Nigeria: Federal Government to Train 500 Ex-Militants in Agriculture

                  

The Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, retired Brig.-Gen. Paul Boro ,says the Federal Government will train 500 ex-militants in agriculture and aquaculture under its amnesty programme.

Boro disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) shortly after his visit to Bio-resources Development Centre (BIODEC), Odi in Bayelsa .

He said the would-be trainees were selected from Akwa-Ibom, Abia, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers.

The special adviser said the training would create jobs and wealth for the youth, especially now that the country sought to diversify the economy.

Scandinavian countries approves teaching Yoruba language in schools

                               
The countries that make up the Scandinavian have approved the teaching of Yoruba language in their schools.
The Scandinavia, made up of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland, gave the approval late on 20th of August 2016.
This revelation was made on Saturday by the Sweden Coordinator of the Oodua Progressive Union, Victor Mobolaji Adewale, during the Europe meeting of the Union.
The meeting was held in Istanbul, Turkey.
Adewale, who also emerged as the Deputy Coordinator of the body in Europe, said the approval followed the well attended launch of the Union in Sweden in late June, 2016.

Dangote Foundation donates clothes to Borno’s displaced persons

                        
As part of its humanitarian gesture, the Dangote Foundation has provided clothing and other materials to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Borno State.

This is coming as the United Nations applauded the Foundation’s philanthropic stride in Africa.

Earlier, President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote had announced a staggering donation of N2 billion to the IDPs in Borno State.

The Foundation said thousands of clothing materials, blankets and shoes were delivered at the weekend to the displaced persons in Bama, Borno State. 

 

Source; Sun News

7 Mistakes to Avoid When Starting a New Ministry

                            
1. Hiring people too fast.   We grew pretty quickly during our first year, and we defaulted to hiring staff instead of developing volunteers.  While your church does need an intentional staffing strategy, I didn’t spend enough time developing volunteers to lead ministry.  Hiring people is great, but I let it become the easy way out, and it hurt us in some cases.
2. Launching things too soon.  Growth can trick you into thinking this way, but I didn’t stick to my guns about starting new things.  I think we launched groups and student ministry too soon.  We started some programs and ministries that worked well when we were small and nimble but were not sustainable as we got larger.

3. Trying to be cool for the sake of being cool.  In retrospect, I chose a few series and advertising campaigns that got people to church but created controversy for the sake of controversy.  There’s nothing wrong with being cool, but trying to be cool isn’t cool.

4.  Arguing with critics.  Early on, I engaged with too many critics.  Whether on a now-defunct local message board or bloggers who were picking apart sermons, I should have kept my mouth shut and let God be my defender.  I’m proud to say that I do a better job of this now and don’t care at all what angry, anonymous people on message boards have to say.

5.  Not involving my wife my wife.  I let having two young kids at home keep my wife out of some things, and this was a mistake.  If you’re a church planter with children, I recommend that you figure out how to pay for a babysitter so your wife can participate in some meetings and conversations.  Not only will she help, she will feel more included.

6. Basing financial decisions off poorly-researched projections.  When we renovated and moved into the House of Rock, I didn’t do enough homework on how much renovations would truly cost.  We had to go back to our people and tweak our fund raising campaigns, and that’s never good.  It’s better to take the time and spend some money in order to get accurate financial projections and timetables.

7.  Not working with other local churches as much as we could have.  We have a bit of a reputation for being a rogue, and this is not always a good thing.  I really do like and appreciate other churches in our area, but I wasn’t intentional enough in communicating that early on.
These are just some of the mistakes we made and things I’ll try to avoid the next time around.

Written by Michael Lukaszewski

After two decades as a student pastor, church planter, senior pastor and leadership consultant, Michael Lukaszewski now leads the team at Church Fuel, an organization dedicated to providing insanely practical resources to pastors. He and his wife have three children and live in Atlanta in the United States.

