Be faithful servants, Anglican bishop tells workers

The Bishop of Missionary diocese of Oyo South, Rt Revd Dr Olufemi his wife, Dr Mrs Modupe Familoni in a group pix from the new licensed lay readers.

The Anglican Bishop of the Missionary Diocese of Oyo South, Rt. Rev’d Olufemi Familoni, has urged church workers to remain committed to service in God’s vineyard.

​He gave the charge at the licensing and commissioning of 10 pioneer lay readers for the diocese at the Cathedral Church of St. John, Akinmoorin, Oyo State, on Sunday.

​Familoni said at the event that working in God’s vineyard requires faithfulness and deep commitment.

​”It is better not to offer yourself for God’s service than to offer yourself and not be faithful. God requires faithfulness. It is not the volume of work you do for God that matters; it is being faithful in what He has asked you to do,” he said.

​According to him, God does not reward sacrifice that is devoid of obedience.

“You remember Saul. He was asked to destroy the Amalekites, but he spared the king and some of the spoil under the claim that he wanted to sacrifice them to God.

​”Samuel, a prophet of God, told him obedience is better than sacrifice. You cannot earn God’s favour by doing things He has not commanded. I am urging you, as you begin this journey as lay readers in this diocese, to let commitment and faithfulness be your watchwords,” he added.

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​While noting that the lay readers are pioneers in that arm of the diocese, he said, “It is the example you set today that people coming behind you will build on.

“I want to encourage you to brace yourselves for hard work and be dedicated to the cause of Christ. God, who sees your labour of love, will reward you in His own time.”

​Serving as a lay reader, according to the Anglican tradition, is a noble calling.

“Not everybody has the capacity and calling to do what you are doing or what you have signed up to do. I want you to see it as a privilege to serve the Lord in this capacity. I want you to be faithful,” he said.

​The licensing and commissioning ceremony was a remarkable event in the young diocese’s history.

​ Familoni prayed that the pioneer lay readers would faithfully proclaim God’s word, serve God’s people with humility, and become effective instruments in advancing Christ’s Kingdom.