The Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, has advised ministers of the church to organise their members into teams so as to provide effective leadership.
Apostle Eric Nyamekye said this when he delivered a message on the topic “The Pastor Leader” at the commencement of the Cape Coast Area 2024 Apostolisation on Tuesday, February 27, 2024.
The morning session, which was held at the Adisadel Assembly of the Church in Cape Coast, was attended by pastors and wives in the area.
Apostle Nyamekye, who is also the President of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC), stressed on the need for pastors to be effective leaders who can balance the spiritual and administrative aspects of the church.
He said the church is both an organism and an organisation, and therefore requires leadership, administration and management to maintain its life and practice.
He quoted the renowned Christian author A. W. Tozer, who said, “If the Holy Spirit was withdrawn from the church today, 95% of what we do will go on and no one would know the difference. If the Holy Spirit had been withdrawn from the New Testament Church, 95% of what they did would cease and everyone would have noticed it.”
Apostle Nyamekye explained that an organism is a form of life composed of mutually interdependent parts that maintain various vital processes, while an organisation is a group of persons put together for some end or work.
He said the church is not a company, which is an assemblage of persons for social purposes, but an organisation that thrives on the power of the Holy Spirit.
He urged pastors to pay attention to the core ministry of prayer and the Word, as stated in Acts 6:1-4, and to partner with God in planting and watering the seeds of the gospel, as stated in 1 Corinthians 3:6-8.
He also advised them to be organised, make the most of every opportunity, especially taking care of the new converts, and do everything in the church in an excellent manner, as stated in Ephesians 5:13-18, Colossians 4:5 and 1 Corinthians 14:26.
The President of the GPCC said the title “Pastor” connotes a position of leadership, but having the title does not make one a leader, adding; “Swimming in the ocean does not make you a fish.”
He cited the example of Aaron, who was a High Priest but not a good leader, as seen in Exodus 32:22. He contrasted him with Moses, who had to learn leadership from his father-in-law Jethro (Exodus 18:15-23).
He said leadership could be a gift (Romans 12:6-7), but it can also be learned.
“Leadership is not glamour, toughness, power, feared by enemies, admired by friends, showmanship, achievement, administration or management, position, title or authority, or privileges. But leadership is about contagious vision, character and example. It is service – giving up of self,” he explained.
He concluded by highlighting the importance of leadership. He said, “When God arises, His people will be willing. When leaders take charge, the people will gladly follow.”
Apostle Eric Nyamekye emphasised the importance of building leadership teams. He referenced 1 Chronicles 11:9-10, explaining that just as David needed to mobilise his people for the nation to give him strong support.
The Chairman stressed that to be an effective pastor, one must raise good leaders. He, thus, identified skills, attitude, and character as the three key elements that make a leader effective.
He defined effectiveness as being adequate to accomplish a purpose or the expected result, citing Acts 6:6.
“We all cause effect, but when the effect is positive, we say you are effective,” he said.
He further explained that skill is a capability that is crucial for leadership.
He quoted Mark 1:17, saying, “When you become a pastor, you need skills to lead the congregation. Once you are made a leader, you need to acquire skills.”
Apostle Eric Nyamekye also discussed the importance of attitude, which he defined as a mindset that affects what and how a person does something.
He explained that attitude can either draw people to you or repel them from you, and can also cause people to love you or hate you.
He warned that a negative attitude tests the patience and tolerance level of people.
He explained that underlining good attitude is the principle of respect for all, and that good attitude calls for a lot of sacrifices.
Present were Apostle Samuel Yaw Antwi (Cape Coast Area Head), Apostle Sylvester Arhin (Takoradi Area Head), Apostle Robert Andoh and wife, Gladys (Essam-Debiso Area Head) and a cross-section of the Cape Coast Area pastorate.
PENTECOST NEWS.