THE 360 DEGREE EMPOWERED CHRISTIAN

1. THE 360 DEGREE EMPOWERED CHRISTIAN �EMPOWERMENT THE BIBLICAL WAY� THEME JOB 1(1-5) For LAGOS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ON 13TH JULY 2008

2. PREPARED AND PRESENTED BY ELDER MRS IFEOMA ANA AS A SERMON/TALK DURING THE CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICE

3. THE TRIPPLE BOTTOM LINE CHRISTIANITY

4. PREAMBLES: DEVIATION FROM THE USUAL This empowerment based talk or �preaching� today deviates from the usual Sunday Word expositions in many ways: The speaker is the least qualified to be a preacher, however, standing on our beliefs in the Priesthood of all believers, and under the church�s invited authority , she makes bold to hold on the Cross and dare to stand among you under the unction of the Holy spirit to minister to us using her God given endowments This �preaching� may not be in sync with the usual expectations of Christian worshippers which basically revolves around the ten commandments, goodness commendation or hurts palliation Some members may indeed find some aspects of the talk offensive as they may begin to think that the church is going too materialistic and leaving the �holier than thou expectations of a typical born again Christianity� But we shall attempt to see how the Lord and Savior of the world is not only concerned about the soul, but also concerned about the body of His people

5. This Talk aims to: Explore ways of striking a good and biblical balance between the physical and spiritual lives of a Christian Lead worshippers into various empowerment roles for self and others Highlight some challenges that a Christian may face in the quest to economic empowerment Explore ways of overcoming hindrances to economic empowerment Sensitize us to ways of Living out the Potentials in each and every one of us

6. COVERAGE WE SHALL LOOK AT: THE TRULY EMPOWERED CHRISTIAN FORMS OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE TO CHRISTIANS DIFFERENT FORMS OF BUSINESS CHALLENGES CAUSES OF BUSINESS CHALLENGES IMPEDIMENTS TO OVERCOMING BUSINESS CHALLENGES THE WINNING WAYS TO BUSINESS GROWTH

7. THE MEANING OF EMPOWERMENT Empowerment refers to increasing the spiritual, political, social or economic strength of individuals and communities. It often involves the empowered developing confidence in their own capacities.

8. CONSTITUENTS OF CHRISTIAN EMPOWERMENT: THE SPIRITUAL EMPOWERMENT ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL FREEDOM ABILITY TO EMPOWER OTHERS TO SPIRITUAL AND ECONOMIC GROWTH

9. Spiritual empowerment Spiritual empowerment has to do with the spiritual soundness of an individual. It revolves around the Christian�s deeds and/or faith. We can sight a few biblical examples -ABRAHAM- he believed God and it was counted for him as righteousness -JOB-was regarded in Job 1: 1 as Blameless and upright -DOCAS- For the care of widows and the needy (Acts 9:36) -DANIEL- Dan 1:8 for refusing to defile himself with foods offered to idols and for refusing to bow to other Gods( Dan 3:16) -STEPHEN-for standing up to what is truth and bowing as the first Christian Martyr Acts chapter 7

10. Economic empowerment This is freedom from financial and/or material worries; the ability to worship God freely without the added burden of what to eat, how to clothe and where to live. In serving God, Christians should not worry about the physical because when the spiritual wars against the physical, it takes only DIVINITY to truly overcome. God acknowledges our physical well being as important hence, Jesus fed the five thousand as recorded in Lk 9:10-17 The bible also condemns the lazy our old testament reading from Proverbs 6:6-11 shows

11. Economic empowerment continued In 2nd Thessalonians 3(6-15) Paul condemns idle people and warns Christians not to be associated with them He also declared that in spite of their (Paul and his colleagues) rights to �reap where they sowed�, they worked to take care of their needs so as not to constitute a burden to believers He concluded that a man who does not work has no rights to eat, by these Paul in essence is saying that CHARITY is offensive

12. Economic empowerment cont. The parable of the Talent (MAT 25:14-30), our New Testament reading explored: There was the receiving of the talents-God has empowered each and every one of us with talents and has further commanded us as Christians to empower one another-�love one another as yourself� There is the working (investment to yield fruits) by the people who received 5 and 2 talents and the lazy destructive attitude of the man with one talent There follows the performance appraisal where hard works are rewarded and laziness is punished

13. Others empowered The bible calls Christians who are empowered to empower others. �Others empowered� has its root in the story of the Good Samaritan where the Lord demonstrates that only the Samaritan who was not of the house-hold of faith was counted as a good neighbor to a man in need that had been shun even by a Priest.

