TAL, BIBLE STUDY PAGE

WHEN WE SAY “CONGRATULATIONS” TO A CHURCH POSITION—WHAT ARE WE REALLY CELEBRATING?

Somewhere along the way, the church adopted a strange habit: treating spiritual assignments the same way the world treats promotions. A pastor is transferred? “Congratulations!” Someone is elected to a church office? “Congratulations!” A leader moves to the conference? “Congratulations!”

But a serious question hangs in the air:
What exactly are we celebrating?
Because nothing in Scripture treats ministry roles as career upgrades.

1. CHURCH POSITIONS ARE ASSIGNMENTS, NOT PROMOTIONS

In the corporate world, congratulations make sense—higher pay, more prestige, a nicer office. But in God’s work, a new role simply means a new responsibility. Paul calls ministry “a good work” (1 Tim. 3:1), not a good advancement. Leadership in the church is not climbing upward—it’s kneeling lower.

2. MINISTRY IS ABOUT GOD’S MISSION, NOT HUMAN ELEVATION

A church officer is not being “elevated”; they’re being entrusted. Heaven isn’t impressed by titles. Heaven is concerned with faithfulness, humility and the weight of souls. The moment we treat church roles like status upgrades, we fertilize pride in the very place God planted humility.

3. THE HARM OF “CONGRATULATIONS”

This culture may look harmless, but it slowly reshapes the church:
• It makes ministry feel like a career ladder.
• It encourages ambition instead of calling.
• It teaches people to chase titles instead of service.
• It introduces competition where there should be consecration.

We begin to measure God’s work with worldly metrics—and the cross disappears behind leadership badges.

4. A MOMENT THAT CUT DEEP

I once spoke at a private family event not too long ago where another pastor—recently elected to the conference—was present. A lady stood up during her speech and proudly announced, “He used to be our pastor but he has just been promoted to the conference…”

The word “promoted” pierced me!

I’ve received “congratulations” myself when moved from one district to another. Yet my spirit has always resisted the idea. These are not promotions. These are just reassignments in the Lord’s vineyard.

And here is the uncomfortable truth:

5. IF THESE ARE “PROMOTIONS,” WHY THE DOUBLE STANDARD?

If reassignment is a promotion, then why don’t we congratulate:
• the pastor moved from a city church to a rural district?
• the former conference president now serving a local congregation?
• the former first elder now assigned as an usher?

We don’t—because deep down, we only congratulate what looks like a climb upward.
And that exposes the real problem:
We have become secular-spirited people celebrating secular ideas inside a sacred space.

This mentality is killing the spirituality of the church and encouraging worldly methods to “rise” in ministry.

6. WHAT WE SHOULD SAY INSTEAD

In Scripture, no one was applauded for receiving a divine assignment. They were prayed for.
Strengthened.
Blessed.
Consecrated.

Better words would be:
“May God strengthen you.”
“We are praying for you.”
“May God give you wisdom for this responsibility.”

That is the language of a spiritual church—not applause, but intercession.

7. THE CALL

Let us stop baptizing secular ambitions and calling them spiritual victories.
Let us resist turning ministry into a ranking system.
Church roles are not achievements—they are responsibilities.

Let’s return to a culture of prayer, humility, and service.

We must stop this trend before the world finishes reshaping the church in its own image.

And we have these “congratulatory” messages being posted on official church pages? copied

In this life, nothing remains permanent - not parents, spouses, family members, friends, power, riches, or wealth. All these are temporary, lasting only for a moment. Even the joys and comforts derived from them are equally ephemeral. The one constant in life is Christ, specifically the enduring joy of having a relationship with Him. Considering this reality, how well are you utilizing the opportunities you have? It is wise to utilize them effectively to secure that which is permanent. HATal, 2026

𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐂𝐖𝐀 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 (1954 – 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭)

1 𝐑𝐞𝐯. 𝐃𝐫. 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐝 𝐈. 𝐎𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐲𝐨 1954–1957

2 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐚 𝐊𝐰𝐨𝐢 (𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠) 1957 – 1958

‎3 𝐑𝐞𝐯. 𝐆𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐢 1958 – 1967

4 𝐑𝐞𝐯. 𝐃𝐫. 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐀𝐤𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐛𝐞 1967 – 1973

5 𝐑𝐞𝐯. 𝐃𝐫. 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐝 𝐌. 𝐎𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐮𝐲𝐢 1973 - 1982

6 𝐑𝐞𝐯. 𝐃𝐫. 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐥 𝐎𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐲𝐢 1982 – 1988

7 𝐑𝐞𝐯. 𝐃𝐫. 𝐁𝐚𝐛𝐚 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐚 1988 – 1994

8 𝐑𝐞𝐯. 𝐃𝐫. 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐎. 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐚 1994 – 2000 ‎

9 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟. 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐮𝐬 𝐎𝐥𝐮𝐰𝐨𝐥𝐚 2000 – 2006 ‎

