Tuesday, 3 December 2019
Thursday, 14 March 2019
IS IT TRUE, THERE ARE TOO MANY CHURCHES IN GHANA?
"Is religious life in Ghana out of control? New Christian churches
outside the main denominations are springing up, raising fears not only
of spiritual confusion but also secular concerns about noise and
inconvenience."
BELOW IS A PORTION OF THE ARTICLE::
In 2014 there were more than 10,000 churches in Ghana. This refers
not to the number of consecrated buildings, but to the number of
faith-based groups claiming allegiance to Christianity. The pulse of the
faithful may quicken on hearing of this growth in religious observance,
but some residents living in the neighborhood regard it chiefly as a
nuisance.
"We don't have peace of mind. They make noise throughout the whole night," one Accra resident told DW. "The churches are too many, everywhere, some of them make a lot of noise, you can't even talk," said another.
Wrecked classrooms
Part of the problem is that the new faith-based groups do not always have access to purpose-built churches but use educational facilities such as school classrooms for their religious meetings. Some of these facilities are wrecked during acts of religious observance.
The Church of Pentecost has several branches scattered across Ghana and they usually hold their services in classrooms. National chairman Opoku Pyinah admits there are difficulties but insists they are manageable. "Sometimes in some places, chairs and tables are broken, some classrooms become dirty. On the other hand, there are some places where churches pay for the use of such classrooms and some of them repair the chairs and tables that are broken," he told DW.
71 percent of Ghanaians identified themselves as Christians in a 2010 census
Some of the preachers are charlatans conning the gullible with messages
of impending doom. Their activities have incurred the wrath of a former
president of Ghana, Jerry Rawlings, who believes they are a sad
reflection on the state of his country. "If we can behave in such an
ignorant manner, should it surprise you that the country is being
consumed by so much filth," he said in a stinging critique of the new
brand of religious fervor.
'Cannot be inward looking'
But talk of miracles and instant riches is a huge crowd-puller. Some of the new churches have large congregations, but their pastors are inexperienced. Kwabena Opuni-Frimpong , General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, says religious life does not exists in a vacuum.
"Yes, there are challenges in the church, but it's not like let's do church, church, church. We live in a country; the church is situated in the nation. So the church cannot be inward looking," he said.
That is several steps away from a call for regulation. But freedom of worship is guaranteed under Ghana's constitution and faith-based groups can't be forced into joining associations that would be open to regulation. So unless the law is changed, the frustration felt by some Ghanaians at the unbridled religious fervor of some their compatriots may continue.
MY ARGUMENT:
Do you also believe in this idea expressed by the author of this article; that there are too many churches in Ghana?
Are the churches really helping the country
What will happen, if we don't have any church at all in Ghana
"We don't have peace of mind. They make noise throughout the whole night," one Accra resident told DW. "The churches are too many, everywhere, some of them make a lot of noise, you can't even talk," said another.
Wrecked classrooms
Part of the problem is that the new faith-based groups do not always have access to purpose-built churches but use educational facilities such as school classrooms for their religious meetings. Some of these facilities are wrecked during acts of religious observance.
The Church of Pentecost has several branches scattered across Ghana and they usually hold their services in classrooms. National chairman Opoku Pyinah admits there are difficulties but insists they are manageable. "Sometimes in some places, chairs and tables are broken, some classrooms become dirty. On the other hand, there are some places where churches pay for the use of such classrooms and some of them repair the chairs and tables that are broken," he told DW.
71 percent of Ghanaians identified themselves as Christians in a 2010 census'Cannot be inward looking'
But talk of miracles and instant riches is a huge crowd-puller. Some of the new churches have large congregations, but their pastors are inexperienced. Kwabena Opuni-Frimpong , General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, says religious life does not exists in a vacuum.
"Yes, there are challenges in the church, but it's not like let's do church, church, church. We live in a country; the church is situated in the nation. So the church cannot be inward looking," he said.
That is several steps away from a call for regulation. But freedom of worship is guaranteed under Ghana's constitution and faith-based groups can't be forced into joining associations that would be open to regulation. So unless the law is changed, the frustration felt by some Ghanaians at the unbridled religious fervor of some their compatriots may continue.
MY ARGUMENT:
Do you also believe in this idea expressed by the author of this article; that there are too many churches in Ghana?
Are the churches really helping the country
What will happen, if we don't have any church at all in Ghana
EXPAND YOUR HORISZON
Little birds are eager to stretch up and open their mouth as wide as they can anytime the parent comes around them-they know that they would not fail for food. God's treasures of grace are inexhaustible and His provision are boundless. He entreats us "Open your mouth wide and I will fill it". By this He is telling His children to have a wild stretch of expectation and He will meet it.
God shall never fall short of supplies in the face of your extensive desires.
My challenge today is to have a big picture and believe it is possible with God
Dream big
Think Big
And plan big
This will help you set sight on the big GOAL.
You limit God when you see small world, confine your life to a small corner, and engage in small business all your days on earth.
Start small but set Goals that will keep moving.
HOW DO YOU EXPAND YOUR HORIZON
1. Believe in the God who created all things
2. Believe He is able to take you to your big goals
3. Plan everyday with God's will in mind
4. Pray to God for constant strenght
5. Remember, God can take you beyond the farthest point you see.
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