent in the service of an earthly king!” (Paul M. 2012 Anecdotesand stories. Bombay & Paul society)

The Holy Book makes us to know that there is none Holy as the Lord, there is none beside him, neither is there anyone like our God, there is none Holy as the Lord. Worship him and give him only the glory.

In the Book of Exodus, God warned “You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in

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the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or he waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; …” (Ex 20:3-5). If you have a carved image or any human being you consider your God here on earth, you are guilty of man worship and judgment day is at hand.

What makes us true Christians is not accepting the Christian creed but accepting Christ asSaviour and Lord. It is a question of personal loyalty and love.

Occasion: CYF Presbytery Rally EMNP, Nsimeyong Date: Sunday 19 February2017

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TEXT: LUKE 2:14

“PEACE AND GOODWILL TO ALL MEN”

The Gloria in excelsis reads:

Glory be to God on high, And in earth peace, Good-will towards men. We praise Thee. We bless Thee, We worship Thee, And we glorify Thee. We give thanks to Thee For Thy great glory. O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty, O Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, That takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us. For Thou only art holy, Thou only art the Lord;

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the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or he waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; …” (Ex 20:3-5). If you have a carved image or any human being you consider your God here on earth, you are guilty of man worship and judgment day is at hand.

What makes us true Christians is not accepting the Christian creed but accepting Christ asSaviour and Lord. It is a question of personal loyalty and love.

Occasion: CYF Presbytery Rally EMNP, Nsimeyong Date: Sunday 19 February2017

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TEXT: LUKE 2:14

“PEACE AND GOODWILL TO ALL MEN”

The Gloria in excelsis reads:

Glory be to God on high, And in earth peace, Good-will towards men. We praise Thee. We bless Thee, We worship Thee, And we glorify Thee. We give thanks to Thee For Thy great glory. O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty, O Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, That takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us. For Thou only art holy, Thou only art the Lord;

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Thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father.

The Holy Scripture states that “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). This implies that God foreknew the birth of Christ even before creation. The Word became flesh and dwelled amongst men. The great Apostle Paul saidtothe church at Corinth that “God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:19).

Christmas is God’s love sign to the world he created. Love is the main nature of God. John said God is love (1John4:19). The love of God is extended to a bruised and broken world, battered by sin against the creator and against fellowmen and other creaturely nature. So,we can say, Christmas is justice tempered with mercy.

We experience the love of God by receiving forgiveness of sin and new life in Jesus Christ. You would not know God’s love when you have not experienced heavenly forgiveness. Those who have received new life in Jesus do not suffer under the power of sin, the peace of God is the state of mind of a repentant sinner. Therefore, Christmas is a reassurance of God’s love from generation to generation. You see, the message is an old one but always new in spirit and that is why the celebration of Christmas never dies. Christmas is a commitment to live a life of forgiveness as a repentant

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sinner. Christmas is a further commitment to extend God’s forgiveness and peace to the entire world.

“Peace is the first thing the angels sang. Peace is the mark of the Sons of God. ‘Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God’ (Mt 5:9). Peace is the nurse of love. Peace is the mother of unity. Peace is the rest of blessed souls. Peace is the dwelling place of eternity”(Leo the great).

Peace with God is in the inner man. Inner peace, inner rest, inner tranquillity; It is not based wholly on outward material satisfaction. It is based on contentment and a knowledge of acceptance by the heavenly Father. So,the song writer says ‘Take the world and give me Jesus’.

Inner peace, quiet peace and tranquillity is what we need to extend to the world. Practise inner peace which is godliness and contentment. Desist from unbridled pride, self-seeking, bitterness and rancour. Some people are so bitter inside that one is afraid to even tell them Happy Christmas. In one case the response to happy Christmas was, “what is happy about the Christmas?” This one was said at the entrance of the church house. “The only way to bring peace on earth is to learn to make our own life peaceful” (Buddha). The world will not give you peace,but Christ can. Therefore,receive Christ this Christmas and give yourself the peace you want and the joy you hope for. Refuse to be drawn into bitterness.Let the peace of God, which is Christ, reign in your heart that you may extend it to others.

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Thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father.

The Holy Scripture states that “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). This implies that God foreknew the birth of Christ even before creation. The Word became flesh and dwelled amongst men. The great Apostle Paul saidtothe church at Corinth that “God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:19).

Christmas is God’s love sign to the world he created. Love is the main nature of God. John said God is love (1John4:19). The love of God is extended to a bruised and broken world, battered by sin against the creator and against fellowmen and other creaturely nature. So,we can say, Christmas is justice tempered with mercy.

We experience the love of God by receiving forgiveness of sin and new life in Jesus Christ. You would not know God’s love when you have not experienced heavenly forgiveness. Those who have received new life in Jesus do not suffer under the power of sin, the peace of God is the state of mind of a repentant sinner. Therefore, Christmas is a reassurance of God’s love from generation to generation. You see, the message is an old one but always new in spirit and that is why the celebration of Christmas never dies. Christmas is a commitment to live a life of forgiveness as a repentant

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sinner. Christmas is a further commitment to extend God’s forgiveness and peace to the entire world.

“Peace is the first thing the angels sang. Peace is the mark of the Sons of God. ‘Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God’ (Mt 5:9). Peace is the nurse of love. Peace is the mother of unity. Peace is the rest of blessed souls. Peace is the dwelling place of eternity”(Leo the great).

Peace with God is in the inner man. Inner peace, inner rest, inner tranquillity; It is not based wholly on outward material satisfaction. It is based on contentment and a knowledge of acceptance by the heavenly Father. So,the song writer says ‘Take the world and give me Jesus’.

Inner peace, quiet peace and tranquillity is what we need to extend to the world. Practise inner peace which is godliness and contentment. Desist from unbridled pride, self-seeking, bitterness and rancour. Some people are so bitter inside that one is afraid to even tell them Happy Christmas. In one case the response to happy Christmas was, “what is happy about the Christmas?” This one was said at the entrance of the church house. “The only way to bring peace on earth is to learn to make our own life peaceful” (Buddha). The world will not give you peace,but Christ can. Therefore,receive Christ this Christmas and give yourself the peace you want and the joy you hope for. Refuse to be drawn into bitterness.Let the peace of God, which is Christ, reign in your heart that you may extend it to others.

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We cannot experience the peace of God if Christ does not make a difference in our life. We can never understand the peace of God if Christ is not our wisdom. We can never live if Christ is not our practice. “When you put your cares in God’s hands He puts his peace in your heart”. “Peace does not mean troubles are absent, it means God is present”. Somebody asked God, I want peace. God replied, “Remove the ‘I’, that is ego. Remove the ‘want’, that is desire, and peace will be automatic”. Many of us have forfeited the peace of God because of aggressive ego and evil desires. So,you see all our warring and factions is evidence that we have rejected the peace of God and propounded ourselves, our desires. Jesus was born meek and lowly, humble and obscure, yet with an unending impact and influence. The way up is the way down. I pray for a humble spirit, a meek and lowly self-opinion of us all, an approachable disposition because pride goes before a fall.

There is the urgency to take the peace of God to the world. While we celebrate Christmas, the sounds of war are everywhere. The man who is hungry is not a peaceful man, the man who cannot send his children to school is not a peaceful man. A people who cannot afford basic necessities of life are not peaceful people. When a section of our country feels marginalised, you cannot talk of peace.

