Instil discipline, good values in members - Veep tells churches
The Vice-President, Mr Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur, has challenged churches in the country to play a critical role in instilling discipline and good values in their members.
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Since the church had a large following, he said, its role in transforming the lifestyles of majority of the public was paramount and could not be ignored.
Mr Amissah-Arthur made the call in a speech read on his behalf by his wife, Mrs Matilda Amissah-Arthur, at the opening ceremony of the 2015 Synod of the Global Evangelical Church at Sowutuom in Accra.
This year’s synod was marked on the theme: “Thy kingdom come,” and brought together about 650 delegates from across the country to take key decisions for the development of the church.
The annual event coincided with the election of new executives who will take charge of the affairs of the church for the next six years.
Show concern
Mr Amissah-Arthur expressed grave concern, particularly about the lack of morality among some Christians, saying it was a wake-up call for the Church to take the appropriate steps to address such issues.
Referring to the 2010 Population and Housing Census which states that about 70 per cent of Ghanaians professed to be Christians, he said it was troubling that many social ills persisted.
That, he said, was an indictment on the effectiveness of the Church.
“The Church must be concerned about how its members make their living and not ignore the source of the financial and other supports it receives from members. Their lifestyle must be of utmost concern to you,” he stressed.
Deliberating on the theme for the occasion, Mr Amissah-Arthur encouraged the church to remain steadfast and rely on God.
He commended the Global Evangelical Church for its numerous contributions towards national development.
Declare stand on homosexuality
The outgoing Moderator of the Global Evangelical Church, Rt. Rev. Dr Edem K. Tettey, appealed to the government to be bold and decisive and declare its stand on homosexuality.
“Ghana cannot out of fear remain silent at such a time as this. It is not part of our culture to endorse homosexual practices; it is against our religious beliefs and a threat to our survival as a nation and a people,” he contended.
He also urged the Legislature and Judiciary to be firm and uphold the laws of the land as well as protect women, children and the vulnerable in society.
Rt. Rev. Dr Tettey promised that the church would do its best to instil discipline and good morals in members, to ensure that Ghana became a better place for everyone.