Religion of Friday, 7 May 2010

Source: GNA

Methodist bishop expresses concern about politics in the Church

Wenchi (B/A), May 7, GNA - Right Reverend Sampson Yamoah, Methodist Bishop of the Wenchi Diocese, on Thursday expressed concern about organizational rivalry, ethnocentrism, partisan politics and chieftaincy disputes that have engulfed the Church in recent times. He has therefore advised members of the church to strive for oneness in every facet of life so that God's name would be glorified. Rt. Rev. Yamoah was speaking at the 7th Annual Diocesan Synod of the Church in Wenchi. It was under the theme: "Oneness in Diversity". Oneness in diversity, he noted, underscored the acknowledgment and maintenance of individual uniqueness or difference and still in unity of purpose.

"Christian oneness is characterized by the common foundation of faith in Jesus and practice", Rt. Rev. Yamoah stated. In the New Testament, however, the Methodist Bishop noted oneness of believers knew no geographical, ethnic, cultural or denominational barriers and advised Christians not to allow diversity in culture, language and spirituality to cause division among them.

Rt. Rev. Yamoah said the diocesan had no befitted administrative infrastructure and that it intended to begin the construction of a diocesan administrative building complex in 2011 and advised the congregation to pray and to plan towards supporting the raising of funds for the project. In a related development, Pastor Adu Agyei, Abesim District Pastor of the Deeper Life Bible Church, has advised Christian housewives to go into farming as an alternative venture to support their husbands in the homes. He told the Ghana News Agency at Abesim, near Sunyani that in this current generation of economic hardships, women needed to support their husbands economically. "The mark of Christian maturity is determined by the kind of diet one eats", Pastor Agyei stated and advised Christians to eat well and live healthy lifestyles. "The rains have started earnestly and lands have become too fertile that any food stuff you cultivate would increase tremendous yields", he added.