Minister urges churches to collect money in a decent way

Kpando (V/R), Aug. 22, GNA - Mr Kwasi Owusu-Yeboa, Volta Regional Minister, on Thursday asked headquarters of churches to adopt a more decent way of collecting money from their grassroots branches. He said, even though, there might be problems with the cash-flow from some congregations to the headquarters of churches, collecting money should be with Christian decency and in a manner that is edifying and not exploitative.

The Regional Minister was speaking at the 62nd Synod of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana, which was being held at Kpando under the theme: "Closing the Gaps".

He condemned the activities of some leaders of orthodox churches, who in blind imitation of self-ordained bishops of sole proprietor churches; managed their branches as if they were family owned. He said the theme for the Synod: "Closing the Gaps" clearly underscores the urgent need for mankind to reconcile with God.

Mr Owusu-Yeboa said the world today is afflicted with distrust, hatred, division and conflict and, therefore, called on all and sundry to begin to work to create conditions that will foster trust, love, peace and unity in families and communities.

"As Christians, we should play a leading role in the search by mankind to reconcile with God, reconciling with God our Creator requires that we first reconcile with our neighbours".

The Right Reverend Dr Livingstong Buama, Moderator of the Church, said God has created a world that is meant to be whole and harmonious. He said human sinfulness has, however, marred it adding this has caused the people to live in a world of gaps - a world of cracks, breaks and tears.

"There are gaps between us and God, gaps between, among and within nations, gaps between church and society, gaps between the sacred and secular," he said.

Rt. Rev Dr Buama said because of the gaps that cut across every segment and fabric of life there are hitches, distortions, disturbances, conflicts and disharmony within the family of nations, communities, groups and organisations and within all personal and interpersonal relationships.

He said the cry and the call to close the gaps, therefore, meant a cry and call to remove the things that divide, separate and unsettle the people, adding that it is a cry and call to seal and heal wounds within the fibre and fabric of life.

Rt. Rev Dr Buama said unity and community togetherness in true sense of the word is the catalyst of growth and development, positive and progressive change.

There were fraternal greetings from All African Conference of Churches, Methodist Church of Ghana and Bremen Evangelical Church - Germany.