The Boys' Brigade Nigeria,10th Ikot Ekpene Company. IKBC

22/03/2021

All about the boys

06/02/2021

THE BOYS' BRIGADE METHOD.

INTRODUCTION

***A Method can be defined as a particular way of doing something or a well planned system or administration used by an organisation or group in other to achieve predictable results.

From the definition above, the Boys' Brigade Method can be defined as a organized system designed in the Boys' Brigade to help the Boy discover purpose, develop good character and encounter Christ.

It involves different programs and skills employed to help the Boy discover his purpose in Christ and keep him occupied till he fulfills that purpose.

Since the aim of the Boys' Brigade is Preach the gospel, Character training and decision for Christ; our Object is to advance Christ Kingdom among Boys. Each method employed in the Boys' Brigade MUST fulfill these three objectives:

1). Train the Character of the Boy.
2). Help the Boy to make a decision for Christ.
3). Help the Boy to advance Christ Kingdom among his fellow Boys.

Any METHOD employed at any administrative level of the Boys' Brigade structure that doesn't fulfill these three goals is a colossal damage and a shame to the Officer or instructor who employed that method.

In common terms the Boys' Brigade Method is the accepted way, manner and pattern in which the Boys' Brigade organization wishes to achieve its aims and objectives.

WHAT ARE THEY?

We are going to study the varying methods employed in the Boys' Brigade and i want us to look at each one from the context of our aim and objectives.

1 COMPANY: The Company is the most significant of all the Boys' Brigade Methods. It is the smallest unit were the Boys can be easily reached. It is attached to a church, headed by a Captain as the shepherd and Chaplain as the Spiritual leader.

The Company provides the platform for the effective discharge of other methods. Without a Company, other methods become invalid, as all the necessary programs to ensure the Boy is built up is found in the Company.

The Company through the Officers ensure the Boy is trained and given an enabling environment to discover purpose in life and purpose in Christ.

2. CHURCH CONNECTION / RELATIONSHIP: Every Boys' Brigade Company must be attached to a Church. In schools, military or paramilitary units the Boys' Brigade Company is attached to a Chaplaincy. Through parricipation in the church services, Sunday school, bible class and other church programmes the Boy is given an opportunity to draw nearer to Christ and develop a Christ-like character. The Chaplain being the Spiritual head of the Church or Chaplaincy must ensure that Christian education is dished to meet the age and understanding of the Boy.

A healthy Church relationship is of the essence as this will enable the smooth and effective running of the Company.

3 BIBLE CLASS / CHRISTIAN EDUCATION:

Religion (Christian education); one of the twin pillars of the Boys' Brigade originated in a determination to win and retain Boys for Christ has been a reliable method of operation. Though underrated, Bible classes has been an effective too for character transformation and decision for Christ. This is why many State and National Councils produce bible study outlines for the Boy each calendar year to ensure that spiritual niche of the Boy is discovered. Yet it is the officers who fail to employ this tool effectively because most of us don't know Christ.

Bible classes, Prayer, Fasting, Bible quiz, Bible stories etc are active tools for discipline and modelling the Character of the Boy.

4 DISCIPLINE:
This is one of the second pillar the holds the Boys' Brigade firmly.
The Bible classes train the soul and spirit while Discipline focussed on training of the mind and the body to produce self-control and self-respect. When this is achieved, the reflecting result will be individual response to orders, rules and regulations. Every Company must therefore, aim at establishing a high standard of discipline through other methods like drill, uniform, camping etc.

5 UNIFORM:
This is the most abused part of the Boys' Brigade yet remains the most attractive part of the Boys' Brigade. Our uniform is the foundation for development of characters of self value and self-respect.
The uniform attracts other people into the Boys' Brigade and encourages Boys to take pride in their turn-out and appearance.
Our uniform is also a reminder of our calling as Christian Soldiers and charges us at all times to watch our interaction when in the public. Our uniform has spiritual and moral values to the Boy and most be held on high esteem.

6 DRILL: This is the most effective too in the Boys' Brigade for promoting habits of obedience, discipline and self-control. Thou it's been heavily abused by brutes in power, drill remains an essential tool for retunning the frame of the Boy and his ability to concentrate on details. Drill builds the mind and body effectively and when applied effectively will model the Boy on the need to be obedient to God, honour His commands and obey His call the same way the Boy is taught to obey/honour his drill instructor.

7 GAMES:
Games help to build the mind of the Boy by helping him learn how to obey rules and understand the consequences of breaking such rules. It also guards the Boy into self discovery and helps him to develop intellectual and leadership skills.
Before a game is chosen, the mental value, the intellectual value, the social value of the game should be noted.

