By Dennis Peprah, GNA
Abesim (B/A), Aug. 13, GNA – The Anglican Church of Ghana, has been called to modify certain ancient and nominal traditions that is impeding the growth and development of the church.
Professor Kwasi Nsiah-Gyabaah, the Former President of the Nkoranza campus of the Anglican University of Technology (ANGUTECH), threw the challenge at the 15th biennial national delegates’ conference of Guild of Servants of the Sanctuary, held at Abesim, near Sunyani.
He said the church has become unattractive and losing many of her youthful members to other churches because of certain ancient practices which were not favourable and making it unattractive.
The four-day conference which was attended by more than 300 servants of the church was held under the theme: “Restructuring the servers’ guild to fit the liturgical changes in the Anglican Church”.
Prof Nsiah-Gyabaah said nominal practices such as long hours spent during Sunday services as well as burial services for deceased members were unnecessary.
He said the church could not progress as expected if it continues to venerate the dead by wasting precious time to pray for departed souls instead of concentrating and spending time on members and sinners seeking to obtain salvation and sanctification.
Prof Nsiah-Gyabaah said the youth remains the pillar of every church and until the Anglican Church amended certain formalities and incorporated modernism, it would remain unattractive to the youth.
Such changes, he said must also be done with extra care in order not to affect spiritual aspect of the church.
Prof Nsiah-Gyabaah advised the youth of the church to strive hard to maintain their spiritual life, abstain from evil and avoid unhealthy lifestyles that could take away the presence of God from the church.
He cautioned them against alcoholism and immorality as well as practicing same sex and, asked them to be prayerful and study the Bible.
The Right Reverend Dr Festus Yeboah Asuamah, the Anglican Bishop of the Sunyani Diocese, urged members of the church to make righteousness, perfection and evangelism their hallmark.
He entreated particularly the youth of the church to accept and obey the church’s doctrines, continue in them, demonstrate brotherly love and support the needy.
Brother Emmanuel M.K. Markwei, the Director General, National Executive Council of the Guild, expressed the hope that due to dynamism of society, the conference would seek God’s direction adopt good measures or strategize to help in the church’s liturgical restructuring.
GNA
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