Hunger, poverty, injustice are wars in themselves. Peace does not come from the barrel of a gun or political slogans, neither does peace come from emotional wishes. Peace is concrete and evident. When people are living in

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peace, you will know. Peace is not a figment of imagination. When God said no enmity with man, He tangibly sent His Son Jesus Christ, and extended His grace to us. We cannot talk about peace as a people, while we yet, provoke others with the arrogance of our wealth, the yawning gap between the have and the have nots, the shameful distinction between the wanted and the unwanted. To keep Christ in Christmas, “feed the hungry, cloth the naked, forgive the guilty, welcome the unwanted, care for the ill, love your enemies and do unto others what you would have done unto you”.

Cameroonians, Christians, Church attendees, carry God’s peace to a world bereft of love, carry God’s peace to a starving world. Carry God’s grace to a world of limited opportunities. Carry God’s hope to a hopeless people.

God’s peace, who is Christ, is every day. That is why we talk of goodwill to men at all times and in all places. Be good to one another, be kind to one another. Do not only share greeting card; share your food. Do not only share your food, share your life with others. Do not only share your life, share your future, not only share your future, share your faith and make others feel the way you want to feel. May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace, may the gladness of Christmas give you hope and may the warmth of Christmas grant you love. And let us pray for peace on earth and good will to all men. Amen.

PCC Bastos,

December 25, 2016.

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We cannot experience the peace of God if Christ does not make a difference in our life. We can never understand the peace of God if Christ is not our wisdom. We can never live if Christ is not our practice. “When you put your cares in God’s hands He puts his peace in your heart”. “Peace does not mean troubles are absent, it means God is present”. Somebody asked God, I want peace. God replied, “Remove the ‘I’, that is ego. Remove the ‘want’, that is desire, and peace will be automatic”. Many of us have forfeited the peace of God because of aggressive ego and evil desires. So,you see all our warring and factions is evidence that we have rejected the peace of God and propounded ourselves, our desires. Jesus was born meek and lowly, humble and obscure, yet with an unending impact and influence. The way up is the way down. I pray for a humble spirit, a meek and lowly self-opinion of us all, an approachable disposition because pride goes before a fall.

There is the urgency to take the peace of God to the world. While we celebrate Christmas, the sounds of war are everywhere. The man who is hungry is not a peaceful man, the man who cannot send his children to school is not a peaceful man. A people who cannot afford basic necessities of life are not peaceful people. When a section of our country feels marginalised, you cannot talk of peace.

Hunger, poverty, injustice are wars in themselves. Peace does not come from the barrel of a gun or political slogans, neither does peace come from emotional wishes. Peace is concrete and evident. When people are living in

86

peace, you will know. Peace is not a figment of imagination. When God said no enmity with man, He tangibly sent His Son Jesus Christ, and extended His grace to us. We cannot talk about peace as a people, while we yet, provoke others with the arrogance of our wealth, the yawning gap between the have and the have nots, the shameful distinction between the wanted and the unwanted. To keep Christ in Christmas, “feed the hungry, cloth the naked, forgive the guilty, welcome the unwanted, care for the ill, love your enemies and do unto others what you would have done unto you”.

Cameroonians, Christians, Church attendees, carry God’s peace to a world bereft of love, carry God’s peace to a starving world. Carry God’s grace to a world of limited opportunities. Carry God’s hope to a hopeless people.

God’s peace, who is Christ, is every day. That is why we talk of goodwill to men at all times and in all places. Be good to one another, be kind to one another. Do not only share greeting card; share your food. Do not only share your food, share your life with others. Do not only share your life, share your future, not only share your future, share your faith and make others feel the way you want to feel. May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace, may the gladness of Christmas give you hope and may the warmth of Christmas grant you love. And let us pray for peace on earth and good will to all men. Amen.

PCC Bastos,

December 25, 2016.

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Text: John 20: 1-10

“THE HOPE OF EASTER”

William Sangster, the great Methodist leaderwho helped guide Londoners through the horrors of the World War II bombings, fell ill to a disease that progressively paralyzed his body, and eventually his vocal cords. On Easter, just before he died, he managed to scribble this short note to his daughter: How terrible to wake up on Easter and have no voice to shout, “He is risen”, far worse, to have a voice and not want to shout”. May all those with a God given voice shout the Lord is risen, he is risen indeed, Hallelujah, Hallelujah. Shout, shout, one more time … Amen.

The French mathematician, Auguste Comte was talking about religion one day with the Scottish essayist, Thomas Carlyle. Comte suggested that they start a new religion to replace Christianity, based on positive thinking and mathematical principles. Carlyle thought about it a moment and replied, “Very good, Mr. Comte, very good. All you will need to do will be to speak as never a man spoke, and live as never a man lived, and be crucified. And rise again the third day, and get the world to believe that you are still alive. Then your religion will have a chance to get on”. Comte couldn’tspeak as never a man, nor could he live as never a man lived, he could speak well, he could even die, but was he

88

sure ofbeing raised from the dead? It is the resurrection which makes the difference.

Four hundred years before the birth of Christ, Socrates the renowned Greek Philosopher, drank the poison hemlock and lay down to die. Shall we live again? His friends asked. The dying Philosopher could only reply “I hope so, but no man can know”.

John Macarthur,like other Christian thinkers,believe that “Without the resurrection, Christianity would be so much wishful thinking, taking its place alongside all other human philosophy and religious speculations”.

The great apostle Paul in Philippi told the Philippians, “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection …” (Phil 3:10). What is this power? The power of the resurrection is that life conquers death, truth conquers lies, light dispels darkness, true spirituality conquers man-made religiosity, and political systems bow to the spirit of Yahweh. C. W. Hall puts this in a better way when he says, Easter teaches us that“you can put truth in a grave, but it won’t stay there, you can nail it to a cross, wrap it in winding sheets and shut it up in a tomb, but it will rise.” Our conclusion is that the victorious and risen Jesus Christ is the hope of Easter, the answer to all human need.

The journey of the Lent Season came to a climax during the Holy week. The desperate people of Palestine, and Jerusalem in particular,needed a new political system. They were fed up with Rome and its diktats. Life had been so unfair to them under the Roman colonial rule which gave them tears

87

Text: John 20: 1-10

“THE HOPE OF EASTER”

William Sangster, the great Methodist leaderwho helped guide Londoners through the horrors of the World War II bombings, fell ill to a disease that progressively paralyzed his body, and eventually his vocal cords. On Easter, just before he died, he managed to scribble this short note to his daughter: How terrible to wake up on Easter and have no voice to shout, “He is risen”, far worse, to have a voice and not want to shout”. May all those with a God given voice shout the Lord is risen, he is risen indeed, Hallelujah, Hallelujah. Shout, shout, one more time … Amen.

The French mathematician, Auguste Comte was talking about religion one day with the Scottish essayist, Thomas Carlyle. Comte suggested that they start a new religion to replace Christianity, based on positive thinking and mathematical principles. Carlyle thought about it a moment and replied, “Very good, Mr. Comte, very good. All you will need to do will be to speak as never a man spoke, and live as never a man lived, and be crucified. And rise again the third day, and get the world to believe that you are still alive. Then your religion will have a chance to get on”. Comte couldn’tspeak as never a man, nor could he live as never a man lived, he could speak well, he could even die, but was he

88

sure ofbeing raised from the dead? It is the resurrection which makes the difference.

