Kumasi, July 11, GNA - The Right Reverend Nuh Ben Abubekr, Methodist Bishop of Kumasi, has bemoaned the way many men of God were slowly slipping away from the Lord.
He attributed this situation to the promotion of syncretism, the practice of occultism and the tolerance of sin in the church.
Delivering the sermon at the induction into the Church of 48 Ministers at the Old Tafo Wesley Methodist Church in Kumasi on Sunday, Bishop Abubekr said, "these people, instead of using their lives to bring glory to God bring disgrace to the name of the Saviour."
Dwelling on the theme, "The Approved Workman of God", he said the call into the Holy Ministry was a call to leadership but regretted that these days the print and electronic media were full of stories about people parading as ministers of the gospel, who cannot be described as workmen approved by God.
Rt. Rev. Abubekr charged the newly inducted ministers to remember that it was the Lord who called them into the ministry.
"The church is the Lord's, so your personal relationship with the Lord is the most important aspect of your ministry. Take seriously your devotional life and leave the rest to the Lord."
Bishop Abubekr said God cannot be mocked and that a man reaps what he sows and therefore, charged them to rebuild their integrity by sincerely acknowledging their faults.
This calls for honest repentance, making amends when possible and living differently in the future, he charged them, adding, "If you take this step, your ministry will be a blessing to the people you pastor and will glorify the name of God".
Bishop Abubekr said the strategic plan of the Methodist Church indicated the doubling of membership in five years and told them that their duty was the tactical and operational planning to get the vision fulfilled.
"You will be at the grassroots. It is your duty to explain the policies and plans of the church to your church members", he charged the new ministers and cautioned them not to oppose the policies of the church.
