Pastor Joshua Obayemi, National Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), addressed church administrators at the recently concluded 2018 International Conference of RCCG Administrators on the theme ‘No Bounds’. SEYI JOHN SALAU was at the conference. Excerpts:
Can you speak to the theme of this year’s conference?
This year our theme is ‘No Bounds’. This is deep, broad, and subject to many interpretations. But if we interpret it within the context of our profession and aspiration of the mission, we can conveniently say that ‘no bounds’ means no limit to what we can do, to what we can be, to what we can achieve and to professional excellence. The implication is that in your quest for personal and professional excellence, you must strive to overcome limitations, cross lines and boundaries.
Many of us don’t try to learn new ways or methods or even new fields of endeavour because it takes us out of our comfort zone. We get so used to doing something the way we have been doing it that we don’t consider other ways. You should be prepared to leave the comfort zones of your job schedule/profession and embrace other fields of endeavour; to become versatile and a well-rounded professional. The key is that we should be able to adapt or be adaptable to many different functions or activities to experience no bound.
What does it mean to be bound as individuals?
Bounds could be defined as things that limit or restrain. For better understanding, we could describe bounds with the following synonyms: restrictions, restraints, constraints, suppressions, hindrances, barriers, deterrents, deficiencies, weaknesses, disabilities, and others.
What is the implication of this year’s theme on the participants and Christians in general?
In Philippians 4:13 the Bible said, “I can do all thing.” All, not some or many – all things through Christ which strengthens me. The Bible is telling us that with Christ we should operate from the perspective of no limitation or boundaries. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do, by all means you have to keep moving forward.” Joseph was a slave and foreigner in Egypt but eventually became the No. 2 citizen; Daniel was in captivity in Babylon and ended up as a prince; David started in the back side of the desert and finished on the throne as the king; Esther, a slave girl in another land, not only saved her people from annihilation but also became the queen of the land. All these were children of God like you. They broke barriers and set new standard. They were courageous, bold, knowledgeable and strong.
How can an individual become an all-round administrator without bounds?
Last year we talked about re-engineering the work process to be more efficient and effective. The theme this year, ‘No Bounds’, is not about just becoming better at what we do, it is about being able to do something you have not been able to do before. It is about breaking new grounds and lines to add value to our work. Overcoming bounds starts with a changed mindset and belief in oneself. How do I therefore cultivate a mindset of ‘No Boundaries’? First is by learning to think outside the box. By being adventurous and ingenious in your approach and being creative and imaginative in thinking. Believers must develop a ‘can do spirit’ and believe in who you are. As a believer you must strive for excellence at all times, by being bold, confident and courageous. A believer that wants to experience ‘No Bound’ must leverage on the giant leap of ICT, and should see the world as your constituency and sphere of influence. Constantly upgrade and improve your knowledge base and capacity to deliver. The believer must erase impossible from your dictionary and vocabulary. The believer must be innovative and seek out for new possibilities and opportunities, and master their trade by being the best at what they do. The believer must also have a network of people whose progress and advancement in their chosen career will positively impact his or her life.
What is your admonition for church administrators?
In the past, organisations valued and rewarded people who would conform to their organizations’ cultures and stay within the strict boundaries that the organisations defined for them. That’s no longer the case – they now want people who think outside of the box, like entrepreneurs, who are multi-skilled, multifaceted and versatile. Leave your job description and comfort zone and do whatever is needed to maximize value creation. As a record-breaker and a line-crosser you don’t get the option to say, “Well, that’s not my job.” No – everything is your job. If there is nobody else to do it, then do it. Employers want people who will step up and make things happen, not sit back and wait for things to happen to them. With the spirit of God in your life you have everything it takes to create a new standard, set new records, and break barriers. The word of God encourages us in Mark 9:23 that all things are possible to him that believeth.
Finally, prepare yourself to be challenged, excited and inspired during this conference as you reinvent your life and profession in a creative way and develop a creative cutting edge.
