DECISIONS REACHED AT THE 2023 MINISTERS’ CONFERENCE
1) Explanation of Genesis 1 verse 1, which says “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” After extensive deliberations on the matter, the Ministers agreed that the “God” referred to in the text is God Almighty and not Jesus Christ, who is His Creative Agent. (Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:15-17; Revelation 3:14) Jesus Christ himself stated: “I can of my ownself do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgement is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me” (John 5:30). God Almighty effected the works of creation through Jesus Christ, His only begotten. Whatever our Lord Jesus Christ has done it is by the power of God, the Father. For the purpose of clarity, it bears restating that the “God” referred to in Genesis 1 verse 1 is none other than JEHOVAH, the Almighty Father, the Creator of the heavens and earth.
2) Explanation of Revelation 11:17,18: The text states: “Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. And the nations were angry,…” While some contend that this text refers to God Almighty, others say it refers to Jesus Christ our Saviour. This text talks about two personalities, God Almighty and His beloved Son Jesus Christ, as could be seen from Revelation 11:15 which says: “…The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever”.
Members should please note the following points:
i. The beginning part of Revelation 11:17 which says “…. We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty…” refers to JEHOVAH, the Almighty Father.
ii. The phrase “which art” – refers to Jesus Christ, in his pre-human days as the LOGOS or WORD – John 1:1-3; Proverbs 8:22-30
iii. “And wast” refers to when Jesus Christ came to this earth in his first advent. – John 1:10;14
iv. “and art to come…” talks of the second presence of Jesus Christ, when he took up his power to reign as King of JEHOVAH’S universal Kingdom. – Daniel 7:13,14; Psalm 2:6; 110:2; Isaiah 32:1
3) The Use of the Expression “What God Cannot Do Does Not Exist”: Conference noted that the expression “What God Cannot Do Does Not Exist” is creeping into the Church as some members are making use of it. We should know that the God’s Kingdom Society is a peculiar organization and we are a peculiar people by God’s grace. We have our own expressions based on the Holy Bible. This expression “What God Cannot Do Does Not Exist” is often used by people of other Faiths and Denominations whose doctrines are different from ours. Conference resolved that instead of saying “What God Cannot Do Does Not Exist”, we should continue to use expressions based on the understanding of the Holy Bible such as “There is no impossibility with God” “With God all things are possible”; and “There is nothing too hard for God” – Genesis 18:14; Luke 1:37; Jeremiah 32:27,17.
The GKS Ministers Conference, 2023 hereby restates the position of the Church on the following issues:
1) FATHERS’ DAY AND MOTHERS’ DAY:
We of the GKS do not observe Fathers’ Day and Mothers’ Day. This is because the celebrations, though having a seemingly Christian veneer or covering, have their roots in pagan celebrations, especially those in honour of the Sun god. The founding instrument of the Church, St. Gideon Meriodere Urhobo and the elders who carried on the work after he left us in flesh, never taught us to observe Fathers’ Day and Mothers’ Days. (2 Timothy 3:14,15). Something may appear, sensible, plausible and acceptable but it may not be in harmony with the will of God. See Proverbs 14:12; 16:25.
God Almighty has already given the command that people should honour their fathers and mothers. We should do so everyday. Our Lord Jesus Christ also enjoins us to do good to our fathers and mothers whenever we have the opportunity and not seek excuses to avoid doing so – in this case waiting for a special day to do so. – Matthew 15:1-9.
The GKS does not observe Fathers’ and Mothers’ days because it is a tradition of men; it amounts to giving honour to mortal men in the area of procreation which honour belongs to JEHOVAH, the Giver of life; it is not the tradition of the GKS to engage in the celebration of days, times, seasons or years; its popularity in different parts of the world marks it out as an abomination to God. (Matthew 15:7-9, 12-14; Genesis 1:27, 28; Psalm 100:3-5; Galatians 4:10,11; Luke 16:15) The Scriptures warn us against honouring human beings rather than the Creator, as it condemns those: “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever.” – Romans 1:25.
