CHALLENGES OF MINISTERIAL INTEGRITY IN 1 SAMUEL 12:1-5

90 PAGES (35931 WORDS) Theology Article/Essay

The research “The Challenges of Ministerial Integrity in 1 Samuel 12:1-5 to Pastors in the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria” addressed the scaring acceleration of characters that depicts lack of integrity among some pastors in the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria. Thus, the research is targeted towards investigating the possible causes, effects of and solutions to lack of pastoral integrity among some pastors in the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria and highlighting what should be the acceptable behaviour expected of them, using Samuel’s character of integrity as seen in 1 Samuel 12:1-5 as a model. In order to carry out this research successfully, the researcher adopted an exegetical and phenomenological research designs. One of the major findings of this work is the manifestation of lack of integrity through financial misappropriation, sexual immorality and infidelity, jealousy, falsehood, disunity, pride,erroneous prosperity theology, false prophecy, etc. caused by unyielding life, indiscipline, greed, pride and other factors. This affects the pastor, the family and the power of the gospel. The research therefore recommends among other things that pastors in the P.C.N should follow the example of Samuel, nurture their relationship with God. The church and theological schools should be more concerned about the lifestyle of her ministers and students respectively. The study concluded that integrity is a virtue in pastoral ministry and should be imbibed and cherished by pastors in the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria.