“Be Bold” –A Reflection On the Message At The End Of Monrovia Methodist Women Program

The 31st Annual Session and 63rd Anniversary of the Monrovia District United Methodist Women organization ended yesterday at the ‘great’ Trinity United Methodist Church in New Kru Town. The assembly which started last Thursday was held under the theme:” THE POWER OF BOLD,” with text from the Book of Luke 1:26-33.
Apart from being a Methodist, I received a special invitation from the women to grace the occasion. Even though I was late, thank God I met the preacher delivering the touching and electrifying sermon.
Unsurprisingly, the church was packed to capacity and so I took a seat outside of the church, as I attentively listened to the preacher, Rev. Decontee A Johnson, Associate Pastor of the historic First United Methodist Church, who in my estimation, objectively did justice to the theme of the occasion.
As we are told by one dictionary, the word “BOLD” means,’ fearless before danger; showing or requiring a fearless daring spirit; Assured confidence; adventurous free; standing out prominently.” Some of the synonyms of “BOLD,” as an adjective, are, courageous, audacious, gallant, valiant, intrepid and brave.
Given the definitions and synonyms of the word, let me Say that Associate Pastor Johnson dealt with it holistically by not being subjective, but objective. During the few minutes listening to her, she believes that when people are bold and speak out against the ills and social vices of society, the society stands to benefit.
Specifically, she said people should be bold to speak to leaders whenever they are deviating from the generally acceptable norms and values of society, as we say in Social Science.
In addition, Pastor Johnson said this should also be done when leaders charged with national functions are working diametrically to their official duties and functions. The female Methodist Prelate whose message or sermon was punctuated with applauses added that even on the church, if there is a need to call leaders attention to certain things, this should be done.
Frankly, I agree with the pastor on the issue of being bold. I share her concern because if we as a people and nation speak out to our leaders, not only on the national level, but in our homes, organizations, communities and society, many of the ills and misrule would not occur. But because we are not bold to call a spade a spade, regrettably, our society and nation continue to face problems.
Unarguably, this country is endowed with natural resources, but we are still among the poorest nations and least developed nation. This is so because we have failed to be bold to call our leaders’ attention.
Even if they would be stubborn and insensitive, consistency would awaken them to change for the better of society. But because of sycophancy, hypocrisy and deceit, leaders in all categories of society, are yet to realize that they are not proceeding rightly.
This scenario of sycophancy can be likened to the anecdote of “the emperor and his garment,” as was accentuated by this by this year’s July 26 independence Day orator, Madam Leyman Gbowee. In this story, the emperor was almost naked, but those around him, especially the sycophants, deceptively said he was ok. They failed to be “BOLD” by speaking TRUE to the emperor.
Back to the issue at bar, as Rev. Johnson was delivering the sermon on Sunday on being bold, I never heard her urging people to be disrespectful and insulting in calling leaders’ attention. I bring about this because some of us, in discussing issues or calling our leaders’ attention, we use invectives, or sometimes “MA CUSS,” under the guise of exercising one’s rights as it relates to freedom of speech or freedom of expression. This is not the intent of freedom of speech or freedom of expression.
In all fairness, if this country is to move from backwaters to prosperity, we have to be bold to our leaders, whether in the communities, organizations or national level so that they would be guided to do the right thing in all of us interest. It should not be about ‘SELF,’ but about the nation and its people. We should not be introverts, but extroverts for the general good of all.
As the women have ended this year’s event, let this message of being bold to leaders take a center stage in whatever we do for the good of our country and people. There should be no room for sycophancy, hypocrisy and deceit.

I Rest My Case