The Dean of Cabinet, Southern Conference of the United Methodist Church, Rev. Dr. Philip Micah Dopah, has urged members to prioritize prayer, fasting, and unity as they journey through the year 2025.
He stated this in his New Year message presented to the members at United Methodist Church Cathedral Mayo Gwoi, Jalingo.
He emphasized the importance of embracing the power of prayer and fasting, citing Jesus’ words in John 15:5b, “Without me or apart from me you can do nothing.”
“I encouraged all members to participate in the church’s prayer and fasting program from January 3rd to 14th, 2025, to seek God’s guidance, protection, and blessings in the new year and beyond.
He emphasize on the need for practical Christianity, holiness, honesty, love, justice, and integrity.
“I challenged members to demonstrate their faith through their actions and relationships, promoting healthy relationships between church leaders and members.
Rev. Dopah who also doubles as the Acting CAN Secretary Taraba State chapter, emphasize on the need for members to be punctual, describing late coming to church services or programs as a sin.
“I encouraged members to respect each other’s time and to prioritize punctuality.
The Clergy cautioned members against the dangers of social media, reminding them that the Bible is the ultimate authority, not personal opinions expressed online. He encouraged members to use social media responsibly and to promote unity and love within the church.
“I want to emphasize the importance of unity, teamwork, and forgiveness within the church. I call on members to live for others, to pray for one another, and to invest in the growth and development of the Southern Conference.
“I appeal to all church members that as we embark on a journey of another 365 days in the New Year, let the power of love prevail over hatred, envy, jealousy and greed and let the power of the light of God prevail over darkness and all forms of the negative forces in our lives. I strongly encourage practical Christianity, practical holiness, and practical honesty, practical love, practical justice and practical integrity
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“God’s willing, 2025 will not be business as usual, the office will not tolerate unhealthy working relationship between District Superintendents and their Pastors, between Senior Pastors and those that are working under them, or between Head of Programs and those working under them, we are preachers of good news, healthy relationship begets healthy church.
“Time is one of the most precious gift from God to humanity for His glory, coming to church service or any kind of church program late is a sin and any sin is a sin. Henceforth late coming to Church should not be treated as heroes, most times some people will come to church program very early and they will be asked to vacate the seat for the late comers especially singing groups this is not right. As a church we must put an end to it in order to please God.
“Let us be cautious of the second coming of Christ and always leave with eternity in view by making deliberate efforts in making wise investment by turning many into righteousness and avoiding fake Christianity and lip service to God Almighty. We should always be mindful of the Wesley three simple rules of living as people of the United Methodist church which are 1. Do no harm 2. Do Good 3. Stay in love with God.
“Good people of Southern Conference of United Methodist Church, social media is not the Bible; always belief the authoritative word of God in the Bible, respect what is coming to you from the pulpit don’t confuse yourself when an individual express his personal view on social media, above all when using social media, use it to the glory of God, a unit cannot make a hole; don’t speak on behalf of the conference as there are individuals and constituted authorities in place saddled with the responsibility of doing that.
“For us to please God and defeat the devil; for us to take southern conference to greater heights in 2025, it is very necessary to imbibe the spirit of unity, oneness, teamwork, corporation, togetherness, forgiveness and above all the spirit of what affects one affects all by being our brothers and sisters keeper for United we stand and divide we fall.
“To attract God’s mercy, favor, grace, goodness and compassion as we journey through 2025 let us live for others, Christ died for us to live, Pastors live for your members and members should live for their Pastors, always pray and mention each other by name in our individual families and community prayer life; for the person you prayed for you will hardly hate, backbite, envy, conspire, grumble and wish that person bad.
“Finally, I appreciate God for all the wonderful and good people of our Conference, I am wishing all of you are very peaceful, progressive, hopeful, favorable, gracious, blessed, fruitful, spirit filled and successful new year. I love you all and God bless you all Amen – he concluded.
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