Character Flaws Can Derail Ministry – Pastor Lendor Warns SOM Graduates

Character flaws can destroy even the most gifted minister and prevent them from fulfilling God’s purpose, Regional Leader of the School of Ministries (SOM) and Pioneer Network West Africa, Pastor Andrew F. Lendor, has warned.

According to him, charisma, talents, spiritual gifts, and titles may open doors for ministers, but only godly character can sustain them in ministry.

Pastor Lendor gave the caution while delivering a sermon on the theme, “Divine Disappointment,” during the maiden graduation ceremony of the School of Ministries-Ghana held at Fire Trinity Ministry, Agric Aburaso, Kumasi.

Drawing lessons from Numbers 20:1-12, he cited the example of Moses, who despite being one of the meekest men in Scripture, failed to enter the Promised Land because of disobedience, pride, and his inability to properly represent God before the people.

“Charisma may take you to great heights, but character determines whether you stay there. Gifts, talents, miracles, and powerful preaching cannot substitute for godly character,” he stressed.

A total of 32 students graduated with a Diploma in Leadership and Biblical Studies. The graduating class comprised 23 males, representing 59.40 percent, and 19 females, representing 40.60 percent.

Pastor Lendor explained that God instructed Moses to speak to the rock so that water would come forth for the Israelites, but Moses struck the rock instead. He noted that Moses’ actions reflected a character weakness that eventually cost him the opportunity to enter the Promised Land.

He identified three major mistakes Moses made that disappointed God: disobeying God’s instruction, speaking harshly to God’s people, and taking glory that belonged to God.

The minister cautioned the graduates against pride and the temptation to seek recognition and personal glory through ministry.

“Always remember where God brought you from. It is grace that has brought you this far and it is grace that will take you further. Never take God’s glory for yourself,” he admonished.

Pastor Lendor also urged the graduates to be careful how they relate to members of their congregations, stressing that many people who seek spiritual help are vulnerable and deserve compassion rather than mistreatment.

“Be careful how you speak to God’s people. Whatever you portray, people will assume that is what Christianity is about. Do not misrepresent God through your attitudes and actions,” he stated.

Earlier, the National Leader of Pioneer Ghana, Apostle Dr. George Amoako Alhassan, who is also the Founder and General Overseer of Fire Trinity Ministry International (FTMI) and Chief Executive Officer of the George Amoako Alhassan Foundation (GAAF), described the graduation ceremony as a historic milestone in ministry training and leadership development in Ghana.

Welcoming participants to the event, he recounted the humble beginnings of the School of Ministries at the Upper Room Assemblies of God, Patasi, where a small group of believers embraced the vision of equipping men and women for kingdom service.

Apostle Dr. Alhassan expressed gratitude to God for the remarkable growth of the institution, noting that what started as a small vision has developed into a movement that is raising leaders and equipping kingdom labourers for the advancement of the Gospel.

He revealed that the ministry, which started in Ghana, has expanded into several West African countries, including Benin, Togo, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon and Guinea Conakry.

According to him, the vision is to further extend the school’s reach across Africa by training more pastors, church leaders and kingdom workers for effective ministry and kingdom impact.

Addressing the graduates, Apostle Dr. Alhassan reminded them that graduation was not the end of learning but the beginning of greater responsibility and service to God.

“In a generation where many are satisfied with shallow Christianity, God is raising men and women who will go deeper in prayer, deeper in the Word, deeper in holiness, and deeper in service,” he said.

He encouraged the graduates to remain committed to integrity, humility, excellence, lifelong learning and total dependence on the Holy Spirit as they embark on their ministerial journeys.

Also addressing the gathering, Madam Rita Tieko, Unit Committee Chairperson for the Aburaso/Edwaase Electoral Area, congratulated the graduands on their successful completion of the programme and encouraged them to remain steadfast in their calling. She reminded them that Scripture describes the work of ministry as a noble calling and urged them to serve God faithfully and diligently. Madam Tieko prayed that God would grant the graduates the wisdom, grace, strength and endurance needed to carry out His work effectively and impact lives for His Kingdom.

The ceremony formed part of a wider conference held under the theme “Going Deeper,” and brought together ministers, church leaders, students and believers from different parts of the country.

As the first batch of graduates officially entered the next phase of ministry, speakers at the event challenged them to remain faithful to God’s calling, uphold godly character, and avoid the pitfalls that prevented Moses from reaching his promised destination. They also urged them to rely on God’s grace, remain humble, and commit themselves to advancing the Gospel wherever God sends them.