Church has the potential to transform Ghana

Accra, June 3, GNA - The Right Reverend Dr. Yaw Frimpong-Manso, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, on Sunday noted that the Gospel was a potential force to transform people wallowing in sin.

He therefore urged the church, as an institution, to use the gospel of Christ to change society, stressing that the church has a potential to change and enhance the political landscape of the country. Rev. Frimpong-Manso was delivering a sermon at the induction service of 20 men and a woman at the Ashale Botwe Presbyterian church on the theme: "Go and make disciples of all nations- The individual role." He said, "the church must be reminded of her position as a servant of God, with enormous potential and capacity to transform our country and Africa through evangelism and disciple making" The Moderator expressed worry about the current trends in society, which have led many people to spend their lives seeking material gains which do not extend into eternity.

"As the church of the body of Christ in action, we are required to communicate the good news to the poor, proclaim release to captives and bring joy where there is sadness. We must be able to encourage the faint hearted, the weak and the under-privileged and share concerns and resources of God at our disposal with them."

Rev. Frimpong-Manso explained that the church had the potential to change our environment - "cleanliness is next to Godliness," and said the church again had the capacity to change people's lives from laziness into hard work.

He urged Christians to exhibit a life of humility, honesty, hard work, holiness, obedience and a forgiving spirit. He said wisdom should affect every aspect of a Christian's entire life, quoting the scriptures that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

"One must learn how to apply knowledge in a way pleasing to God," he said, adding that, the starting point of wisdom was the Holy Spirit who guides all into truth about the word of God and about salvation. Rev. Frimpong-Manso urged the newly inducted Ministers to endeavour to transform and motivate people by sharing the gospel with them. "For what people will eat, for worldly gains and the fear of the people, most ministers of the gospel are afraid to tell people the truth of God's word. Some have compromised their faith in Christ for worldly gains or fame while others have fallen into sin and all kinds of immorality," he said.

"Point out the evils of society as you yourselves lead exemplary lives and you can be assured of the Lord's protection all the time," Rev. Frimpong-Manso said repeatedly.