Economic Hardship: Archbishop Tells Christian Elders To Bear People's Burden

"At this period of hardship in the Society, the role of Christian elders is to bear the burden of the people" the Archbishop of the Methodist Church Archdiocese of Ilesha, Nigeria,Most Reverend J Akin. Deko has said.

Delivering his sermon at the the induction of Elders of the Methodist Church in Ekiti diocese held at the Cathedral church, Ifaki Ekiti, at the weekend, the clergy man stated that the elders must also feed the flock in "body, spirit and soul"He said the challenging times has placed Christian Elders in a unique position to help the people overcome their spiritual and physical burden saying that the Almighty God will in turn reward them for ministering to the needs of the people.

He said while some people in leadership positions today are inexperienced and lack wisdom to handle the challenges of their office, Elders are people of experience, wisdom and understanding who can be relied upon to use their wealth of experience and resources in leading the society and the church in the right path. Referring to the Biblical injunctions in Numbers 11: 16 and 1 Peter 5: 1-4, he called on the new elders of the Church to carry out their duties with humility, forbearance, and fear of God.

Also addressing the Congregation, the Bishop of Ifaki Diocese, Rt Rev Sunday J. Aluko said the elders were selected according to spiritual guidance to help the church in spreading the work of God physical and spiritual endowment. He said having been found worthy of the position, the elders have also denounced any association with secret societies and were expected to lead by examples.

The elders who took their oath of office, administered by the Diocesan Legal Adviser, Bar Olusegun Ilori included Are Goke Olanrewaju, Managing Director of Celiat Holdings , Ace musician Taiwo Omotunde Elder Ajaja Akinola(Oye),Dr Mrs Florence Adebayo (Ado) Isaac Sola Kolawole,(Ijurin) Chief Mrs Rachel Foluso Akerele(ifaki)Samuel O Ajise (Emure) Mrs Florence Ibiyomi Famoroti (Iwore Ifaki)Kayode Obafemi Adelusi (ifaki)Christiana Omoyemi Adeyinka USA (Ido)Mrs Adunni Akinde (Ado) Chief Michael O Babatunde Abuja (Ode)Nelson Oladipo Oladimeji Abuja(Ora), Emmanuel O Esan Lagos (Iwore Ifaki) Alagba Ayo Aroge Kaduna( Orin) David Ayodele Aborisade Zaria (Ilupeju)Joseph Adebayo Ayodele ilorin , Ezekiel Olutade Ojo (Itapa) blockquote, div.yahoo_quoted {margin-left:0 !important;border-left:1px #715FFA solid !important;padding-left:1ex !important;background-color:white;}