Pastoral work not the sole preserve of a class of people

Kumasi, April 12, GNA - A Minister of Religion has stated that it is wrong for a section of society to perceive that pastoral work was the sole preserve of a particular class of people.

Pastor Robert Opoku-Agyemang, Principal of From the Heart Bible College, a pastoral training institution, said pastoral work unlike other vocations, was opened to all categories of people irrespective of academic, professional and social status in society.

"The only condition is that such people must be genuinely called to take up the divine mission, and not enticed to it because of material gains", he said.

Pastor Opoku-Agyemang made the statement at an orientation programme held by the College in Kumasi on Monday for its new entrants. Pastor Opoku-Agyemang said the buoyant life-styles of some self-seeking and money-minded Pastors should not mislead people into thinking that the pastoral ministry was a reserve of a special class of people.

He expressed serious worry about the conduct of some men of God or Preachers, who instead of preaching the true doctrines of the Bible, tended to rather portray themselves and highlighted more on doctrines of their individual churches.

Pastor Opoku-Agyemang noted that such practices did not only threaten to disintegrate the unity of the Christian family but also undermined the true teachings of the Bible and should, therefore, not be encouraged.

Pastor Kofi Gyebi, Board Member of the College, said pastors worth would be measured not by the sort of Bible College attended, but by their ability to use the scriptures to transform society for the better.