2) BIRTHDAYS:
True members of the GKS do not celebrate birthdays. It should be pointed out that observance of birthdays bestows undue importance on the individual. All mankind are born in sin into a world full of trouble. (Job 5:7; 14:1) No human being should therefore be unduly exalted. (1 Corinthians 8:2) King Solomon stated: “Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof…” (Ecclesiastes 7:8). It is only at death one can tell the type of life an individual had lived. In other words, it is by virtue of the works a man had done while alive that people will remember him, for good or for ill. It was on this score King Solomon stated: “A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.” – Ecclesiastes 7:1.
The custom of venerating the day of one’s birth has been practised from ancient times by people who did not know God. But the natural Jews did not celebrate birthdays and the early Christians also did not do so, “because they considered it is a pagan custom”, according to scholars. It is significant to note that the only birthdays mentioned in the Holy Bible were observed by people who were not worshippers of God. These were Pharaoh the King of Egypt, (Genesis 40:20-22) and Herod in Matthew 14:6-12 – and both involved the killing of people, as is customary with gentile kings when observing their birthdays.
3) HALLOWEEN:
We of the GKS, for Scriptural reasons, do not observe Halloween, because it is a pagan celebration. It is interesting that The Satanic Bible which is used by adherents of the “Church of Satan” states that after one’s own birthday, the two major Satanic holidays are Walpurgisnacht (when the Church of Satan was founded) and Halloween (or All Hallows’ Eve). Halloween is a pagan festival dating back to the Middle Ages, hence Halloween costumes are traditionally modeled after vampires, monsters, skeletons, witches, and devils. It has been brought into the Christian faith and made a popular festival in keeping with the tendency of orthodox Churches to adopt pagan institutions, customs and practices and give them a Christian coloration. We must keep our distance from anything that is of the Devil, indeed from all appearance of evil. – 1 Thessalonians 5:22; 1 Corinthians 10:20-22.
4. CHIEFTAINCY TITLES:
We must make it clear that those who accept chieftaincy titles are serving two masters and thereby putting themselves in spiritual danger. As we have stated previously in our Ministers Conference circular, while in some parts of the country, heathenish rites are attached to such installations, it is possible, at one’s insistence, for such rites to be waived at one’s insistence in some other places. There are still yet other places where it is merely a recognition of one’s achievements in life and of one’s contributions to the community. However, to avoid the stigmatization that goes with such titles, the GKS made it a policy that her members should not accept chieftaincy tiles at all. We cannot be differentiating between the title that involved fetish practices and the one that does not. Even those given those titles may not know what had or are being done behind them in the name of custom. While a number of those who had such titles before coming into the faith have renounced them (See 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Jeremiah 10:2,3), it is regrettable that some members are flaunting their chieftaincy titles before everyone by wearing the outfits to service. This is unfortunate.
The GKS Ministers Conference of 2002 made the following declaration on chieftaincy titles resolved that:
1) The policy of the Church that members should not accept chieftaincy titles should stand – James 1:27; 1 John 2:15-17 etc.
2) The Church will not honour invitations from any member who addresses himself as “chief” and no true member will attend that function.”
It is regrettable that some members have secretly accepted chieftaincy titles and that they also belong to secret societies. Inevitably, such members create confusion and embarrassments at burials as traditionalists as members of the societies they belong to insist on doing things their own way. The Church will pull out from such burials of members whom we find had entangled themselves with traditional practices and in secret societies.
5) VALENTINE’S DAY:
Valentine’s Day celebrations are contrary to the Bible and repugnant to the Christian mind. The celebration is contrary to Christian morality and is rooted in paganism. Christians are warned to keep away from pagan customs and practices – and Valentine Day is no exception. – Jeremiah 10:2, 3; Matthew 15:3; Romans 12:1,2; 1 John 2:15-17.
The love of God should be practiced daily and not glamourised and debased on a particular day. (Psalm 106:3; Mark 12:28-31) It is a celebration that encourages sexual promiscuity which God abhors. (Ephesians 5:3-5; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5. See also Romans 13:13,14.
In all, we should note that the festivals which are popular in the world today are being propped up and sustained by commercial giants who promote them to boost their businesses. We should not follow them. – Ephesians 4:14,15.