Four hundred years before the birth of Christ, Socrates the renowned Greek Philosopher, drank the poison hemlock and lay down to die. Shall we live again? His friends asked. The dying Philosopher could only reply “I hope so, but no man can know”.

John Macarthur,like other Christian thinkers,believe that “Without the resurrection, Christianity would be so much wishful thinking, taking its place alongside all other human philosophy and religious speculations”.

The great apostle Paul in Philippi told the Philippians, “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection …” (Phil 3:10). What is this power? The power of the resurrection is that life conquers death, truth conquers lies, light dispels darkness, true spirituality conquers man-made religiosity, and political systems bow to the spirit of Yahweh. C. W. Hall puts this in a better way when he says, Easter teaches us that“you can put truth in a grave, but it won’t stay there, you can nail it to a cross, wrap it in winding sheets and shut it up in a tomb, but it will rise.” Our conclusion is that the victorious and risen Jesus Christ is the hope of Easter, the answer to all human need.

The journey of the Lent Season came to a climax during the Holy week. The desperate people of Palestine, and Jerusalem in particular,needed a new political system. They were fed up with Rome and its diktats. Life had been so unfair to them under the Roman colonial rule which gave them tears

89

for drink, stones for bread, and snakes for fish. On that Palm Sunday, the people saw Jesus as their hope and stay. So, they came out spontaneously without the usual mobilisation that goes for such a crowd to crown Jesus King and to lay bare their anxieties and expectations. It was a procession of possibilities and hope.

On Good Friday,we saw an adulterous relationship between the Roman government officials represented by Pilate and the Jewish religious authority represented by the High Priest. These two connived to kill Jesus. Frank Herbert says,“When religion and politics ride in the same cart, the whirlwind follows.” The Jewish religious authorities represent institutional religion, organised religion of rituals and ceremonies, conservativism and a denial of the new revelation of God in Jesus Christ. The Roman political elites represent the bad side of every government, using every machination for survival. Jesus represents the new spiritual aspirations of the people, righteousness, and a new leadership that cares for the poor. On Good Friday, the Roman government official leaned on religion; Pontus Pilate washed his hands and offered Jesus to Jews for crucifixion in order to calm social unrest. Religion relied on the government for endorsement to kill Jesus in order to wade off a new sect of Judaism. In the end, false religion and false government connived and killed Jesus. Good Friday was the apex of human wickedness and the misuse of institutional power. On Easter Sunday, God raised Jesus from the dead. Jesus declared,“I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades”

90

(Rev 1:17-18). Good Friday then was the problem, but Easter is the solution and Jesus is the hope of Easter.

Easter sends out a clear message to the church, that a genuine Christ and spirit-filled Christian experience is what the people need. Easter sends a clear message to the political institutions, that core Christian values like truth, transparency, righteousness, and sacrifice constitute the foundation of a strong nation. Christianity and politicsshould observe a critical loyalty towards one another for holistic development of society.

Jesus’ triumph is a clear indication that the future of human existence is not in man-made religious beliefs. The future of human civilisation is not in well-crafted political systems; it is in the righteousness of Jesus Christ;thus, Jesus is the hope of Easter. The song writer is bold to say:

My hope is built on nothing less; Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust my sweetest frame; But wholly lean on Jesus’ Name; On Christ the solid rock I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.

The cross of Jesus shows the height of human wickedness;but also the height, length and breadth of the love of God in Christ Jesus. In the words of Watchman Nee, “Our old story ends with the cross, our new history begins with the resurrection”. The new story is with Christ, who is the righteousness of God, and Christ in us is the hope of glory.

89

for drink, stones for bread, and snakes for fish. On that Palm Sunday, the people saw Jesus as their hope and stay. So, they came out spontaneously without the usual mobilisation that goes for such a crowd to crown Jesus King and to lay bare their anxieties and expectations. It was a procession of possibilities and hope.

On Good Friday,we saw an adulterous relationship between the Roman government officials represented by Pilate and the Jewish religious authority represented by the High Priest. These two connived to kill Jesus. Frank Herbert says,“When religion and politics ride in the same cart, the whirlwind follows.” The Jewish religious authorities represent institutional religion, organised religion of rituals and ceremonies, conservativism and a denial of the new revelation of God in Jesus Christ. The Roman political elites represent the bad side of every government, using every machination for survival. Jesus represents the new spiritual aspirations of the people, righteousness, and a new leadership that cares for the poor. On Good Friday, the Roman government official leaned on religion; Pontus Pilate washed his hands and offered Jesus to Jews for crucifixion in order to calm social unrest. Religion relied on the government for endorsement to kill Jesus in order to wade off a new sect of Judaism. In the end, false religion and false government connived and killed Jesus. Good Friday was the apex of human wickedness and the misuse of institutional power. On Easter Sunday, God raised Jesus from the dead. Jesus declared,“I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades”

90

(Rev 1:17-18). Good Friday then was the problem, but Easter is the solution and Jesus is the hope of Easter.

Easter sends out a clear message to the church, that a genuine Christ and spirit-filled Christian experience is what the people need. Easter sends a clear message to the political institutions, that core Christian values like truth, transparency, righteousness, and sacrifice constitute the foundation of a strong nation. Christianity and politicsshould observe a critical loyalty towards one another for holistic development of society.

Jesus’ triumph is a clear indication that the future of human existence is not in man-made religious beliefs. The future of human civilisation is not in well-crafted political systems; it is in the righteousness of Jesus Christ;thus, Jesus is the hope of Easter. The song writer is bold to say:

My hope is built on nothing less; Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust my sweetest frame; But wholly lean on Jesus’ Name; On Christ the solid rock I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.

The cross of Jesus shows the height of human wickedness;but also the height, length and breadth of the love of God in Christ Jesus. In the words of Watchman Nee, “Our old story ends with the cross, our new history begins with the resurrection”. The new story is with Christ, who is the righteousness of God, and Christ in us is the hope of glory.

91

Can we use the hope of Easter to overcome our daily challenges? Let us use the hope of Easter to face the problems of governance and politics in Cameroon and Africa. Can we use the hope of Easter to bring rebirth to the Church – the body of Christ? If God can change death to life, then he can change all impossibilities to possibilities; he can change hatred into love, vengeance into forgiveness, war into peace; and this is the hope of Easter.

Some people think that religion and politics are obsolete, and that the time has now come for technology and spirituality. There is some truth in that. Christians are looking for freer styles of worship, spirit-filled connections with God, not necessarily through institutional worship. In politics, some people feel that there should be the devolution of competences to the local councils. In global politics, populism is overthrowing the institutions. Easter is the victory of the people, and so it is our hope. An ordinary village boy from Nazareth died on the cross for the people. He belonged to no political party, he was not born of the institutions, he did not ask to be king, but he was made king. He was killed, but was raised from the dead. His pain is our gain, his sweat our sweet, his burial is our blessing and his resurrection is our redemption. Because of Easter, we can look forward without being afraid.

Jesus’ resurrection had a transforming power: “It was the resurrection which transformed Peter’s fear into courage and James’ doubt into faith. It was the resurrection that transformed Sabbath into Sunday and the Jewish remnant into the Christian Church. It was the resurrection which

92

changedSaul, the Pharisee, into Paul, the apostle, and turned his persecution into preaching. The resurrection power is transforming – that is our hope. The joy of the Lord is our strength.

