David’s Camp Magazine
issued in the UK
Showing the way, the truth, and the life...John 14:6
Free | Feb/Mar 2017
Close - Up with one of the most soughtafter gospel artistes in the U.K.,
DAYO BELLO PAGE 6
HEALTH TALK PAGE 3
HOW TO DOUBLE YOUR CHURCH ATTENDANCE PAGE 4 3 VITAL REASONS TO SAY “I’M SORRY” IN YOUR MARRIAGE PAGE 8
RE-WRITE YOUR SCRIPT
PAGE 2
HOW TO MANAGE YOUR INSECURITYPAGE 5 I’M A CHRISTIAN PAGE 11
Letter From
David’s camp Magazine
THE EDITOR
Oluwole David
Editor in Chief
RE-WRITE YOUR SCRIPT This world is a drama scene; we are all on a drama stage. The originator of the script is God. The stage for the drama was set by God right from the beginning, starting from the garden of Eden. That’s why the first thing He said was, “Let there be light”...Genesis 1:3. You need light to act drama on a stage, don’t you? God is the author of the script. That’s why we call Him the Author and Finisher of our faith...Hebrew 12:2 Everyone of us is a character in the script. When the scene is talking about us, the lighting is moved temporarily to us. The scene can either be we going through trials, disappointments, failures, falling off the grace or being faced with temptations, ill health or misfortunes. Each of our scripts is called destiny/fate. It’s already been written by the Author. However, the Author also allows rooms for as many as are willing to re-write their scripts to do so. Few people in the Bible and in our days re-wrote their own scripts. • Esau re-write the script. He was ordained by the decree of heaven to be a servant to his younger brother. Look at Genesis 25:23...The Lord said to her,”Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.” To rub ‘insult upon injury’, when Jacob stole his brother’s blessings, here’s the left-over blessing that Isaac had for his older son,Esau: Genesis 27:39-40....”Behold your dwelling shall be of the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above. By your sword you shall live, and you shall serve your brother...” By the time we get to Genesis 33 (read verse 1-17), about 20 years after, Esau had re-written the script. He had over 400 bodyguards, instead of him serving his brother, Jacob, it was the reverse. In verses 13 & 14, the one that was ordained to be served was the one calling the destined-servant, ‘My Lord.’ BREAKING NEWS! The older never served the younger. • Joseph re-write the script. He was the 8th born of his father, no chance for him above his brothers. His brothers then sold him into slavery. He was not meant to amount to anything but Joseph re-write his script. We were never told of Joseph being given any home training. Instead what we were told was he was a spoilt daddy’s pet that gets whatever he wants from daddy, even an expensive Italian blazer. How and where then did Joseph study Change management and Project management that made him a success at everything he did? 2
David’s Camp Magazine
www.davidscamp.org
True! One can put Joseph’s success down to “God was with him and prosper all he did” (Genesis 39:2) but that doesn’t include turning down the mouth-watering and enticing request of his Potiphar’s beautiful wife. That has God nothing to do with ‘God was with him.’ I have found out that whatever you decide to do in life, God is willing and happy to meet you half way. Joseph decided to fear God and avoid “doing this wicked thing against God” and God in turn, put a seal of success on everything he did. The one that was hated by his brothers, sold into slavery, wrongly accused by his master’s wife and disappointed by the Chief butler refused to bulge but re-wrote the script. • Like Joseph above, young David was not considered a material for the army. He was too small, too young, too naive, best to tender the sheep than go to war and forgotten even by his own dad. David re-write the script. He made himself so useful and indispensable the heavenly host took notice of him. Most often, we think by impressing our bosses or people in authority, doing gimmicks, we can get their approval and get placed in higher positions. That’s correct but it will only earn you recognition and promotion form men which often doesn’t last long. The heavenly beings determine your promotion by most often than not, what you do in the secret. God said in 1 Samuel 16:7...”The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” There was nothing special mentioned about He birth of David. It was insignificant but he re-wrote the script by making himself an instrument in the hand of God. The end story was the one that was so irrelevant that he wasn’t considered for a place in the palace became the greatest king in Israel and said of God, ‘A man after my own heart.” Many others re-wrote their scripts both positively and negatively. For instance, prophet Eli re- write the script of his lineage in 1 Samuel 2:30-33 “Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I promised that members of your family would minister before me forever.’ But now the LORD declares: ‘Far be it from me! Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained. The time is coming when I will cut short your strength and the strength of your priestly house, so that no one in it will reach old age, and you will see distress in my dwelling. Although good will be done to Israel, no one in your family line will ever reach old age. Every one of you that I do not cut off from serving at my altar I will spare only to destroy your sight and sap your strength, and all your descendants will die in the prime of life.”
