The Methodist Church in the Volta Region is to be elevated to the status of a Diocese in 2017, Right Reverend Thomas B. Forson, Tema Diocesan Bishop of the Church, hinted on Friday.

The Church in the Volta Region is under the Tema Diocese.

Rt Rev Forson gave the hint when he addressed the opening session of the Eleventh Diocesan Conference and Eighth Annual General Meeting of the Diocesan Lay Movement Council underway in Ho.

The theme for the three-day event is, “Witnessing to Christ; Qualitative and Quantitative Growth of the Church- the Lay Movement Factor.”

Rt Rev Forson said the diocesan status was a challenge to the Church in the region to “attempt greater things for the Lord.”

He said no Church would be poor if members took the payment of tithes seriously.

Bishop Forson urged Ministers of the Church to take the lead in paying their tithes religiously, so as to have the moral courage to demand their members to do so.

“If a Minister does not pay his tithe, he is spiritually sick, you are always receiving, pay tithe and God will give you your share,” he admonished.

Rt Rev Forson said four issues would engage the attention of the Church this year.

These are organizational structure, with focus on implementation of the Church’s strategic plan, finances, capacity building, Church infrastructure and social services.

He called on the leadership of the Lay Movement of the Church to get lay members to be actively involved by getting them to know the Church, its constitution and apply it judiciously.

Bishop Forson exhorted leaders of the Lay Movement “to pray for grace to do the work,” because “responsibility is service with humility, not power.”

They must be quick to hear and slow to talk, in order to facilitate growth.

Rt Rev Forson said “some powerful leaders in the Church belong to other groups” and that “is troubling the spirituality of the Church,” and retarding its growth, “but the Church belongs to God,” he asserted.

He said leadership of the Church must be guided by and apply the scripture, tradition, reason and experience which constitute the “Wesleyan Quadrant.”

Bishop Forson said during his six-year tenure as Diocesan Bishop, he would ensure that “things work in the Church.

“I will go round and if as a Lay Officer you don’t work, I will sack you, responsibility is service, not power,” he said.

The Conference participants would use the three days to deliberate on the mobilization, implementing and co-ordination role of the Lay Movement, the theme for the conference, the administrative structure of the Church, its constitution and standing orders

There would be a blood donation and health screening sessions.