The Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) on Sunday commissioned 26 ministerial probationers, whom it will deploy to some of its branches across the country to serve the Church and help revive faith of members.
The new ministers, pursued different degree programmes in Theology at the Trinity Theological Seminary in Accra, based on which the General Assembly Council of the PCG expressed satisfaction at their work and approved their commissioning.
The Moderator of the General Assembly of the PCG, the Rt. Rev Prof. Joseph Obiri Yeboah Mante administered the Ministerial vows to the newly commissioned ministers.
Preaching the sermon at the well-attended service held at the Victory Congregation of the PCG at Fafraha in Accra, Rt. Rev Prof. Mante kicked against any move by the nation to prescribe regulations on activities of Churches.
The Moderator said there are already laws to deal with pastors who are misbehaving.
He said, when pastors or church leaders misbehave or go against the laws of the state, they should be dealt with according to the law and be treated as offenders of the law and not cloud their offenses with their calling as Ministers of the gospel.
The comments of the Moderator comes on the back of Parliament’s action to investigate and regulate church activities in Ghana.
The Speaker of Parliament, Rev Prof. Aaron Michael Oquaye, has directed the joint committees of Youth and Sports, Culture and the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs to look into the matter.
This was after the House on Wednesday, discussed the proliferation of churches which has flourished human rights abuses.
The Rt. Rev. Prof. J. O. Y. Mante, said there are laws against human right abuses and so if a minister of the Gospel abuses the right of someone the laws should work.
He said any attempt by the state to regulate church activities in Ghana will not be accepted.
The Moderator called on the State to take drastic actions against charlatan pastors, who abuse people’s rights.
He also cautioned Ministers of the Gospel to lead lives worthy of their calling and admonished the newly commissioned ministers to exhibit a character and demeanor that reflect Christ.
Don’t be fake pastors
Rt Rev. Prof. Mante advised the newly commissioned pastors not to join the flock of fake pastors who had forsaken the moral tenets of Christianity and had rather capitalised on people’s weaknesses and vulnerability to enrich themselves.
“An important fruit of the spirit is character.A pastor who misses this has missed the whole Christian faith.
“There are too many fake pastors around, do not go and add to that list.
The PCG will not tolerate any pastor who decides to use dubious means.
If you want to become a fake pastor, go and establish your own church but not in the Presbyterian Church of Ghana,” he warned.
Appreciation
A representative of the commissioned pastors, Rev. Daniel Kwesi Opoku, lauded the General Assembly, the various congregations of the PCG and the family members of the pastors for supporting their studies.
“We thank you all for the immense support we received throughout our three-year stay on campus.
You have been with us from day one and you continue to support us,” he said.