While King Saul and Gehazi joined prophet Eli in re-writing their scripts negatively, the three Hebrew boys re-write their positively. The pen is in your hands, you can re-write your own script too. Like Moses said in Deuteronomy 30:19-20...”This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” The choice you make, makes you. Go ahead and adjust or re-write your own scripts! Special thanks to all our readers with their feed backs, encouragements, prayers and support over the years. This new year, we are trusting God to help us break more new grounds and reach greater audience all over the globe. We specially welcome Pastor Joshua Omotosho, popularly known as Joshua Tosh, a Worship leader, Song writer, Music producer, Speaker, Mentor and a Pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God, currently serves as the Youth Pastor at RCCG Open Heavens Christian Centre, Edgeware. He organises an annual Worship event called PUSH! – Praise Until Something Happens. I can openly declare that Pastor Joshua Tosh is one of my favourites gospel artiste. He carries the glory and exceptional anointing to take you into the presence of God. We continually appreciate all our established writers. Pastor Olamide Ajayi is giving an insight into how to grow your church. I find his insight heavenly-given. A big thank you to Eniola Israel and Dr. Margaret Rutherford. May heaven notice and reward your efforts more this new year 2017 in Jesus name. I have known Dayo Bello for many years. My first church attendance in London was in his church. He has been and remained a very humble vessel in God’s hands. Truly, he is God’s Gift. We caught up with him to hear his story so far. I hope and pray you are blessed by every section of this edition of the magazine. Every blessing. Oluwole David
Associate Editor
HEALTH TALK
- Rachael Eniola Israel - A qualified public health practitioner
Topic: Healthy Eating Healthy eating means eating a variety of foods that give you the nutrients you need to maintain your health, feel good, and have energy. These are nutritional foods that can be found in vitamins, carbohydrates, protein, fat, minerals and water. The importance of healthy eating is a balanced diet. A balanced diet or a good diet means consuming from different food groups in the right quantities. A healthy diet helps to maintain or improve overall health, also provides the body with essential nutrition: fluid, adequate amino acids from protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and adequate calories. The requirements for a healthy diet can be met from a variety of plant -based and animal-based foods. Healthy diet supports energy needs and provides for human nutrition without exposure to toxicity or excessive weight gain from consuming excessive amounts. If there is no lack in calories intake, a properly balanced diet with physical activity (exercise) is meant to be important for lowering health risks, such as obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and cancer. According to NICE guidelines (National Institute for Care and Excellence) it is recommended that daily allowance consumption for Men is 2,500 calories, and Women is 2,000 which includes calories for all foods and drinks. GUIDE TO EATING WELL • • • • • •
Olamide Ajayi
Contributing Writers Rachael Eniola Israel Olamide Ajayi
Oluwole David Dr. Margaret Rutherford Joshua Tosh
•
Eat small portions from all the food component. Vitamins are organic compound and vital nutrients that the body requires, at least eat five portions of fruits and vegetables a day. Carbohydrates are one of the main types of nutrients, they help provide energy for our body. Proteins are essential nutrients for the human body, they are building blocks of the body. Fats serve both structural and metabolic functions, choose unsaturated oils and spread. Minerals are microminerals that the body need large amount of. They include calcium, potassium, chloride and sulfur. Water: We should drink six to eight glasses of water daily.
And finally move more and eat less. Rachael Israel Public Health Practitioner B.Sc (Public Health), M.Sc (Public Health & Health Promotion)
Published by David’s Camp Limited, davidscamp.org@mail.com www.davidscamp.org
David’s Camp Magazine
www.davidscamp.org
3
MINISTRY
HOW TO DOUBLE YOUR CHURCH -BY OLAMIDE AJAYI ATTENDANCE A Certified leadership development and entrepreneurship Expert
subtle or well-pronounced attacks on personalities or simply declaring what Jesus would say in that regard.
In the previous edition (if you missed it, you can get a copy from the Editorial team or read online) I shared some thoughts on what I believe could help Pastors and those planning to go into Church based ministry increase both their numerical and influence capacity. This write up is a continuation of the same subject. As much as I am not claiming to be an expert on this subject, albeit, with my experience as a Christian for 16 years and a Church Leader for 15 years, I can attest to the fact that the thoughts I share in this report (if considered and implemented) can help change the face of your local Church. CHURCH ENVIRONMENT (Internal And External) In the manner of a magnet, a church can be receptive and hostile. It doesn’t take too much time to know. Your members will finish the job for you. They are natural advertisers that need not be paid for intentional services rendered. If new members feel welcomed and at first contact it feels like home, it is only a natural occurrence to see new faces here and there. For the church to grow, it needs to take care of the people and atmosphere within (Internal) and at the same time leave the church doors opened to the world to find comfort from a dying world into the arms of Christ. Hello! Christ died for the world, not the saints, not you alone. There is no greater corruption of grace than Christians castigating the world and self-possessing Christ. That’s sheer ignorance. Commenting and declaring the truth and will of God in every situation is far different than condemnation and castigation. Hey! Pastor, next time you’re invited by Fareed Zacharias or you appear at Ophrah, to comment about a national topic, you should be clear enough if your words are 4
