PERSONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT: Information: The Best Friend Of Every Spiritual Leader

“Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.” – 1 Timothy 4:13
“The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.” – 2 Timothy 4:13
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” – 2 Timothy 2:15

One major weakness among many church leaders in Africa today is a lack of relevant, timely, and Spirit-led information. Many are trying to run today’s ministry with yesterday’s revelations and outdated methods. It’s no surprise some churches remain stagnant, struggling, or spiritually dry.

As leaders in God’s house, we must not just embrace the call; we must equip ourselves with current knowledge that is rooted in God’s Word and relevant to the times we live in. When we lack up-to-date spiritual and practical insight, we become trapped in the past, and our ministries lose their cutting edge in reaching this present generation.

The world understands the power of information. Governments, businesses, and organizations spend billions just to gain insight and stay ahead. Sadly, the Church—custodian of eternal destinies—often undervalues godly knowledge and current information.

A. BIBLICAL FOUNDATION FOR KNOWLEDGE AND LEARNING

1 Timothy 4:13; 2 Timothy 4:13; 2 Timothy 2:15; Ecclesiastes 12:9–11

Apostle Paul valued information and even in prison, requested books and parchments. The writer of Ecclesiastes sought out knowledge to teach others accurately. Scripture says, “Wisdom is the principal thing…” (Proverbs 4:7–8). God warned through Hosea, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). A godly leader must be a knowledgeable shepherd (Jeremiah 3:15). Sound knowledge—both spiritual and practical—is a non-negotiable requirement for leadership in God’s kingdom.

B. THE REALITY OF 21ST CENTURY MINISTRY

Ministry today is not what it used to be 30 or 40 years ago. We now live in a fast-paced, digital world, and the way people think, respond, and connect has changed drastically. God’s message is unchanging, but the methods we use must adapt without compromising truth.

Consider these facts:

Today’s population is largely made up of youths and young adults.
Cultural trends, worldviews, and belief systems are constantly shifting.
Change is happening faster than ever.
We are in the Information Age—knowledge is everywhere.
The world has become a global village; everyone is interconnected.
Technology is advancing rapidly—computers, AI, and digital tools.
The internet, emails, and online platforms are now the new mission fields.
Mobile phones, teleconferencing, and instant messaging are shaping communication.
The younger generation resists outdated ways and prefers innovation.

These realities must challenge the Church. While we hold tightly to the unchanging gospel of Christ, we must wisely and creatively deliver it to a changing generation. This takes wisdom and accurate information.

C. THE POWER OF INFORMATION IN MINISTRY

A single piece of insight can shift a minister from failure to fruitfulness. What you know determines how effective your ministry is. People will listen to you because you speak with divine wisdom and practical relevance.

Benefits of right information:

It transforms your life and ministry.
It awakens you to new possibilities.
It stirs you to move forward with vision.
It gives you hope and strength.
It ignites your passion and drive.
It makes ministry smoother and more fruitful.
It positions you above challenges.
It causes you to progress instead of remaining stagnant.
It turns roadblocks into testimonies.
It changes struggle into success.
It fills you with boldness and confidence.

But without the right information, a leader may face:

Difficulty in ministry.
Hard labor with little or no harvest.
Operating by trial and error.
Weak and unconvincing leadership.
Inability to meet the real needs of the people.
Personal insecurity and low self-esteem.
Using outdated methods that don’t work anymore.
Unfruitfulness and spiritual barrenness.
Silent suffering while pretending everything is fine.

Many leaders have books on their shelves but no revelation in their hearts. Others—especially some prophets, evangelists, and pastors—think they no longer need to learn. The truth is, without fresh insight, such leaders will soon become irrelevant and expired.

D. HOW TO ACQUIRE RELEVANT, SPIRIT-FILLED INFORMATION

Exodus 18:14–26

Even Moses, who saw God face-to-face, still received wise counsel from Jethro—his father-in-law. God didn’t tell Moses everything directly; He used someone else. Don’t rely on yesterday’s revelation to handle today’s realities. Seek fresh manna daily.

Here’s how to stay informed:

Develop a learning spirit – Stay humble and teachable.
Thirst for knowledge – Be eager to grow daily in wisdom.
Invest in learning – Good books may cost more, but they carry weighty truths.
Attend conferences and seminars – These gatherings often impart things you can’t learn elsewhere.
Enroll in specialized courses – Become skilled in your area of calling.
Use books, tapes, podcasts, and videos – Feed your spirit and sharpen your mind.
Read newspapers, magazines, journals – Stay updated and relevant in your environment.
Discipline your mind to think deeply – As a man thinks, so is he.
Fill yourself with divine truth – Become a reservoir of God’s Word and spiritual insight.

When you are full of fresh truth, people will seek you out. It takes spiritual labor and study to speak like gold, but without it, you’ll become just another noise-maker in ministry. Empty barrels make the loudest noise, but nobody pays to listen to one.

If you have nothing meaningful to offer, people will stop coming. Invitations will cease. But if you are filled with life-giving knowledge, heaven and earth will make room for your voice.

At International Church Growth Ministries, our commitment is to equip you with divine and practical information that will help you rise higher and fulfill your God-given assignment in this generation.