Pastors in Ghanaian Pentecostal Churches And The Text Of 1 Timothy 3:1-7: A Critical Study

Abstract

The growing concern of the media and the public regarding the attitude and lifestyle of some Pastors in Ghanaian Pentecostal churches created the need to re-examine what 1 Timothy 3:1-7 teaches concerning Pastors. The scriptures serve as the main source of character and practice for Pastors in Ghanaian Pentecostal churches and they use 1 Timothy 3:1-7 as a reference point for their Pastors especially in terms of their character. Previous studies focus on the history of the Pentecostal churches and the duties of the Pastors in the local church. This study traces how one becomes a Pastor and how one serves as a Pastor in a Pentecostal church in Ghana. Interview was mainly used for the data collection and rhetorical method was used for the interpretation of the text. The study concluded that theological education plays an important role in the development of Pastors, just as other professions require education for effectiveness, the pastoral ministry need not take theological education for granted. Also, there is open-ended entrance into the pastoral ministry. Some denominations have put strict measures in place to ensure their Pastors meet these standards. However, there are no checks of people who want to become a minister in Ghana at large. It is therefore important to get institution that determines who qualifies to be a pastor in Ghana.