The 17th Synod of Methodist Church Nigeria, Diocese of Lagos West, was held at the Methodist Cathedral of Blessing, Palm Avenue, Mushin, Lagos from 21st to 23rd Apriil 2023 under the divine guidance of the Holy Spirit and the able leadership of The Rt. Rev Ezekiel Olayinka Akande, Bishop, Diocese of Lagos West, Methodist Church Nigeria.
The theme of the Synod was “Contending for the Faith”, taken from the scriptural text, Jude 1:3.
Below are the resolutions of the Synod:
NATIONAL ISSUES
INSECURITY AND ATTACKS AGAINST CHRISTIANITY
The Synod noted that Christianity has continued to contend with relentless and increasingly violent physical, moral and spiritual attacks globally with cases of mass killings of Christians, destruction of their places of worship and a deliberate resolve to undermine the Christian faith assuming alarming proportions in many countries, including Nigeria. It decried the apparent complicity and unwillingness of Governments and relevant authorities to condemn and effectively confront the worrisome trend with decisive punitive actions against the perpetrators.
Citing the cases of the gruesome murder of Deborah Samuel Yakubu in Sokoto in May 2022 for alleged blasphemy (in a supposedly secular nation) as well as the mindless and unconscionable killing of Christians in Northern states, particularly Kaduna, Plateau, Zamfara and Katsina, the Synod noted that Nigeria has remained a laughing stock among nations due to her apparent inability to rein in and curb the growing spate of violence, kidnappings and killings in the country.
The Synod reminded all Christians in the country that rather than resort to violence in the face of the ceaseless persecution and killings they have been contending with, they are expected to be firm, to be steadfast, to be courageous, to be determined, to be deeply rooted and to show zeal in the faith of Jesus Christ.
Besides, they must make themselves available, be determined and watchful, be filled with the fire of the spirit and to keep their gazes fixed on the crown of ultimate and unfailing glory as they contend for their faith.
