Platform for Political Discourse Launched By Church Group.
A new platform for political discourse in the church was launched in Nigeria with the aim of creating awareness and encouraging Christian participation in political and social development.
The launch was done at Ibadan City on 12th June 2018, by the Institute of Church and Society and had as its theme, Theology in Public Space Platform.
Addressing the workshop, Mr. Akinitayo Thomas, spoke about the seeming imbalance between the proliferation of churches and the expected effect on society. He stated that there was the need for the church to make a more significant impact on society, taking advantage of the popularity of social media to disseminate the right information.
In another presentation, Mr. Tony Fesehun, Programme Officer, Christian Rural and Urban Development Association of Nigeria (CRUDAN), South-West, spoke on ”Mobilizing Church Community for Social Responsivity – The Nigerian Perspective.”
Mr. Fasehun also spoke on the need for the church and other stakeholders in Christendom to “go beyond prayers on the surface level, and embrace the real action such as public forums to enlighten people on happenings in the polity and how it affects them.”
Others who spoke on along lines include Reverend Segun Babalola of Christian Council of Nigeria, South-West; Reverend Kolade Fadahunsi, Director, Institute of Church and Society and Bishop J.M.B Ibikunle of Okun Diocese, Methodist Church Nigeria, who spoke on the role of theology in influencing the polity, and also urged clerics to lead by example.
The conference had representatives from the Dominican University; Chapel of Resurrection, University of Ibadan; Church of the Lord (Aladura); All Saints’ Chapel, University of Benin, Justice Development and Peace Commission, among others.
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