The Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana, Most Rev. Prof. Johnson Asamoah-Gyadu, has called on pastors and Christian leaders to return to Spirit-led preaching and resist the growing temptation of turning the pulpit into a platform for performance.
Speaking at the 2025 National Pastors and Leadership Conference held at the Ridge Church in Accra, he stressed that preaching must be rooted in divine inspiration rather than eloquence, theatrics, or borrowed sermons.
Addressing the gathering of pastors, ministers, and church leaders, the Presiding Bishop made it clear that the authenticity of Christian preaching lies in the voice of the Spirit. According to him, ninety-nine percent of his own sermons come directly from what the Spirit of God lays upon his heart. “I don’t copy sermons,” he declared, drawing applause from the audience.
He acknowledged that while academic theology and biblical commentaries play an important role in Christian learning, they often complicate the faith when used as substitutes for devotion. Many of these commentaries, he noted, are Western in orientation and sometimes strip the Bible of its depth. “Most of the things I read are even harder to understand than the Bible itself. That is why I keep asking myself questions. The Bible is inspired by the Spirit of God. After reading, the first thing to do is to ask God for wisdom and insight so you can be fully equipped,” he advised.
The Presiding Bishop expressed concern that in recent times, many preachers have become more concerned with style, form, and delivery than with the truth of God’s word. He described this trend as a dangerous distraction that shifts attention from the message to the messenger, thereby weakening the church’s ability to transform lives. “These days, we are full of style and forms rather than focusing on the Word of God. But we need the experience of the Spirit to open our eyes for understanding so the mystery of God can be well interpreted,” he emphasized.
He explained that true preaching is not measured by rhetorical skill or entertainment value, but by its power to minister to people in every circumstance of life. “Don’t read the Bible as mere text,” he warned, insisting that those who approach it that way cannot receive the gift of God.
He further stated that the pulpit is not a stage for entertainment but a sacred witness box where God’s servants are required to speak truth. “When you mount it, speak truth. The pulpit must be as simple as a witness box. Preaching must be inspirational,” he said.
Most Rev. Prof. Asamoah-Gyadu did not only admonish the clergy but also shared a glimpse of his own life to illustrate the importance of relying on God’s Spirit. He recounted his humble beginnings, explaining that he never had the opportunity to attend international school while growing up. Instead, he had to sell items in order to support his family until he reached Form Three in high school.
That experience, he said, taught him that ministry is not about privilege or status but about surrender to God’s Spirit. “The Spirit grants you understanding. God speaks all languages; His Word must reach all nations,” he affirmed.
He concluded his sermon with Methodist Hymn 305, summarizing his message with a passionate call for pastors and church leaders to rediscover the heart of preaching. He urged them to remain faithful to the simplicity of the gospel and to rely fully on the Spirit, not human craft, to reach their congregations. “The pulpit must remain a sacred place where God speaks through His servants to His people. It is not a stage for performance. The preaching that counts is the one that ministers to people regardless of where they find themselves in life,” he noted.
His message at the conference resonated with the audience. He warned that as some churches adopt entertainment to attract followers, the church risks losing its true power and mission without the Spirit.
The Presiding Bishop’s caution stood as both a rebuke and an encouragement: a rebuke to those who turn preaching into a performance, and an encouragement to those who continue to trust in the Spirit to reveal the mystery of God’s word.
As the session ended, one truth resonated clearly through his message: the future of the church does not rest in performance, but in Spirit-led proclamation that speaks truth, inspires faith, and transforms lives.
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