METHODIST CHURCH NIGERIA - Online Study Bible

keeps our members abreast with developments in their church. Special
mention and commendation must be made to the Diocese of Uyo in
this regard. The Diocese has maintained a programme, Methodist Half
Hour, on air in Uyo for some time now. This has been an effective
means of evangelism in Akwa Ibom State and has created a state-wide
awareness of Methodism. Can we not follow this lead in this area? May
I suggest that Dioceses in places like Lagos, Ibadan and Port Harcourt
can partner together to sponsor a programme on television in these
cities.
8.4 No matter how small a worshipping community is, it cannot ignore the
role it can play in communication and information dissemination.
While Dioceses can publish newsletters on quarterly basis, local
churches can actually transform their bulletins to News bulletins and
include spiritual materials that can edify the lives of members and
non-members alike. One of the easiest means of passing the message
of the Gospel around is through the printing and distribution of tracts;
I dare say that even small local churches can sponsor this. It does not
take a millionaire to print tracts! This is definitely one of our weak
points and we must address it aggressively.
8.5 A word must be said here about conference publications. The
indebtedness has reached a sum in excess of N20, 000,000.00. This
includes the recently circulated journal record of public worship.
Failure to remit payments for conference publications over the years
has adversely affected the consistency of these publications. Worse hit
has been Methodist News. I appeal to all dioceses, circuits and local
churches to ensure prompt remittance of all payments for all
conference publications and to please forward all outstanding
payments to put the Media and Communication Department in a better
position to meet the daunting challenges of these present times.
8.6 We must not be afraid of change, and this is what the whole process of
repositioning is all about. If we are to actualise many of these high
aspirations the church seeks to achieve in the area of Communication,
we must be ready to change our outlook in many areas of our Church
life. We must be ready to accept the challenges our present generation
demands and take them on headlong. If we move by faith and not by
sight we are bound to succeed.
8.7 We must revaluate our curriculum in our training institutions to make
them more robust to relate to the needs of our members where ever
they find themselves. Our ministers must be exposed to attend
seminars and collaborate with institutions abroad for sabbatical
21