6) INDECENT DRESSING AMONGST SOME MEMBERS IN THE CHURCH:
As we stated in some past Ministers’ Conference Reports and circulars, we hereby remind members of the spiritual importance of maintaining the Christian dress code always as enjoined in the Scriptures. As is commonly said, every action has an intention behind it. We should do things that edify people and bring glory to God Almighty. (Matthew 5:16; Colossians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 10:31) Sisters should not wear trousers, mini-skirts, slits, transparent dresses, and skin-tight dresses known as “body-hug”, off-shoulder blouses with deep cuts in the front and back, as well as, materials sewn without lining, which expose their shoulders, backs and chests to public view. Also, brothers should not put on open chest tops, low-waist and tight-fitted trousers as well as fly their shirts while putting on suits or jackets. They should not braid their hair or wear dreadlocks. These outfits and mode of dressing are improper for true Christians in particular to be seen in. Members who are in the habit of wearing indecent dresses in the name of fashion are hereby exhorted to amend their ways in their own interest. The Holy Bible says, “And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.” – 1 Corinthians 7:31.
It has been a long-standing rule of the GKS, a Church of the Saint, that members should dress decently not only to Church assemblies but also to workplaces and outings generally. Rule 11 of GKS Organization Instructions/Rules among other things, states: “The law of God forbids nudity or dresses that excite sexual or immoral lusts in men and women. – Matthew 5:27.28; 1 John 2:15-17; Titus 2: 11-15; Romans 15:4; etc.”
7) FILE PASTS AT BURIAL CEREMONES:
We hereby restate the Ministers Conference 2022 decision on file pasts which states as follows: “For spiritual and health reasons, file pasts at burial ceremonies should be limited to the Officiating Minister or Ministers, children of the deceased and other members of the immediate family. In other words, file pasts would no longer be open to all sympathizers at burials. It is advisable that the casket should have a glass covering. Moreover, tributes should be short and straight-to-the point. It should be pointed out that biographies are not tributes.”
8) NON-PAYMENT OF BRIDE PRICE/RETURNING OF BRIDE PRICE:
There are complaints that despite repeated admonitions, a number of brothers are yet to pay the bride price of their wives. This is contrary to the Holy Bible and the GKS Marriage Rule which says: “Brothers who marry should pay the stipulated …bride price according to native law and custom, after getting approval for their marriages.” An unwholesome trend that is fast gaining ground in some quarters is the practice by some estranged couples and/ or their parents of returning the bride price paid on a sister in order to quickly dissolve the marriage. Such a practice is disorderly. (1 Corinthians 14:33,40; 2 Thessalonians 3:6,14) Unfortunately, a number of members grant themselves divorce without reference to the Church who approved the marriage.
Those who feel the processes for resolving marital problems in the Church are cumbersome, fail to reckon with the fact that we are doing all we can to avoid divorce by working towards reconciliation in line with the law of God. “You were united to your wife by the Lord. In God’s wise plan, when you married, the two of you became one person in his sight. And what does he want? Godly children from your union. Therefore guard your passions! Keep faith with the wife of your youth. For the Lord, the God of Israel, says he hates divorce and cruel men. Therefore control your passions – let there be no divorcing of your wives.” – Malachi 2:15,16, Living Bible.
9) SEXUAL IMMORALITY:
The GKS Marriage Rule warns against the indulgence by some brothers and sisters in extra-marital affairs. Such ones should know that they are inviting the wrath of God on themselves for committing adultery in spite of knowing that it is a sin against God. (1 Corinthians 5:9-13; 6:9,10; Proverbs 6:32-35) The GKS Marriage Rules states: “Some brothers keep concubines or lovers besides their lawfully married wives. Some of them neglect their families and become spiritually delinquent. Any member who indulges in this practice is guilty of adultery and unfaithfulness and should repent thoroughly in order to get God’s forgiveness.
“We also warn against the practice of trial marriage, that is, two unmarried persons living together like husband and wife and without any reference to the Marriage Committee. Most people who practice it claim that it enables couples to know if they are compatible: but the truth is that they are living in sin. What the Holy Bible enjoins is outright marriage, NOT trial marriage. (Hebrews 13:4). Trial marriages often break up causing feelings of guilt, emotional pains, stress, disappointments, reproach, possible spreading of venereal diseases, vexation of spirit and so on. Moreover, the persons involved may adopt new partners for another trial marriage – and the lawless trend continues. Members found guilty of any of these lawless or immoral acts will be judged and disciplined according to the Holy Bible.”
