QUALITIES OF AN ASSISTANT BY PASTOR COSFINNEY

It was a wonderful privilege to come together again to bask in the presence of our Lord and receive much needed spiritual refreshment.

Wednesday bible study started with intercessory prayers led by Sunday. The call to worship followed with the song "Holy are you, Lord," led by Flora.

Chinomnso said the opening prayer that declared the service open.

We sang the songs, "Arise," "Lord you are good," and "I'm a friend of God," during the praise session led by Maryann and Knowledge.

Worship was led by Anita with the songs, "I give myself away," and "You are my passion."

Buchi took the announcements, everyone who would be going to the dedication of the Rock cathedral in Lagos was asked to wait behind after service to meet with the senior pastor, Cosfinney Udoka. This upcoming Sunday service will start at 8:30 a.m. CITH (Church in the home) will hold this Sunday, the women's fellowship will hold tomorrow, April 18, at 5 p.m.

After the announcements, he welcomed pastor Udoka, to give us the word from the Lord. 

Before he delivered the message, he led the church in a brief time of prayer for the world.

The prayer points were:

1. Peace over the world.

2. Security of [your] life.

After the prayers, he went on to deliver the message, titled "Five qualities of an assistant," a continuation of the series on leadership he started a few weeks ago.

Exodus 17 vs. 11

"No matter who you are, you need an assistant. Anyone who doesn't have one or see the need for one, is limited in what he or she can do. An assistant is one who supports or helps you with something. An assistant is a "ladder-holder," someone who is part of your support system. Such people are very important in every area if you must climb higher in life. Many leaders have died and failed because they did not have any "ladder-holder" supporting them.

"The strength of the person holding your ladder determines how far you can climb and how confidently you can do the climbing.

Qualities of an assistant:

1.  "Assistants must be strong. One of the major qualities to look for in your assistant is strength, because who ever is your assistant holds your life. Not physical strength, but  

     emotional and mental strength. When choosing an assistant (s), choose someone who has your best interest at heart and who is willing to support your vision and support the      

     way you want to achieve that vision. It is not the work of assistants to enforce their own methods on the leader, their job is to be pillars of support and encouragement.  

     Unnecessary emotions get in the way of effective leadership and can potentially kill the work/vision.

    "The best assistants and "ladder-holders" have an "us", "we" mentality more than an "I" mentality, especially concerning the vision of the leader. They also are willing to take

     rebuke and still hold the ladder properly.

2. "Assistants/"ladder-holders" must be attentive. Attentiveness is the ability to hear and respond to instructions without unnecessary repetition.

Assistants and "ladder-holders" are equally important to the fulfillment of vision. It was a reminder that leadership is not positional, but based on influence.

He concluded the message on that note, and led the congregation in prayer.

Tithes and offerings were collected, followed by the benediction that brought the service to an end.