Religion of Friday, 6 April 2012

Source: GNA

Religious leaders urged to lead upright lives

Reverend James Kwabena Badu, the leader and founder of the African Faith Ministry International, has reminded religious leaders of their duty to be selfless, modest, sincere and help project a more positive image of Christianity.

He said, the greed, stubborn pride and self-centredness of some professed men of God has become a major disincentive and could turn many away from the church.

Preaching at a Good Friday service in Kumasi, Rev Badu said some people are reluctant to join the church because of certain dubious and unchristian practices in the House of God.

He said the focus on money is not only overstretching the congregation but causing the church to deviate from its core mission of bringing salvation closer to the people; adding that, the expensive wedding ceremonies, funerals and taxation as seen in the church need to end.

At the Church of the Lord Brotherhood at South Suntreso, Primate Seth Kwaku Adofo, said Easter is meant to reconcile the people with God, themselves and their neighbours.

He called on all to live in genuine peace with one another and reminded the congregation to use the occasion to renew their faith in God.

He said, as they celebrated the Good Friday, they must show love to their neighbours and accept to forgive others who might have wronged them.

Primate Adofo counselled them to be truthful and refrain from mischief and falsehood peddling, which tended to hold the society back.

He appealed to Ghanaians to desist from utterances and behaviours, likely to excite ethnic passions and divisions.**