clcgh.org Building The Capacity Of Christian Leaders, Equipping The Saints For The Work Of Ministry, Redirecting Straying Christians To The Sound Knowledge Of Christ
One important thing which many Christian churches appear to have disregarded is the call to worship God in Spirit (John 4:24). In both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, you read about believers doing the work of God by the Spirit of God.
Even in Ghana and Africa as a whole, fathers in Christ, including Apostle Anim, Evangelist Francis Akwasi Amoako and Bishop Benson Idahosa knew the secret of worshipping God in Spirit.
They understood that they could not do the work of God without the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. This enabled them to nurture many Christians to grow up spiritually to assume leadership positions.
But, today, many church leaders rely heavily on the strength of their natural abilities and talents to do ministry. We have become physical material seekers only. We are busily doing church politics, fighting for positions and money for our selfish gratification.
In our quest to be recognised and to rise to higher positions in our churches, many of us have neglected the Holy Spirit. Many have chased the Spirit out of the churches they oversee by quenching Him through bitterness, unforgiveness and disregard for His ministry.
Moreover, many have chosen to priortise academic degrees. Of course, studying to be awarded chains of degrees in theology is not a bad thing; it is necessary. But this must not influence us to neglect the Holy Spirit through whom the Church is built.
We need the Spirit of Christ Jesus to make us effective and efficient in the kingdom business in this perilous times. The Lord says, “…for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
The Spirit of God is the life of the Church. A Church without the Holy Spirit may have activities, but not authority; numbers, but not impact. It is time to restore His rightful place—so the Church may once again live, move, and breathe in the power of God.
Jesus says, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing…” (John 6: 63, NKJV). Moreover, it is written, “It is not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6).
As we pursue higher education, we should equally seek the face of God to fill us with His Spirit. We should not run farther away from God; we should run to Him in repentance and pray for revival and renewal in the Spirit. Lamentations 5:21 says, “Turn us back to you, O Lord, and we will be restored; Renew our days as of old.”
By James Quansah
