Cleric tasks leaders over living life of humility, honesty, selflessness

The Vicar and Archdeacon, Molete Archdeaconry of the Diocese of Ibadan (Anglican Communion),  Ven. Olusegun Faleye, on Sunday, urged Clergymen and Nigerian leaders in general, to learn to be humble, moderate, selfless and honest in their callings, in order to encourage upcoming ones to live holy life, thus encouraging the masses to live righteous lifestyle.

In his sermon at the St. Anne’s Church, Molete, Ibadan on Sunday, in commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of the Ibadan Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Faleye, who deplored the socio-political and economic downturn in Nigeria, preached against impersonation and dishonesty, noting that whatever one becomes in life or accumulated on earth, is just temporal.

The Christian lawyers among the congregants who were addressed in the sermon included the Vice Chairman of the Ibadan NBA Branch, Mr. Kehinde Oyewale, who led other lawyers including Prof. John Akintayo (Dean of the Faculty, of Law, University of Ibadan, who is also a former Chairman of the Branch); Pa Mathew Adepoju (NBA Patron); Mr. Olayinka Esan (ex- Chairman); Mr. Ademola Ademidun, Mr. Yomi Aliu (SAN), and the Chief Registrar, Mrs. Ogunrin, who represented the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Iyabo Yerima, among others.

The Vicar counseled leaders in general on the tenets and advantages of being honest, not being proud; refraining from impersonation just like John the Baptist did in the Bible when he was applauded for many great things he did and so was asked by the people whether he was the Christ that was being expected.

He said, “I am not the Christ you are expecting. I am just His fore runner. As you are honoring me, when Christ comes, you will see that I cannot even unbuckle His sandals”.

Reading from the Book of John Chapter 1, verses 19-28, the Vicar said, “John just came to fulfil his role as fore runner, fore bearer and herald of Christ. He was the official messenger for Christ. Many of us who are Men of God arrogate to ourselves what we are not. Some even present themselves as Christ himself. We should learn to be humble. Many of us Pastors, G.Os, Reverends, Apostles, Bishops believe that younger ones must be suppressed and not allowed to grow if they perform well.

“Whenever any miracle is done, be it real of faked, all radio stations must air it; all television stations must broadcast it. Some will even preach and when the congregants don’t clap for them, they compel them to clap. All this is profane. John in the Bible tells us that all the things we run after in life are just temporal. So, as leaders, we should always live exemplary life of honesty, humility, love, transparency, while also encouraging others to live.”

The Vicar therefore hinted of some signs of end-time which everybody must be wary of, among them “age of technology; the spread of the gospel; environmental challenges including climate change and even COVID 19; fake miracles, as well as, lovelessness”.