Pulpit Ministry And Integrity: A Contextual Analysis Of Titus 2:7-8

Abstract

Integrity has become a topic with more prominence in research on personality and leadership in both secular and religious organizations. It is a fundamental virtue necessary for an understanding of leadership in both dimensions. Today, integrity crisis is perhaps one of the major challenges facing pulpit ministry. This has brought the church under serious tests especially in the present day Nigerian society. It seems immorality has reached a pan-epidemic level in the Nigerian church both among the clergy and the laity and consequently, respect for pastors has come to an all-time low level. While undertaking an examination of pulpit ministry and integrity in Titus 2:7-8 vis-a vis the Nigerian society, the historical-critical approach and a contextual analysis of the text was done to bring out its relevance to the contemporary situation. The result indicates that while some contemporary Nigerian church pastors preach and teach good sermons with emphasis, at times, on prosperity; it seems many do not model what they preach. One of the implications of this is a mere religiosity without serious impacts in the society. This paper recommends the need for leaders in the Nigerian church to go back to the Bible and practice what they teach.