The Share Life Ministries International in Ho in the Volta Region has ordained leaders for the position of deacon/deaconess and ministry leaders and to install them for terms of service in the church to be responsible for the general administration of the church.
The leaders, underwent several interviews and training by the Church before being ordained to lead the various ministries in the church such as Men’s Ministry, Women’s Ministry, Youth Ministry, Music Department, Children’s Ministry, Marriage Committee and Ushering Department among others.
The ordination service was preceded with a 5-day revival service on the theme, “Provide the people with able men” taken from Exodus 18:21, to prepare candidates and pray into the service.
Head Pastor of the Church, Rev Dr Benjamin Bankas admonished the newly-ordained Ministers to ‘teach sound doctrine and cautioned them against misleading people saying, “You are going to nourish the people. You must remember that you are going as God’s servants.”
He said being ordained brings one in line, meaning that they were now ready to conform to the church’s rules and to what it believes.
He explained that deacons/deaconesses serve by leading and equipping the church to minister to its members and the world in a rich diversity of ministries, awakening compassion, demonstrating mercy, seeking justice, and collaborating with God’s Spirit for the transformation of persons and communities.
Rev Seth Ameyaw Danquah who shared the sermon for the occasion said their duty as leaders were to represent the people before God and bring their issues before God, teach their members the tenets of the church and the Word of God, and show them the way to live and how to behave.
He said by accepting the call their role was to serve as mediators for the people they represent until they are reviewed, to refer difficult cases to their superiors, to lessen the burden on their superiors, to bear the burdens of the people with their superiors, to make sure that the people were fulfilled and prosperous, and to make sure that the head pastor lives long.
Rev Danquah charged them saying, “I charge you, leaders, as shepherds of the flock, to hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that you can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it (Titus 1:9). Be a friend and Christlike example to children. Give clear and cheerful guidance to young people. By word and example, bear up God’s people in their pain and weakness, and celebrate their joys with them.”
“Hold in trust all sensitive matters confided to you. Encourage the aged to persevere in God’s promises. Be wise counsellors who support and strengthen the pastor. Be compassionate, yet firm and consistent in rebuke and discipline.”
He also charged the congregation, “I charge you, people of God, to receive these office-bearers as Christ’s gift to the church. Recognize in them the Lord’s provision for healthy congregational life. Hold them in honour; take their counsel seriously; respond to them with obedience and respect; accept their help with thanks.”
