By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
The Archbishop of Lokoja Province and Bishop of Minna Diocese, Anglican Communion, Most Revd Daniel Yisa, has challenged women, Christian mothers in particular, to be a source of encouragement to their husbands and resist temptations of pushing their husbands to the points of compromising their calling.
He said mothers in the Anglican Communion in particular should remember that the Bible in the Book of Proverbs encouraged them to be virtuous women, using their hands and wisdom to build Godly homes especially in the prevalent socio-economic hardship instead of making the home which should be place of comfort uncomfortable for them.
Bishop Daniel Yisa, made the declaration in a sermon delivered during the opening service for the five days retreat for wives of Clergy men organized by the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, hosted by the Cathedral Church of St. Peters, Minna Niger state.
The Clergy man reminded the women that it was only when their husbands and leaders in the church have peace at home that they will be able to concentrate on their duties and ministries as shepherds in the Lords vineyard.
While frowning at some church leaders who instead of serving the congregation as shepherds and servants wants to be served instead by keeping distances from members as masters, this, according to Yisa, is against the principles of shepherding the flock.
Church leaders fail to understand why God placed them as heads in churches, Yisa pointed out, adding that the situation today is however on the contrary as many of the leaders were making access to their offices and homes difficult for the people they are shepherding.
“Some of us who are church leaders, sometimes, treat our fellow priests with disdain, our members do not have access to our homes and offices even as we have free access to God. Can we ask ourselves, what type of leadership are we portraying to the public?, he queried
Bishop Yisa also admonished church leaders at all levels to be exemplary in their life style in accordance with the teachings of Jesus Christ who humbled himself to the point of death and as worthy of emulation as advocated for constant discipleship.
In her address, the Mothers' Union President and the wife of the Primate, Church of Nigeria Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, Mrs. Angela Ndukuba, encouraged the women to realize as partners in shepherding of God's people, that they were expected to look up to God for divine guidance and direction in their homes.
According to the Mothers’ Union President, “As co-shepherds, it is important for us as mothers to invite the Holy Spirit to enable His words make impact in our lives so that by extension, they impact the women and girls under their tutelage as wives of Priests”.
Angela Ndukuba who also encouraged the women to remember their God given role as mothers and help mate to their spouses which dates back to the Garden of Eden, by supporting their husbands to effectively shepherd God's people at all levels.
NIGERIAN NEWSLEADER Newspaper Correspondent reports that the retreat is an annual event that brings together wives of senior clergy of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion from across the country with a view to providing the opportunity for cross fertilization of ideas for better Christian homes.
The year 2023 retreat with the theme, “Shepherding God's Flock”, from the Books of Psalms 23:1 and 1Peter 5:1-4, emphasized on the importance of Christian leaders leading by example and protecting the sheep they are leading to avoid their going astray. NNL.