How to identify a fake pastor or prophet

                  
 Someone once told me of a pastor who demanded money to observe fasting and prayers on her behalf, of course my response was a resounding fake pastor!!!
The position of pastor is the seat of Moses.They speak on behalf of God and saddled with the responsibility of teaching His children truth about Him. Pastors are men of God but not all pastors are of God. There are three categories of pastors: a, those the Lord called b, those who appreciate God for good done to them by Him and want to pay back in kind c, those who just want to do something for God. Frankly, only the one called by God is known, covenanted and has divine comprehensive backing from Him. Though these other categories will still enjoy some divine benefits and favor yet God is a covenant keeping God, He sustains only what He starts. Calling of God is predestinated...Gal 1:15. We fail to realize that God is not a man neither does He thinks like us, His ways are eternal and whatever He does is to endure eternity. Considering this truth, it is obvious we all have misunderstood Him on many occasions this is even true with those who ought to know better. When He subjects us to some vigorous tests we are too carnal and mundane to grasp that we are being prepare for eternity by fire of afflictions and take it with faith.
Christians are chosen by God for his glory to the end that through them He might reveal His manifold wisdom to principalities and powers in the heavenly places...Eph 3:10. Guess who occupies these heavenly places they are occupied by the most strongest and wicked fallen angels who defies the authority of God in their domains. These heavenly places God predetermined that the church should dominate and rule while she operate in the physical realm on earth...do you remember whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven. Trust me these evil powers do not accept the authority of the church in their domains without a fight. Unfortunately, many believers do not understand this simple eternal truth and goes about looking for solution to their challenges and seek miracles that God did not give. They look down on their pastors whose prayers seems not going anywhere and has no results. They will abandon their shepherd and run after so called powerful pastors and prophets to solve their problems thereby encourage emergence of fake pastors who are empowered by the queen of Heaven..Jer 44:16-19. Presently the situation is worsen by the day, It has reached a pandemic stage that now it is a matter of survival for us to identify these fake pastors or perish eternally.
These are few signs to look for:
1. Above all every believer needs to know that his or her situation no matter what it may be, God know about it. We must accept that every prayer God did not answer we should let it be. While with thanksgiving make your petition known to Him. Remember you are beloved of God.
2. lf a pastor only advertise goodness of God without teaching His severity. He is one those you should beware of, regardless of his status and anointing.
3. Please observe when a pastor teaches sound messages full of facts but lack truth needed for you to make heaven.
4. Whenever a pastor teaches you to ignore revelations and leading of the Holy Spirit 'Rhema' rather he uses bible verses 'Logo' to guide you when you are at a crossroad to make important choices and decisions. There is a big difference between to guide and to lead. Right there, you should know it is only those who are led by Holy Spirit are sons of God...Rom 8:14. The devil knows bible more than all of us combine. The only way you can outsmart him is by the leading of Holy Spirit. Holier than thou pastors will point to the bible forgetting that what was written was once heard indirectly deny existability of God to speak thereby reject warnings of Holy Spirit. Consequently expose their members to avoidable tragedy.
5. A pastor who does not want to offend his congregation by telling them what they want to hear instead of what they need to hear is FAKE. He has no fear of God in him and without the fear of God a pastor can't be genuine. Such minister strives and prospers on their sins ways, careless of their wellbeing and eternal end..Hosea 4:8.
6. Many pastors grossly abuses the sole purpose of tithes which is to ensure there is food in the house of God..Malachi 3:10. They careless about the welfare of their flocks, for God sake this money is meant to take care of the poor ones in our mist. But they use the tithes to build their empire called big [auditorium] church and branches everywhere with unbaked pastors to shepherd innocent souls. They indulge and live expensive lifestyles at the expense of their members. They are supposed to distribute this money to less privileged members as deemed fit..Act 3:32. They may use other offerings for any purpose but not the tithes. lf your pastor does not follow this biblical instruction you need to run.
7. Any pastor who lay hand on his members' heads indiscriminately must not be taken as genuine..1Tim 5:22. He knows his gimmicks is to dedicate unsuspecting innocent members of his church to Satan and to put invisible mark of the beast on them. lf he encourages meals to be served after church services unknown to gullible members who do not know it is an initiation process. You don't have to believe me just continue to submit your head which is the symbol of your destiny to every jack and Harry pastors and eat food sacrifice to demons. A word is enough for the wise. lf the pastor teaches his members to faith what they need to avoid and run for their dear life. He is surely a fake pastor.
8. lf you belong to a church where your pastor boast too much or draw undue attention to himself in his sermons, take note. Observe his character and speeches carefully outside the pulpit if he does not bear the fruit of Holy Spirit..Gal 5:22. Many preaches what they don't do and also check out the company of compatriot pastors he associated. Check him out again please, we're talking about your soul and eternity here. Your allegiance is to Christ not to any man or church.
9. When a pastor always have much church programs than normal you should know where his preferences are.
10. When a pastor is more concern about your financial status than your spiritual growth, value and commitment to things of God. He is money pastor. You are not important as the other guy who drops fat checks for tithes and offerings.
Just to name a few many other signs are numerous to mention.
Please be careful l'm not encouraging dissension in the church or incite you to dishonor your pastor but to sensitize the sheep to daunting situation the church has found herself. lt's imperative that we begin to speak out to rescue and preserve a remnant from imminent doom hanging on the church. l may not be able to help all but God will save some.
End time is here you can't afford to be careless of your salvation please. Many believers believe that if a pastor commit sin he must be a fake pastor but the truth is far from that notion of sin. lnfact the fake pastor lives a sinless life in the open but secretly indulge in wickedness. You can only identify them by their fruit not sins. They can't give what they don't possess regardless of their titles.
You must be careful where you align yourself to worship God because you can not be above your teacher also note that scripturally you are responsible for the sins of your leader. Know the voice of the Shepherd from hireling's. Be sensitive and shine your eyes very few Christians are making heaven solely because of these fake pastors who teaches heresies. The greatest evil that can happen to a Christian is to follow wrong advice or doctrine with a sincere heart..Hosea 4:6.

