Church leaders encouraged to embody guiding principles of compassionate leadership

Pastor Gabriel Okpako Uyeh, the LAWMA Territorial Chairman of The Apostolic Church Nigeria, has called on ministers to embody the qualities of the "Good Shepherd", emphasizing the importance of sacrificial service, humility, and genuine care for their congregations over personal ambition.

This charge was given by Pastor Uyeh during the induction service of Pastor Samuel Osuntayo as the 10th Area Superintendent of TACN, Igbein Area, which took place over the weekend.

The event also featured the launch of Pastor Osuntayo's book, titled Strategic Leadership in Pastoral Ministry, which was represented by the Abeokuta Area Superintendent, Pastor Timothy Agbeja.

Pastor Uyeh warned church leaders against adopting pride, greed, and self-centred leadership, instead urging them to model their leadership after the "Chief Shepherd" and have a "shepherd's heart" to lead the people in the way of the Lord.

He noted that the source of a leader's strength and longevity comes from the Chief Shepherd, and therefore, they should depend on Him alone, adding that the induction of a new superintendent is like a "marriage" between the minister and the congregation.

Pastor Uyeh stressed that the new superintendent must protect, provide for, and guide the flock, warning that if a shepherd is found wanting in these responsibilities, he is a hireling.

He also urged members of the church to see their new superintendent as a gift from God and support his leadership by cooperating with him and taking good care of him.

Pastor Samuel Osuntayo, the newly inducted superintendent, described his book, Strategic Leadership in Pastoral Ministry, as part of his contributions to strengthening pastoral practice based on his years of experience in ministry.

The book received commendations from religious and professional leaders who attended the launch, including Presiding Elder Samuel Solesi of The Apostolic Church Nigeria, who likened the principles outlined in the publication to quality control standards used in the corporate world.

Solesi urged church leaders to abandon indifference and adopt measurable performance indicators in church administration, and recommended the book for use in Bible colleges, noting that its step-by-step guidance could help improve church assemblies.

He believed that the book could encourage leaders to render service that is acceptable to both God and humanity, and that it could be a valuable resource for church leaders.

Town Planner Toyin Ayinde described the book as a "minister's companion", noting that it addresses the fundamental questions of "why", "what", and "how" in pastoral leadership.

Ayinde further described the publication as "the science of pastoral leadership", urging aspiring ministers and church leaders to study it carefully and follow its guidance to become successful leaders in pastoral ministry.

Ayinde recommended that readers start from the last page of the book, where they will find "Bringing It All Together", which ends with the words "See you at the top", and then read the book voraciously from the beginning.