David’s Camp Magazine
Know that for your church to enjoy some kind of growth in numbers there is no alternative to bringing in new faces. Why? Except you want to see transfer of growth from local congregation and that can be view at some extremes as sheep stealing. Or what would you call it if it happens to you? Would you love it when it’s said concerning you to have rearranged the deckchairs while the Titanic sinks? Just as everybody has a unique personality, the church also has a unique personality. This can have a different view from the outside opposed to the inside. But a genuine church with walls receptive to the outside world always has an outer perception as loving, caring, understanding, and accommodating. Common sinners had unrestricted access to Jesus all the time while he walked this earth. And who doesn’t have access to God anytime? The quality of a church’s atmosphere is of immense importance. The overall wellbeing and future of the church depends upon it. Quality of the atmosphere is a prime factor in fostering church growth. It is commonplace for faith to grow and relationship flourish in such a healthy atmosphere. When someone in the area visits few times and intuitively sense everything going on, pronounced or not. His antenna will pick up answers to questions impinging on his mind like; “do members really appreciate each other and have a real bond? Are visitors sought out, appreciated, and made to feel awesomely welcomed? Do they subscribe to happy visiting? Will my concerns, needs, and problems find a listening ear here?” (A) Welcoming New Members Making new attendees feel at home from the moment they drive into the car-park will significantly increase their chances of returning. And in case you have no car park, the moment they appear at the door,
www.davidscamp.org
the first contact they have go a long way in registering as the first impression. You wouldn’t want a newcomer to meet a crying baby or clutters, or anything distracting. Don’t be deceived. They’ll probably remember that lovely hug or warm handshake and a heartfelt service rendered them than the sermon. Unleash A World-Class Welcome-Team (Greeters) You really want people to say, “I was glad when they said to me let’s go to the house of the Lord,” when they wake up on Sunday mornings. A lot of people are of the opinion that greetings happen automatically. No, it’s between a lie and a myth. You’ve got to have a system in place to greet newcomers at the door, a welcome center, during worship services, after the service is over or in-between morning services. Their experience with greeters is one of the greatest influencer on their decision to come back once more. You have to train them that their effort is directly proportional to the return rates of visitors. They should be armed with the repertoires of the game and well-drilled as many greeters’ behaviors and comments can send newcomers away. They must be braced up for common newcomers/visitors challenges like where do I sit? What if my child cries? Who can I talk to here? The most important will be their dresses, general comportment, and their grimace. Of the three, the face is the most crucial as that’s what anybody meets. A sincere but not exalted smile should bring results. Quick Practical Tips • Welcome them heartily. (From the carpack if possible) • Show them where to sit. • Make them feel welcome and comfortable. • Follow them up immediately after the service. • Get a feedback from their experience in the service • Ask about their needs in a respectful way Continued on page 9
MENTAL HEALTH
WHAT PUSHES YOUR BUTTONS? HOW TO MANAGE YOUR INSECURITY
BY DR. MARGARET RUTHERFORD
When I was in elementary school, and up into junior high, I had to come home in the middle of the day. I had a neurological problem, and wasn’t allowed to be in gym class. I had to go home and rest for an hour or so. When I’d walk back onto campus, I’d fight feeling like an alien in a strange land. My assumption was that others were far closer to one another than I was to them. I grew sensitive to whether or not I was accepted. So I did stupid stuff to call attention to myself. That wasn’t helpful. Childhood insecurity is far from unique to me. I’ve heard many versions of this same story, going from an insecurity because of parents that were chaotic, embarrassing or downright mean, to being the tallest one, the shortest one, the one with asthma, or the one with big ears. The one who got picked last. The one who couldn’t focus. The one who was really, really smart. The one who developed early. The one who wasn’t into sports. The one who was into sports, but couldn’t afford to play. The one who was a different color. The one who wasn’t Baptist. Or Catholic. Or Jewish. You name it. Insecurity can be found under a lot of rocks. We all somehow survive that. We find a friend or two. Maybe by high school, we’re a little more sure of ourselves. Or maybe not. What’s fascinating is how those early feelings seep into our consciousness, and perhaps today, influence our thinking. When do you revert? When are you looking through the eyes of that little girl or boy, instead of your adult ones? When are you struggling with feelings of insecurity, when it doesn’t fit your reality? The clue is when you overreact, or under-react. Your buttons get pushed.
