Pastor Bola Lasisi, the RCCG Netherlands National Pastor, delivered a thought-provoking session titled "Unity in Diversity to Fulfil God’s Purpose for Living (or for the Ministry)" at the Netherlands National Men's Fellowship Conference in 2023. This assembly convened men on September 23, 2023, in The Hague, the Netherlands, to discuss the themes of unity in the face of diversity and humanity's thoughtful purpose in the eyes of God. In this blog post, we will delve into the key insights shared by Pastor Lasisi during his enlightening talk.
Key Points
Show Kindness: Pastor Lasisi began by emphasizing unconditional love as the basis for unity in diversity. He stressed that Christians must love across cultural, racial, and religious lines. He said that this love drives us toward God's plan.
Save Souls: God's mission is to save souls regardless of culture or location. We must embrace variety to spread salvation worldwide.
Soul Care: Pastor Lasisi used natural analogies of man receiving oxygen from the plan while plans takes carbon dioxide from man to show how different types of God creation enhance growth. Souls need varied experiences and opinions to thrive spiritually. This rich tapestry of human existence shows God's love of diversity.
Lightness and Salt: No matter their background, men are called to be hope and positive change makers. God's purpose is to transform.
Genuine Fellowship: Genuine friendship unites differences. Pastor Lasisi underlined the importance of leaving our comfort zones to learn from others and build togetherness.
Finish Strong And Well: God wants you to finish strong and intentionally, not merely start well. Accepting diversity and working together to achieve goals is necessary.
Pastor Lasisi discussed how unity in diversity manifests itself in the Christian life and Church:
- Leadership in the Home: Men are asked to take responsibility in their homes, setting a good example for their children to follow in various Church responsibilities.
- Interdependence: He emphasised that everyone in Christ's body has an important role to perform and should not be threatened by the gifts and talents of others.
- Inequality Challenges: Pastor Lasisi acknowledged that inequality is at the root of many of the world's ills. He did, however, point out that the fruit of the Spirit promotes unity in difference, which is consistent with God's plan for humanity.
- Diverse Engagement Areas Within the Church
1) Ministering God's Word: Pastors must avoid being dominant figures when it comes to sharing God's message. Instead, they should actively encourage others to step forward and minister, both inside and without the church.
2) Diversity in Evangelism: The call for variety extends to evangelism, drawing on 1 Corinthians 9:19, 20-22. Believers are instructed to communicate God's word everywhere they go, regardless of cultural or geographic limitations.
3) Musical Expression Diversity: When diverse languages are used in music and song, diversity shines through. The congregation is encouraged to sing hymns and songs in many languages, promoting an inclusive environment in which everyone is aware of the various languages and tribes represented in the Church.
4) Prayer Diversity: Prayer is an intimate and spiritual practice. Congregants are encouraged to pray in their native languages, recognising the Church's rich array of linguistic diversity.
5) Worship Service Diversity: Services are customised to various age groups and degrees of spiritual experience to foster variety in worship experiences. These procedures strengthen the Church's unity and vitality by recognising that both young and old have meaningful contributions to offer. This extends to societal aspects, such as special Diversity Sundays that honour other countries and cultures.
6) Welfare Diversity: The Church's support system recognise no geographical boundaries. Congregants are urged to help and aid others, regardless of their background or place of origin
7) Diversity in Prayer: Intercessory prayer is part of the call for diversity. The congregation is urged to pray for all nations, reflecting the Church's worldwide and inclusive mission.
In summarise, the main message is to foster an inclusive environment inside the Church. This includes recognising and honouring believers' different abilities, colour, ethnicity, and languages. The community can realise its spiritual goal and become a welcome environment where everyone finds purpose by accepting variety in different facets of Church life. Pastor Lasisi emphasises that unity in variety is an essential component of God's design, not merely a concept. He promotes honesty, being filled with the Holy Spirit, and fairness in all Church operations. This comprises a variety of ministries including as evangelisation, music, prayer, services for different age groups, cultural celebrations, welfare help, and intercessory prayer for all nations. In essence, the seminar advocates for unity through diversity, in accordance with God's will (Romans 14:19; John 17:21).
No comments:
Post a Comment