General News of Wednesday, 29 March 2000

Source: GNA

Don't go into priesthood out of convenience - MP

Accra, March 29, GNA - Mr Sylvester Mensah, MP for La Dade Kotopon, on Wednesday urged Christians not to enter into priesthood because of convenience.

He cautioned that it is dangerous to enter the priesthood if one does not know its full implications as it leads to vices that tend to ruin leaders and their churches. Mr Mensah was addressing a three-day Christian leadership seminar organised by the School of Jesus, a non-denominational ministry, in Accra.

The school organises seminars for priests, leaders and the general Public, and aims at training leaders for the propagation of the gospel. The seminar, which is being attended by more than 100 people from Nigeria, Liberia and other neighbouring countries, is under the theme "Teaching the Teachers".

Mr Mensah said it is the hope of the nation to see strong indigenous churches come into being everywhere, but pointed out that such churches cannot thrive without adequate indigenous leadership.

The MP said the basic concept of Christian leadership should be brought into focus to encourage a renewal of what he described as Redemptive Christian Leadership.

He called on Christian leaders, especially priests, to emulate Jesus Christ whose teachings were unique and inexhaustible. Mr Moses Addai, founder and General Overseer of the School of Jesus, said it was founded in March last year in Accra with branches in Kumasi and Takoradi.

He urged church leaders not to condemn but admonish one another and speak the truth. "The image of some pastors and leaders of Christendom is sinking and we must rescue them by pointing out their mistakes and urge them to go according to the teachings of Jesus Christ."