14. Others empowered continued Empowering others does not mean giving the people fish, but instead involves teaching the people to fish. This is why St Paul warns Christians against idle people In 2nd Kings 4:1-7, Elisha meant the widow to have enough to trade with and cater for her family beyond paying her husband�s debts and eating for the day In LK 5(1-7) Jesus demonstrated economic empowerment by filling the nets of the fishermen- the first disciples. Jesus sure was not providing them something to eat for the day, He knew they needed money to settle their families and commitments and undertake the jobs ahead, hence the bumper harvest The bible further tells us that when the disciples needed to pay taxes, Jesus not only encouraged that but empowered them to work for the �drachma� with which their taxes was paid (Mat 17: 24-27)

15. How to empower others Granted, a good number of Christians give gifts and alms to fellow believers and non believers alike. The church in itself has various welfare packages for members. Good as these alms and welfare packages are, they do not constitute empowerment. Except your gifts and alms challenges and enables the receiver to become productive and eventually stand on his/herself, empowerment has not taken place Real empowerment can be achieved through��.. Education and training for productive employment Financial investment for productive ventures Discouragement from charity Commensurate compensation for workers (Fair trade phenomena) Mentoring and role modeling

16. Forms of empowerment THERE ARE TWO BASIC FORMS OF EMPOWERMENT NAMELY: 1. THE INTERNALLY INSTIGATED EMPOWERMENT: See DEBORAH (Judges 4:4-10); RUTH (Ruth 1:16-18); THE SHUNAMITE WOMAN(2nd Kings 4)) and HANNAH(1Samuel 1&2) These are self motivated people with no hold backs. The ones who never STOP to worry about changes in their situations because they know something else must happen. They are always on the move, the sky is usually the beginning for these people. They are the �Sniff and Scurry� in the motivational book, WHO MOVED MY CHEESE? They are people who match faith with deeds

17. Forms of empowerment 2. EXTERNALLY INFLUENCED EMPOWERMENT see ESTHER (chapter 2), SEPPHIRA (Acts 5: 1-10) These people depend on others to get started. They move with the tide. A little push may be what get them moving but sometimes, it may actually take a great knock on their heads to move them. But as Christians who must care for one another, we may have to hit some several times on their heads to kick start them. They are the �Hem and Haw� (little men) in WHO MOVED MY CHEESE. They stay on sulking that they can no longer find their cheese in the usual cheese station C while the little mice have moved on and discovered other more bountiful cheese stations. Paul warns Christians not to be associated with idle men, but ends by saying to love them. We show love when in spite of our brethren�s failure, we keep knocking them to move them to better levels.

18. Levels of empowerment using Mary Kay Ash�s 4 types of people Mary Kay Ash in her biography � Miracles do Happen said that there are 4 types of people Those who make things happen Those who watch things happen Those who wonder what happened and Those who do not even know that things have happened Every group and organization has a great number of all categories and cannot be called successful if the group on the lower ladder of the compendium are allowed to be. This is very much true of the church: the early church introduced the principle of caring for one another by sharing all their possessions (Act 4:32-35).

19. The lead to levels of empowerment Going by Mary Kay Ash�s reasoning, the type of empowerment every one has would depend on what level on that compendium each person intrinsically belongs.