Written By Opeyemi Just4U

The Podcast Pastor

                            
Many Christians find biblical and spiritual nourishment from faithful podcast preachers. This is a good thing. It gives people the opportunity to build God’s Word into their lives during the week as they jog or drive or clean or just sit and listen. But with this benefit comes the question, How should we encourage these same Christians, who are benefiting from podcast preaching, to orient themselves toward their pastor(s) in the local church?
 Let it be clear that we ought to deeply appreciate our local pastors, under whose shepherding and preaching we sit week in and week out. They are indispensable, as a gift from God, to his church. God does not say in Scripture that he has given podcasts to the church, but pastors and teachers.Eph 4;11-12 says “He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry.”
He gave these pastors responsibility for particular flocks. That is what it says in 1 Peter5;2-3: “Shepherd the flock of God that is among you” — a pastor is not responsible for a flock across the world or down the street — “exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you, not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.” Pastors will only be examples as they live and minister among a particular people. This connectedness between pastor and people is a calling for the pastor and a gift to the flock.
This is the picture that God has ordained: that flocks exist, and shepherds exist, and that the shepherds have accountability for a particular flock; and that the flock should submit joyfully to its particular shepherd. This is a structure that no podcasting pastor can replace.
These local-church shepherds, then, are given an astonishing responsibility in Acts 20;28: “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock” — that is, all their flock — “in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God which he obtained with his own blood.” This is a massive calling — and an enormous burden. Take heed to all the flock, he says. This is your flock. You are their shepherd. Watch over them, care for them, as no mere podcaster can. And the counterpoint is that all those sheep should know that this is the local pastor’s responsibility, and they should submit to that gladly. They should want it. They should feel wonderfully blessed by being in a church where this is believed. And so God tells us, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls”(Hebrews 13;17). And he says we should be eager “to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work”(Thesssalonians 5;12-13).

In other words, God has designed normal Christianity — vibrant, healthy, durable, culture-shaping, mission-advancing, justice-elevating, Christ-exalting Christianity — to be a web of relationships, in local churches, led by faithful shepherds, who live as examples and care for the souls of their particular sheep. No online preacher can take the place on the ground of these shepherds.
Let me add two further considerations:
First, what we should desire from our pastor in his preaching is not mainly rhetorical or oratorical skill, but faithful explanation of God’s Word and application to our lives, especially the life we are living together right here in this church and city, making an impact on our specific community.
 So I say to every church member: Value your pastor as the one who opens the Scriptures for you in your situation, in your community, in your web of relationships week in and week out. Support him in this.
Second, we need to acknowledge the huge importance of corporate worship, as a whole, in the life of a believer. Gathering with God’s people every week — gathering, not just putting on your headphones and listening to a worship song — to exalt Jesus together and hear each other say great things about the One whom we love and cherish is the way God means for us to thrive in relation to him. I have found this weekly rhythm of corporate communion with God essential to my faith over the last fifty years.
Preaching is essential to that corporate experience. Preaching is not after worship. It is worship. It is the pastor exulting over the truth of God’s Word.
 It is expository exultation. In other words, preaching is not an isolated moment of instruction, as if the service just switched from music to class. No, the service is worship from start to finish. We are going vertical from beginning to end, and we are connecting with God through prayers and communion and singing and giving and in the sermon. We are leaning on the pastor to draw us into his explanation and exultation over the Word of God as part of corporate worship. Podcasters cannot do this. If people only hear preaching outside the context of corporate worship, they are neglecting part of its life and its power.
I love podcasting. I think it has a place in the growth and learning of contemporary Christians. But nothing can replace the church gathered and the community of believers under the leadership and care of shepherds who minister God’s Word to them and care for their souls.

Written by John Piper
John Piper is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is author of more than 50 books including A PERCULIAR GLORY.

