The church a movement that must move forward — Okoh

The Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion has dedicated another building, St. James Anglican Church in Asokoro, Abuja. This came barely a week after the church dedicated its national secretariat also in Abuja.

Speaking at the dedication service, the Primate of Church Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Nicholas D. Okoh said the Church is not a monument, but a movement that must continue to move forward.

“The Church is a flowing river, not a stagnant pool that becomes filled with all sorts of rubbish and is smelly as a result of being stagnant. Therefore, this Church must be a centre where the gospel flows,” he said.

The Primate noted that dedication is setting apart for holiness, whereby that which was dedicated became God’s property and used for only holy activities.

He said: “The house has been dedicated, but the human beings must also be dedicated, so that there will be a flow of the Spirit from the environment to the individual and the society. The fruit will be to God’s glory.”Okoh, who was unhappy with the current state of the church, said: “If we can’t find truth in the Church, where else can we find it?

He charged Christians to ensure that aside building magnificent places of worship, they must endeavour to also build themselves spiritually and otherwise, so that they are not cast away on Judgment Day. Describing the new Church as a mini-stadium, the cleric pointed out that the greatest tragedy that could befall any believer was to miss heaven, after all done in the Church on earth.

He urged all to be diligent in spiritual matters and remain rapturable, while leaving a legacy for future generations. The former Vicar of the Church, Ven. Dr. Princewill Ireoba, who is currently the Rector of Ibru International Ecumenical Centre, Agbarha-Otor, said it was a privilege to serve God in one way or the other, and that giving should be to God and not for self-aggrandisement.