The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG), Rt. Rev. Dr Abraham Nana Opare Kwakye, has cautioned the newly inducted Chairperson of the Central Presbytery, Rev. Nana Osei Owusu Fosu, against being deceived by flattery as he assumes leadership of one of the Church’s historic Presbyteries.
Preaching on the theme, “Render to God What Belongs to God”, from Matthew 22:15-22, during Rev. Fosu’s induction service at the Ebenezer Congregation, Agona Nsaba, the Moderator drew lessons from the encounter between Jesus, the Pharisees and the Herodians.
He explained that the religious and political groups approached Jesus with flattering words, describing Him as a man of integrity who taught the truth without fear or favour. However, behind their compliments was a calculated attempt to trap Him with a question about paying taxes to Caesar.
According to the Moderator, Jesus immediately discerned their hypocrisy and evil intent. Using the passage to counsel the new Chairperson, he warned that not everyone who offers praise has noble motives.
“There are people whose words are smoother than oil, yet their intentions are destructive,” he noted, urging Rev. Fosu to exercise discernment in leadership and to look beyond compliments to the motives that may lie behind them.
The Moderator pointed to biblical examples such as Samson, Solomon, King Hezekiah and Judas Iscariot, observing that even great men can be undermined when they fail to recognise hidden motives behind seemingly friendly actions.
The sermon formed part of a broader charge to the new Chairperson to remain focused on God’s calling and the mission of the Church. Drawing from Jesus’ declaration, “Render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God,” the Moderator stressed that while believers have civic responsibilities, ultimate allegiance belongs to God.
He therefore urged Rev. Fosu not to allow external pressures or competing interests to distract him from the Church’s divine mandate. “The Church must never allow others to define its mission,” he said, stressing that Christian leaders must remain committed to proclaiming the Gospel, defending the faith and leading God’s people according to Scripture.
Assuring the new Chairperson of the support of the wider Church, the Moderator encouraged him to remain faithful to the One who had called him into leadership.
“My dear brother, God will not abandon you,” he said. He added that the leadership of the Church would stand with Rev. Fosu throughout his tenure and urged him to stay focused on God’s agenda, reminding him to “render to God what belongs to God.”
By Jerome Otchere