5 Reasons Why the Church Must Engage the World with Social Media

                           
As we develop a driving philosophy of why to take up the mantle of social media engagement, it’s important to understand that the purposes for engaging the culture this way are the same purposes that led the church to engage with the world before the Internet ever existed.

We engage because the world needs Jesus.

Paul declared he would “try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some” (1 Cor. 9:22). I don’t think for a second Paul would ever have compromised the integrity of the theology he had carefully built while writing nearly half of the New Testament, but I do believe he was willing to adapt his communication style to any audience in order to be clear about the gospel. Paul’s willingness to adapt to his surroundings was the outflow of a heart that broke for people who did not yet know Jesus.
The world needs Jesus, and the very people we want to reach with the gospel are involved in social media—especially those in the youngest generations. They’re tweeting. They’re Facebooking. They’re Instagramming. We can’t expect a lost world to come to our turf on our terms to hear our message. We must actively engage them with the hope that is in us. If we hope to share Jesus with them, we need to go where they already are.

We engage because the conversation happens with or without us.

Right now, people are talking about big issues. Dialogue is ongoing when it comes to politics, economics, science, medicine, sports, technology, and religion. In most areas of life someone is leading the conversation that’s happening, and it isn’t waiting for us to catch up. The conversation is happening whether we’re a part of it or not.
In past centuries Christians have been willing to lead the conversation about art, science, and social issues. But within the last half-century our tendency has been to retreat into our Christian bubbles where everything feels comfortable to us. If we’re honest, we’d rather spend time talking to other Christians about the Christian life than risk engaging in conversations with people who disagree with us or have tough questions we can’t answer. It takes courage to engage, but engage we must if we are to lead the conversation about Jesus forward.

We engage because God should be glorified in every space.

I remember Rick Warren talking about a conversation he had with John Piper about Twitter. At the time Piper had created a Twitter account but Rick had not. They spoke at an event together, and Rick questioned Piper about embracing a medium that, in Rick’s thinking at the time, dumbed down communication and fostered narcissism. Piper responded that it is the responsibility of Christians to fill every space with the glory of God— even the online space. That conversation pushed Rick into tweeting, and now he is one of the most influential church figures using Twitter today.
In every space where people are talking, the glory of God should be evident. His light should be shined into the darkest corners of society. It stands to reason that if the role of Twitter and other social networks is to empower everyday people with a voice, then we should certainly take advantage of the opportunity to use that voice to point people to the glory of God.

We engage because it’s the mission of the church.

It is impossible to fulfill the Great Commission as Jesus gave it without engaging the culture around us. The members of the earliest church in the city of Jerusalem would confirm this. Jesus had plainly commissioned them to not only share the gospel with their surrounding community, but also to do so to the uttermost parts of the earth. They did well locally, but they failed to leave their city. So persecution came. What happened next? The Bible says that “the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went” (Acts 8:4). They had to learn the lesson the hard way that God is serious about us going to every piece of the planet with the good news.
Obviously social media won’t help us reach every people group left in the world. Many do not have access to electricity, much less the Internet. But the online world does give us a window into an ever-widening portion of the world’s population. And the United Nations, on June 3, 2011, declared Internet access to be a basic human right: “Given that the Internet has become an indispensable tool for realizing a range of human rights, combating inequality, and accelerating development and human ????????progress, ensuring universal access to the Internet should be a priority for all states.” Corporations and governments are seeking ways to extend the reach of the Internet to everyone. In other words,more roads are being paved for the church to complete its mission.

We engage because people need us to engage.

Why does the United Nations consider access to the Internet a basic human right? Because the world’s leading thinkers understand the Internet is a virtually limitless source of knowledge updated in real time. Living conditions can be improved by giving people access to knowledge about anything from better architecture to advanced medical training to new farming methods and more.
And then there’s the fact that in every country in the world, there is a church. It may be small and underground, but churches exist virtually everywhere. The Internet affords churches access to this massive infrastructure for helping mankind. Even in impoverished nations church leaders tend to gather to discuss the needs of their respective congregations. Some places have no hospitals or grocery stores, but there are churches. These churches, with the aid of the Internet, can help to serve and lead their communities. Imagine the results we could see if we really used social media to meet the needs of people, not only in places where the Internet is just now becoming available but also in our own backyards.
People have real needs that can be met via social media. Therefore, social media is a tool that cannot be ignored as a viable means of extending the Great Commission and helping others heal with the message of Jesus. There’s a purpose for everything under heaven. This means that there’s a purpose for the Internet, and there also ought to be purpose in the way that we use it.

Written by Brandon Cox
 www.brandonacox.com