By Eric Appah Marfo
Accra, April 16, GNA – Ambassador Bernard Quarm, Country Coordinator for EQUIP Ghana, has urged churches to be less judgmental and more restorative to attract the lost and provide safe spaces for spiritual growth and restoration.
He said some people were drifting away from organised religion because faith communities were increasingly perceived as harsh, burdensome and less responsive to the human struggles of modern society.
Ambassador Quarm gave the advice on Thursday at the closing ceremony of a three-day Leadership Training Programme organised by the Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) in collaboration with EQUIP Ghana, a leadership training organisation, under the John C. Maxwell Enterprise.
Ambassador Quarm said religion was meant to create a congenial atmosphere where people could freely know God, but human influences, social pressures and distorted doctrinal practices had often made that difficult.
He said instead of drawing people closer to faith, some religious experiences had become burdensome and discouraging.
According to Ambassador Quarm, many churches had become more judgmental than accommodating, creating barriers for people who needed healing, guidance and restoration.
He clarified that being accommodating did not mean condoning wrongdoing, but helping people to stand again when they fell.
“Helping people to stand on their feet when they fall is part of humanity,” he said
Ambassador Quarm said any serious effort to build spirituality must also recognise the place of humanity, compassion and restoration.
He noted that when people were treated with dignity and grace, they were more likely to heal, grow and contribute meaningfully to both church and society.
Ambassador Quarm said the partnership with the Christian Council was strategic because the Council housed many of the mainstream churches across the country, giving the training potential to reach thousands of Christians nationwide.
As church leaders passed on the lessons learnt, he said, the resulting transformation could extend beyond church walls into homes, schools, businesses and communities.
Ambassador Quarm said the training approach adopted by EQUIP Ghana was practical and transformational, touching every facet of one’s life.
He explained that transformation was not only about acquiring knowledge, but also about shaping values and translating lessons into action.
Ambassador Quarm urged leaders in both church and society to become more accessible and more engaged with followers instead of remaining distant.
The Reverend Dr Cyril Fayose, General Secretary of the CCG, said the training programme was organised to reinforce the fact that leadership remained central to transformation.
He said the objective was to equip leaders to improve themselves and positively impact the people they served.
Rev Dr Fayose said participants were trained in areas, including attitude, personal growth, prioritisation and relationships.
He stressed that attitude was a matter of choice and that people must stop blaming others for negative dispositions.
The General Secretary also called for mindset transformation among Christians, saying many believers still struggled with limiting beliefs and mental barriers.
He urged Christians to combine prayer with diligence, discipline and seriousness toward work.
Mr Samuel Twum Adjei, National Trainer for EQUIP Ghana, encouraged participants to move from success to significance by adding value to the lives of others.
He said true leadership was not merely about titles or personal achievements, but about lifting others and replicating leadership capacity through mentorship.
Mr Adjei urged leaders to consider what legacy they wished to leave behind and whether they were helping others rise into positions of influence.
The programme ended with the presentation of certificates to participants made up mainly of staff of CCG and representatives from selected churches within its immediate environment.
GNA
Edited by Samuel Osei-Frempong