The Archbishop Vining Memorial Cathedral Church marked its 60th anniversary with a call to reinvent itself and focus on engaging the youth.
A statement on Monday made available to PUNCH Online noted that the celebration culminated in an award ceremony honouring notable individuals and priests associated with the church, alongside the launch of a commemorative book titled “Chronicle.”
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, delivered a lecture at the event, emphasising the need for the church to adapt to the changing times.
She praised the church’s growth over the past six decades, noting that the first 60 years of AVMCC was a time of exponential growth, [transforming] from being a 50-member church to a congregation of over 8000.
According to her, the impact of the church on society cannot be quantified.
“The church has made a lot of impacts that can’t be quantified. It has been involved in charitable outreaches, support for the homeless, prison outreaches and a whole lot more. Many lives have been transformed through the activities of the church. The church has been doing awesome work in counselling. It has been involved in cultural enrichment, advocacy and social justice,” she said.
While acknowledging the church’s significant societal impact, Prof Ogunsola urged AVMCC to look inward and develop strategies to attract younger members.
“We must not be complacent. We have to do it right. Young people want to be mentored. They don’t want to be shamed. They want engagements on controversial issues, they need a sense of purpose and relevance,” she stated.
The professor highlighted the changing attitudes of the younger generation towards religion.
She said, “The present generation is constantly questioning the relevance of religion. They enjoy the freedom of investigating beliefs. They want sermons to connect them with what they do. They want authenticity.”
Ogunsola expressed confidence in AVMCC’s ability to make necessary changes, citing its financial and human capital resources. She emphasised that as long as changes adhere to the “tenets of our faith, we can change.”
The anniversary event also featured the launch of “Chronicle,” a book detailing the church’s history.
CEO and Editor-in-Chief at Diamond Publications, Mr Lanre Idowu, reviewed the book, describing it as “the story of the growth of a small parish church to a cathedral.”
Meanwhile, Lagos State’s First Lady, Dr. Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwoolu, represented by Mrs. Abimbola Odumbaku, congratulated the Cathedral on its milestone.
She commended the church’s impact, stating, “It is a celebration of the collective efforts of the clergy and laity, past and present, who have dedicated their lives to the service of God and humanity.”