Accra, Dec. 24, GNA - The Rev Alfred Ofosu-Asante, a Minister of the Baptist Church on Wednesday said bribery corruption and immorality in the country would be drastically reduced to the minimum if Church leaders lived above reproach and also held their members accountable for the vices. He therefore, called on pastors and church leaders to be bold and speak out against corrupt practices even if that meant members leaving the church.
Rev Ofosu-Asante, who is the Resident Pastor of the Teshie-Nungua Estate Ebenezer Baptist Church, was speaking to the GNA after leading the estate congregation in a festival of nine lessons and chorals. He said fear of members leaving the church should not cow the leaders and pastors to keep quiet if members engaged in activities that were not in the interest of the nation.
He said pastors and church leaders should speak the truth and be constantly reminded that they were called by God to make life better for mankind.
He noted that Christmas was not a time for drinking and eating but a time to humbly oneself and appreciate God's unique love for mankind. Basing his exhortation on Luke 2:1-14, Rev Ofosu Asante said Christmas was a reminder of the time God took a human form and came into the world to dwell among men, and gave peace and love.
He urged humanity to be thankful for such divine love and live at peace and share their blessing with one another.
Rev Ofosi-Asante urged Ghanaians to continue to watch and pray for divine guidance, forgiveness and blessing, adding, "the church is supposed to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth." Rev. Ofosu-Asante entreated pastors not to turn their pulpit into political platforms, in order to avoid unnecessary division in their churches.
He said the pastors must rather educate their congregation to exercise their electoral right as directed by law in next year's general elections.
Rev. Ofosu-Asante also said that to make next year's election peaceful such leaders must educate their followers to be at peace with one another. He urged political leaders to emulate the peaceful character of Christ and tolerate their opponents' view without unnecessary tension.