The Christian hope and its spirituality can be crucial in the way people think and form opinion on public issues. “It is impossible to mentally or socially enslave Bible reading people. The principles of the Bible are the groundwork of human freedom” (Horace Greedy). When people forget God, tyrants fasten the chains of oppression. A moral resistance to tyranny and injustice is a serious spiritual obligation. The best resistance against corruption is to be. The best resistance against wrong is to do the right. In the word of Martin Lurther King:

“A man dies when he refuses to stand for what is right, A man dies when he refuses to stand for justice, A man dies when he refuses to stand for what is true”.Some of the effects of Christ’s resurrection were eloquently described nearly 1,600 years ago by St. John Chrysostom in his Easter message: “Those who were formerly living in the shame of sin are now living in confidence and in justice.

They are not only free, but saints; Not only saints but just men; Not only just men but sons; Not only sons but heirs; Not only heirs, but brothers of Christ; Not only brothers of Christ but his co-heirs; Not only His co-heirs, but His members;

91

Can we use the hope of Easter to overcome our daily challenges? Let us use the hope of Easter to face the problems of governance and politics in Cameroon and Africa. Can we use the hope of Easter to bring rebirth to the Church – the body of Christ? If God can change death to life, then he can change all impossibilities to possibilities; he can change hatred into love, vengeance into forgiveness, war into peace; and this is the hope of Easter.

Some people think that religion and politics are obsolete, and that the time has now come for technology and spirituality. There is some truth in that. Christians are looking for freer styles of worship, spirit-filled connections with God, not necessarily through institutional worship. In politics, some people feel that there should be the devolution of competences to the local councils. In global politics, populism is overthrowing the institutions. Easter is the victory of the people, and so it is our hope. An ordinary village boy from Nazareth died on the cross for the people. He belonged to no political party, he was not born of the institutions, he did not ask to be king, but he was made king. He was killed, but was raised from the dead. His pain is our gain, his sweat our sweet, his burial is our blessing and his resurrection is our redemption. Because of Easter, we can look forward without being afraid.

Jesus’ resurrection had a transforming power: “It was the resurrection which transformed Peter’s fear into courage and James’ doubt into faith. It was the resurrection that transformed Sabbath into Sunday and the Jewish remnant into the Christian Church. It was the resurrection which

92

changedSaul, the Pharisee, into Paul, the apostle, and turned his persecution into preaching. The resurrection power is transforming – that is our hope. The joy of the Lord is our strength.

The Christian hope and its spirituality can be crucial in the way people think and form opinion on public issues. “It is impossible to mentally or socially enslave Bible reading people. The principles of the Bible are the groundwork of human freedom” (Horace Greedy). When people forget God, tyrants fasten the chains of oppression. A moral resistance to tyranny and injustice is a serious spiritual obligation. The best resistance against corruption is to be. The best resistance against wrong is to do the right. In the word of Martin Lurther King:

“A man dies when he refuses to stand for what is right, A man dies when he refuses to stand for justice, A man dies when he refuses to stand for what is true”.Some of the effects of Christ’s resurrection were eloquently described nearly 1,600 years ago by St. John Chrysostom in his Easter message: “Those who were formerly living in the shame of sin are now living in confidence and in justice.

They are not only free, but saints; Not only saints but just men; Not only just men but sons; Not only sons but heirs; Not only heirs, but brothers of Christ; Not only brothers of Christ but his co-heirs; Not only His co-heirs, but His members;

93

Not only His members, but temples; Not only temples, but instruments of the Holy Spirit.’ For every Christian, Easter is a time for renewal and new birth. We have all just ended our fasting for repentance, may this bring a new spirit in the church, a spirit of worship and ministry to the suffering members of the church. May this same spirit purify the state of Cameroon and make it a place of righteousness. May there be forgiveness and reconciliation that cut across the nation, may Christians who are in politics bear the hope of Easter and finally solve the Anglophone crisis.

Occasion: Easter Sunday Date: April 16, 2017

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EPILOGUE

CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN AN EMERGING

ECONOMY: CHALLENGES AND PERSPECTIVES.

Keynote address during the 2nd convocation ceremony of the Cameroon Christian University Institute Bali,Bamenda, August

2015

Leaders are not necessarily entrepreneurs, but all entrepreneurs are leaders. My intellectual guess is that,in order to be a good entrepreneur, one needs to have the qualities of a leader. Leadership can either be defined as a “process” or “property”.1 Where it is a process, it is attached to influence. Where it is a property, it is attached to character and personality traits. I prefer to settle on the second meaning of leadership as my functional definition. Therefore, leadership is a set of characteristics or qualities anyone needs to have. The first enterprise to be managed is the self. As the saying goes, “if you cannot manage yourself, how then can you manage people, institutions and enterprises?” I can make a primary conclusion that all of us are leaders, whether appointed or not appointed, employed or unemployed. Consequently, we all can also be entrepreneurs.

93

Not only His members, but temples; Not only temples, but instruments of the Holy Spirit.’ For every Christian, Easter is a time for renewal and new birth. We have all just ended our fasting for repentance, may this bring a new spirit in the church, a spirit of worship and ministry to the suffering members of the church. May this same spirit purify the state of Cameroon and make it a place of righteousness. May there be forgiveness and reconciliation that cut across the nation, may Christians who are in politics bear the hope of Easter and finally solve the Anglophone crisis.

Occasion: Easter Sunday Date: April 16, 2017

94

EPILOGUE

CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN AN EMERGING

ECONOMY: CHALLENGES AND PERSPECTIVES.

Keynote address during the 2nd convocation ceremony of the Cameroon Christian University Institute Bali,Bamenda, August

2015

Leaders are not necessarily entrepreneurs, but all entrepreneurs are leaders. My intellectual guess is that,in order to be a good entrepreneur, one needs to have the qualities of a leader. Leadership can either be defined as a “process” or “property”.1 Where it is a process, it is attached to influence. Where it is a property, it is attached to character and personality traits. I prefer to settle on the second meaning of leadership as my functional definition. Therefore, leadership is a set of characteristics or qualities anyone needs to have. The first enterprise to be managed is the self. As the saying goes, “if you cannot manage yourself, how then can you manage people, institutions and enterprises?” I can make a primary conclusion that all of us are leaders, whether appointed or not appointed, employed or unemployed. Consequently, we all can also be entrepreneurs.

95

The Cameroon Christian University Bali, Cameroon, has chosen the Christian Leadership Model as the ideal to guide young Cameroonians into the future they hope for and to participate in nation building,especially as we strive as a nation towards economic emergence. There is every reason to do so, and that is why I am here to talk about Christian leadership and entrepreneurship.

Jesus Christ of Nazareth upon whom Christianity is founded, remains the most influential God-manwho lived on earth. This is what Napoleon Bonaparte, the great military genius, looking back over his years of conquest, is reported to have said:“Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne and I have built great empires, but upon what did they depend? They depended on force. But centuries ago, Jesus started an empire that was built on love and even to this day, millions will die for him”2. This aplomb from Napoleon Bonaparte makes Jesus the most distinguished leader who lived. Thus, his leadership style can be considered eternal reference.

Jesus’ leadership style is generally described as one of service and servanthood. The modern day transformational leadership theory draws a lot of inspiration from Jesus. In 1978, James Macgregor Burns, a US presidential biographer, conceived the transformational leadership theory. According to the theory, “leaders and followers make each other advance to a higher level of morality and motivation”3. While the servant and transformational leadership model are strongly recommended to young entrepreneurs for an emerging economy like ours, we strongly mitigate the influence of all

96

other hireling and rogue leadership theories. Some of those theories are partially responsible for the political and economic conundrum we find ourselves in today.