You hear that some friends got together, and you weren’t invited. If you immediately become angry, or obsess about why no one texted you, then it’s likely that some old insecurity has raised its head. You instantly wonder what you could have done wrong. You struggle to remember that sometimes things happen spontaneously — no one left you out intentionally. Or it’s possible they were meeting to plan a surprise birthday party — for you. That’s the over reactive button. You’re in a relationship. When it’s good, it’s very good. But there are times when you’re insulted and screamed at — because you didn’t do something the way your partner wanted. Or you simply did what you thought was right. You say nothing. You tell yourself it will pass. You shove it under the rug, and wait for better times. That’s under-reaction. In both instances, you’re not seeing things, or understanding things, through the eyes of a mature, healthy adult. Insecurity and fear are influencing your mind and your reaction. As parents, we cringe when we see insecurity in our children. When your son says he can’t ask someone out, because she’s in the popular group, or when your daughter says she can’t try out for the soccer team, because she won’t make it, we encourage. We talk about taking risks — about how it’s okay to learn and make mistakes. How it’s important to like yourself — to be comfortable in your own skin — to believe in your own capabilities, whatever they are. But when buttons get pushed, we’re remembering bullied taunts, or times when we walked into a locker room, and other kids walked out. Times when no one sat by us in the cafeteria. Times when what we had to wear was dirty or
torn. Times when some boy or girl told us to take a hike. Times when we didn’t catch a pass, or make a goal. Times when a parent mocked us or called us worthless. We’re remembering awkwardness. Hurt. Self-consciousness. Anger. And living it as if it were happening today. That process makes you vulnerable to not thinking clearly, or acting in a healthy way. To become secure in yourself means you appreciate and can name the strengths you have today, and accept your vulnerabilities. What does “accepting your vulnerabilities” look like? You know what “pushes your buttons.” When your button gets pushed, you take very personally what’s happening between you and others. If you’re a perfectionist, your button might be pushed when someone doesn’t do what they said they would, and your tendency would be to become angry, or overreact. If you struggle with self-worth, you could be way too easily hurt by constructive criticism, (overreaction) or far too easily absorb abusive feedback (underreaction). If you struggle with feeling respected, or with confidence, you could be easily irritated by someone acting independently. Knowing what pushes your buttons gives you power over your own choices. You recognize what’s triggering your vulnerability. You can choose how to act, rather than automatically reacting. Whether that happens with a friend, with your partner, with your family, or with the news of the day, you’re far more in control. And you can feel secure in yourself.
David’s Camp Magazine
www.davidscamp.org
5
1.
There is a name on the lips of people all over London and United Kingdom: Dayo Bello. Who is Dayo Bello?
Dayo Bello - ‘God’s Gift’ is a worshipper and said to be one of the young vibrant lead worshippers of our generation. Dayo believes it’s an honor to be a Lead worshiper. Dayo Bello grew up in Nigeria and moved to the U.K as a teenager, starting his music career as a drummer in his local church in North London. He also learnt that to lead, you have to follow, so for years, he backed up for several musical maestros like Asu Eikiye. Dayo Bello God’s Gift has been privileged to minister at the renown Festival of Life and NXGN (Next Generation) leading thousands in Praise and adoration to the King of kings. He has also been privileged to minister alongside Alvin Slaughter, Jesse Dixon, Muyiwa Riversong Micah Stampley, Midnight Crew, Mike Aremu Sammie Okposo and many more. Dayo Bello God’s Gift has written songs such as “Jesus Your are beautiful” in his first ever live recording project and launched his debut album in 2009 titled “Fruit From My Lips” with hit track “Chimle”, “Jesus you’re all I want” and the well talked about “Gbemisoke”. His latest album was a live recording project “Resurrection Praise Project” sold and watched all over the world Several people have been blessed by Dayo Bello God’s Gift’s TV Ministry called “Fruit From My Lips” on Sky Faith TV. Dayo Bello’s last project was his live recording concert “Resurrection Praise Project” an album that propelled Dayo Bello to a different height. With songs like CHIMLE , JESUS YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL and one of the most talked about African praise 6
David’s Camp Magazine
www.davidscamp.org
medley on that album. Dayo Bello is very passionate about Jesus and spreading the praise of God across the nations as a full time minister of the Gospel. Dayo Bello is currently working on his new album soon to be released next year featuring recording artist like Gabriel Eziashi, Charles Dada & Sammie Okposo. The album will include his latest single release “GBEMISÓKÈ” Featuring the legendary Sammie Okposo produced by the amazingly talented MR SHABZY for Beautiful records Dayo says in his own words “I am created to worship and adore Him. It is my mandate in life to spread His praise across the nations
2. 3.
What brought about the name God’s Gift?
The name ‘God’s Gift’ is me recognising that if not for the gift of God over my life, I would be nothing. Why music and not any other profession? And why gospel music and not secular music that can give you more rewards and recognition?
Why gospel music? Well it has always been in my DNA to serve God. I grew up in the church. In and around the choir. Also I understand that only the blessing of God makes one rich and adds no sorrow. I have been privileged to spend time with lots of secular artistes and I’ve seen how unhappy that can be. There is no amount of money that can be paid for the salvation of my soul. Only serving God with my gift can save my soul.
worship and they got another drummer for the church. But before another drummer was brought in, I led praise and worship for 4 months while playing drums. In the year 2015, you took a lead in turning ‘Halloween Day’ to ‘Halle-Night’ with a music concert. What’s the idea behind such a bold move?
7.
D o you really need anointing to function as a gospel artiste? Do you have to be ‘called’ to do it? Shouldn’t one’s skills and ability to write songs, compose and arouse audience be enough to make one a successful gospel artiste?
4.
*HALLE-NIGHT is not a night of entertainment but a night of building Altar •HALLE-NIGHT is not a church program but a kingdom movement •HALLE-NIGHT is not for self glorification but only to glorify the name of Jesus Christ •HALLE-NIGHT is not about light, camera, action. A movement dear to my heart. Remember the story of Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego? Daniel 3:17-18 AMPC
Anointing is very important when you are called minister of the Gospel. You can not give what you don’t carry. And to succeed in your ministry, you surely have to be called by God. Many people can write songs and surely lots of people can sing, but not a lot of people can be called praise and worship leaders. Being able to write songs, being able to compose and being able to arouse audience will make you a marvellous music artist. They all won’t make you a successful gospel music minister. They can only help you to entertain. And you have to understand that the music minister is not about entertaining the crowd but to usher the congregation into the presence of God Almighty. These days, when gospel artistes are invited to lead people into God’s presence through songs, they end up preaching, prophesying and laying hands on the people. What’s your opinion about this new development?
