The trend in modern day Christianity where preachers want to be seen rather than lift up Jesus Christ, has been condemned by speakers at the Ministers’ Conference of the Ghana Baptist Convention.

Chairman of the Christian Council of Ghana, Rev. Dr. Ernest Adu-Gyamfi, says people are drifting from the word of God due to the proliferation of “Prosperity Gospel”.

He observes temptations have hit some ministers, forcing them to lose focus in trying to perform their God-given mandate.

“The key thing is that you’ve been to seminary, you’re in school with a colleague; he is in an independent church, he's got a car, he’s got a home, he’s throwing himself around. You’re in the village, you have nothing. The temptation is to swerve and to be like him but the truth is for us to stay true to our calling,” he said.

Dr. Adu-Gyamfi, who is also the Executive President of the Ghana Baptist Convention, cautioned pastors against using the ministry to seek personal wealth.

He rather wants them to be self-motivated to become assets to the kingdom of God.

“Focus on your calling and what God has called you to do instead of seeking personal wealth in ministry,” he said.

He was speaking at the annual refresher course, retreat and business session of the Ghana Baptist Convention at Ejura in the Ashanti Region over the weekend.

General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God Church, Rev. Prof. Paul Frimpong-Manso, also cautioned pastors not to advertise themselves but and lift up Christ.

“There is no need for us to rather market ourselves and lift up ourselves and make the Church as a business. The church is not a business; the church is [for] winning the lost people, lost souls to Christ,” he said.

He noted that while it is critical for ministers to encourage themselves in the Lord, it is also important that leaders of the church promote the welfare and the interest of the ministers so that they are motivated.

The primary motivation of ministry is to please God and not for fame, popularity, titles, he stressed.

“Never ever think about what you’re going to get from the ministry but what you can do for the organization or the Church that you lead, the legacy that you’ll leave behind,” stated Prof. Frimpong Manso.

The 30^th Annual Refresher Course, Retreat and Business session was on the theme: “The Motivated Minister: An Asset for Kingdom Development”.