By: KATO P. LADAN, Kaduna Church leaders under the Nigeria Baptist Convention have cautioned ministers across Northern Nigeria against
By: KATO P. LADAN, Kaduna
Church leaders under the Nigeria Baptist Convention have cautioned ministers across Northern Nigeria against keeping silent in the face of corruption, injustice, and moral decline, warning that such silence erodes the Church’s moral authority and weakens its role as the conscience of the nation.
This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the 65th Annual Ministers’ Conference of the Baptist Theological Seminary, Kaduna, held from October 6–10, 2025, under the theme: “The Authority of Scripture and the Mission of the Church in Troubled Times.”
The communiqué, jointly signed by the Chairman of the Seminary’s Board of Governors, Rev. Joseph John Hayab, and the Acting President, Rev. Dr. Mannaseh Panpe, charged pastors and church leaders to speak truth to power with courage and wisdom, saying the Church must remain a voice for the voiceless and a moral compass in a troubled society.
According to the statement, the Conference, which brought together over 4,000 pastors, theological scholars, and leaders from across the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, reaffirmed the authority of the Holy Scriptures as the ultimate guide for faith, morality, and national renewal.
“The delegates emphasized that obedience to God’s Word remains the only path to spiritual revival, moral reformation, and lasting peace,” the communiqué read, adding that pastors must lead by example in honesty, humility, and compassion, while building congregations that reflect biblical values.
The Conference also decried the rising culture of extravagant weddings and burials, describing such practices as unbiblical and financially burdensome. It urged churches to model moderation, contentment, and godly marriages that honor Christ above social expectations.
Expressing concern over voter apathy among Christians, the Conference directed pastors to mobilize members to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the 2027 general elections, stressing that “political participation is both a civic and moral responsibility that enables believers to promote righteousness in governance.”
The communiqué further acknowledged the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani in promoting national unity and security coordination, while urging government at all levels to sustain reforms, deepen peacebuilding efforts, and ensure justice for victims of violence.
On international affairs, the Conference warned that the move by the United States Senate to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged violations of religious freedom could worsen insecurity by restricting access to military support and legitimate security equipment.
Decrying the worsening hardship facing citizens, the Church urged the government to “lead with the fear of God, formulate people-centered economic policies, and prioritize human welfare above political ambition,” the communiqué added.
COMMENTS