The Methodist Church of Ghana has commissioned 90 newly trained ministers into the ordained ministry.
The commissioning service, held in the spirit of reverence and celebration, marked the official transition of the ministers from training into active ministerial service.
It also commenced their three-year probationary ministry, after which they would be ordained.
The ceremony, held at the Kofi Ohene Konadu Auditorium of the University of Professional Studies Accra (UPSA), amid worship, thanksgiving and expressions of support, brought together the hierarchy of the church, past and serving ministers, family members, friends and well-wishers who offered prayers for the ministers as they embarked on their probationary ministry.
Two former Presiding Bishops of the church and an Administrative Bishop, the Most Rev. Titus Awotwi-Pratt; the Most Rev. Dr Paul Kwabena Boafo, and Right Rev. Dr Michael Agyakwa Bossman, respectively, took turns to read the rules of the founder of Methodism, John Wesley, to preachers, among which it charged the ministers to be diligent, serious and speak no evil of anyone, else their words, "especially would eat as doth a canker."
Ahead of the commissioning, the 90 ministers, while under examination, pledged, among others, to keep their lives pure and walk in holiness and righteousness to the glory of God.
They also pledged to be an example to the flock of Christ.
Sermon
The Presiding Bishop of the church, the Most Rev. Professor Johnson Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu, who commissioned and received the ministers into the church, in a sermon, charged them to keep the vows they had made to serve God and to serve him through the Methodist Church Ghana.
"You have vowed to serve God through the Methodist Church Ghana.
That is what you must do.
You can't take vows with the Methodist Church Ghana and behave as if you are a free atom," he said, and advised that the Holy Communion should remind them that Jesus is the source of their salvation.
Speaking on the theme, "Let all my fruit be found of thee: Ministry and fruitfulness," Most Rev. Professor Asamoah- Gyadu charged the ministers not to turn their ministry into public performances, rather, it should come from deep spirituality.
He said they should also make sensible and constructive choices.
"Be fruitful in your moral life. Avoid all lightness, jesting and foolish talk.
Stop using the pulpit as a place for jokers and preach God's word to God's people. Preach to save souls, not concerts," he admonished.
As part of their commissioning, the new ministers were presented with Bibles and certificates.
They were also fitted with clerical collars by the Bishops present.
