Kumasi, March 25, GNA - Dr Samuel Brefo-Adubofour, Vice-Principal of Christian Service College (CSC) in Kumasi, has stated that corrupt and immoral leaders who exploit the faithful and also steal from the church are hindering church work in the country.

He said donor agencies and individuals outside Ghana are beginning to doubt the integrity of Ghanaian church leaders, adding, "the outside help that we need to push the work of God forward may not come if we do not commit ourselves to probity and accountability." Dr Brefo-Adubofour was speaking on the topic: "Moving the Church Forward -The Role of Church Leaders" at a two-day seminar for 110 clergy, wardens and parish clerks of the Anglican diocese of Kumasi on Thursday.

The seminar, organised by the Anglican Church, was attended by participants from the 42 parishes and 80 outstations in the Ashanti region.

Dr Brefo-Adubofour stressed that if the work of the church is to advance or move forward, the role of church leaders cannot be over-emphasised and therefore found the theme of the seminar very appropriate.

"In Ghana, if the leader does not move, the people don't move, it is as if the people's progress is dependent on the leaders' vision and action only", he observed.

He said people need to have vision, goals and discipline and determination to work to achieve their potentials, stressing that seminars and workshops are needed to make leaders realise their God-given potentials.

Dr Brefo-Adubofour pointed out that there was the need to clearly define, share and commonly own and fulfil the vision of the church and there must not be a deliberate effort to deviate from the common vision, saying, "distractions must be avoided as much as possible".

He said Christian leaders do not put themselves first but that they are expected to put their personal comfort, preferences and interests aside, adding, "material rewards should not be a driving force behind our service as leaders".

Dr Brefo-Adubofour mentioned some of the inefficiencies that leaders of the church face as structures of the church, no discernible systems, lack of identification of personnel to vision and goals and no commitment to excellence or pride in results.

The Right Reverend Daniel Yinkah-Sarfo, Anglican Bishop of Kumasi, who spoke on "The Structures and Procedures/Decision Making and Implementation", said there were three aspects of the church and mentioned them as the church militant, the church triumphant and the church expectant or the church yet unborn.

He urged the participants to build a vibrant, mission-oriented, self-supporting and a self-propagating diocese, adding that, he was prepared to lead by serving to achieve the goals of the diocese.