5.
I can not say much about what other people do when they are called to minister in songs. I only believe that we are called with different gifting and attributes to serve only one God - Jesus Christ. We all have to run our own race to the best of our knowledge and let God be the judge of everybody.
6.
You used to play drums. How were you able to cross to singing? Has your ability to play musical instrument(s) really helped your singing?
Yes! It is true that I used to play drums for my local church back then in North London, Christ Family Assembly (WOCOM). My brother was the praise and worship leader then, but he had to to move back to Nigeria. The pastor, Tunde Ewedemi, then asked me to step in to cover for him. So every Sunday I used to lead the praise and worship while playing drums. That was indeed a massive training. That really helped me learn to lead praise and worship. The first was amazing, the atmosphere changed that I, myself could not even believe what had happened. The pastor saw that and immediately instructed me to start leading the praise and
“If our God Whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up! [Job 13:15; Acts 4:19, 20.]” I believe we are the Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego of our generation. “WHY HALLOWEEN WHEN YOU CAN HALLELUJAH?”
8
How did people react to the ‘Halle-Night’ concept as against the established ‘Halloween Day?’
The reaction to HALLE-NIGHT concert is one that I can’t explain we’ve been able to get 21 churches to partner and join the movement in north london. We also have the support of many people from all over the nations. We are glad to see many people joining the movement. The idea is that by the year 2020 we will have HALLE-NIGHT concert in every city in The United Kingdom. A major church behind the success of the concert is THE KINGSBOROUGH CENTRE, PASTOR TUNDE BALOGUN. They single handedly sponsor the concert for the past 2 years. Continued on page 10 David’s Camp Magazine
www.davidscamp.org
7
Marriage RELATIONSHIP
THREE VITAL REASONS TO SAY “I’M SORRY” IN YOUR MARRIAGE
“Love means you never have to say you’re sorry.” That was the theme of the hit movie “Love Story” with Ali McGraw and Ryan O’Neal back in 1970. Those words were emblazoned on a poster of the two of them, which my 16 year-old self had taped up on my wall. I couldn’t wait to get into a relationship where all was understood. You just couldn’t mess up. How heavenly was that going to be! Well… it doesn’t work that way. Love means you say you’re sorry and you mean it. Sincerely. Not “I’m sorry but I was doing the best I could.” Those words are hard to hear and are often meant as a defense — a way to counter or diffuse someone else’s feelings. Let’s face it — sometimes you weren’t doing the best you could. We’re all not walking around doing our best 100% of the time. We make mistakes. “I’m sorry.” Those two words, standing alone, are what’s healing. There was a great article in the Wall Street Journal on this topic, written by Elizabeth Bernstein. She outlines 5 steps in “good” apologizing, with quotes from experts around the country. Many people find apologizing very difficult. Most of them grew up in families where no one apologized — for anything. It is viewed as giving up way too much control. Somehow the belief is that you’re taking a one-down position by uttering such words. In a long-term relationship like marriage or friendship, you’re going to screw up. It may be something fairly insignificant, or you may do some real damage. You’re going to be disappointing — frustrating at times. And so will your partner. That’s just part of it. If the relationship is good, there are things that balance that out. Fantastic, warm, loving things. I remember asking my husband one time (he hates these discussions…) if he would tell me what disappointed him about me. Just in general. He grimaced. “I don’t know.” So I told him what I thought were the probable culprits – things I knew were not his favorite aspects of my personality. He smiled. “Well, now that you mention it…” Those disappointments are tolerated in a good, healthy 8
David’s Camp Magazine
www.davidscamp.org
marriage — on both sides. So why is apologizing one of the simple things you can do to help your relationship? 1) Saying you’re sorry means that you recognize your behavior has an
impact on those around you. Your behavior affects other people. What you say. What you don’t say. Do. Don’t do. It reflects that you notice that impact, and care about the person you may have unintentionally hurt or disappointed. If the apology seems insincere or offhanded, the person hearing it doesn’t believe you understood that impact, and leaves the conversation feeling empty. If the hurt is intentional? Then you have a deep and complicated problem in your relationship.
2) Saying you’re sorry avoids the cycle of fighting about who is right. Unless a discussion is about something extremely factual, like what you ate for breakfast, we only have our perceptions to guide our opinions. Your perception. Your truth. But not everybody else’s. If you fight about who is right all the time, your marriage might not make it. The person who ends being “wrong” feels defensive, and may fight harder next time — just so he or she can win. Both people end being lonely in their positions.
3) Saying you’re sorry builds trust. It’s simple. You’re taking responsibility for your part. You’re giving to someone else what it feels good to receive. It is inevitable that I am going to be disappointing from time to time, even if it’s not for some egregious behavior. Maybe just because I’m really busy. Or I forgot an errand you had asked me to run. Recognizing the impact that has on my partner? It’s a wonderful gift to give. It’s not a loss of status. Not a loss of power. A gift. A simple statement. “I’m sorry I forgot to go by and pick up those meds. I can do it tomorrow morning if that would help.” Your partner matters. And you let them know it.