20. Analysis 1-those who make things happen Those who make things happen are self empowered. They never stay comfortable where they are and do not need any external push to move-on. They are simply creative on their own and no holds-on or hangs-on to the past; they just keep moving. They may fall many times over but they get up as many times as they fall. These are what Stephen cover termed �the proactive people�. For these categories of people, salary is limiting-income is what matters

21. Analysis 2: those who watch things happen Those who watch things happen are internally motivated but are inspired to get moving from competitive edge. They have great deals of initiatives but never take them until they see someone else do the task. They are far more motivated by competition than intrinsic leadership. They do well once their competitive instincts are activated. These categories of people are referred to by Stephen covey as �reactive people�. They may end up succeeding better once they are hooked on. The sad aspect of these categories of people is that they may remain in limbo except that competitive trigger is instigated. A proactive group may therefore do well to instigate competitiveness to bring out the potentials in this group of people. A NOTE OF WARNING THOUGH IS THAT THESE PEOPLE MAY BECOME DESTRUCTIVE UNLESS CLOSELY WATCHED AND POSITIVELY ENCOURAGED

22. Those who wonder what happened Those who wonder what happened need a good amount of push to get out of confusion and get moving. They are simply cheerleaders who do not even know whether there has been a score, they just keep cheering like Eddy Murphy in the Basket Ball pitch of his movie-�COMING TO AMERICA�

23. Those who do not know that anything happened Those who do not even know that things have happened must be hit on the head ten times to move out of their stupor. They are people who after this talk would remember at best what colour of dress the preacher wore

24. Keys to empowerment Application of Stephen covey�s seven habits: proactive; begin with the end in mind; put first things first, think win-win, seek first to understand; synergise and sharpen the saw Timeliness consciousness Perseverance Knowledge of your own personal potentials and abilities

25. Keys continued.. Organization Readiness to start all over again The �can do� attitude Network extensively

26. Sources of empowerment From intrinsic powers and spiritual inspirations From listening to peers and watching From group activities and group members From acquaintances in work or business places, on the street, news media, written books, teachers and preachers, program facilitators etc From experience From friends From family (usually the least important), except for financial empowerment

27. TYPES OF EMPOWERMENT Educational empowerment Political empowerment Physical empowerment Economical OR Financial empowerment

28. FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT Financial empowerment � means to give/have control over your financial situation. Therefore to achieve financial freedom, one necessarily must be financially empowered

29. WAYS OF ACHIEVING FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT Financial empowerment can be attained in the following ways:- By staying continuously employable Through Savings From Gifts Assured Investment incomes From inheritance By obtaining Loans

30. CONSTITUENTS OF ECOMONIC EMPOWERMENT A person is economically empowered when: He/she has a steady and sustainable means of livelihood He or she consistently meets his desired level of livelihood and has some savings He/she has the capacity to generate sustainable stream of incomes He/she is able to undertake some level of investment for the future He/she has guaranteed financial supports for old age (pension)

31. Business opportunities for unemployed or underemployed Christians Fashion business and Tailoring Fruits and vegetable vending Supplies and LPO�s contracts Transportation-bus services, okada business, keke business, haulage business etc Service rendition-washman/woman, daycare provision, night care provision, home care provision, home tutors, barbing and hairdressing Pure water making or vending Small scale production such as soap making, block making, juice extraction, palm wine bottling Distributive trade-wholesale or retail; consumption or productive Catering-akara frying, akamu production, restaurant (fixed or mobile), bakery etc Handicapped and senior citizens persons help provision The list is endless provided the business does not contradict with our Christian principles and ethics

32. DIFFERENT FORMS OF BUSINESS CHALLENGES Internal/personal challenges External/environmental challenges Financial challenges Emotional challenges Administrative challenges Spiritual challenges

33. Internal /personal challenges to business Lack of business plan Unappreciated impediments to business growth Basis for entering the business;-envy, retaliation, anger from an episode in ones life, or shear interest in such business Lack of self confidence Lack of self drive Business illiteracy *****Inability to apply Stephen Covey�s Habit 2 �begin with the end in Mind� and A CAIN CHARACTERISTICS IN THE CAIN AND ABEL STORY*****

34. External/environmental challenges Business location Business connections Industry specifics Competition Family and friends Fiscal, Economic and Social challenges Unforeseen events

35. Financial challenges Inadequate capital Business losses Illiteracy about different sources of finance Fear and/or inability to raise bank loans Financial leakages-inability to separate business from personal/family funding Poor financial structuring and alignment in multiple business ventures

