By Christine Naadu Lartey
Tema, Aug. 20, GNA -The Most Rev. Prof. Johnson Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu, Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana, has called on ministers and lay leaders to strengthen pastoral care and follow up on members who have become inactive in the church.
Most Rev Prof Asamoah-Gyadu said while evangelism and winning souls remained a primary scriptural mandate of the Church, equal attention should be given to caring for existing members, particularly those facing health challenges, economic difficulties, and personal crises.
He made the call in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on the sidelines of the formal opening of the 52nd Annual Conference of the Methodist Church Ghana at the St Paul Cathedral in Tema.
He urged ministers and lay leaders to make deliberate efforts to reach out to members who had drifted away from the church, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He acknowledged that the church could not resolve every challenge confronting its members but said it had a responsibility to identify and address problems within its reach and ensure that members received appropriate pastoral support.
The presiding bishop stated that the annual conference remained an important tradition of the Methodist Church Ghana, providing a platform for church leaders, ministers, and lay delegates to deliberate on administrative matters and chart the church’s strategic direction.
He said the conference system, which dated back to the era of John Wesley, remained a defining feature of the Methodist tradition and reflected the church’s autonomous and independent administrative structure.
The presiding bishop added that the conference would therefore provide an opportunity for the church’s leadership to reflect on its administration, programmes and future direction.
Touching on national issues, he urged the government to fulfil its promises to Ghanaians and remain focused on delivering the progress citizens expected when they voted for change.
He said political leaders should concentrate on fulfilling their commitments to the electorate rather than comparing their performance with previous administrations.
He indicated that citizens had high expectations of the government and therefore expected state leaders to demonstrate commitment to delivering on the promises made during political campaigns.
The 52nd Annual Conference is expected to continue through Sunday.
GNA
Edited by Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo/Linda Asante Agyei
Reporter: Christine Naadu Lartey, GNA