Quote of the Edition “No Man is ever fully accepted until he has first of all been utterly rejected.”
HOW TOContinued DOUBLE YOUR CHURCH ATTENDANCE from page 4 and how the church can help. • Treat them to post-service refreshments (if provision is made) and have them have the leader’s handshake. It brings up a memory of connection and belonging in their hearts. It’ll be pleasing to them to have right before them the same man they’ve watched from afar off minutes ago. • Hand over church customized merchandise to introduce them to the commitment responsibility of the church. Think of a visitor’s pack. It’s a lovely idea isn’t it. (B) Improve The Ushering Department Don’t have greeters? I advise you get one. But at least you’ve got ushers, right? There is nothing as pleasing as instantly sensing great organization upon entering a church. If such feat be achieved, then ushers have a yeoman’s role to play. They sure help in running a service smoothly and their place cannot be neglected. Where there is no Greeters team, they greet people as they arrive for services; assist them with special needs, and collects offering. Their role in making a service organized and convenient for the newcomers cannot be understated. They’ll check the thermostat, check the restroom to be sure it’s in a great condition, the church convenience (toilets), make sure the hymnal is placed as it should, and prepare bulletins and leaflets for distribution, among many other duties. The work of ushers goes on and on. Quick Practical Tips • Build up an ushering team with the right mental attitude. Have your ushers be courteous, friendly, and humble. No one should be allowed to usher who is proud, sanctimonious, too selfconscious, desirous of making him/herself known and conspicuous, authority-showing, someone who thinks he’s doing the church a favor or he just has to do it. • Have them build a system of check and control before each and after service. All boxes, under the sphere of their responsibility, must be ticked before service commences, and immediately after. • Institute a system of regular meetings for the purpose of instruction, interchange of ideas, suggestions, and discussion of experiences and problems. • A course of ushering for the ushers will lift them to an extraordinary level of organizational competence. • Have them undergo short professional courses (possibly with certification) and the Church must PAY for it
For the lobby, what do you do? How do you plan it? Why not have the design of a coffee shop with warm, pleasing colors, and comfortable seats that encourages “a while-staying”, since the goal is to create an environment for relaxation, interconnection, and bonding. Quick Practical Tips • Take a conscientious look at the environment of your church, interior and exterior, and gauge how the designs and decors are well focused at targeted audience and what they are there to do. The goal is to use aesthetics strategically. • Take a walk, visit other venues with the same target and goals and learn from their system. • Learn from churches whose testimonies are still your dreams and study how they succeeded in creating that perfect atmosphere. • While you wouldn’t want to give too much liberty to the opinions of newcomers, you could do an internal survey to get a clue at what can be done in that regard. This method is relevant because of two primary reasons: First, is because members are probably the ones bringing people in and will hear first-hand complaints and negative comments from their people with regards to the church general atmosphere. Second, because there might be a professional, or a creative member with an eye for perspectives with a better idea. The survey is a way of allowing the use of such person’s gift for the general purpose of the church. (D) Making Sundays Special Sunday services should be tailored for the unbelievers. Other programs during the week can be further use to strengthen already-believer’s faiths. In that regard, the service must have a broad appeal. Expectedly, congregations grow because they share the good news by inviting their friends and relatives along. The day they stop feeling inclined to do that, it’s simply over. I don’t know if angels, dressed in classy white suits, will descend and fill your pews on Sundays because nobody showed up, but the reality is that people come to church because people bring them. When people begin to feel more excited about the church, expectant and can’t wait for another Sunday to come, they invite more and more of their friends. Quick Practical Tips
(C) Simple but Relevant Designs and Decors What about having a newcomer gasp and say, “Wow! They thought of everything, this is perfect.” That can only be achieved with an environment tailored for the specific purpose of making people welcomed and feel belonged. People should be able to look at the church environment and conclude that the church went out of its way to make them feel belonged. A newcomer needs just seven minutes to build his opinion of the church. How do you plan the design and décor of the sanctuary? You definitely want no form of distraction and the whole attention to be drawn to the communicators and ministers on the stage. To fulfill such a goal, you’ll have to employ lightings, seats, decors, and media that naturally take eyes off the surrounding and focus exclusively on the stage.
• Share a tip of the coming Sunday and the corresponding benefits. Captions like, “You can’t afford to miss next Sunday,” always work if you and your team has always delivered on such previous promises. Don’t forget to manage the counterproductive aspect of this move. Some may feel that they’ve heard the message before or have an idea. But if your messages have a track record of innovation, originality, and freshness there’s really no issues. They know whatever they have as current knowledge must be debunked to allow the entrance of the evergreen. For newcomers, one or two shocking, startling revelatory statements on the topic will arouse a desire to hear it in full. • Try recognizing the first timers and newcomers and if possible pray for them and sing for them. It’s always sweet to do. And God loves it. Spend some few minutes and have the attention Continued on page 12 David’s Camp Magazine
www.davidscamp.org
9
Continued from page 7 What’s your source of inspiration? How did you get to write the songs you write and then easily relay your message to the audience?