Let me analyse one of such generic leadership theories in the context of Cameroon. “Politics naNjangi, you scratch my back I scratch your own.”This theory is a quasi-form of transactional leadership and it draws a lot of similarities from shrewd business lessons learned from Nicolo Machiavelli’s book The Prince. Though published some five hundred years ago, the theories in this book imposes immense influence on modern day politics, policies and polities. “Politics nanjangi;you scratch my back I scratch your own” has eight machavellic characteristics namely; duplicity, cunningness, narcissisms, the end justifies the means, it is all part of the game, control and manipulation and double dealings. Mahatma Ghandi stressed the ethics of public life.He named seven social sins that can easily be deduced from the“Politics naNjangi” leadership theory. These sins are: politics without principles, wealth without work, commerce without morality, knowledge without character, pleasure without conscience, science without humanity, worship without sacrifice.

Jesus’ servanthood leadership style proclaims core values like: the human course is the highest end, integrity and credibility defines ambitions, prayer is the greatest source of power and natural abilities reach optimum point if dedicated to God and the service of his people.

Does Jesus’ leadership address the issue of job creation, employment and entrepreneurship? Jesus makes a

95

The Cameroon Christian University Bali, Cameroon, has chosen the Christian Leadership Model as the ideal to guide young Cameroonians into the future they hope for and to participate in nation building,especially as we strive as a nation towards economic emergence. There is every reason to do so, and that is why I am here to talk about Christian leadership and entrepreneurship.

Jesus Christ of Nazareth upon whom Christianity is founded, remains the most influential God-manwho lived on earth. This is what Napoleon Bonaparte, the great military genius, looking back over his years of conquest, is reported to have said:“Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne and I have built great empires, but upon what did they depend? They depended on force. But centuries ago, Jesus started an empire that was built on love and even to this day, millions will die for him”2. This aplomb from Napoleon Bonaparte makes Jesus the most distinguished leader who lived. Thus, his leadership style can be considered eternal reference.

Jesus’ leadership style is generally described as one of service and servanthood. The modern day transformational leadership theory draws a lot of inspiration from Jesus. In 1978, James Macgregor Burns, a US presidential biographer, conceived the transformational leadership theory. According to the theory, “leaders and followers make each other advance to a higher level of morality and motivation”3. While the servant and transformational leadership model are strongly recommended to young entrepreneurs for an emerging economy like ours, we strongly mitigate the influence of all

96

other hireling and rogue leadership theories. Some of those theories are partially responsible for the political and economic conundrum we find ourselves in today.

Let me analyse one of such generic leadership theories in the context of Cameroon. “Politics naNjangi, you scratch my back I scratch your own.”This theory is a quasi-form of transactional leadership and it draws a lot of similarities from shrewd business lessons learned from Nicolo Machiavelli’s book The Prince. Though published some five hundred years ago, the theories in this book imposes immense influence on modern day politics, policies and polities. “Politics nanjangi;you scratch my back I scratch your own” has eight machavellic characteristics namely; duplicity, cunningness, narcissisms, the end justifies the means, it is all part of the game, control and manipulation and double dealings. Mahatma Ghandi stressed the ethics of public life.He named seven social sins that can easily be deduced from the“Politics naNjangi” leadership theory. These sins are: politics without principles, wealth without work, commerce without morality, knowledge without character, pleasure without conscience, science without humanity, worship without sacrifice.

Jesus’ servanthood leadership style proclaims core values like: the human course is the highest end, integrity and credibility defines ambitions, prayer is the greatest source of power and natural abilities reach optimum point if dedicated to God and the service of his people.

Does Jesus’ leadership address the issue of job creation, employment and entrepreneurship? Jesus makes a

97

distinction between work and job. In one of his discourses, Jesus said; “we must do the work of him who sent me”(John9:4), and in another, He said,“My food…is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work”(John 4:34).Work is attached to purpose, meaning, service and fulfillment;while Job is attached to professional competence, profit and salary. You can do anything, you can work, have joy and be fulfilled. On the other hand, one may have a job, do the job, be paid for the job, yet with no satisfaction or fulfillment. If we see life as doing something to fulfill a genuine purpose of service for humanity, then all of us have work to do even though not all have jobs to do. Permit me make another primary conclusion that everybody has work to do but not everyone has a job. If you have the right human values, you will always have work to do. If you have the right attitude, you will give value to the little things you do. God will bless your efforts and you will have food to eat.

Once more, does Jesus’ leadership address the issue of job creation, employment and entrepreneurship? The story is told how Jesus entered Capernaum and saw a crowd of people, he had compassion for them, and he took them far a-field and taught them. When it was twilight, the disciples asked Jesus to send the people away to fend for food. Jesus, filled with compassion, asked the disciples to give the people something to eat. The disciples reported that it will take a whole year’s wage to feed the five thousand people. After a second thought, the disciples returned to Jesus with five loaves of bread and two fish, borrowed from a little boy’s lunch pack. Jesus lifted the five loaves of bread and two fish

98

in thanksgiving to God. After the prayers, He shared the bread to the five thousand who were meticulously organised in twelve groups. We are told that after everyone had eaten, there weretwelve baskets of leftovers. This is a case study for entrepreneurship.

Jesus had compassion for a hungry group of five thousand people. To that number, if you add the children and women who were not counted on such occasions the number would be far more than five thousand. Jesus did not only see five thousand hungry people, he found a problem of hunger and poverty. Entrepreneurs observe a pattern, they analyse it and discover a problem to solve. You will be remembered for two things, either for the problems you created or for the problems you solved while on earth. It is important to note that Jesus did not begin with, “How can I make profit or exploit the vulnerability of these five thousand people?” The key question for Jesus was, “How can I help these five thousand hungry people?“How can I serve a human course? How can I fulfill my purpose in life? How can I do the work of my father?”

Jesus identified a scarce resource – five loaves of bread and two fish. He was not scared.He was not alarmed. He was not complaining and grumbling about the enormity of the problem and the scarcity of resources. Most entrepreneurs begin small, with an unnoticeable resource that is available but neglected. The five loaves of bread and two fish did not belong to Jesus or his disciples. That means he borrowed it. Here is someone who began a business of feeding five

97

distinction between work and job. In one of his discourses, Jesus said; “we must do the work of him who sent me”(John9:4), and in another, He said,“My food…is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work”(John 4:34).Work is attached to purpose, meaning, service and fulfillment;while Job is attached to professional competence, profit and salary. You can do anything, you can work, have joy and be fulfilled. On the other hand, one may have a job, do the job, be paid for the job, yet with no satisfaction or fulfillment. If we see life as doing something to fulfill a genuine purpose of service for humanity, then all of us have work to do even though not all have jobs to do. Permit me make another primary conclusion that everybody has work to do but not everyone has a job. If you have the right human values, you will always have work to do. If you have the right attitude, you will give value to the little things you do. God will bless your efforts and you will have food to eat.

