By Mildred Siabi-Mensah, GNA
Takoradi, March 5, GNA - Bishop Emmanuel Botwe, the General Overseer of the Christian Faith Church International, has called on preachers of the gospel to concentrate on the pure word of God that is able to convert and set captives free.
He said some modern day preachers were denying the transforming power of godliness- "most of our messages are out of balance; we have become too earthly minded; we need to strike a good balance by being conscious of heaven and attracting people into God's kingdom".
Bishop Botwe, speaking at the opening of the 2019 Council of Ministers Conference, said "the lifestyles of many of us is a clear indication that the message of convenience is being placed above the message of the cross.
The central message for the six-day conference is: "Ministering with Balance".
He said God would one day put the lives and ministries of those who profess Christ to scale, "God is the great and infallible inspector who weighs man's heart and deeds- our charisma and character will be put on the scales of the right balance".
The church, Bishop Botwe said, was currently producing more worldly and carnal Christian ministers, politicians, civil and public servants and other professionals whose actions continually contradict the Christian faith.
We as Christians cannot exonerate ourselves from the menace of corruption and other economic, social and spiritual malpractices which have put the nation on the brink of hopelessness, he said.
These negative and worrying characteristics are more pronounced in the church contrary to the fact that we are to be the salt and light of the world, Bishop Botwe said.
He said one characteristic of salt was to fight corruption and preserve the sanctity of society adding that the upsurge in churches must therefore translate into a positive impact on the nation.
One worrying trend, the Bishop said, was the decay in the character of some men of God adding, “the content of their preaching lived much to be desired ...they crave for material things...a clear sign of misplaced priorities”.
He called on Ministers of the Christian faith and the general ministerial body of Christ to live above reproach, remain chaste and avoid compromise.
Reverend Bob Asare, General Overseer of the Faith Alive Chapel International, recounted how the church started in a small school and how the leadership have strived to maintain consistency in their doctrinal practices.
He called on Ministers of the Gospel to live in the image of God.
He said character is everything and as people created in the image of God, Christian leaders must exemplify Christ and lead the flock to the saving knowledge as well as the blessings that come with sincerely seeking God first in all endeavours.
Rev Bob Asare said "the future of the Kingdom hinges on the functioning of character... miracles cannot sustain the church but the pure word of God can".
He urged them to balance their gifts- fruits of the Spirit with faith, faithfulness, integrity and truth.
GNA
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