9.
It’s always easy to write songs if you stay in the presence of God, spontaneous worship is very good for writing great songs. Also, the more you read your bible, the better you get the concept of what God is about, so you then know how to edify Him more with your songs. One of the people I looked up to was Pastor Remi Odumesi who taught me that I should make sure my vocal runs are inspired by bible verses. Relaying songs to audience is made easy if your song is very easy to catch for the congregation. The easiest songs are always the best song to relay. When you look at songs like “You are alpha and omega, we worship You O Lord, You are worthy to be praise” The key to writing a song that will touch God’s heart is by spending more time in His Presence. The bible says, “in the presence of God there is fullness of joy.” You get more joyful songs when you learn to stay in His Presence. There’s this new thing in vogue among gospel artistes. You can count with the fingers on one of your hands how many times ‘God’ is mentioned in their lyrics. Some don’t even mention ‘Jesus’ anymore. What’s your take on such a trend?
10.
I have always said you are a gospel minister because of the message of Jesus Christ, without the name Jesus Christ in your lyrics you are not a gospel minister. You might be called an inspirational singer but surely not gospel. Simply because Jesus is the reason why we sing. Let me tell you now. God is raising a new generation of Worshipers that are true and ready to take the name of Jesus to all nations. We are not ready to take the name of Jesus out of our music in order to incorporate the world. We would instead show forth the glory of Jesus in all our songs for the world to know that indeed Jesus is the reason why we sing
11. What other projects are you working on that should keep the lovers of your music and followers of your ministry in anticipation?
We are currently working on a new project to come out in the summer of 2017. It will feature major ministers like Sammie Okposo and Gabriel Eziashi. Watch out!
12.
What message have you got for followers of your music/ministry out there and what piece of advice have you got for upcoming young people who are thinking of becoming gospel artistes?
The message I can give everyone is please find Jesus. Learn not to follow man, only follow Jesus. Do not make money your number one priority. Understand that money will finish but relationship with your fellow brethren will bring you more finance. And please never forget that the best reward you can ever get from your work with God is making Heaven. Also it’s very important to be patient. Learning to wait on God is very important for everybody in the ministry. As a church we have lost the strength to wait upon The Lord. Waiting upon God’s promises over our lives is now a thing of struggle in our generation. Individually, we want it done fast (microwave generation). Which is what is killing the church. When God makes a promise, there is always a due process before the promise comes to pass. The issue at hand now is, as Christians, we want to hear from God (which is why we go to church) but we don’t want to wait for the due process of the promise to come alive or to manifestation. Due process might be short and sometimes might be a long one. The church inability to wait can be traced to the level of our faith. If our faith is not strong, it will be very hard for us to wait upon the Lord. The bible tells us in the book of Proverbs 8:34-35...’Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the Lord.’
For Contacts & Bookings: RAISING PRAISE ALTAR OF GOD ACROSS THE NATIONS Dayo Bello God’s Gift www.dayobello.com Contact No:- +447958286151 Email:- dbello2001@yahoo.com Instagram: officialdayobello Twitter:- @DbelloGodsgift YouTube : https://youtu.be/ahkITQhP-bA www.Facebook.com/DayoBelloII 10
David’s Camp Magazine
www.davidscamp.org
I
am sure you must have heard a statement like – ‘I’m a Christian but not born-again’. It appears simple and self-explanatory but yet too thought-provoking to ignore. We should ask ourselves: ‘is this idea of being a Christian, but not born-again, even possible according to rules of Citizenship in God’s kingdom?’ You see in every situation, we have the choice to apply our personal opinion, thirdparty reasoning or biblical injunction. But because ‘Personal’ is personal, and ‘thirdparty reasoning’ is always moving goalpost, our best unbiased option, when evaluating things, is to use God’s unchanging word. As we have seen on many instances, these three approaches, i.e. Personal Opinion, Third-Party Ideas and Word of God, most times, do not arrive at same conclusion. They disagree even on simple things as definitions. That’s not surprising since ‘HIS thoughts are not our thoughts’ anyway.’ So for example check these out: ‘who is a Christian?’, ‘are you born-again?’, ‘Can I be a Christian and not born-again?’ To avoid any ambiguity, these questions need to be broken into simpler parts. First we need to define the keywords – ‘Christian’ and ‘BornAgain’ I have come to appreciate the greatest privilege it is to be a ‘Christian’. Being a Minister, Pastor, Deacon, Bishop, Arch-Bishop, Elder, or Catechist etc. are roles that come with added advantageous responsibilities. So let us consider ourselves highly privileged to be called a Christian. And that alone should settle it. However the confusion sets in when we say someone is ‘a Christian but not born-again’ These two words - ‘born-again’ and ‘Christian’ - never appeared in the scripture at the same time. Are you surprised? So where do we get the words from? Or why do we use the expression? Why would someone say ‘I’m a Christian but not bornagain?’ Well it appears we have been tuned to believe someone can be one without the other. And so in our mind we group Christians into two categories: ‘born again’ and ‘not born again’. Well the problem with this ideology is that we have redefined and undermined what it means to be a Christian in the first place. And taking us farther away from the original truth whilst widening the scope of illusion, are those questionnaires and job forms you and I have to fill where we easily tick the box ‘Christianity’ as our religion.
