Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, General Overseer of Action Chapel International, has cautioned a young pastor against rushing to build a massive church for 20,000 worshippers. The young pastor had approached Duncan-Williams with plans for the large church, citing his financial resources as the motivation. However, Duncan-Williams questioned the pastor's motives, asking him what he hoped to achieve with such a large congregation. The young pastor was unable to provide a clear answer.
Duncan-Williams shared the encounter during a recent church service, recounting how he challenged the pastor's thinking. He emphasized that having the financial resources to undertake a large project was not sufficient reason to do so. The archbishop told the young pastor that his motive was wrong and that he needed to consider the demands of leading a large congregation. Duncan-Williams warned the pastor that attempting to build a congregation of 20,000 would be stressful and potentially detrimental to his well-being.
The archbishop advised the young pastor to set a more realistic target based on the size of his existing congregation. With a current congregation of approximately 1,000 people, Duncan-Williams suggested building a church for 2,000 worshippers. He urged the pastor to take his time and grow his congregation gradually. This approach, Duncan-Williams believes, would help the pastor avoid the pressures associated with operating a mega church.
Duncan-Williams also cautioned the young pastor against trying to replicate his own ministry without understanding the demands that come with it. He asked the pastor if he could "drink the cup" he himself drank, implying that the young pastor needed to be aware of the sacrifices and challenges involved in leading a large ministry. The archbishop's advice was intended to help younger pastors avoid difficulties he had experienced in his own journey.
The archbishop emphasized that younger pastors do not need to repeat his experiences and should instead learn from the lessons he has gathered over the years. He expressed a desire for younger pastors to be better than him, implying that they should be able to learn from his experiences and avoid making the same mistakes. By sharing his insights, Duncan-Williams hopes to guide younger pastors in their own ministries.
Duncan-Williams' advice to the young pastor was captured in a video during a recent sermon. In the video, he encouraged the pastor to be mindful of the stress and pressure associated with leading a large congregation. The archbishop's words of wisdom were shared with the congregation, serving as a reminder to all pastors of the importance of careful planning and consideration when building their ministries.
Ultimately, Duncan-Williams' goal is to help younger pastors build sustainable and healthy ministries. By sharing his own experiences and insights, he hopes to guide them in making informed decisions about their congregations and church buildings. As a seasoned pastor, Duncan-Williams is well-equipped to offer guidance and advice to younger pastors, and his words of wisdom are likely to resonate with many in the Ghanaian Christian community.
Key points
- Archbishop Duncan-Williams advises young pastor to start small, citing stress and pressure of leading a mega church.
- Duncan-Williams cautions against replicating his own ministry without understanding the demands involved.
- The archbishop encourages younger pastors to learn from his experiences and avoid making the same mistakes.
