A church is typically registered as a company limited by guarantee, as this structure is more aligned with the non-profit and charitable nature of a church organization. This type of company structure ensures that the church’s assets are protected while also allowing for the governance and management of the church to be carried out effectively.
In Ghana Under the Companies Act:
TRUST / GUARANTEE COMPANY CONUNDRUM :
There are 4 key features of a Guarantee Company like a Church that you need to know as a member or a pastor of a Church registered in Ghana.
- No Shares
- Non-profit making except to further its objects
- No dividends or distribution/return of assets to members
- No director to be appointed to any salaried or fee-receiving office, except (1) reimbursing out-of-pocket expenses, and (2) paying interest (limited to the 91-day treasury bill rate) or reasonable and proper rent for premises let to the company.
You are at liberty to join or fellowship with any church denomination of your choice, however it will be good to do your due diligence and be well informed before you go into a full-time ministry in any church. If you are led by the Holy Spirit to establish a church ministry, it will be good to be well informed about the laws of the country you may want to operate in to avoid the error of joining or establishing a ministry as an alternative to employment or for economic benefit.
It is highly risky to go into full-time ministry in a church that lacks proper corporate governance and without proper structures and has no clear criteria for promotion and bereft of meritocracy.
When A Church Turns Into A Sole Proprietor Or Family Business;
- Pastors operate similarly to CEOs.
- Members become clients.
- Some churches are viewed as rivals in competition.
- Evangelism is just about selling and marketing
- Church planting resembles franchising more.
- Success is primarily measured by numbers and sometimes funds extorted from the congregation.
- Formulas take the place of Bible reading and prayer.
- The revival program is condensed to a few days of fund-raising.
- Preaching has a stronger motivating speech quality.
- Throughout what appears to be a concert, everyone chants “I receive, Amen.” The “service” is what I mean.
- The act of praise and worship is transformed into a show. The leaders of worship and praise are the best actors.
- The idea of “emotionalism” is applied to the Spirit of God.
- Only hypnosis and sensationalism represent the true power of God.
- The saints receive amusement rather than empowerment.
- Followers of Christ have evolved into Papa’s admirers, sons, and daughters.
- The church, once a vibrant entity, is now characterized with insatiable greed.
- Rather than the Kingdom of God being furthered, a leader’s empire is constructed.
- The Head pastor turns into a superhero, while Jesus is diminished to the status of simply another religious leader.
- Self-Aggrandizement and stardom take the center stage.
- Billboards are mounted to project mortal beings.
Which of these sounds particularly familiar to this generation? Dear one, if you follow these “Christianity” patterns, you are not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ; rather, you are a cult already. Examine yourself now before it’s too late!
Jesus himself questioned, “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith in the earth?” and that is precisely what I have highlighted above.
The conclusion of the matter, according to the Bible, is to fear God and keep His commandments, this is the whole duty of man. This emphasizes the importance of living a life of obedience to God and following His teachings in order to find fulfillment and true purpose.
Thanks for reading. May God’s Grace find you and grant you wisdom to survive in this perverse and crooked generation.
