Omanghana
Apostle Nat Opare Yeboah, senior pastor of Dashen Church, has ignited public debate after declaring that the church is a business and accusing some contemporary prophets of relying on “familiar spirits” instead of divine revelation.
The preacher made the controversial statements during an interview on MzGee Ghana’s Behind the Pulpit programmed, where he discussed church administration, spiritual leadership and what he considers the declining standards of prophetic ministry.
According to Apostle Nat, religious institutions operate in communities where people face emotional, spiritual, financial and social problems. He argued that because resources are required to address those needs and maintain church operations, money inevitably becomes part of the institution.
“Church is a business,” he stated, explaining that wherever people gather, problems exist, and efforts to solve those problems attract financial value.
His remarks have generated mixed reactions, with some interpreting them as an honest assessment of church administration while others believe describing Christianity as a business risks reinforcing concerns about the commercialization of religion.
Church Requires Structure and Resources
Apostle Nat argued that a church cannot grow or operate effectively without proper organization, leadership and adequate financial support.
He questioned the long-term sustainability of ministries that remain limited to between 50 and 70 congregants, suggesting that churches should develop structures capable of reaching and supporting larger numbers of people.
Running a religious organization often involves expenses related to buildings, staff, utilities, media outreach, charitable activities and community programs. Apostle Nat’s comments appeared to frame the church as an enterprise that must organize its resources efficiently to fulfil its mission.
However, his use of the word “business” is likely to remain controversial because it may be understood as suggesting that profit, rather than spiritual service, is the church’s primary objective.
Apostle Nat Criticizes Unaccountable Pastors
The Dashen Church leader also criticized pastors who operate without mentors or recognized spiritual authorities.
He argued that ministers need “spiritual fathers” who can provide guidance, correction and accountability. In his view, leaders who answer to no one are more likely to misuse their authority or introduce questionable practices into their ministries.
Apostle Nat maintained that mentorship is particularly important in prophetic ministry, where claims of divine revelation can significantly influence followers and national affairs.
Critics of spiritual-father relationships, however, have previously warned that such arrangements can themselves be abused when senior religious leaders demand unquestioning loyalty. The debate therefore extends beyond whether pastors need oversight to what a healthy and transparent system of accountability should look like.
Prophecy Reduced to Election Predictions
Apostle Nat expressed concern about the growing tendency to measure prophets by their ability to predict election results or disclose details about individuals.
He argued that the prophetic ministry has a much broader spiritual responsibility than forecasting which political candidate will win an election.
In Ghana, election periods are frequently accompanied by competing prophecies from religious leaders. Some predict victory for particular candidates, while others announce different outcomes, creating confusion and public debate after the results are declared.
Apostle Nat suggested that this focus has reduced prophecy to political fortune-telling and distracted ministers from responsibilities such as offering spiritual guidance, confronting injustice and promoting national development.
According to him, determining the authenticity or depth of a prophet should not depend solely on whether an election prediction appears to come true.
Comments on Rev. Isaac Owusu Bempah
During the interview, Apostle Nat referred to prominent religious figures such as Rev. Isaac Owusu Bempah, who is widely associated with national and political prophecies.
He observed that highly visible ministers are often described as “nation prophets” because of their media presence and public statements. He nevertheless argued that other, less celebrated prophetic voices possess deep spiritual understanding but remain outside the spotlight.
According to Apostle Nat, public popularity should not automatically be treated as proof of greater spiritual authority. He said some quiet ministers understand what he described as the spiritual “rank and file” but receive little public attention.
His remarks appeared to challenge the growing celebrity culture surrounding religious leadership, where media visibility and social influence can shape perceptions of spiritual importance.
Prophets Can Influence a Country’s Direction
Apostle Nat also warned that religious leaders can affect national affairs in ways comparable to political leaders.
He argued that one wrong decision or pronouncement by an influential prophet could cause serious damage to a country, just as a harmful presidential decision could produce national consequences.
Prophecies can shape public opinion, influence voting behavior and affect the decisions of followers who regard religious leaders as authoritative voices. For that reason, Apostle Nat called for greater responsibility among ministers who speak about politics and national events.
His warning adds to demands for religious leaders to exercise restraint, verify their claims and avoid making pronouncements that could create fear, division or instability.
Allegations of “Familiar Spirits”
One of Apostle Nat’s most controversial claims was that many modern prophets rely on what Christians describe as “familiar spirits” rather than revelation from God.
Within some Christian traditions, a familiar spirit is understood as a deceptive spiritual entity believed to possess information about a person’s private life or past. The expression is sometimes used by pastors to accuse rival ministers of obtaining supernatural information from non-divine sources.
Apostle Nat suggested that such practices allow some self-described prophets to disclose personal details—including names, telephone numbers and addresses—without providing meaningful spiritual guidance or transformation.
These claims are theological in nature and cannot be independently verified through conventional evidence. They nevertheless reflect an internal debate among Christian leaders about how congregants should distinguish genuine ministry from deception, manipulation or performance.
Digital Platforms and the Growth of Prophetic Celebrity
Social media has transformed the way religious messages are produced and distributed. Short videos showing pastors revealing personal information or making dramatic predictions can quickly attract millions of views.
This environment rewards sensational content and can elevate previously unknown preachers into influential public figures. It can also make it more difficult for audiences to examine the full context of a sermon or determine whether a widely shared prophecy was edited or presented accurately.
Seasoned ministers have increasingly called for stronger spiritual discernment, accountability and ethical standards as digital platforms give more people the ability to claim prophetic authority.
Apostle Nat’s comments form part of that broader conversation, although his description of the church as a business and his allegations against unnamed prophets are likely to attract further scrutiny.
The debate ultimately raises questions about money, accountability and authenticity in modern Christianity. It also challenges churches to demonstrate that their financial structures and prophetic practices serve congregants rather than exploit their fears, personal struggles or political loyalties.
Source: Omanghana