10 𝐑𝐞𝐯. 𝐃𝐫. 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐲 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 2006 – 2012 ‎

‎11 𝐑𝐞𝐯. 𝐃𝐫. 𝐉𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐚𝐡 𝐌. 𝐆𝐚𝐝𝐨 2012 – 2018

‎12 𝐑𝐞𝐯. 𝐃𝐫. 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐁𝐚𝐛𝐚 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐚 2018 – 2024 ‎

13 𝐑𝐞𝐯. 𝐃𝐫. 𝐉𝐨𝐛 𝐀𝐲𝐮𝐛𝐚 𝐁𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐭 2024 – 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭

𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐄𝐂𝐖𝐀 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭
‎
‎1️⃣ 𝐑𝐞𝐯. 𝐃𝐫. 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐝 𝐈. 𝐎𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐲𝐨 (1954–1957)
‎
‎* First indigenous ECWA president.
‎* Helped transition the church from missionary leadership to Nigerian leadership.
‎* Strengthened church administration and local leadership.
‎
2️⃣ 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐚 𝐊𝐰𝐨𝐢 (1957–1958)
‎
‎* Served briefly as acting president.
‎* Maintained stability during leadership transition.
‎
3️⃣ 𝐑𝐞𝐯. 𝐆𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐢 (1958–1967)
‎
‎* One of the longest early-serving leaders.
‎* Helped expand ECWA congregations across Northern Nigeria.
‎* Strengthened evangelism and church planting.
‎
‎4️⃣ 𝐑𝐞𝐯. 𝐃𝐫. 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐀𝐤𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐛𝐞 (1967–1973)
‎
‎* Led ECWA during the Nigerian civil war period.
‎* Focused on unity and rebuilding the church.
‎* Encouraged theological training.
‎
‎5️⃣ 𝐑𝐞𝐯. 𝐃𝐫. 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐝 𝐌. 𝐎𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐮𝐲𝐢 (1973–1982)
‎
‎* Strengthened ECWA theological institutions.
‎* Promoted missionary work and leadership training.
‎
‎6️⃣ 𝐑𝐞𝐯. 𝐃𝐫. 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐥 𝐎𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐲𝐢 (1982–1988)
‎
‎* Expanded evangelism programs.
‎* Encouraged church development and education ministries.
‎
‎7️⃣ 𝐑𝐞𝐯. 𝐃𝐫. 𝐁𝐚𝐛𝐚 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐚 (1988–1994)
‎
‎* Prominent ECWA leader and theologian.
‎* Promoted unity and strong biblical teaching.
‎* Helped strengthen ECWA’s national structure.
‎
8️⃣ 𝐑𝐞𝐯. 𝐃𝐫. 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐎. 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐚 (1994–2000)
‎
‎* Focused on organizational growth.
‎* Expanded church administrative systems.
‎
‎9️⃣ 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟. 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐮𝐬 𝐎𝐥𝐮𝐰𝐨𝐥𝐚 (2000–2006)
‎
‎* One of the few ECWA presidents who was also a professor.
‎* Encouraged academic excellence and leadership training.
‎
🔟 𝐑𝐞𝐯. 𝐃𝐫. 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐲 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 (2006–2012)
‎
‎* Strengthened mission work and church administration.
‎* Supported ECWA educational development.
‎
‎1️⃣1️⃣ 𝐑𝐞𝐯. 𝐃𝐫. 𝐉𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐚𝐡 𝐌. 𝐆𝐚𝐝𝐨 (2012–2018)
‎
‎* Promoted church unity and spiritual revival.
‎* Strengthened evangelism and discipleship.
‎
‎1️⃣2️⃣ 𝐑𝐞𝐯. 𝐃𝐫. 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐁𝐚𝐛𝐚 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐚 (2018–2024)
‎
‎* Focused strongly on missions and evangelism.
‎* Encouraged national peace and interfaith dialogue.
‎* Promoted ECWA global presence.
‎
‎1️⃣3️⃣ 𝐑𝐞𝐯. 𝐃𝐫. 𝐉𝐨𝐛 𝐀𝐲𝐮𝐛𝐚 𝐁𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐭 (2024–Present)
‎
‎* Current ECWA president.
‎* Focused on church growth, leadership development, and strengthening ECWA institutions.

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Unlock a year of limitless possibilities with ECWA 2026, a theme that sparks hope and fuels positive transformation

I've just reached 4K followers! Thank you for continuing support. I could never have made it without each one of you. 🙏🤗🎉

When danger lurks nearby, it's often those closest to us who pose the greatest threat, yet it's precisely in these moments that our character is tested; trust wisely, but let your goodness shine through, for wisdom and discernment are your strongest allies, and know that justice will be served.

Sugarcane is sweet but no one swallor it, there are some people you must spit out of your life no matter how you like them, never be ashamed of your hustle it's your daily bread. people will talk but no one will pays your bills

A man without money is a man without voice, you could be the wisest man in the room, but if your pockets are empty no one will listen to you even your family and the relative will disrespect you.