Once more, does Jesus’ leadership address the issue of job creation, employment and entrepreneurship? The story is told how Jesus entered Capernaum and saw a crowd of people, he had compassion for them, and he took them far a-field and taught them. When it was twilight, the disciples asked Jesus to send the people away to fend for food. Jesus, filled with compassion, asked the disciples to give the people something to eat. The disciples reported that it will take a whole year’s wage to feed the five thousand people. After a second thought, the disciples returned to Jesus with five loaves of bread and two fish, borrowed from a little boy’s lunch pack. Jesus lifted the five loaves of bread and two fish

98

in thanksgiving to God. After the prayers, He shared the bread to the five thousand who were meticulously organised in twelve groups. We are told that after everyone had eaten, there weretwelve baskets of leftovers. This is a case study for entrepreneurship.

Jesus had compassion for a hungry group of five thousand people. To that number, if you add the children and women who were not counted on such occasions the number would be far more than five thousand. Jesus did not only see five thousand hungry people, he found a problem of hunger and poverty. Entrepreneurs observe a pattern, they analyse it and discover a problem to solve. You will be remembered for two things, either for the problems you created or for the problems you solved while on earth. It is important to note that Jesus did not begin with, “How can I make profit or exploit the vulnerability of these five thousand people?” The key question for Jesus was, “How can I help these five thousand hungry people?“How can I serve a human course? How can I fulfill my purpose in life? How can I do the work of my father?”

Jesus identified a scarce resource – five loaves of bread and two fish. He was not scared.He was not alarmed. He was not complaining and grumbling about the enormity of the problem and the scarcity of resources. Most entrepreneurs begin small, with an unnoticeable resource that is available but neglected. The five loaves of bread and two fish did not belong to Jesus or his disciples. That means he borrowed it. Here is someone who began a business of feeding five

99

thousand people with virtually nothing except his overriding conviction that whatever thing he would ask his father in heaven,he will grant it. Some entrepreneurs generate their own capital, others borrow to start. Jesus borrowed to start. Jesus was not the complaining or grumbling type. People who complain and grumble do not see opportunities. Jesus did not spend the whole time praying some long laborious prayers as many of us pastors prescribe to the unemployed today. He had a problem to solve. He knew exactly what was required of Him and what God also could do for Him, and He did not push his own responsibilities to God in the name of prayers. Indeed, He invited God in prayers only at the end of the process, He identified the problem, He identified the resources, He organised the resources, and at the end he asked God to bless his efforts. When he prayed, it was not a litany of complaints about the challenge he had to feed five thousand men. When God saw Jesus at work even with his scarce resources, He blessed his efforts, God enabled his efforts, and made them successful. We can say here other than the fact that He did God’s work and God rewarded him? In this passage, Jesus exhibited these Christian virtues. What were his core values? Compassion and service. What was his attitude? Apositive one. What was his faith? Trusting God and dedicating his efforts and abilities to God.And what was God’s response? He blessed him. Martin Luther king Jr. once said: “If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted or Beethoven played music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep so well that all the host of heaven and earth will be forced to say, here lived a great sweeper who did his job well”.

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Who then is an entrepreneur? He is one who is driven by human values, who identifies a problem affecting people and sets out to solve the problem. He begins small, sometimes borrowing from others. He takes physical dispositions and stays focused on it pending divine benediction. Entrepreneurship does not begin with how much profit, but how much human need. Perhaps, a more likable and scholarly definition of who an entrepreneur is, is the one proposed by Amos Fon “An entrepreneur is a person who is willing and able to convert a new idea or invention into a successful innovation, simultaneously creating new products and business models,largely responsible for dynamism of industries and long run economic growth.”(Workshop on Entrepreneurship August 2015 Yaounde)

My friends, you are graduating at a time when there is hype amongst politicians about economic emergence. Emergence is a broader concept because it involves economics and governance. In the context of entrepreneurial development, Amos Fon, a Bamenda based entrepreneurial developer, used the term ‘entrepreneurial ecosystem’. Entrepreneurial ecosystem, to him, refers to “the set of policies, institutions, resources and an incentive that enable individual entrepreneurs to thrive. Elements of this ecosystem can include a positive business enabling environment; a skilled labor force; ready access to information and capacity; business service providers; incubators and accelerators; and a diverse range of investors targeting various stages of maturity.” The key question is: can the much talked of emergence create this entrepreneurial ecosystem?

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thousand people with virtually nothing except his overriding conviction that whatever thing he would ask his father in heaven,he will grant it. Some entrepreneurs generate their own capital, others borrow to start. Jesus borrowed to start. Jesus was not the complaining or grumbling type. People who complain and grumble do not see opportunities. Jesus did not spend the whole time praying some long laborious prayers as many of us pastors prescribe to the unemployed today. He had a problem to solve. He knew exactly what was required of Him and what God also could do for Him, and He did not push his own responsibilities to God in the name of prayers. Indeed, He invited God in prayers only at the end of the process, He identified the problem, He identified the resources, He organised the resources, and at the end he asked God to bless his efforts. When he prayed, it was not a litany of complaints about the challenge he had to feed five thousand men. When God saw Jesus at work even with his scarce resources, He blessed his efforts, God enabled his efforts, and made them successful. We can say here other than the fact that He did God’s work and God rewarded him? In this passage, Jesus exhibited these Christian virtues. What were his core values? Compassion and service. What was his attitude? Apositive one. What was his faith? Trusting God and dedicating his efforts and abilities to God.And what was God’s response? He blessed him. Martin Luther king Jr. once said: “If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted or Beethoven played music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep so well that all the host of heaven and earth will be forced to say, here lived a great sweeper who did his job well”.

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Who then is an entrepreneur? He is one who is driven by human values, who identifies a problem affecting people and sets out to solve the problem. He begins small, sometimes borrowing from others. He takes physical dispositions and stays focused on it pending divine benediction. Entrepreneurship does not begin with how much profit, but how much human need. Perhaps, a more likable and scholarly definition of who an entrepreneur is, is the one proposed by Amos Fon “An entrepreneur is a person who is willing and able to convert a new idea or invention into a successful innovation, simultaneously creating new products and business models,largely responsible for dynamism of industries and long run economic growth.”(Workshop on Entrepreneurship August 2015 Yaounde)

My friends, you are graduating at a time when there is hype amongst politicians about economic emergence. Emergence is a broader concept because it involves economics and governance. In the context of entrepreneurial development, Amos Fon, a Bamenda based entrepreneurial developer, used the term ‘entrepreneurial ecosystem’. Entrepreneurial ecosystem, to him, refers to “the set of policies, institutions, resources and an incentive that enable individual entrepreneurs to thrive. Elements of this ecosystem can include a positive business enabling environment; a skilled labor force; ready access to information and capacity; business service providers; incubators and accelerators; and a diverse range of investors targeting various stages of maturity.” The key question is: can the much talked of emergence create this entrepreneurial ecosystem?

101

Since 2009, the Republic of Cameroon has plotted out a vision for the next 25-30 years called, “Cameroon: An Emerging Democratic and United Country in Diversity.” The Cameroon economic emergence action plan is divided into four poles: Agricultural and environmental pole, Industrial production and processing pole, Services and new technology pole and Governance pole. Some work seems to be going on like LomPangar, M’emvele and Mekim dams to increase electricity power supply, the deep water-port in Kribi and the Mbalam iron mines in the East, the Yaoundé Douala auto-route, the second bridge over the River Wouri amongst others. Do these suffice for emergence? The economist, Jeffrey Goldstein, in the Journal for Emergence has published a scholarly article titled, “Emergence as a Construct: History and Issues” in which he defines emergence as “the arising of novel and coherent structures, patterns, properties during the process of self-organisation in complex systems”. Goldstein goes on to elaborate five features of emergence, namely: radical novelty, coherence and correlation of factors of emergence, the activities of global and macro levels, dynamic process and ostensive purpose.