I’M A CHRIStIAN! You see the word Christian was derived from ‘Christ’ (‘Christos’ in Greek). Christ means the Anointed One. The Chosen One. It is also an adaptation of Hebrew word ‘mashiach’ (Messiah). But why ‘The Chosen One?’ This is because He came to reveal the heart of God to man, to lead man back to God, to deliver the oppressed, to selflessly love the rejected, to show compassion to the poor, to heal the sick, to break the chains of the enemy and many more.
So who is a Christian? – Well, it was in Antioch (somewhere in today’s Turkey) where the early disciples were first called ‘Christians’ (little Christ). Those people that called them ‘little Christ’ must have seen something in them. They saw a resemblance of ‘The Anointed One’. The disciples displayed the character of ‘The Chosen One’. They must have acted like Christ… healed like Christ… loved selflessly like Christ… conversed like Christ…behaved like Christ… must have done everything like Christ, to the extent that those who saw them called them ‘Little Christ’. Although the people of Antioch might not have met Christ one-onone, but made their conclusion from seeing the acts of the disciples. This is so contrary to what Mahatma Gandhi saw when he met those who were meant to be ‘little Christ’ of his own time. No wonder he sadly concluded ‘I like your Christ, I do not like you Christians. You Christians are so unlike your Christ.’ So what about ‘Born-Again’? Well that compound word was used during a conversation Jesus had with Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. At the time, Nicodemus was not yet a disciple although willing to become one. The best he had was self-acclaimed-righteousness, hence the message to be born-again was so timely and applicable. So when someone is outside God’s fold, then they must become born-again. They must receive the gift of new life by accepting Jesus as Lord and Saviour, so they could begin to follow Christ and hence display the characters of ‘little Christ’. And so they are now Christians – ‘Little Christ’. Note the progression. And also remember how the disciples never called themselves Christians, rather it was the unbelievers that gave them the name.
When we say we are Christians but not bornagain, we imply we are ‘little Christ’, little sons and daughters of God, but have not experienced the new birth. We are saying we have the ‘spiritual genes’ of Christ in us but we are not part of God’s kingdom. That is so contradictory! As a ‘little Christ’, you have the mind of Christ, your family is the Household of God. You are part of the royal priesthood, the chosen generation, already washed by His blood, ‘not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God’, sins and guilt do not have dominion over you. Then you must walk in this knowledge. On the other hand, if we are not born-again then we cannot call ourselves ‘little Christ’. The best we can claim is a Church Goer, Good person, member of a denomination etc. Because the danger of claiming to be a ‘Christian’ but not ‘born-again’ is that the ideology pushes us to where we feel comfortable in our semi-good state, we compare ourselves to those who do not go to Church and we feel better off, forgetting we either represent Christ or we do not. To get full citizenship of God’s kingdom we must to let go of our old ways, accept the gift of salvation and genuinely follow the footsteps of Christ. So when next people see us they must say we act, talk, behave like Jesus. They should call us ‘little Christ’. We represent Christ and we must shine to overcome darkness. Your light might be little, but it must still shine. Be a Christian. References: 1 John 3:9, John 3, Isaiah 55:8, Acts 11:26, 1 Pet 2:3, John 15:14, Matt. 5:14, Matt. 16:16, Romans 6:14 Joshua Tosh - a Worship leader, Song writer, Music producer, Speaker, Mentor and a Pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God, currently serves as the Youth Pastor at RCCG Open Heavens Christian Centre. He organises an annual Worship event called PUSH! – Praise Until Something Happens. He’s happily married with children. www.joshuatosh.com
David’s Camp Magazine
www.davidscamp.org
11
Continued from page 9
F- Follow O-One C-Course U-Until you S-Succeed
from the pulpit given to them. It sends a message: “You’re much valued here”, to them. • Preach a relevant sermon that finds expression in their daily lives and provide solutions to avalanches of their daily multifarious challenges. • Why the church is not always the place to compete with Hollywood or raise another William Shakespeare, it is noteworthy to know that Christian’s film-watching and music-listening habits are not different at all. Show them the best of music, drama, and acts can be spirit-inspired and benefit the church. Slice the service up with some. What about a comedy? • Encourage high quality music and creative expression in worship. • Invest in off-line awareness too by putting up activities and programs marketing through printed materials about your church services made available to your immediate community. • Improve greatly on your signage. Post your services all the time and include a caption welcoming all. Light up the signage and use a large, zingy, and legible font. Use a kind that you can change the letters on it so as to be able to regularly update it and communicate upcoming events, programs, and special themes for the church. I hope this has been a blessing to you and your local Church. Wishing you all the successes and blessings as you continue with your zeal and commitment to God’s work. You shall not be wearied in Jesus name. I encourage you to look forward to the conclusion of this article in the next edition. See you at the top.
Designed and printed by shalomwales int’l 07806781603, myprints@shalomwales.com