Loading
8th May, 2011
PURGING THE CHURCH OF CHARLATANS
The Bishop of Tema Diocese of the Methodist Church, Rt-Rev. Winfred H. Ametefe, spoke his mind when he threatened to withdraw the leadership of ministers whose teachings mislead the flock.
He cautioned the ministers to avoid teachings that are contrary to the doctrines of the church saying; “I have the power to take your leadership from you.â€
Opening the 14th annual synod of the diocese at Ashaiman near Tema, Rt. Rev. Ametefe said it was the duty of leaders of the church to encourage people to do the right thing and trust in God.
“For the leaders to do this successfully, they have to study the Bible well, so that they do not go about confusing their members,†he said.
Indeed the Bishop has voiced out sentiments which many religious leaders are afraid to say for fear of losing popularity.
There are a growing number of people parading themselves as men of God who indulge in all kinds of negative behaviours, including corruption within their churches.
Some of them have adopted the ‘get-rich-quick’ attitude and other social vices that bring the work of priesthood into disrepute.
The negative behaviours of some of these church leaders have encouraged the youth within the church to adopt lifestyles that are not compatible to the teachings of God.
The Times reminds such wayward church leaders that the church is the embodiment of Christ and, therefore, it is important for them to keep it sacred at all times.
This means that the actions of the clergy as well as other office holders, must be sacrosanct and conform to the teachings of Christ. Anything short of that, is an affront to the principles for which Christ sacrificed His life to bring hope to mankind.
We are appalled by the court case involving the General Overseer of the Vineyard Chapel International, Bishop Vaglas Kanco who was on Thursday jailed 18 months for defrauding a British national of 120,000 pounds.
We condemn in no uncertain terms such behavior of pastors and other religious leaders who hide behind the name of God to engage in fraudulent practices that tend to undermine the church.
The church in this country has become a serious money spinning and lucrative business which some Ghanaians have taken advantage of to amass wealth.
We commend Rev. Ametefe for his boldness and forthrightness in his thought-provoking address to the synod and we hope the church leaders concerned and all others who take their religious duties for granted, will take heed.
He cautioned the ministers to avoid teachings that are contrary to the doctrines of the church saying; “I have the power to take your leadership from you.â€
Opening the 14th annual synod of the diocese at Ashaiman near Tema, Rt. Rev. Ametefe said it was the duty of leaders of the church to encourage people to do the right thing and trust in God.
“For the leaders to do this successfully, they have to study the Bible well, so that they do not go about confusing their members,†he said.
Indeed the Bishop has voiced out sentiments which many religious leaders are afraid to say for fear of losing popularity.
There are a growing number of people parading themselves as men of God who indulge in all kinds of negative behaviours, including corruption within their churches.
Some of them have adopted the ‘get-rich-quick’ attitude and other social vices that bring the work of priesthood into disrepute.
The negative behaviours of some of these church leaders have encouraged the youth within the church to adopt lifestyles that are not compatible to the teachings of God.
The Times reminds such wayward church leaders that the church is the embodiment of Christ and, therefore, it is important for them to keep it sacred at all times.
This means that the actions of the clergy as well as other office holders, must be sacrosanct and conform to the teachings of Christ. Anything short of that, is an affront to the principles for which Christ sacrificed His life to bring hope to mankind.
We are appalled by the court case involving the General Overseer of the Vineyard Chapel International, Bishop Vaglas Kanco who was on Thursday jailed 18 months for defrauding a British national of 120,000 pounds.
We condemn in no uncertain terms such behavior of pastors and other religious leaders who hide behind the name of God to engage in fraudulent practices that tend to undermine the church.
The church in this country has become a serious money spinning and lucrative business which some Ghanaians have taken advantage of to amass wealth.
We commend Rev. Ametefe for his boldness and forthrightness in his thought-provoking address to the synod and we hope the church leaders concerned and all others who take their religious duties for granted, will take heed.
Popular stories from Editorials