According to World Bank analysis of January 2014 on Cameroon economy update, “The average observed economic growth rate from 2010 to 2013 was a mere 4%, 1% point below the “vision 2035”seasonal targets. Achieving the official objectives set for 2020 would require Cameroon to move to double digit annual growth rate over the 2014-2020 period, compared to the 4.8 to 5.4 percent projected by the World Bank”.

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According to Richard Antonin Doffonsou et al of the Africa Economic Outlook, Cameroon economic “Growth” remained as strong in 2014 at 5.3%, but remained below the 6% average growth target set in the 2010-2020 Growth and Employment Strategy paper (2010-2020 GESP). The fall inthe priceof oil in the second half of 2014, the Boko Haram war and the displacement of people in Northern Cameroon, and huge refugee numbers in the East, may dent economic growth further. Ivory Coast that just emerged from the throes of war and having seen a blood bath for a decade, has scheduled their emergence for 2020. They are currently at a growth rate of 9.0%. Chad and Togo hope to emerge in 2030 and Senegal cautiously scheduled their emergence for 2035. The challenges to Cameroon emergence are manifold.

A friend of mine spent eleven hours on a public bus from Bamenda to Kumba. Of this eleven hours, three were spent from Babadjou to Bamenda, a distance that should normally take about forty-fiveminutes. We began to analyse the time wasted on the bus and we discovered that he had worked for nothing for that day, and in addition to that, upon what he had spent on fare and food. The next day, he could not walk because his legs were swollen. Calculate the total hours wasted on buses by Cameroonians who ought to be working but are slowed down due to bad roads. Thus, how soon shall we emerge in our emergence? The politicians tell us that we will emerge,but the realities on the ground make the whole story an illusion.

101

Since 2009, the Republic of Cameroon has plotted out a vision for the next 25-30 years called, “Cameroon: An Emerging Democratic and United Country in Diversity.” The Cameroon economic emergence action plan is divided into four poles: Agricultural and environmental pole, Industrial production and processing pole, Services and new technology pole and Governance pole. Some work seems to be going on like LomPangar, M’emvele and Mekim dams to increase electricity power supply, the deep water-port in Kribi and the Mbalam iron mines in the East, the Yaoundé Douala auto-route, the second bridge over the River Wouri amongst others. Do these suffice for emergence? The economist, Jeffrey Goldstein, in the Journal for Emergence has published a scholarly article titled, “Emergence as a Construct: History and Issues” in which he defines emergence as “the arising of novel and coherent structures, patterns, properties during the process of self-organisation in complex systems”. Goldstein goes on to elaborate five features of emergence, namely: radical novelty, coherence and correlation of factors of emergence, the activities of global and macro levels, dynamic process and ostensive purpose.

According to World Bank analysis of January 2014 on Cameroon economy update, “The average observed economic growth rate from 2010 to 2013 was a mere 4%, 1% point below the “vision 2035”seasonal targets. Achieving the official objectives set for 2020 would require Cameroon to move to double digit annual growth rate over the 2014-2020 period, compared to the 4.8 to 5.4 percent projected by the World Bank”.

102

According to Richard Antonin Doffonsou et al of the Africa Economic Outlook, Cameroon economic “Growth” remained as strong in 2014 at 5.3%, but remained below the 6% average growth target set in the 2010-2020 Growth and Employment Strategy paper (2010-2020 GESP). The fall inthe priceof oil in the second half of 2014, the Boko Haram war and the displacement of people in Northern Cameroon, and huge refugee numbers in the East, may dent economic growth further. Ivory Coast that just emerged from the throes of war and having seen a blood bath for a decade, has scheduled their emergence for 2020. They are currently at a growth rate of 9.0%. Chad and Togo hope to emerge in 2030 and Senegal cautiously scheduled their emergence for 2035. The challenges to Cameroon emergence are manifold.

A friend of mine spent eleven hours on a public bus from Bamenda to Kumba. Of this eleven hours, three were spent from Babadjou to Bamenda, a distance that should normally take about forty-fiveminutes. We began to analyse the time wasted on the bus and we discovered that he had worked for nothing for that day, and in addition to that, upon what he had spent on fare and food. The next day, he could not walk because his legs were swollen. Calculate the total hours wasted on buses by Cameroonians who ought to be working but are slowed down due to bad roads. Thus, how soon shall we emerge in our emergence? The politicians tell us that we will emerge,but the realities on the ground make the whole story an illusion.

103

What is the message for these young entrepreneurs seated here today?

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in times of comfort and conveniences but where he stands in time of challenge and controversy.” Problems are opportunities for leaders to emerge; and truly, you can emerge. You can get the dream job you want but you must abandon excessive relaxation and recreation. You must alsodrop the television remote control and develop positive attitude as you seek a job. I remember a young man answering his phone call in the middle of an interview. What about a young girl who comes to work at 8:00a.m.and by 8:30 a.m. she is already playing cards on the internet. On the other hand, one of my friends told me of his junior sister who had just left university and he advised her to start doing something even if it means selling “puff-puff”. The young lady told the brother to ask his wife to go and do so herself. Meanwhile, his brother’s wife was already making few bottles of fruit juice, fish pie for a small business unit and making 200% profit. Through that service she got connected and picked up a job and since then she has changed jobs (and levels) three times.

My daughter who has a BSc in Management is selling pineapple juice mixed with clean water. What was her start off capital? About 10,000 FCFA. It dawned on her that every Sunday about 2,500 Christians come to our congregation; that was a market, she discovered that after service the people are usually thirsty. She also discovered that we have a deep freezer in our kitchen that is half full and could be used.

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So,she began to buy pineapples, and squeezed juice out of them. She mixed water with the juice sold 0.5cl for 500 FCFA. In order to make it a serious business, I asked her to open a cashbook and set herself a target of 500,000 FCFA over a given period. My daughter simply noticed and made use of the things around her and used them and surely, she will meet her 500,000FCFA target growing from a principal of 10,000FCFA.

My younger daughter who is less than three years old has her hair plaitedfor 4,000 FCFA. Each time my wife goes to plait her hair, she comes home late saying the line was long. So,it dawned on me that there are many women who want to do their hair but few hairdo stylists available. That is a ready area of business and employment. All you need to do is to count how many women are in your house or compound to do their hair. You can sell your expensive mobile phone for about 10,000 to 15,000 FCFA, or sell a pair of expensive shoes you own to raise starting capital to start. All this is possible with core Christian leadership qualities like humility, meekness, patience, industriousnessand faith. My friend,startfrom somewhere, grow gradually, grow small and get big.

I will end this paper by listing my key findings:

We all are leaders; Jesus’ leadership style is ideal for youths; We all have work to do, even though not all have jobs; When driven by human passion, we can do more than

when driven by profit;

103

What is the message for these young entrepreneurs seated here today?

