Be motivated by collective interests - Most Rev. Prof Asante

Monday, 05 September 2011 01:45

Written by ghanapolitics.net

Tema, The Most Reverend Professor Emmanuel Asante, Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, has underscored the need for Christians to be motivated by their collective and not their individual parochial and selfish interests.

The Most Rev Prof Asante, who made the call when he performed the official opening of the Sixth Biennial Conference of the Methodist Women’s Fellowship in Tema on Friday, therefore, urged Christians to see themselves as team players who must work together.

The four-day Conference, which coincided with the 80th Anniversary celebration of the Fellowship, is on theme: “Connexionalism, Working Together as a Team to Build a Dynamic Fellowship”.

The Presiding Bishop noted that the success of a team was greater than the value of individual interest, and therefore suggested that team efforts and personal sacrifices by team players, must be constantly encouraged and rewarded.

He urged individual players to see team mates as collaborators or comrades in arms and not competitors.

“Individual team players must be supportive and not suspicious of team mates, and concentrate on the collective and not on selves.”

The Most Rev Prof Asante reminded players that team work required them to constantly interact with others, in order to meet set goals and objectives.

He congratulated members of the Fellowship on their 80 years of existence, and assured them that their undying support for the Methodist Church could not go unnoticed.

“You have throughout your eighty years of existence as an organization of the Church, proven that you can be counted on when it comes to the work of God. Indeed you have made the service of the Lord your delight and the Church will forever be grateful to you.”

On the vision and mission of the Church, he reminded members to build a vibrant, spirit-filled and spirit-led Church at the forefront of holistic evangelism and discipleship and to equip the Church for ministry and demonstration of faith, working through love for humankind.

The Most Rev Prof Asante charged the various organizations of the Church through their programmes to facilitate the equipping of its members for ministry characterized with faith working through love for the positive transformation of society.

Turning to the concept of Connexionality, the Presiding Bishop pointed out that the Methodist Church was a connexional entity, explaining that the concept was premised on the principle of interdependence, togetherness, and on the fact that “everyone needs what someone else has, and everyone has what someone needs.”

He likened the Church to the human body, and pointed out that like the body, “the Church does not consist of one part, but several parts.”

The Most Rev Prof Asante exhorted members of the Fellowship that as they sought to build a dynamic Fellowship in the context of the Church’s connexionality, they should open their eyes to her changing situation.

Dr Joyce Aryee, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, charged Christians to love one another in order for God’s love in them to become complete.

She reminded Christians that today’s membership of the Church  should be made up of those, who would be prepared to suffer for their faith, demonstrate care for the needy, utilize their God-given talents and gifts for the benefit of His people, and above all, always to remain open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

The Fellowship received fraternal greetings from sister Women Fellowships of other Churches, as well as lay organizations.

GNA