•He Commends Church’s Connexional System, Episcopacy
THE Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Oliver Ali Aba, has commended the connexional system that made Methodist Church Nigeria unique within the World Methodist Council.

He made the disclosure during the celebration of the church’s five decades of episcopacy, describing God’s faithfulness as a period marked with growth, numerical strength coupled with millions of members and thousands of local churches established across and beyond the country.

Speaking at Hoares Memorial Methodist Church in Yaba, Lagos, the Prelate said the episcopacy adopted by the church is not monarchical, but connexionally tying all ends together under the oversight of conference.

Explaining the meaning of episcopacy and how it was derived from the Greek word “episcope” which implies “oversight,” Aba appreciated the first Patriarch of the church for recognizing women’s expanded roles and inclusiveness, first as deaconesses in 1976, ordained ministers in 1997 and later as Bishops in 2022.

According to Aba, this formed part of the 50th episcopacy anniversary, adding that the adoption of episcopacy had a significant impact on Methodist Church Nigeria as well as enhanced its image and effectiveness in ministry.
The elated cleric noted that the church had grown significantly with greater visibility and recognition facilitated by the episcopacy among sister churches.

Despite the successes of the episcopacy, the Prelate said the church still faced challenges in the areas of limited resources, inadequate infrastructure, the need for greater evangelism and outreach. He agreed that these challenges also present opportunities for the church to grow, develop and expand.

To many of the Bishops in the church, according to His Eminence, the 50th anniversary of episcopacy marks a significant milestone in leadership and following, highlighting themes of courage, inclusion, fear, disagreements, and overcoming problems as a part of the evolving ministry.

Aba said: “Our celebration focuses on gratitude for past leaderships, challenges, and looking forward to continued faith and service. Based on this, the focus of our 50th celebrations will also centre on jubilee, God’s faithfulness, and the diverse ways God calls people to serve with courage.”

He noted that his journey to the Methodist episcopacy started in 1972 immediately after the election of Rev. BolajiIdowu as the President of Conference.

According to him, “it was, however, in 1974 that he presented the church with a position document outlining his vision to reposition the church within the church union. It was not just a smooth process as it was confronted with many disagreements, especially among the high-ranking clergymen and laity.”

He said the new constitution was adopted in 1975, and the first set of Bishops, were consecrated on January 20, 1976, while Methodist Church Nigeria Episcopacy was formally inaugurated in 1976. The new church structure adopted by Methodist Church Nigeria established a corporate and not a monarchical episcopacy.

Stressing the importance of jubilee, cleric quoted Leviticus 25 and Numbers 4:3, to support his points.
According to him, Leviticus 25 noted that when at 50 years, every Israelite was supposed to return to their original piece of allotted land. In Numbers 4:3, at 50, the Levites transition from labour to legacy. In the old Testament, 50 represents joy, wisdom, and “Pentecost” a feast that occurs 50 days after the Passover.

Aba said: “The celebration, therefore, marks a defining moment in the life of the Methodist Church Nigeria as we joyfully commemorate 50 years of episcopacy, a golden milestone in our ecclesiastical journey, spiritual governance, and mission witness to the Nigerian nation and the global Christian community.

“We bring golden jubilee greetings to the Methodist family worldwide, our ecumenical partners, all whose prayers and solidarity continue to uphold the faith. Above all, we return glory to God Almighty, whose grace alone has sustained the Methodist Church Nigeria through seasons of growth, challenge, reform, and renewal.”
As the church celebrates 50 years, Abaurged the Bishops to adopt a servant-leader shepherding, mentoring, reconciling, and empowerment to the people of God.