One of the most critical issues at hand is that of IDENTITY. There is a need to define something in order to create a clear distinction especially where there are conflicting or confusing platforms. Many are lost in the desert of life without clear direction or purpose. This paper aims to draw to focus that we all have value and indeed carry a mandate to serve. We are all Ministers though at different levels of commitment and responsibility.

1. THE UNIVERSAL CHRISTIAN BIBLE COLLEGE
GRADUATION LECTURE 21st NOV 2015
TOPIC: WHO IS A MINISTER
OF GOD?
PROF ADEMOLA ADEDIPE , PhD, FIPDM, MCIPM, MNITAD
Dean of Academics

2. One of the most critical issues at
hand is that of IDENTITY. There
is a need to define something in
order to create a clear distinction
especially where there are
conflicting or confusing
platforms.

3. Man of God, in the Hebrew Bible
is a title of respect applied to
prophets and beloved religious
leaders. The term appears 77
times in 71 verses of the Hebrew
Bible, in application to up to 12
individuals.

4. MINISTER DEFINED
When you hear someone use
the word "minister" what is the
first thought that comes to
mind? If you are like most
people, you think
pastor/preacher/priest.

5. OLD TESTAMENT- The first time the word
"minister" is used in the Bible it refers to
the work of the priests under the Law of
Moses. "Now take Aaron your brother, and
his sons with him, from among the children
of Israel, that he may Minister to Me as
priest, Aaron and Aaron's sons: Nadab,
Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar" (Exodus 28:1)

6. Under the Law of Moses the priests were set
apart from all of the other people of Israel
and GIVEN special work to do - a special
area of service. They offered sacrifices for
the people. They stood between God and
the people of Israel. In fact, the Hebrew
word translated "minister" in this passage
literally means "to serve”.

7. A MINISTER is an AMBASSADOR, one who is
SET APART and SENT OUT with a CLEAR and
DEFINITE COMMISSION and MANDATE.
The SENDER is in this case the most
important entity as he is the originator and
owner of the MESSAGE, the Messenger (the
Minister) is just acting as an agent or
representative.

8. NEW TESTAMENT – EXPANDED SCOPE
1 Peter 2:9-10: "But you are a chosen
generation, a royal priesthood, a holy
nation, His own special people, that you
may proclaim the praises of Him who called
you out of darkness into His marvelous
light; who once were not a people but are
now the people of God, who had not
obtained mercy but now have obtained
mercy."

9. PRESENT DAY: Because of the traditions of
men, the belief that we need a special human
being to approach God on our behalf is
common. We usually think of the preacher as
the one who does this for us. But that idea
comes from the teaching of men not from the
word of God. As a result of accepting this false
belief, we have exalted the preacher (who we
often think of as "THE MINISTER") above all of
the other members of the church.

10. This is tragic because there are some
preachers who want to be considered special.
They want to be exalted & be in the limelight.
They should remember the word of Christ in
Matthew 23:12: "And whoever exalts himself
will be humbled, and he who humbles himself
will be exalted" and (Proverbs 16:18). "Pride
goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit
before a fall". If you persist in this line you
can be assured that your time to fall will come.

11. You are first and foremost a
MINISTER OF, before you can
MINISTER UNTO. The key
word here is Minister

12. BEING A MINISTER OF GOD
GENERAL TERMS – 2 COR 5: 17-20
SPECIFIC TERMS – 1Tim 3: 1 –
YOU DON’T BECOME A MINISTER RATHER
YOU ARE CALLED TO BE A MINISTER
A MINISTER IS NOT A SITTING PERSONALITY
BUT A GOING PERSONALITY (MARK 16:15)

13. Prof Ademola Adedipe is a People's person to the core with about two decades experience
in Admin and HR Mgt. He is a multi-vocational personality with clear focus on excellence
at all levels of commitment. Currently he is the AGS – Admin & Christian Education for
The Universal Christian Missions International, Lagos and serves as Consultant to various
organizations . He is an ordained Pastor of over fifteen years, married to an educationist
with three children. He is a Professor and Dean of Divinity with International Christian
University, Lagos and Academic Dean of The Universal Christian Bible College, Ejigbo,
Lagos where he teaches Research methodology, Organizational Leadership/Development
& Strategy courses and Educational Psychology. He has attended a good number of
seminars, workshops and conferences both as participant and facilitator within and
outside the country. He serves on the Board of some organisations.
He holds a B.Sc in Industrial Relations and Personnel Management and M.Sc in Marketing
both from UNILAG, Lagos, a Bachelors in Divinity, Masters in Christian Education and PhD
in Christian Education from ICU, Lagos. He is a Full Member of Chartered Institute of
Personnel Management of Nigeria, an Associate Member-Nigerian Institute of
Management NIM, Full Member-Nigerian Institute of Training and Development, Full
Member and Leader - Haggai Institute of Leadership – USA, a Balanced Scorecard
Professional (BSP) – USA, an Oracle Certified Professional – HRMS – Dubai, UAE. He also
has a Diploma in Christian Church Ministry – IMEP, Port Harcourt, a Diploma in Theology
from TUCFBC, Lagos. He possesses Training the Trainer Certification – ITF, Lagos, he is a
Certified Organizational Development Specialist, an IATA Certified Professional – Safety
Management Systems for Airports and Fellow – Institute of Public Diplomacy &
Management.

14. Email: profdemola@gmail.com,
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profdemola
Twitter: https://twitter.com/profdemola
SlideShare: http://www.slideshare.net/AdemolaAdedipe
Prof Ademola Adedipe
PhD, FIPDM, MCIPM, MNITAD