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Why we hold Synod every year— Fape

By Chris Irekamba
14 May 2023   |   3:07 am
All is now set for the Diocese of Remo Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) to hold its 2023 Synod with the theme of the first session being, “Examine Yourselves Whether You Are In the Faith.

Fape

• Incoming Administration Must Focus On Welfare And Security Of Nigerians

All is now set for the Diocese of Remo Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) to hold its 2023 Synod with the theme of the first session being, “Examine Yourselves Whether You Are In the Faith.”
The event, 14th in its series, holds at St. John’s Anglican Church, Ijoku, Sagamu, Ogun State from May 18 to 21 and will be graced by the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, as the special guest of honour.
Starting with opening service on May 18, the Bishop of Omu-Aran, Anglican Diocese, Rt. Reverend F.O. Sobanke will deliver his sermon at 3:00pm, while the President of the Synod and the Diocesan Bishop of Remo, Most Reverend (Dr.) Michael Olusina Fape will present the Bishop’s charge on May 19 at 10:00am. The plenary session and the presentation of reports will hold on Saturday, May 20, while the programme will close with Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, May 21. In this interview with CHRIS IREKAMBA, Most Reverend Fape spoke on the importance of this year’s synod, what synod is all about and what the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, should do to uplift the standard of living of Nigerians.

SYNOD is the General Assembly of the entire membership of a Diocese in the Anglican Church. The meeting is by representation. It is like the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of any legally constituted organisation. It holds every year, and it is the highest decision or policy-making body in any Diocese. Matters and issues of serious concern are discussed at the Synod, and whatever decisions taken or resolutions adopted are binding on every constituent church in the Diocese.

The first General Assembly of the Church, which is the equivalent of today’s Synod, could be seen in the Acts of Apostles chapter 15. The issue of discussion there was the admission of Gentiles into the membership of the early church, and the need for the Gentile Christians to be circumcised in addition to their new way of life and belief in Jesus Christ.

However, drawing on the experience of Cornelius in Acts 10 who received the gift of the Holy Spirit just like any of the Jews, and was consequently baptised, circumcision was ruled out as an additional criterion for admission of the Gentiles into the Christian fold. Therefore, for the first General Assembly (Synod) faith in Christ, and consistent walk in the new life were only required for membership of the Church of God.

Therefore, with the understanding of the Synod being the Annual General Assembly of a Diocese, every member looks forward to the Synod with great excitement, believing that messages from there would have far-reaching positive effects on their Christian life and in the service of God.
What informed the choice of this year’s theme, “Examine Yourself Whether You Are In the Faith” and how is it going to help members in their journey to heaven?

In this year’s Synod, we shall be having for the first time, the First Session of the 14th Synod of the Diocese of Remo. There are three sessions in a Synod, and by implication this is the 40th Annual Synod of the Diocese of Remo, and this Synod will herald our 40th anniversary coming up in 2024. This also informs the choice of our theme: “Examine Yourself Whether You Are In The Faith” which was taken from 2 Corinthians 13:5. This theme is to enable members of the Diocese to take stock of their spiritual life and journey of faith in the past 40 years to know if they are still in the right relationship with the Lord.

What do you think the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, should do to enable Nigeria regain its pride of place among comity of nations?
By the grace of God, the four-day Synod programme, which would feature messages on the theme, Bible study, lectures and discussions at the plenary sessions would be interactive, and members would be challenged and encouraged to rededicate their lives to the service of God.

The Synod will discuss issues that concern the welfare of all Nigerians. It will also advice the incoming administration to be ready to take the bull by its horn. The incoming administration must be ready to embark on programmes that would benefit all Nigerians, especially in the area of infrastructural development and security.

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