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in times of comfort and conveniences but where he stands in time of challenge and controversy.” Problems are opportunities for leaders to emerge; and truly, you can emerge. You can get the dream job you want but you must abandon excessive relaxation and recreation. You must alsodrop the television remote control and develop positive attitude as you seek a job. I remember a young man answering his phone call in the middle of an interview. What about a young girl who comes to work at 8:00a.m.and by 8:30 a.m. she is already playing cards on the internet. On the other hand, one of my friends told me of his junior sister who had just left university and he advised her to start doing something even if it means selling “puff-puff”. The young lady told the brother to ask his wife to go and do so herself. Meanwhile, his brother’s wife was already making few bottles of fruit juice, fish pie for a small business unit and making 200% profit. Through that service she got connected and picked up a job and since then she has changed jobs (and levels) three times.

My daughter who has a BSc in Management is selling pineapple juice mixed with clean water. What was her start off capital? About 10,000 FCFA. It dawned on her that every Sunday about 2,500 Christians come to our congregation; that was a market, she discovered that after service the people are usually thirsty. She also discovered that we have a deep freezer in our kitchen that is half full and could be used.

104

So,she began to buy pineapples, and squeezed juice out of them. She mixed water with the juice sold 0.5cl for 500 FCFA. In order to make it a serious business, I asked her to open a cashbook and set herself a target of 500,000 FCFA over a given period. My daughter simply noticed and made use of the things around her and used them and surely, she will meet her 500,000FCFA target growing from a principal of 10,000FCFA.

My younger daughter who is less than three years old has her hair plaitedfor 4,000 FCFA. Each time my wife goes to plait her hair, she comes home late saying the line was long. So,it dawned on me that there are many women who want to do their hair but few hairdo stylists available. That is a ready area of business and employment. All you need to do is to count how many women are in your house or compound to do their hair. You can sell your expensive mobile phone for about 10,000 to 15,000 FCFA, or sell a pair of expensive shoes you own to raise starting capital to start. All this is possible with core Christian leadership qualities like humility, meekness, patience, industriousnessand faith. My friend,startfrom somewhere, grow gradually, grow small and get big.

I will end this paper by listing my key findings:

We all are leaders; Jesus’ leadership style is ideal for youths; We all have work to do, even though not all have jobs; When driven by human passion, we can do more than

when driven by profit;

105

A small business is the easiest route into entrepreneurship;

Economic emergence may guarantee an economic ecosystem,but it warrants radical novelty;

We must accept infinite disappointments but never lose infinite hope.

Thank you for listening.

God bless the Cameroon Christian University, God bless the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, God bless the Republic of Cameroon.

106

Notes

1. Lectures by Amos Fon on “Transformational Leadership.” The Christian Leadership and Entrepreneurship Development Forum.Yaounde July 10, 2015. 2. Cited by King, M.L. 2010. Strength to Love (Gifted edition) Minneapolis, Fortress Press. 3. Wikipedia.org/wiki/transforma. Accessed 6/8/2015. 4. Machiavelli, N. 1977. The Prince. New York: Norton and Company. 5. Lecture notes by Amos Fon on “Building an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem for Cameroon’s Emergence.”The Christian Leadership and Entrepreneurship Development Forum.Yaounde July 10, 2015. 6. Cited by Amos Fon in “Building an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem for Cameroon’s Emergence.” The Christian Leadership and Entrepreneurial Development Forum. Yaounde July 10, 2015. 7. Goldstein J. 1999. “Journal for Emergence” “Emergence as a construct: History and Issues” www.anecdote.com/pdfs/paper/Emergence. Accessed on August 10, 2015. 8. www.worldbank.org/.../Cameroon/.../Jan/:2014.Accessed August 6, 2015. 9. African Economic Outlook (AEO), 2014. 10. Mail and Guardian Africa. “By 2050 an emergent

105

A small business is the easiest route into entrepreneurship;

Economic emergence may guarantee an economic ecosystem,but it warrants radical novelty;

We must accept infinite disappointments but never lose infinite hope.

Thank you for listening.

God bless the Cameroon Christian University, God bless the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, God bless the Republic of Cameroon.

106

Notes

1. Lectures by Amos Fon on “Transformational Leadership.” The Christian Leadership and Entrepreneurship Development Forum.Yaounde July 10, 2015. 2. Cited by King, M.L. 2010. Strength to Love (Gifted edition) Minneapolis, Fortress Press. 3. Wikipedia.org/wiki/transforma. Accessed 6/8/2015. 4. Machiavelli, N. 1977. The Prince. New York: Norton and Company. 5. Lecture notes by Amos Fon on “Building an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem for Cameroon’s Emergence.”The Christian Leadership and Entrepreneurship Development Forum.Yaounde July 10, 2015. 6. Cited by Amos Fon in “Building an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem for Cameroon’s Emergence.” The Christian Leadership and Entrepreneurial Development Forum. Yaounde July 10, 2015. 7. Goldstein J. 1999. “Journal for Emergence” “Emergence as a construct: History and Issues” www.anecdote.com/pdfs/paper/Emergence. Accessed on August 10, 2015. 8. www.worldbank.org/.../Cameroon/.../Jan/:2014.Accessed August 6, 2015. 9. African Economic Outlook (AEO), 2014. 10. Mail and Guardian Africa. “By 2050 an emergent

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Africa will see 1.4 billion join middle class, though problems will remain”. www.mgafrica (article) 2015- 03-22-economic-emergence. Accessed on August 10, 2015.

Nyaa Publishers

ISBN: 978-995-645-462-7 

9 7 8 9 9 5 6 4 5 4 6 2 7

Cover picture: pulpit of Presbyterian Church Bastos - YaoundeCover design by Nyaa & Partners and Edward Ndansi

Emmanuel B. Masok

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It is a must read for its spiritual nutrients, academic depth, and a pastoral perspective for a post Agrippa era.Rt. Rev. Fonki Samuel Forba Moderator PCC, President Council of Protestant Churches in Cameroon.

Emm

anue

l B. M

asok

The Fall of Agrippa I is a thorough piece in biblical hermeneutics. The context is one of spiritual, social, political and economic melt-down, warranting an erudite preacher like the Rev. Masok. The author has engaged a social reading of biblical texts,but also interesting is its godly wisdom for a sick country like ours. Rev. Dr. Epiemembong Louis Ebong Systematic Theologian, University Don and Author.

Besides being a preacher, the Rev. Masok is a social and literary prophet. This book postulates a shift from rhetorics to praxis but also, a dire need for prayers for a dying nation. The prayer of king David suffices here; “O Lord confuse the counsel of Ahitophel” or if you like, of all the Agrippas of our times. Agrippa must fall. Besides theologians, students of hermeneutics, leaders, Politicians and entrepreneurs will find this book very useful.Dr. Giftus Nkam Ntambo PhD in African Literature/ Postcolonial studies, Literary Critic and Author.

This publication is incisive and comes in handy as a divine intervention to alert, especially the led, in Cameroon and their leadership.Sammy Oke Akombi Director, Buea Regional Linguistic Centre, Poet and novelist.

About the AuthorRev. Emmanuel B. Masok was ordained about eighteen years ago into the ministry of the Word and Sacraments of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC). He began preaching some twenty-four years ago when he got admission into the Presbyterian Theological Seminary (PTS) Kumba.

Rev. Masok is a holder of a Diploma in Theology (1998), a Bachelor’s degree in Theology (2006) and a Master of

Theology degree (2010) from the PTS Kumba.

He has served as Pastor in many parishes, and currently is the Presbyterial Secretary of the East Mungo North Presbytery and Parish Pastor of the Bastos Congregation in Yaounde. He is the President of the Areopagus (Systematic Theology Forum). Rev. Masok is married and has three children.