36. Emotional challenges In ability to differentiate between business and pleasure Inability to say no to people- LOOSE-WIN PEOPLE Lack of focus Fanatic about voodism Lack of self control or over-sensitivity Over-influence of spouse Poor treatment of your workers **** People who practice Stephen Covey�s 8th Habit �from Effectiveness to greatness� tend to do better in business�. Jonah failed with Nineveh assignment from emotional challenges

37. Administrative challenges Poor internal controls Poor accounting system Lack of good organizational structure Highly de motivated staff leading to frauds in business Lack of management transparency

38. Spiritual challenges The bible tells us that we are not fighting against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers For some of us in business, our problems may indeed be spiritual hence no mater what we put in place, we still encounter heavy challenges. Such spiritual challenges may be from Courses known or unknown and deserved or underserved Spiritual impartations such as things buried in our business locations Staff in various spiritual warring activities Business partners and associates spiritual activities

39. SPIRITUAL CONTD. The prayer warriors of the church and the pastors have the gifts to deal with spiritual challenges in the business of believers. While it is important to recognize when businesses are being pelted by spiritual attacks, it is important to check ourselves to be sure that we are not indeed our own witches and wizards. A situation where a believer presents and manifests same spiritual symptoms to every Pastor and in every crusade may be tantamount to him/her being the demon itself

40. CAUSES OF DISTURBING BUSINESS CHALLENGES There is no business without challenges. However, business challenges become true challenges when they militate against further growth. These types are caused by; Lack of plans for challenges Living a euphoria-too much in the dream; not appreciating the realities of life Too much of mountain freights- people who fail to rise again after a fall and are afraid to take on challenges- Ruth was not afraid of the mountains and she followed Naomi, today, a hidden women is in the genealogy of the Savior of the world The almighty enemy of progress-PRIDE- why must I go and ask? Why must I start small? Why cant I just be like the other person-the Ham and Hem mentality

41. Impediments to overcoming business challenges Self: fear (can�t do it attitude), envy, pride, lack of knowledge, unappreciated self potentials, inability to seek help due to pride or timidity Jealousy and envy infested attitudes rather than cooperation leading to inability to network Being in the wrong business Rigidity in business decision Lack of faith that even in our challenges, God has a divine plan-The woman with the issue of Blood may never have been healed, Hannah the barren may never born Samuel

42. Winning ways to overcoming business challenges-the hard stuff Start with the end in mind-plan your business Be a proactive business person Go for the right financial mixes Determine to separate business from family and pleasure Be sure to rise again even if you fall many times over Be professional and ethical about your business Be honest to your self and your business associates. You cannot cheat or deceive others for too long

43. Winning ways- contd. Take loans whenever required and necessary Network effectively Go for advisory sessions when necessary Learn all you can about your business Believe you can reach beyond the sky-this is why Hilary came out to be the world�s no one president in a society where less than 100 years ago, women could not vote, this is why a black man (OBAMA) ventured into the presidential race of great USA Learn about other alternatives and associated businesses

44. Winning ways contd. Execute business plans effectively and in a disciplined way Identify challenges early enough and deal with them Do not accept sub-optimal businesses that would not build you or enable you actualize your dreams Be the master in your business not an on-looker or watcher Employ flexibility in business management

45. Winning ways-the soft angle Do not be chicken hearted Manage with human angle-treat staff well Be humble about success Share victory and successes-do not hoard knowledge and success Interdependence is important-no one knows it all GIVE IT ALL TO GOD INSPITE OF YOUR EFFORTS LIKE DAVID DID IN THE BOOK OF PSALMS

46. Empowerment capping :THE 7 Cs TO SUCCESS Coaches � have a coach (mentors) Clarifiers � safety people Collaborators � readers and runners of your vision Confronters � people that can tell you the truth Comforters � put a balm on your pains/ fears Confiders � people to confide in Catchers � raise catchers (train people)

47. MEMOIRS: ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT; The road to success is not straight. There is a curve called Failure, a loop called Confusion, speed bumps called Friends, red lights called Enemies, caution lights called Family. You will have flats called Jobs. But, if you have a spare called Determination, an engine called Perseverance, insurance called Faith, a driver called Jesus, you will make it to a place called Success.

48. Conclusion RISE UP AND LET US PRAY ���������������������������������� amen and may God make you an all-round empowered Christian in Jesus name