WHY THE IMMEDIATE RESTRUCTURING OF SCOAN IS A NECESSITY
By Uche Peter AKABUDE
Restructuring, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, is “to change the makeup, organization, or pattern of”. In practice, it means to chart a new course for an entity, organization, etc with regards to its composition, attitude, operations, expectations and future. It also enshrines repositioning already existing structure for greater efficiency and productivity.
It is a global best practice that over the ages haspositively impacted the fortunes of organizations, organized groups, entities, etc. It is a phenomenal governance measure that is usually adopted by organizations to arrest both present and projected shortfalls, thus creating a more enabling foundation upon which they can strive to attain their full potentials. It raises the stake for holders of interest in any given organization. Such is the beauty of restructuring that has made it an essential appeal to every serious-minded organization all over the world.
Sadly, not everyone shares the same view regarding restructuring despite the numerous manifest advantages. Indeed, it will be sheer inanity to expect so given that it is very unlikely that everyone would readily buy into it.
In the light of the above expectation, it was not surprising to see some persons raise objectionsto current developments in The Synagogue, Church of All Nations, which founder and leader, Pastor Temitope Balogun Joshua, passed on June 5 this year.
Interestingly, the Church needs it now more than ever. It has always needed it. It may become too pedestrian to harp on the actions and inactions that necessitated the current wave, but the summary is that the reported brazen looting by some of the trusted lieutenants of the Church’s late leader would have been prevented were there in place the right restrictions. Mrs. Evelyn Joshua, the wife of the late clergyman and new leader of the church has rightly taken up the responsibility headlong with a view to addressing some of these organizational drawbacks. It is a sure needed bold move that would usually ruffles feathers, especially of those who benefit from the status quo or skewed system.
Suffice to say that Prophet TB Joshua deserved all credits for committing himself to a fulfilling selfless life that culminated in the attainment of many unprecedented feats he achieved.Undoubtedly, there were several limiting factors, but he courageously confronted and defiantly defeated them. Nigeria, his home country and the world at large, especially the hurting populace walked in his light until his passing. His ministry brought enormous joy, succour, hope, strength, peace, direction and satisfaction to individuals, families, communities and nations alike. He was an enigma to many people especially such as could not understand how an under-lettered man of his ilk could rise and attain the height of global acclamation he had.
TB Joshua’s ministry was not particularly different from many others; he was not just the visioner, but also the heart and soul of all its processes and operations. He was in full control of all that transpired, albeit with a very high rate of success in everything. This, however, has notcome without its flaws which his passing has brought to the fore.
The ongoing efforts to reposition the church are fittingly needed if the vision is to impact the global community for which ground work the prophet laid. Over the years, the church has carved a niche of a local ministry with a global appeal.
Restructuring enables corporate or systemic efficiency, whether of an organization or an institution. For the church of God, it is all about engendering fruitfulness by creating workable and working approaches while keeping faith with identified goals. It is a common knowledge that the charismatic leadership structure where everything evolved around the late founder can no longer sustain the church, and so cannot be sustained. Recent reports of gross misconducts among some trusted assistants easily allude to this.
The first implication of this reality is the complete or partial reconstitution of theleadership of the church. Everything begins and ends with the quality of leadership over an organization. Mrs. Evelyn Joshua is reputed to be one with appreciable wisdom. This would be a valuable asset in the new chapter of the Church. Thankfully, she does not appear oblivious of the enormity of both the task at hand and expectation from the thousands of people associated with the church. Her recent steps since her appointment bear indication of the kind of leadership in place.
There are other consequences of restructuring. These may include the likelihood of bringing on board new manpower to freshen up things, personnel pruning, especially those with unfitting profile and, in the worst case scenario, rejig the entire operations architecture with fitting personnel deployed accordingly. This is expected to raise so much dust, and some opposition, but it is a necessary sacrifice all members and partners alike must support Mrs. Evelyn Joshua to make for the future of the church.
The recent sponsored attacks on her person in a cross section of the media over her appointment as a member of the Church’s board of trustees by a Lagos Federal High Court and the subsequent eviction of some former workers of the church from the residential quarters over their involvement in the wanton pillaging of the church’s finances since the passing of the prophet would not serve the church any good. The church is a living organization which should be seen to be teaching, practising and upholding good governance culture, both spiritual and physical. There should be accountability, first to God and then the immediate supervising authority. This is a hallmark of a good system.
To say the future ahead of the church is brightermay be akin to the proverbial ‘putting the cart before the horse’, but there are indications of very positive things ahead. The general consensus is that the church is in a better stead with the right leadership team led by Mrs. Evelyn Joshua. With this understanding, the members and partners of the church would do well to uphold the new leadership in prayers.