8 AWARDS/PROMOTION:
The Bible says in Heb 11:6b that God is a rewarder of all who diligently serve Him.
Awards and Promotion in the Boys' Brigade is designed to encourage the Boys' and create seriousness in the life of the Boy as he serves in the Company. It also creates an atmosphere for esprit de corps and positive competition among Boys. Boys take pride in their ranks, awards and promotions when earned and it charges other to work harder.

Awards and Promotions must be based on merit not human connections.

9 CAMPING/ADVENTURE:
Boys like experimentation and adventure. They are inquisitive, full of energy and needs a platform for self discovery. The Brigade camp gives them the experience they need to grow. At camps, other Boys' Brigade Methods are employed to ensure the Boy is effectively mentored. Camping can be fun, challenging and risky, but these features are essential for the promotion of good characters.

10. BAND AND MUSIC:
Music is the food of the soul. As water is to our body, so is music to the soul and spirit of the Boy. 60% of Boys who join the Boys' Brigade are drawn by the sweet sounds that resonate from our percussion and wind instruments. It has a special effect on the Boy. When the Brigade Marching drums is played, a Boy can break any hedge to be a part of it. But when handled outside the context of discipline, music can be abused.

So it's important to enforce discipline when teaching the Boys' band or music at all levels. Then we must expose those to the content of most of the rhythms and songs we play as many of them have great lyrics which are impactful to the soul of the Boy.

The melody of "Sanky" drew Sir William Alexander Smith to the Church at Glasgow which helped him discover his purpose in life and Christ. There he started teaching in the Sunday school, started the first Brigade Company and married his soulmate who sang that tune (Sanky) that very day.

Wooooow!
Music is that powerful, it can change the course of the Boy if employed effectively.

CONCLUSION:
The Boys' Brigade Methods are not limited to these ten discussed above. New methods are being created and will be created which is not captured in the article but each method must ensure that the character of the Boy and is decision to encounter Christ and advance His Kingdom is influenced positively.

Send us your views on our email:
gospeltoyoungpeople@gmail.com or chats on +2348034445827.

Cheerio

29/01/2021

27/01/2021

THE DISABLED OFFICER.

PREAMBLE:
This lecture is believed to have a great impact on our spirituality and faith as Officers of the Boys' Brigade irrespective of our ranks, educational background and position in the local church or community.

INTERLUDE: (Sing along with this hymn to prepare your mind for this lecture before you continue reading so that God will reveal the power of his will and his word to you)

O Jesus I have Promised
v3
Oh, let me hear Thee speaking,
In accents clear and still,
Above the storms of passion,
The murmurs of self-will;
Oh, speak to reassure me,
To hasten, or control;
Oh, speak, and make me listen,
Thou Guardian of my soul.

:
Calling someone a disabled officer might appear inappropriate and insulting but at the end of this lecture I pray that our spiritual eyes will be opened to see our disabilities as men called into the body of Christ.

Disabled means; not being able perform or work in an expected Capacity.
OR
Disabled means; being unable to deliver expected duties or not being able to meet up an expected target.

A disabled Officer is an Officer that is unable to meet the needs of the Boy, or fulfill his call in the Boys Brigade which is to advance Christ Kingdom among Boys.

No matter your level of dedication, skill in band or music or parade, position or rank in the Company or Council as an Officer if you do not fulfill this simple call; YOU ARE A DISABLED OFFICER.

Yes you are DISABLED as an OFFICER because you have failed to fulfill purpose. Skills of band, drill and music are wonderful but are only relevant if they were furnished in a way that they will help the Boy discover who Christ is.

When we apply these skills, we must engineer them in a way that they will draw the Boy closer to Christ not to the skills. The unfortunate situation is that most Officers don't know who Christ is and have not given our lives to Him. So when the Boy comes into our lives they can't receive the revelation of Christ in us. That officer is DISABLED.

So if you do not have Christ in your work and ministry as an Officer in the Boys Brigade, YOU ARE A DISABLED OFFICER.

As our Officers we are called to TRAIN the Boys' fulfill their objective which is to advance Christ Kingdom. The Boy needs to encounter Christ and learn to grow in the principles of the Kingdom. As Officers it is our responsibility to direct the Boy on how best to discover Christ and walk with Him.

We are called Officers because we carry a level of responsibilities to the Boy and the Church. We are officers because we hold an office (a post of relevance and importance) from which we can operate to influence the life of the Boy.

Any Boy that comes to your Company, grows under your counsel should be able to be born again, grow in wisdom, stature and relationship with God. Christ told Peter in John 21:15-17... "If you love me, FEED MY LAMB" .
Our call as Officers entails we feed the lamb (Boy) of Christ for the make up our flock as shepherds in the Company.

