Takoradi, May 5, GNA - Mr Paul Evans Aidoo, Western Regional Minister, on Thursday, advised Christians to eschew extravagance in their way of thinking and avoid ostentatious living. He made the call in an address read for him at opening ceremony of the 50th Annual Synod of the Sekondi Diocese of the Methodist Church of Ghana at Takoradi. The synod is under the theme: 93Connexionalism - The Church as a Living Fellowship."

Mr Aidoo said rather, Christians should invest their money in the education of children. He urged the Church to implement plans to assist its less privileged members to meet their daily needs. Mr Aidoo said the manner in which Church activities are conducted makes the poor and the less privileged feel resentful and alienated. Mr Aidoo said in frustration, some people decide not to go to Church at all because they cannot compete or bear the perceived shame that go with being poor thus sowing discord and disunity among brethren.

He said there are false teachers and charlatans who claim to have powers from the Lord to do all manner of miracles and unfortunately, many people especially women, are vulnerable to them.

The Right Reverend Edward Ofori Donkor, Bishop of the Diocese, said the Church may not be able to eradicate poverty and corruption in the country but it could serve poor families in communities. He said Christians could work within the political parties and chieftaincy institutions as people of integrity. Bishop Donkor said the scriptures show that in cases of conflicting demands between civil government and one's duty to God, God comes first.

He said in cases where government has rightful authority Christians are to obey authority.

Bishop Donkor said Christians dodge this command in many ways, including flouting of traffic and conservation laws, cheating on income tax returns and using illegal means to get around government regulations.

"We need not to be caught before we become criminals and be guilty of failing to obey God's command of being responsible citizens," he said.

Bishop Donkor said, 93Government touches our lives in so many areas and being good citizens give us opportunity to bear faithful witness to our Christian convictions."

He said if the state is regarded as an institution to be cheated, the entire fabric of the society is weakened and everyone suffers. Bishop Donkor said the Church has recruited about 50 people in the diocese to be trained as volunteers of the National Road Safety Commission as part of its social responsibility.

He said the volunteers would go to lorry stations from time to time to educate drivers and passengers on road safety and traffic regulations.

Bishop Donkor said the diocese is considering forming a Non-Governmental Organization for sanitation as well as 93Care for the Aged".