The President of The Apostolic Church, Ghana, Apostle Dr Aaron Ami-Narh, has cautioned church leaders to live what they claim to be and not otherwise.
Speaking at the Ashanti Regional All Ministers’ Conference held at the Bompata Central auditorium of The Church of Pentecost on Friday, Apostle Dr Ami-Narh challenged the Christian community to reflect on their true impact on society.
He asked why 71% of the population was Christians, and yet the country had remained the same.
“If 71% of Christians cannot change the nation, what will the 29% do?” He asked the church to look at its authenticity and effectiveness.
Drawing lessons from Mark 11:11-14, 20-21, Apostle Dr Ami-Narh reflected on the story where Jesus cursed the fig tree. True, it was not the right season for figs, but the leaves of the tree suggested otherwise, he disclosed.
He revealed that the fig tree was discovered to be fruitless, despite being cultivated and was finally cursed for pretending to serve.
“Do not advertise what you cannot deliver,” he cautioned, adding, “Leaves are signs of flourishing, but the fruits are the products.”
He challenged the church to take stock of what it has produced, saying, “Are we producing what we are advertising as a church? Are we producing the right products for the Kingdom? Are we producing the right products for the world?”
He warned against misplaced priorities.
“We have shifted our focus, therefore, we need to recalibrate. While church growth, prominent members, and material success are not inherently wrong, they should not come at the expense of the church’s real mission.
“Certain things are not evil per se, but if you put them in the wrong places, they become evil.
“Our practical creed has become different from our normal creed. God’s power must work in you so that it can work for you,” Apostle Dr Ami-Narh emphasized.
He noted that true discipleship is making the right fruit and multiplying it. “Beyond the huge numbers of our churches, we have to make sure that they are true disciples and saints of God,” he said.
Citing John 8:31-32, the President of the Apostolic Church, Ghana drew the dividing line between fake and real disciples.
“It is only His Word that the real disciple abides in. These alone will get to know the truth, and the truth will set them free.”
He decried modern preaching, turning to materialism and motivation at the expense of true faith and character.
“The messages of today don’t, and cannot produce Saints,” he bemoaned, adding, “You don’t bring them the members into liberty; you take them into slavery.”
PENTECOST NEWS