FINAL THOUGHTS: John 5:3-13
The story of the man by the pool of Bethsda is the case of many of our officers in the Boys Brigade and the verse 3 says;

"In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water"

These men (Officers) lay disabled and handicapped by the pool because the water has not been stirred through the Study of the word of God and prayer. Effective prayer and study of the Word of God will equip you for your ministry as an officer and create abilities out of your disability.

WE HAVE THREE MAJOR CATEGORIES OF DISABLED OFFICERS FROM THE PASSAGE:

1. THE BLIND OFFICER: These are Officers who are blind and cannot see the pains, desires, goals and purpose for life in the Boy. The are blinded by their ego, ranks, level of training and have little or no spiritual impacts for the advancement of Christ Kingdom. When a Blind Officer leads a Company or leads a Boy, all fall into a ditch. The blind officer can't see the needs of a Boy or make provisions to meet the spiritual, educational or social needs of the Boy. An Officer is blind if you can't see when the character of the Boy is changing and see through the Boy's troubles.

2. THE LAME OFFICER: Being lame means the officer is unable to walk or work in the Company. Inability to take action when duty calls as a leader means you are LAME. A Company is experiencing a crisis and all you can do is blame tom dick and harry for being the cause pg the problem, YOU ARE LAME.
Rise from your stand of being crippled and walk. Jesus called you to work His works, He said greater works we will do if we have FAITH in him. We must have the ability to intercede for the Boy in prayers and walk an extra mile with him to ensure he (the Boy) lives to become all Christ wants him to be.

3. THE PARALYZED OFFICER: An Officer is paralysed who knows what to do but is unable to do it. If you have attended the necessary trainings in the Brigade but you are unable to make an impact relative to your level of training or exposure, you are paralysed. You are paralysed if you are unable to detect the pace of events in your Company or Council. Paralysis is also relative to inability to communicate purpose to the Church, the Community and the Boy.

Now you see the level of disabilities we have in the Boys Brigade. A disabled officer cannot make impact in the life of the Boy and the church.
We have not been able to GROW and conquer new grounds because we have disabled officers, but Jesus is saying today RISE UP AND WALK.
Come to Jesus dear officer and let his image be seen in you. That is the only way you can deliver , that is the only way you can feed THE LAMB.
MAY GOD GRANT YOU GRACE TO BE FAITHFUL TO HIS CALL AND STRENGTHEN YOU IN YOUR AREAS OF DISABILITIES,
AMEN.

Pastor Chimazu Uwakwe

THE GOSPEL GAZETTE NEWSLETTERS

16/01/2021

Marriage and Marriage Ceremony in Boys' Brigade

Marriage: According to the Longman Dictionary of contemporary English, marriage is defined as the relationship between two people who are married. They have a very happy marriage. Biblically, Marriage is describe as an institution established by God which all must honor and respect.

Marriage Ceremony: The Ceremony is which two people get married to each other is known as Wedding.
Therefore for a Boys' Brigade member to be honoured in a classically status of Boys' Brigade remembrance, is applying a professional role into a party agreement of their relationship as described in the scripture, which says when two agree together they walk, stays, love and die together in Christ.

The Ceremony that is evolved by the Boys' Brigade members is know as the Boys' Brigade marriage ceremony, which is the honor accorded to such member by the organization.

Marriage Procedures:
1. The marriage commence with the arrival of the Groom at the Church, who will be welcome by the band with General Salute. He will be lead by the group of friends known as best man in slow March by the brigade band, while waiting in for the arrival of the Bride.

2. (a) At the arrival of the Bride, she will be received by the Girls Brigade captain or any offocer of the Boys' Brigade or a selected woman that could be responsible for that. (Depending on the Church and member relationship).

(b) If she is a Brigade officer marrying a non Brigade member the officer will form up at the Church entranced, where she will be honoured with crossing of the sword and that ends the ceremony, except on the agreement of the groom and the Brigade to continue further participation.

(c) If not a Brigade Officer but marrying a Boys Brigade Officer, she will only be lead in by choir melody which other ceremonies comes up after the service.

(d) If she is Brigade Officer marrying to a Brigade Officer the same as (c) will be carried out.

3. After the Church joining or at the end of the church service, Boys' Brigade officers assemble at the Church entrance to honour them as one family. In this direction:

(a) Choir leads them to the doorstep.
(b) The Brigade Band takes over with General salute immediately with his cap on.
(c) Officers in file present their sword crossing while the Bride and Groom passes through and waits for the next programme.

4. Preparation of ceremonial parade follows at the parade ground.

5. During reception colours be carried along while ushering the Bride and Groom to their seats in which National Anthem is being played to mark the end of the ceremony.

6. On any route March with the Bride and Groom, the vehicle must be place at the center of the formation while, the colours are after the Band.

NOTE: No Boys' Brigade Ceremony be carry out for a Boys' Brigade Officer who is not in complete uniform. And use incase no sword Captain Staff of Office be used.

Invitation or Inactive Member
If on Invitation of non Brigade member, no sword is used, unless when the Bride is a Brigade member and there is good interest in Brigade. Participation not much of the honour shall be carried out, a parade can be organized by the company that is concern with the Invitation. A none member shall not on any ground or any account carry out riles on occasions.

In accepting Invitation, we need to be very careful to avoid such that will lead us to undesirable/action, with our Church members.

Briagde or Boys marriage are expected to be accomplined with sword.

Use of Sword: It is for wedding and investiture/installation of either Battalion Chairman, State President, National President or National Patron and not for ceremonial parade, while staff of office be presented during installation of Captains at company Enrolment service and investiture of Chaplains.

Conclusion
Sword crossing is not done for Boys (NCOs).
When our Boys' Brigade active Lady Officer is getting married, full BB marriage ceremony can be carried out to them if only the Groom she will be getting married agree to wear our BB full uniform in honour of his Bride (Our Lady Officer).
But if he did not wear, then as stated above will be observed just for the her and that ends our function for the ceremony.

God bless you all.

Reference
Drill Handbook on Special Ceremonies and Events for The Boys' Brigade 2nd Edition

Compiled by: Engr. Samson Sabo Bako (Captain, ANTO)

09/07/2020

There will be an ACM/ELECTION of Ikot Ekpene Battalion Council will be holding on Saturday 11/07/2020 at Groove Memorial Methodist Church Ikot Ekpene by 11:00am. Please note... boys are not permitted to come. Is only for officers/patrons. you're all invited.

11/05/2020

The Non-Commission Officer of The Boys' Brigade

Introduction
The Non-Commission Officer often play an important role in the Boys' Brigade, helping the officers and other adult helpers with organising activities and awards classes, particular in the Anchors and Juniors sections. An older Boy can gain promotion from Private to become a Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO).

There are four NCO ranks available, each being awarded when a Boy is of a certain minimum age and reaches a high enough standard of leadership:
• Lance Corporal (minimum age 14)
• Corporal (minimum age 15)
• Sergeant (minimum age 16)
• Staff Sergeant (minimum age 17)

Who is a Non Commission Officer
A Non Commission Officer is a sub-officer in a company promoted as a way to encourage leadership development among Boys in the Boys' Brigade.

The Purpose of having an NCO in a Company
• To facilitate the growth and progress of a company
• To encourage leadership development among Boys
• To train the senior Boys for leadership, it is a way of sustaining their continuity of the organization
• To give graded responsibility to the senior Boys to use their talents embedded in them for the glory of God and growth of the company
• To encourage and promote sense of competition, zeal, ambition and healthy development.

Who should be Promotion as an NCO
A Non-Commission Officer in the Boys' Brigade is a Boy age between 14-18years, promoted as a lance corporal, corporal, sergeant or staff sergeant based on his outstanding qualification. However,

• He is one who is found regular in Company activities, Company meetings and Church activities and services on time.
• He is one with good conduct at home, school and the BB.
• He is one who is loyal to his officers.
• He is one with proven ability to lead others.
• He is one who is cherished among others.
• He is one with good appearance and neatness.
• He is one who has the desire for the growth and progress of his company.

The Roles of an NCO
• The NCO is giving the responsibility of taking charge of his squad. He is the squad commander and takes charge of other minor responsibilities
• He helps his captain and officers to visit and give report of the Boys under his squad
• He performs any such duty as may be assigned to him by his officer.
• He must try to show or exhibit such character that is worthy of emulation both at home and company meetings.
• With the help of an NCO in a company, the captain and other officers have substantial deputies to help in the working of the company activities.

Conclusion
In conclusion, i urge the leadership of the Boys' Brigade at every level to see the need of training these Boys' (The Non-Commission Officers), by reviving and organising for them an NCO's Basic Course and also an NCO's advance Course. These will go a long way in developing their leadership qualities, skills, styles and abilities, before they reach a certain age of attending Officers Basic Course in the future. By so doing, the current leadership challenges militating against the growth and development of the Boys' Brigade will be address.

10/05/2020

UNIFORM IN THE BOYS' BRIGADE NIGERIA.

