Lagos Anglican Synod To Confront Governance, Social Challenges

The Anglican Diocese of Lagos Mainland plans to use its four-day synod to deliberate on governance and pressing social challenges confronting the church and the larger society.

The synod, which begins tomorrow, opens with a service at the Cathedral Church of St. Jude, Ebute Meta.

The event is being held as the diocese marks its 20th anniversary.

A statement signed by the Diocesan Communications Office and made available to journalists yesterday, explained that the synod is themed, “Thus far has the Lord helped us,” taken from 1 Samuel 7:12.

The gathering is the second session of the seventh synod of the 20-year-old diocese.

The guest preacher is the Bishop of Maiduguri, the Rt. Revd. Emmanuel Morris.

The synod brings together delegates from churches across the diocese, representatives from other dioceses, guests and members of civil society to deliberate on issues affecting the church and society.

The business session will formally open on Friday at All Saints’ Church, Yaba.

The host diocesan bishop, the Rt. Revd. Akinpelu Johnson, is expected to deliver the State-of-the-Church-and-Society Address during the session.

The address is expected to provide an assessment of the state of the church and its engagement with wider societal concerns.

On Saturday, delegates from the 52 churches under the diocese will hold successive sessions to examine contemporary issues affecting the church and the wider society.

The discussions will form part of the broader deliberations on the role of the church in responding to challenges confronting communities and the country.

The synod will climax on Sunday with a closing service at the Cathedral Church of St Jude, Ebute Meta.

The closing day will also mark exactly 20 years since the Lagos Mainland Diocese was inaugurated as the 95th diocese of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion