By Adedeji Egbebi
The Association of Chartered Christian Instructors (ACCI) has urged churches to focus on deep biblical teachings and character formation to combat the spiritual superficiality caused by digital media.
The call was part of a communique released after the two-day “EKITI KETE 2026” International Conference held in Iyin-Ekiti, themed: “Theological Education in an Age of Distractions.”
The communique was signed by Archbishop Andras Olufestus, Prof. Afolabi Ojo, Pastor Akinjide Akinleye, and Dr Adetunji Akindolire.
The conference, held at the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences (FUTES) in Iyin-Ekiti, attracted Christian educators, ministers, scholars, and church leaders from across the country.
According to the communique, digital technology has created opportunities for Christian education, evangelism, and ministries, but it can also promote misinformation and superficial spirituality.
It urged Christian educators and ministers to promote digital literacy, critical thinking, spiritual discipline, responsible technology use, and biblical discernment.
ACCI stated that theological education should focus on forming godly, competent, discerning, and responsible Christian leaders, rather than on knowledge acquisition alone.
It emphasised that prayer, biblical study, character formation, practical ministry, and continuous learning must remain central to ministerial training.
Furthermore, the association called for a shift from training “celebrities” to developing faithful shepherds committed to serving God and humanity with humility and integrity.
It stressed that Christian leadership should be defined by service, faithfulness, and accountability, rather than popularity and social media influence, as well as promote the wellbeing of ministers.
The conference urged churches to provide mentorship, support, and accountability structures, calling for theological education that is biblically faithful, academically rigorous, contextually relevant, and transformational.
It, however, resolved to strengthen digital literacy, responsible technology use, continuous professional development, mentorship, research, scholarly publications, and knowledge-sharing.
It also called for stronger collaboration among ACCI’s global, regional, national, and state structures through effective monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.
During the event, three scholarly papers were presented by Prof. Babatola Ayodele, Dr Enoch Ajibade, and Ven Oluyemi Ojosu, while the conference honoured 11 personalities for their outstanding contributions to the church, education, and society.
Those honoured included the Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti, Oba Adeniyi Ajakaiye; Prof. Olugbenga Aribisala, Prof. Afolabi Owa, Prof. Joseph Ayodele, Pastor Kunle Kolade, Mr Taiwo Olatunbosun, Mrs Iyabo Fakunle-Okieime, Ven Oluyemi Ojosu, Pastor David Oni, Dr Enoch Ajibade and Apostle Claudius Oluleye.
Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Prof. Afolabi Owa, appreciated the conference organisers and pledged their continued commitment to serving humanity and advancing the work of God.
He urged ACCI to promote sound doctrines in Bible colleges, while Fakunle-Okieime called for legal backing to regulate Bible colleges and theological institutions.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference ultimately urged churches to move from information to formation, and from popularity to faithfulness.
It reaffirmed ACCI’s commitment to developing Christian leaders, who are biblically grounded, academically competent, spiritually mature, ethically responsible, and technologically discerning.
(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Remi Koleoso