UNETHICAL MINISTERIAL PRACTICES AMONG SOME GHANAIAN PASTORS

Abstract

Abstract: In recent times, ministerial misconduct of Ghanaian pas-tors has become rampant in print, electronic and social media. How do we explain these acts of indecency perpetrated under the guise of freedom of religion by some ministers that identify with Christian-ity? What accounts for these behaviours? And what could be done to prevent such strange practices from escalating to disaster pro-portions? To answer these questions, data was collected from pub-lished literature and media reports. The study argues that the con-sistent unethical practices, activities, and utterances of some Gha-naian pastors negatively affect Christian ministry in Ghana. Focus-ing on some of the unethical ministerial practices and initiatives un-dertaken by these pastors, this article investigates the reasons re-sponsible for their occurrences and proffers remedial suggestions. The study draws attention to uncaring shepherds, the seared con-science of some pastors, easily manipulated congregations, sleeping shepherds and the high demand for deliverance services by congre-gants as possible reasons that bring about these unethical ministe-rial practices. Finally, the article contends that to achieve a desired transformative Christian ministry in Ghana, the Church must pay attention to the religious practices of some pastors and if possible, find a way to regulate them. Key Words: Ghana, Ministry, Ministerial practice, Pastor, Unethical