Uniform is one of the most important methods used in the Boys' Brigade.
Uniform is a set of standard clothing worn by members of a particular organization, which they can be identified with.
The Boys' Brigade wears uniform which varies from section to section; thus is registered globally as a “Uniformed Organization”.

The Boys' Brigade Uniform is generally classified into two groups:
1. Sectional uniforms: We have three sectional uniforms in the Boys Brigade Nigeria which is worn by the Boys in each of these sections (Junior/Anchor section, Company section and Senior section).

2. Officers uniform: This uniform is worn by Officers in the Boys Brigade Nigeria. We have two officers uniform, the Officers uniform A and the Officers uniform B.
The uniform A is the navy blue suite worn as officers ceremonial uniform for all Chaplains, Patrons, Lieutenants and Captains while the Officers uniform B is the field officers uniform (Navy blue trousers and white shirt) worn by all warrants, lieutanats and captain's.

Each of these uniform types is made up of uniform accessories and uniform clothing.
The uniform accessories includes materials worn to beautify, decorate and show ranks by the member. It includes the: Lanyard, Haversacks, Badges, Belts, Berets, Chevron, Tie, Boots / Shoes, Socks, Caps, staff, etc.

The uniform clothing is usually neatly sown by a tailor and worn by the members according to their sections.

REASONS WHY WE WEAR UNIFORM IN THE BOYS' BRIGADE

1 To show membership in the Boys' Brigade.
2 To show the section at which the member belongs to.
3 To show the persons rank and position (this can be viewed through his lanyard, chevron, badge, beret etc).
4 To create uniformity in outfit.
5 It serves as a reminder of our calling.
6 It beautifies the member and makes him attractive.
7 It promotes self respect and self control.
8 It’s a symbol of authority and command.
9 It helps to institute discipline amongst members.
10 It gives the Boy a feeling of responsibility and encourages him to take pride in his turn out.

BRIGADE RULES WITH REGARDS TO UNIFORM

1 Compliments must be paid duly and acknowledged by all Boys and Officers when in uniform.
2 Be proud of your uniform and wear it regularly to Brigade activities.
3 When in uniform, ornaments (necklace, ear ring, arm band, unmedicated glasses, nose rings, tattoos, mufflers etc) and make-up must not be worn by members with the exception of watches and wedding rings.
4 All brigade uniforms must be worn in the right order and appropriately.
5 No member must smoke, take alcoholic drinks, fight, dance to unchristiened tunes etc when in uniform. (Same should also apply when the person is on m***i.
6 Uniforms must not be worn by non members.
7 Must be returned to the company if member is expelled or sent off from the Brigade.

CARE OF THE BRIGADE UNIFORM.
1 By washing it often.
2 Mend neatly as soon as a hole appears.
3 Always keep them ironed and ready for Brigade activities.

BIBLICAL MEANING OF BOYS' BRIGADE UNIFORM MATERIALS.

This part of the topic is pictured from the bible, in St Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians Chapter 6 vs. 11 – 18. It says:

“11 Put on the complete suit of armor from God that you may be able to stand firm against the machinations of the devil;
12 because we have a wrestling, not against blood and flesh but against the governance, against the authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places.
13 On the this account take up the complete suit of armor from God, that you may be able to resist in the wicked day and after you have done all things thoroughly, to stand firm.
14 Stand firm, therefore with your loins girded about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and with your feet shod with the equipment of the good news of peace.
16 Above all things, take up the large shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the wicked one’s burning missiles.
17 Also accept the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit that is God’s word,
18 while in every form of prayer and supplication you carry on prayer on every occasion in spirit and to that end keep awake with all constancy and with supplication in behalf of all the holy ones.”

Cap = Helmet of salvation
Haversack = Breast plate of peace
Chevron = Shield of Christ / faith
Shoe = Gospel of peace
Belt = Gospel of truth.
Cloth = Armor of God

REFLECTIONS:
Many Officers have turned into wearing all sorts of combatant or military formatted uniforms in other to feel superior, in power, daring, military minded, gallant etc.
We were never formed to be like the military but conformed to be Christ and advance Christ Kingdom. Our weapons of warfare are not carnal like the military but mighty through Christ (2 Cor 10:3-5) therefore anyone who doesn't coho to these uniform models in the Boys' Brigade but simply subjects self to other forms of maufti or different uniform models is is simply a COWARD.

28/03/2020

During the burial of my captain's Uncle at 7th ikot ekpene company MCN Ibiakpan Circuit.

14/03/2020

This is just the beginning.....Enrollment service is loading..........keep on praying for our success in this enrollment.......