As a patron of the many reality shows on TV, and mostly on TV3, one of Ghana’s growing television stations, I am extremely disturbed about the network’s latest reality show dubbed “The Pulpit”.

Although I don’t often criticize media houses as a journalist, I feel in this case that I owe it a duty as part of the flock in the body of Christ, to preserve the word of God as I understand it. I am struggling to accept a competition purposely for children to preach the gospel of Christ so that in the end winners can be selected, rewarded and later sent to the Bible School to “unearth their talent.”

May be I am ignorant, but is preaching supposed to be a talent, an art or a calling?

Should one’s ability to present the Word of God fluently qualify him to be a preacher?

Can one just pass out to be a preacher, teacher, Prophet or Apostle after graduating from a Bible School even without the call of God? If the art of oratory is a prerequisite for preaching the Gospel, then perhaps, the likes of Malcom X, would have been the greatest preachers, perhaps better than Jesus Christ.

On what basis are the true preachers going to be picked from among these kids between ages 12-16?

It is so obvious from the regional auditions for “The Pulpit Show”, that many of the kids cannot even give meanings to the simplest quotations such as John 10:30... “I and my father are one”. It is possible that some of these kids may indeed have the calling of God on them and will become preachers of the Gospel some day but do we need a preaching competition to know which kid has the calling of God? I certainly don’t think this is Biblical.

It is purely a thinking of the carnal man. I am so disappointed because I find very respectable men in society who are associated with this programme. Destined preachers of the Gospel of Christ, always become aware of their calling through many divine means such as dreams and prophecies. They do not need competitions to uncover them because these things are spiritual and not physical.

I therefore think that “The Pulpit” cannot be an acceptable and credible platform to unearth preachers of the Gospel. I cite these two passages to buttress my point: John 4.24 says “God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” and James 1:5 ....'If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

May be readers can help me draw some judgements from an article on TV3’s Website on the “The Pulpit Show”, which I think clearly exposes the organizers. It reads: TV3 is about to achieve another feat in the reality show industry with an upcoming gospel reality show dubbed ‘The Pulpit.’

The Christian community and the general public at large will soon be exposed to a lot of inspiration, the truth in the word, and the power in the gospel when teenagers between the ages of 12 to 16 are given the opportunity to mount the pulpit on TV3 to showcase their charisma through preaching the word of God and offering inspirational teachings.

‘The Pulpit’ is TV3’s newest and innovative reality show designed to groom and prepare young aspiring preachers and prospective teachers of the gospel, giving them the platform to build confidence and also unearth their God given talents. The concept is designed in line with proverbs 22:6; “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.’’

“If you are between the ages of 12 and 16 years and have a passion for preaching the word of God, then the biggest stage awaits you on ‘The Pulpit’. “Pick up ‘The Pulpit’ registration form at TV3 offices in Accra and Kumasi or visit www.tv3.com.gh and download the form, fill and submit immediately.

“The significance of the age 12 has been adopted from the life of Jesus Christ as he began preaching the gospel at that age” article ends. The reasons in the above statement which have been highlighted, ostensibly to justify the creation of the so-called innovative “Pulpit Show”, clearly shows that the organizers are indeed ignorant about the workings of the gospel Christ came to earth to preach.

How on earth can the biblical quote, “proverbs 22:6; Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it” be used to justify this programme? It is so obvious that the love for money and anything business-related has misled people into misguided ventures such as this “Pulpit Show”.

I would like to call on discerning Christians and bold Ministers of the Gospel who uphold the truth in the unadulterated Word of God, to condemn this programme just as they speak out against devious politicians. No wonder today, many charlatans have invaded the Church proclaiming to be Men of God, raping, defrauding and abusing women.

I believe TV 3 has done a great job when it comes to the production of quality reality shows. Talented kids I believe is one such great programme but the same cannot be said of the Pulpit. I believe the management of the station has gone too far. I call on them to rethink this programme.