The Retired Anglican Bishop of the Awori Diocese, Rt. Rev. Johnson Atere, has urged pastors and church workers to prioritise their relationship with God if they want to have an enduring ministry.
Bishop Atere made the call while ministering at the 2026 priesthood ordination of the Diocese of Lagos West (Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion) on Sunday, June 28, 2026.
The event held at the Bishop Ajayi Crowther Memorial Anglican Church in Gowon Estate, Lagos State, attracted priests and laity from across the diocese.
About 19 clerics were ordained as priests, including four of them from the Awori Diocese. Bishop Odedeji is the supervisory bishop of Awori diocese.
Bishop Atere, who took his message from 1 Timothy 4:16, emphasised the need for the newly ordained priests to give priority to their fellowship and devotional life.
He stressed that the first responsibility of a pastor is to take heed to himself.
Atere said: “The order of ministry is for the priest to first take heed to himself.
“A priest who loses his integrity, spiritual life, and doctrinal soundness becomes a danger to himself.
“The first responsibility of a priest is not programmes or organising meetings. These are good, but what should be of primary concern is your relationship with God.”
He noted that despite the status of Jesus as God Himself, proceeding from the Father, He still spent quality time praying.
“If Jesus can pray, why would a priest spend morning hours without fellowship with God?” he asked.
Bishop Atere, who retired recently as a Bishop of the Anglican Communion, gave examples of notable Bible characters like Moses, whose private lives shaped their public appearances.
He added that apart from a priest’s devotional life, strict attention must be given to a lifestyle devoid of corruption and immorality.
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”It is important that you pay attention to your character. People may not remember your message long after you are gone, but they will not forget how you lived your life,” Atere stated.
Atere asked how many believers could say, like Samuel, that they defrauded no man, adding: “A priest should take heed to himself and live according to his calling. His life must reflect Christ. Our lives speak louder than our messages.”
Bishop Atere also warned the newly ordained priests against dishonesty and sexual sin.
“People will always describe you by the life you live. You need to pay attention to your conduct,” he added.
Atere also enjoined the priests to prioritise their families, saying: “Give attention to your family; that is your first congregation. You must take care of your household. Many have built churches but lost their families.
“Your congregation will lose confidence in you if your home is in disarray. The worst mistake any priest can make is to marry the wrong spouse. If your home is not settled, you will have problems with the congregation.”
Atere equally urged the priests to study and guard the doctrine of the church, stressing that the Anglican Church draws its strength directly from the Bible.
Atere said: “Preach the word. I plead with you to preach the word. Many of the false teachings we have today have demonic origins.
“Preach the word. Let the word of God be your guide, and let it be the emphasis of your message.”
