A Senior Lecturer at Trinity Theological Seminary and Minister in Charge of Charis Congregation, Spintex, Rev. Dr. Ernestina Afriyie, has warned newly ordained ministers of Batch Five against entering ministry for benefits. “You may get a lot of benefits from ministry, but those benefits should not be the reason you go into ministry,” she cautioned.
Preaching on the theme “Go and shepherd the flock” at the 2026 Ordination Service on Wednesday at Ebenezer Congregation, Kyebi, Rev. Dr. Afriyie stressed that the motive behind ministry must be pure. “Shepherds who go into ministry with the objective of benefiting from it are not good shepherds,” she said, urging the 15 ordinands to prioritise the welfare of God’s people above all else.
She called on them to embody the heart of a true shepherd. “Be good shepherds. Make sure the sheep are well-fed. Make sure the sheep are protected,” she added, emphasising that the spiritual and moral nourishment of the flock must be the minister’s foremost concern.
Rev. Dr. Afriyie expressed deep worry about the moral decline in society, noting that corruption and practices such as galamsey persist in a country where many profess Christ.
“Our sheep are malnourished,” she lamented. “They do not know what Christians must do and not do.” She said this reality places an even greater responsibility on ministers to teach, guide, and correct with courage and compassion.
She urged the ordinands to rise and preach Christ boldly. “Let us stay under the feet of the Lord and shepherd His flock,” she said, encouraging them to move beyond comfort, teach diligently, and nurture the flock with love, conviction, and consistency.
Rev. Dr. Afriyie ended by reminding them that “we are all shepherds in the eyes of the Lord.” God, she said, has called ministers to partner with Him, proclaim the good news of Christ, and bring the lost back to the fold. “Let us love the Lord,” she urged. “Love Him enough to bring people who are lost to Christ.”
