Pastor Kick Against ‘National Cathedral; Says It Won’t Bring God’s Presence’
A Senior Pastor of Agape House New Testament Church, Reverend Dr. Richard Whitcomb has said the presence of a National Cathedral in Ghana, will not bring the nation closer to God.
In a sermon this past week, he said his non-partisan warning was made with only spiritual considerations.
“You can build it [the national cathedral] but it doesn't bring the presence of God,” he stated.
Rev. Whitcomb said his concerns did not stem from financial or political consideration, but the “spiritual implication of misunderstanding God's dwelling place.”
“I'm not for or against the national cathedral. I'm not speaking to you today as a politician, I'm speaking as a prophet. You can build the national cathedral, but that will not guarantee the presence of God.”
His sermon came as the National Cathedral Council of Trustees prepares for a fundraiser for the construction of the edifice on December 28.
Rev. Whitcomb said virtues like humility were more desirable for a relationship with God.
“God opposes the proud and dwells with the humble. I will rather be a humble nation without the national cathedral than a proud nation with a national cathedral because if you have a national cathedral but your leaders are proud God's presence will be far from you.”
He made reference to what is considered to be the largest church building in the world, the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Cote d’Ivoire, “but having that great cathedral didn't prevent a civil war.”
“After all they have a national cathedral in the USA and it is a backslidden, sin-filled perverted country,” he added.
The government has largely described the National Cathedral as a symbolic edifice.
President Nana Akufo-Addo said it was a priority of priorities, and he emphasised that the cathedral, when built, would serve as a symbolic monument that will unify the citizenry in a Christ-like manner.
“70 percent of the population is Christian. This is the focus that strengthens the community. We find ourselves in need of a symbol that the Ghanaian nation can rally behind. We see elsewhere in the huge world monuments, and we are going to find the means to sort it out.”
President Akufo-Addo cut the sod for the construction of the national cathedral for on March 6, 2017, as part of events that marked Ghana's 60th-anniversary celebration.
It is envisioned by his administration to serve as a national non-denominational Christian worship centre for the country.
Much more than a place of worship
The designer of Ghana's National Cathedral, David Adjaye, said he expected the National Cathedral to embody much more than a place of Christian worship.
The renowned architect said the cathedral had the potential to be a multi-faith edifice.
“The building, in thinking about it is not just about making a church. It is really a State space that can celebrate spiritual things and can be multi-faith… it can be absolutely about expressing the spirituality of the nation,” he said on Citi TV's Face to Face in September.
Source: citinewsroom.com | Ghana
Pastor Kick Against ‘National Cathedral; Says It Won’t Bring God’s Presence’
A Senior Pastor of Agape House New Testament Church, Reverend Dr. Richard Whitcomb has said the presence of a National Cathedral in Ghana, will not bring the nation closer to God.
In a sermon this past week, he said his non-partisan warning was made with only spiritual considerations.
“You can build it [the national cathedral] but it doesn't bring the presence of God,” he stated.
Rev. Whitcomb said his concerns did not stem from financial or political consideration, but the “spiritual implication of misunderstanding God's dwelling place.”
“I'm not for or against the national cathedral. I'm not speaking to you today as a politician, I'm speaking as a prophet. You can build the national cathedral, but that will not guarantee the presence of God.”
His sermon came as the National Cathedral Council of Trustees prepares for a fundraiser for the construction of the edifice on December 28.
Rev. Whitcomb said virtues like humility were more desirable for a relationship with God.
“God opposes the proud and dwells with the humble. I will rather be a humble nation without the national cathedral than a proud nation with a national cathedral because if you have a national cathedral but your leaders are proud God's presence will be far from you.”
He made reference to what is considered to be the largest church building in the world, the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Cote d’Ivoire, “but having that great cathedral didn't prevent a civil war.”
“After all they have a national cathedral in the USA and it is a backslidden, sin-filled perverted country,” he added.
The government has largely described the National Cathedral as a symbolic edifice.
President Nana Akufo-Addo said it was a priority of priorities, and he emphasised that the cathedral, when built, would serve as a symbolic monument that will unify the citizenry in a Christ-like manner.
“70 percent of the population is Christian. This is the focus that strengthens the community. We find ourselves in need of a symbol that the Ghanaian nation can rally behind. We see elsewhere in the huge world monuments, and we are going to find the means to sort it out.”
President Akufo-Addo cut the sod for the construction of the national cathedral for on March 6, 2017, as part of events that marked Ghana's 60th-anniversary celebration.
It is envisioned by his administration to serve as a national non-denominational Christian worship centre for the country.
Much more than a place of worship
The designer of Ghana's National Cathedral, David Adjaye, said he expected the National Cathedral to embody much more than a place of Christian worship.
The renowned architect said the cathedral had the potential to be a multi-faith edifice.
“The building, in thinking about it is not just about making a church. It is really a State space that can celebrate spiritual things and can be multi-faith… it can be absolutely about expressing the spirituality of the nation,” he said on Citi TV's Face to Face in September.
Source: citinewsroom.com | Ghana
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