Christian leaders told to employ enjoyable teaching methods

Aug 14, 2019

“Brethren, we must be mindful of the emotional welfare of our children as we teach them Christianity. I have seen some pastors teaching young children in nursery and primary school to exorcise daemons! This is not proper. Why don’t you employ enjoyable methods such as music, drama and games?

RELIGION

The newly elected president of the Baptist Union of Uganda, Pastor Abel Ssegirinya has asked Christian preachers to stop teaching children hard Christian messages and practices, which can affect their intellectual and psychological stability.

Ssegirinya advocated proper Bible teaching methods, which can help children to know Jesus without being strained or scared.

"Brethren, we must be mindful of the emotional welfare of our children as we teach them Christianity. I have seen some pastors teaching young children in nursery and primary school to exorcise daemons! This is not proper. Why don't you employ enjoyable methods such as music, drama and games?

 

The new president of Baptist Union of Uganda, Abel Ssegirinya (second left), his wife Harriet Ssegirinya (left), Pastor Ekudu Adoku and his wife Joyce (right) preparing to cut a cake during the installation ceremony at Kampala Baptist Church, Nakulabye on Saturday, August 10. 

"It is equally wrong to force children of tender age to practice hard fasting owing to the negative effect this can have on their physical and mental health. We need to employ proper, relevant and interesting Bible teaching methods, which can help our children to know Jesus and his salvation."

Ssegirinya also lambasted some preachers, who he said were using the scriptures to manipulate their followers, and also extort money from them.

He was delivering his inaugural speech at the Kampala Baptist Church, Nakulabye, on Saturday, August 10.

Ssegirinya was elected president of the Baptist Union of Uganda during the Church's Annual General Meeting, which convened in Entebbe in May 11, 2019. Prior to his election, he was the Pastor of Kinoni Baptist Church, in Masaka.

Also elected were the union's Vice-President, Pastor Wafula Hillary Wangira (from Lumino Baptist Chuch) and the treasurer, Pastor Echau Echonyiu David (from Soroti Baptist Church).

The three leaders were installed by the out-going president, pastor John Ekudu Adoku, who has been in the position since 2011.

In his later remarks, pastor Ssegirinya promised to work harmoniously with the partner organisations and the members of the Baptist Church to take the Church to greater heights. He also promised to exercise financial prudence and transparency.

"I admit that I don't know many things. I also admit that many people know better than me. I also know that sometimes I am weak. But I know that God is able. So, with the help of God, and in solidarity with you and our partners, I promise that I will enhance the holistic development of our Church.

"I will put emphasis on proper teaching of the word of God. The Word of God must be applied the way it is and not be misused to manipulate people. Baptist Church is not a political organisation, but a Christian organisation where by the Word of God must be our truth and guide.

"I will encourage Pastors to go for further training, to be able to keep abreast with the trends of global development. I will encourage Christians to work hard and have money so that they can maintain their families, the Church, and the country. I will build a modern conference center for the union and also improve on our headquarters at Wandegeya.  I will also come up with a comprehensive strategic plan that will elevate our Church."

The out-going President, Pastor John Ekudu Adoku happily noted that the elections during the AGM on May 11 (2019) had been the first-ever credible and peaceful elections since the establishment of the Church. He urged the new leadership to build on the achievement of their predecessors.

 "Our Church is duly constituted and registered under the laws of the country.  We are one of the well-structured bodies in Uganda, with functioning structures from the grass-roots. We have 1,500 member churches across the country. We also have credible partners such as Compassion International, Peace Corps, Proclaim Africa, One Hope, African Renewal University and Bible Society of Uganda, to name a few. We have also managed to reduce our debt from sh110m to sh30m."

Pastor Dr. Lazarus Seruyange, the homilist, encouraged Pastors to study the word, to grow strong in the faith.

 "A pastor cannot be in the ministry without being in the Word. So, always press to know the Word of God and also memorize it. Be prayerful; a prayerless Christian is a powerless Christian."

The Chairman of the nomination, elections and installation committee, Ariko Andrew Ben said the new office bearers had been elected in acknowledgment of their good standing and proven spiritual integrity, moral dignity, and outstanding maturity.

 

 

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