Hey friends let's start the year with Apostle Luke, the Glimps of the book with emphasis on the ECWA THEME. Focusing on Luke 12:35 gives us a beautiful entry point into the heart of Luke's Gospel.

Basic Introduction to the Gospel of Luke

Author & Audience:
Traditionally attributed to Luke, a Gentile physician and companion of the Apostle Paul (Colossians 4:14). He is also the author of the Acts of the Apostles. Luke writes primarily to a Gentile audience, particularly a man named Theophilus ("lover of God"), likely a high-ranking Roman official or seeker, to provide an orderly and historically grounded account of Jesus' life and ministry.

Key Themes & Characteristics:

· Universal Salvation: Luke emphasizes that the good news of Jesus is for all people—Jews, Gentiles, outcasts, women, the poor, and sinners. Salvation is offered to everyone.
· The Holy Spirit: The Spirit's work is prominent, from the births of John and Jesus onward, empowering Jesus' ministry and the early church.
· Prayer: Luke frequently shows Jesus at prayer and includes unique parables on prayer.
· Joy & Praise: The gospel is punctuated with songs (the Magnificat, Benedictus, Gloria) and rejoicing at God's salvation.
· Compassion & Social Justice: Luke has a special concern for the marginalized—the poor, the sick, women, and social outcasts. Jesus is portrayed as the compassionate Savior.
· Discipleship: What it means to follow Jesus is a major concern, often involving teachings on wealth, priorities, and sacrifice.

Structure:

1. Prologue & Infancy Narratives (Ch. 1-2)
2. Preparation for Ministry (Ch. 3-4:13)
3. Ministry in Galilee (Ch. 4:14-9:50)
4. Journey to Jerusalem (Ch. 9:51-19:27) – This is the largest section, focusing on Jesus' teaching on the way to His destiny.
5. Final Week in Jerusalem: Passion & Resurrection (Ch. 19:28-24)

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Luke 12:35 as an Area of Concern

"Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning." (ESV)

This single verse sits at the heart of a crucial section on watchfulness and faithful stewardship.

1. Literary Context (Luke 12:22-48)

This chapter is part of Jesus' teachings "on the way" to Jerusalem. It addresses anxiety, priorities, and readiness:

· Do not worry about material needs; seek God's kingdom first (12:22-34).
· Immediately following this, Jesus shifts to the need for constant readiness for the master's return (12:35-48).
· 12:35 is the opening command of this parable-like teaching on watchfulness.

2. The Imagery of 12:35

· "Stay dressed for action" (lit., "Let your loins be girded"): In the ancient world, long robes were tucked into a belt for freedom of movement, signifying readiness for work, travel, or battle. It recalls the Israelites ready to flee Egypt at Passover (Exodus 12:11).
· "Keep your lamps burning": This signifies alertness and expectancy through the night, awaiting a late-arriving master. A lit lamp welcomes the master and allows the servant to perform duties immediately upon his arrival.

3. The Core Teaching (Theology & Application)

The "area of concern" here is the posture of the believer between Jesus' ascension and His promised return. Luke 12:35 teaches:

· Active Readiness, Not Passive Waiting: Faithfulness is not idle waiting but prepared, active service. The believer's life is to be one of constant engagement in the duties given by the Master.
· Expectancy in the Delay: The following parables (the waiting servants, the faithful manager) acknowledge a period of waiting. The lamp must be kept burning through the night, implying that the return may not be immediate, but vigilance must not wane.
· A Contrast to Worldly Anxiety: Directly preceding this, Jesus told them not to be anxious about food or clothing. Here, He defines the proper focus of their concern: spiritual readiness and faithfulness to their calling.
· Connection to Luke's Themes: This readiness is for all disciples (universal call). It is a matter of the heart and priorities (social concern turned inward to stewardship). It leads to the great reversal: when the Master finds them so, "He will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them" (12:37)—a stunning image of grace and reward that echoes Jesus' serving nature in Luke.

Conclusion

A basic introduction to Luke reveals a Gospel of universal grace, compassion, and joyful salvation. Luke 12:35 is a microcosm of its discipleship teaching. It captures the essential Christian posture in this age: freed from worldly anxiety by trust in the Father, we are to live in a state of active, eager readiness for our Master's return, diligently performing the works of the Kingdom until He comes. It’s not about predicting a date, but about maintaining a faithful, expectant character every day.

Shout out to my newest followers! Excited to have you onboard! Nachari S. Wartu, Reuben Dauda Dogo, Jennifer Johnson, Hussaini Mamuda, Magret Done, Elisha Demetrius, Liskebe TD, Susanna Hussein, Marlyn S Lalle, Sunday Choman, Adam Gidado , Gracious Peter Mshelia, JagaBan Jinni Shallake, Amidu Maipandi, Gideon Molta, Joe Man Philip, Laban Tamah, Hi Abdullahi, Ladi Daudu, Lineth Lamela Dio, Abdu Kalambini, Itz Moliscatu, Sarah Onoja, Abubakar Musa