‘Ensure sanity in the conduct of pastors’
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Asuogyaman in the Eastern Region, Mr Thomas Ampem Nyarko, has called on churches to do a critical introspection and peer review of their activities to ensure sanity in the conduct of pastors who engage in shameful practices and drag the name of the church in the mud.
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He said the church could not afford to lose its credibility. “The bottom line is if we preach morality, we must be the foremost example of same; if we preach love, we must show by deeds. The best way to attract the attention of others is to be different from them,’’ the chief executive indicated.
Synod
Mr Nyarko made the call when he addressed the 13th Annual Synod of the Somanya Diocese of the Methodist Church Ghana on the theme: “Equipping the saints on our Methodist heritage for social impact,’’ at Akuse in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality in the Eastern Region.
The DCE said the church had contributed immensely to the development of the country, specifically in the areas of education, health and social protection and that it should “not just preach what it believes in but must also manifests what it preaches.’’
Mr Nyarko further entreated the church to commit itself to addressing the social and economic needs of its members.
He said while the message of the gospel remained the same, the means of transmission and style of presentation should keep up with technological trends.
Mr Nyarko appealed for prayers to be offered for the peace and safety of the nation, especially during the forthcoming elections.
Values
The Bishop of the Somanya Diocese , Rt Rev. Alfred N.O. Aryeetey, said the Methodist Church would never compromise on its values and core Methodist faith, adding “All Methodists are expected to practise and remain holy and spread the virtues of holiness to others.’’
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Touching on the theme, Rt. Rev. Aryeetey said the church had to ensure that its youth services were made lively and attractive. He said when the character of the youth was developed through youth meetings and services, they would become responsible adults as a fulfilment of the church’s social impact mission. Bishop Aryeetey, therefore, implored all leaders to adopt the current innovative technologies that were attractive to the youth in sharing God’s word.
The Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana, Most Rev.Titus Kofi Awotwi Pratt, urged the church to instill the word of God into children in their infancy so that they would grow to impact positively on society.
Appreciation
Mrs Agnes Akweley Attipoe, the Lay Chairperson of the Somanya Diocese of the Methodist Church, expressed appreciation to the leadership of the church for the establishment of an education endowment fund which, she said, would help children in deprived circuits to acquire employable skills.