We note also that some members are secretly marrying other partners without reference to the Church, contrary to the law of God. We advise members to refrain from these practices.
Besides, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender And Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ) Group is gaining prominence all over the world. In some parts of the world it is now being adopted as a way of life and other countries are being lured and even coerced into it. Children are being taught in schools to accept it as a norm. People now have the options to live their lives that way if they wish to without any hinderance. This is sinful and very unfortunate. Members of the Church should desist from these ungodly practices. – 1 Corinthians 6:9,10; Galatians 5:19-21; Romans 1:24-32.
CREATION OF NEW ZONES
By the grace of God, Umuahia Zone has been carved out of Aba Zone. This Zone is made up of the following Branches and Units: Umuahia, Uzuakoli, Okigwe Branches; Isuikwuato and Ohafia Units. Other zones would be created in due course by the grace of God.
POSTING OF MINISTERS, 2023
The following Ministers have been posted to various stations by God’s grace. They are:
1. Brother Timothy O. Esimagbele, Station Minister of GKS Ughelli Zone has been posted as Station Minister in Charge of Accra and Monrovia Branches
2. Brother Israel O. Odiete, Station Minister in charge of Accra/Monrovia Branches is now posted to Ughelli as Station Minister
3. Brother Godson O. Nnadi, Station Minister of GKS Enugu Zone is now posted to Yenagoa as Station Minister in charge of the Zone.
4. Brother Oferi M. Ewharekuko, previously Station Minister of GKS, Yenagoa Zone is now posted to the Headquarters as Assistant Station Minister, GKS Warri Branch.
5. Brother Benjamin C. Nwaiwu, who had been the Assistant Station Minister in charge of Warri Branch would now proceed to Umuahia Zone as Station Minister.
6. Brother Chukwuemeka J. Edoziem, is redeployed from Afesan Zone to Enugu Zone As Station Minister
7. Brother Robert C. Osuji, is deployed from the Headquarters to Afesan Zone as Station Minister.
SEMINARS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEES
By the grace of God, Seminars on marriage and burial processes would be organized by the Lord’s Ministry for Administrative Committees in Branches in the various zones. This would be soon after the GKS Ministers’ Conference 2023.
WATCH AND PRAY DISCOURSERS
The following Ministers were appointed by Conference as discoursers in the Watch and Pray programme of the Church. They are:
1. Brother T. T. Iwoh
2. Brother O. E. Oriaku
3. Brother O. M. Ewharekuko
4. Brother P. O. Ayikimi
PROMOTIONS
A. The following Ministers have been promoted from Intermediate to Senior Ministers by the grace of God.
1. Brother D. O. Ikpuri
2. Brother T. O. Ugoji
3. Brother I. O. Odiete
4. Brother O. K. Iriferi
5. Brother A. I. Okocha
B. The Following Ministers Are Now Promoted from Junior to Intermediate Grade
1. Brother B. C. Nwaiwu
2. Brother O. U. Uwejeyan
3. Brother A. E. Ekireghwo
4. Brother A. O. Nwabuikwu
5. Brother U. C. Ugoji
6. Brother O. K. Onakughotor
C. The following Sisters have been promoted from Intermediate to Senior Sisters by the grace of God.
1. Sister Regina Nwabuikwu
2. Sister Rachel Uduefe
3. Sister Grace Ezeokwuorah
4. Sister Joy Ekireghwo
5. Sister Chika Nwaeke
6. Sister Grace Adedokun
7. Sister Mercy Ayavoro
8. Sister Joy Akinwale
9. Sister Dorcas Ikpuri
10. Sister Rebecca Edoziem
11. Sister Judith Odiete
12. Sister Grace Oddo
13. Sister Joyce Ochiagha
D. The Following Sisters Are Now Promoted from Junior to Intermediate Grade
1. Sister Esther Ukuta
2. Sister Barasi Owivri
3. Sister Margaret Atumuto
4. Sister Tosin Afonughe
5. Sister Philomena Mazi-Rapu
6. Sister Joy Nwaiwu
7. Sister Blessing Nnadi
8. Sister Faith Iriferi
9. Sister Hope Orode