Leaders urged to serve with humility
The New Synod Secretary of the Wenchi Diocese of the Methodist Church, Ghana, The Very Reverend Kobena Appiah, has been inducted into office with a call on religious leaders to serve their people with humility.
The Bishop of the diocese, Right Reverend Alfred Appiah Andam, who gave the advice said while it was the responsibility of pastors to rebuke members of the church who veered onto the wrong path and to bring them to the path of righteousness, they should do so with love and humility.
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“You cannot please everybody but with love, humility and readiness to follow the footsteps of Jesus Christ, you will be able to accomplish the task that has been assigned you,” he stated.
Sermon
Preaching on the theme “Chosen to serve”, Bishop Andam said there was the need for chosen leaders to be strong and firm in tending the flock entrusted into their care.
“God chooses people to perform specific duties at a specific time and it is our time to respond to God’s call and be ready to endure whatever comes our way,” he said.
Rt Rev. Andam reminded pastors that they had been called to be shepherds.
He explained that “not everybody will understand you. You should thus work to please God who has called you for a purpose and not men, since trying to please everybody will be an impossible mission.”
Peaceful co-existence
Touching on the 2020 general election, Rt Rev. Andam said the duty of religious leaders was to use the pulpit to educate their congregants to live in peace despite their political and ideological differences.
“We must be instruments of peace,” he stated an added that “we should not fear to rebuke when there is the need for that.”
Rt Rev. Andam commended the new synod secretary for his selfless devotion to duty, saying “God knows why he has appointed you to assist the bishop to oversee the Wenchi Diocese. Let us work together to leave our footprints in the diocese.”
Appreciation
In his response, Very Rev. Appiah thanked the Almighty God for preparing him over the years for such a high office within the Methodist Church, Ghana.
He promised to support the bishop and work towards the achievement of the church’s vision of preaching the gospel to make disciples for God.
Very Rev. Appiah, however, called for prayers and support from members to enable the Wenchi Diocese of the church to reach remote areas to preach the gospel.