Opinions of Sunday, 10 January 2010

Columnist: Taado, Obourba Asante

Wanted: A Church That Is Content To Be A Church.

Our generation has seen a revolution of behaviour. I speak not of particular wicked deeds, but a refusal to accept and fulfill the roles in which people find themselves. There are citizens who don’t care to function as citizens, and the’re employees who don’t want to work. They want to be paid at the end of the month but do not care to work. There’re those who attend Church but do not want to receive serious spiritual instruction. There’re preachers who evidently don’t want to preach and churches that don’t care to function as Churches should.

It is the last three of these categories that should concern God’s people. God designed the assemblies of his church to provide important spiritual blessings to his children. They’re first of all an occasion for worshiping the creator and remembering his death and resurrection(1CORTH 11:23-29).They provide a time for teaching and instruction in the way of Christ.(Acts 20:7). They’re a time for rich Christian fellowship and encouragement and opportunities to teach and exhort one another(Col 3:16). They’re a time for confessing our sins and receiving forgiveness. They’re occasions for being refreshed and renewed spiritually so we can go forth and live our faith in the coming days. But some come to worship expecting to be entertained, or to show off their talents, others come for food for their bellies or to joke and have a fun time with their friends and acquaintances. Some see the church as a place for finding their spouses and when they achieve their objective turn their backs and will not come again. Some see worship assemblies as a place to show their fine ward robes, nice jewelry, coiffures and wealth. But faithful Christians gather for worship for the right reasons.

Why should a man take a position as a preacher when he doesn’t want to do the work in that position. Rather than prepare and lead the flock , the preacher becomes a liability, asking for pay increases and conditions far and above the capacity of the congregation. Rather than envangelizing and seeking the lost, some will prefer organizing “fund raising” ceremonies to rob the members the “little” they have by quoting and misinterpreting scripture to suit their selfish gains. When the church gathers, rather than proclaim God’s word, they prefer to tell stories and entertain their audience with jokes and humour. Churches have now become centers for recreation, feasting and fun, instead of centers for “curing sick souls”. Christians need a church where they can draw nigh to God(James 4:8) and worship Him in spirit and in truth(John 4:24).They need a congregation where they can receive instructions in both the milk and meat of God’s word(Heb 5:12-14). Churches are to teach, edify, and win lost souls to Christ. Our neighbours who know not Christ desperately need God’s people to share with them the good news of salvation(Mark 16:15-16). If you’re a preacher, what kind of preacher are you ?.A preacher of the GOSPEL or an “entertainment” preacher.?

By: Obourba Asante Taado.