I do not know the history of the titles Papa and Mama in the Presbyterian Church of Ghana but as a member of the church, I grew up knowing that these titles are part of the church’s everyday vocabulary. Coming closer to the church in the last year, I have heard these titles perhaps more than anytime in my life in the church.
Whether a minister is newly ordained or has served for decades, whether he or she holds a high office or serves quietly in some rural congregation—or is a student minister like myself, or indeed an ordinary elderly member of the church— you are either a Papa or Mama. A friendly jokingly remarked that the title makes old although you may be young.
The point is this lingua franca places all of us under one umbrella, Papa or Mama. The names carry respect. But do they function as levelers in the church, or do they conceal deeper meanings. As we ordained ministers recently, I found myself reflecting on these titles from a Scriptural point of view, a Ghanaian cultural standpoint, and an organisational leadership perspective as I heard it all over the place – everywhere we went.
First, Papa and Mama reflects a distinctly Ghanaian cultural instinct: honouring elders, affirming leadership, and recognising those who carry responsibility. In many Ghanaian settings, “Papa” and “Mama” are not just biological terms; they are titles of respect. Thus, when applied to ministers, they signal pastoral authority and spiritual maturity.
So, in our church, the names connote an expectation of care, which is good. In this sense, the terms also create a form of uniformity. A minister is not first introduced by academic credentials, years of service, or administrative rank. He or she is recognised as Papa or Mama—someone entrusted with the duty of care. It is healthy.
It guards the church from becoming overly hierarchical. It allows members to approach ministers with respect, not fear. It reinforces the biblical idea that ministry is not about titles but about service. Jesus Himself taught that “the greatest among you shall be your servant” (Matthew 23:11). In this light, Papa and Mama become pastoral levelers, reminding us that a minister’s identity is not in status but in shepherding.
Yet Papa and Mama masks important distinctions. Ministry, though equal in calling, is diverse in responsibility. A newly ordained minister and a seasoned minister with decades of experience do not carry the same weight of leadership. A District Minister, a Presbytery Chairperson, and a General Assembly Council member each hold different mandates.
When all of them are addressed as Papa or Mama, we risk flattening the structures that ensure accountability, order, and clarity of authority. In this case, we do not see those with authority but then our church is a church of authority, respect, order, and discipline.
A unifying name such as Papa and Mama for everyone is not bad in principle but put against organisational structures (because the church is an organisation) whose lifeblood are respect, discipline and order, lines of authority are easily blurred. The danger is some may not know where to draw the line in terms of showing respect, for instance to authority.
My District Minister, Rev. Kingsley Asare Addo, is not keen on the name Papa. He comes with an interesting perspective to the conversation. Albeit jokingly, he wants to be called “Osofo”, believing that it guards against creating environments where we feel unable to share ideas, interact, or engage critically with ministers.
“Papas and Mamas must not get swollen‑headed by that title,” he often says. Christian ministry thrives on mutual respect, truth, and shared discipleship, he argues. So, is Papa and Mama a relevant name? In many ways, yes. The terms make the Presbyterian Church of Ghana unique. The terms foster unity, reduce intimidation, and affirm pastoral care.
However, they must not obscure the necessary distinctions in leadership. We must invariably show respect to all – to authority and ensure discipline. Boundaries of authority must not be blurred by universal titles. The healthiest approach, to me, is to still embrace the warmth of Papa and Mama while remaining conscious that titles may be important, but what matters most is being a Christlike leader, one who is humble, and has good character.
