Regional News of Wednesday, 18 August 2004

Source: GNA

Clergyman cautions against provocative dancing in church

Kumasi, Aug. 18, GNA - A Clergyman has cautioned Christians against perceiving the Church as an entertainment house or a socialisation centre where all manner of funny and provocative dancing could take place.

Reverend Joseph K. Gyimah, Leader of the True Light of Christ Church, stated that the Church was a house of prayer and a place for sober reflection and not an arena for the performance of funny dances and provocative rhythms.

Rev Gyimah gave the caution when he addressed the quarterly meeting of women groups in the Church at Abrepo in Kumasi on Tuesday. The meeting was to assess their activities and effect on the growth of the church.

He said even though the Bible accepted dancing as a tool for praising the Lord, such dances must be decent to inspire people to get closer to God.

"Any dancing that is fashionable and provocative is not in consonance with the tenets of the Bible or the Christian faith and should therefore be discouraged by all churches", he stressed. He called on Pastors to focus Church activities on preaching and prayers rather than dancing, which some of them had resorted to in attracting the youth, saying, "even though you may succeed in attracting more youth to your Church such people may not reap the full benefit of Christianity".