ANGLICAN CHURCH EXPERIENCES STEADY GROWTH
ANGLICAN CHURCH EXPERIENCES STEADY GROWTH April 28, 2010
BY PETER ATOGEWE WEDAM
ISD-BOLGATANGA MUNICIPAL
The Anglican Diocese of Tamale whose jurisdiction covers the three Northern regions has experienced a steady growth in its membership over the past two years. The membership of the Anglican faith in the diocese has risen from 3,051 to 3,698 as at today, a difference of 647 over that of the previous two years. The church has also baptised 528 new members as against only 177 during the last two years meanwhile, its confirmations rose from 230 to 448 over the same period. The diocese has an overall membership of over three million.
The Bishop of the diocese, Rt. Reverend Emmanuel Anyidana Arongo disclosed these in a charge to the sixth synod of the diocese held at Bolgatanga in the Upper East region. The synod which is the highest decision making body of the church is held every two years on rotational basis with the last one held in Upper West region. The synod will among other things elect an incoming Bishop who will succeed the current one whose tenure expires in 2011.
Rt. Reverend Arongo further disclosed that a total of 13 clergy are currently serving in the nine parishes of the diocese. According to him, deaths within the diocese also dropped from 29 to only 17 over the period under review, a phenomenon he attributed to the health interventions of ADRO, a non-governmental organisation born out of the Anglican church.
Touching on the theme for this year’s synod “Stop complaining and move forward”, which is coined from the book of Exodus, Rt. Rev. Arongo noted that there are too many complains in Ghana today ranging from complains in families, the church, office set ups to the political arena. He equated complains to grumbling and said perpetual complains make God angry. Rather, people especially Christians should pray and turn to God in times of trouble instead of becoming faithless that all is lost.
The Bishop specifically made reference to recent complains and seizure of state offices by the so called foot soldiers of the ruling National Democratic Congress [NDC] that times are hard and that government has failed to provide them with jobs. He urged these aggrieved youth to discard their destructive acts which amount to lawlessness and only draw back the development of the country as property and other public assets are often destroyed when they go on rampage.
Acknowledging that certain developmental demands may be made by the church authorities periodically, the Bishop entreated his flock not to complain but rather readily oblige to assist in whatever capacity they can.
Rt. Rev. Arongo commended various personalities and organisations within the diocese for their contributions to its works of evangelism and development over the years. He urged the church’s youth to channel their energies to the advancement of the growth of the Anglican church.
The Upper East regional minister, Mr. Mark Owen Woyongo in an address to synod members praised the Anglican church and other religious bodies for their selfless efforts in all spheres of Ghana’s development such as education, health and agriculture. He noted that most of the best hospitals that the country boasts of were established by religious bodies and these are noted for their affordable and godly services.
The regional minister observed that though most churches are partnering government for the holistic development of Ghana, many other churches have been established for personal gains with their leaders parading themselves as miracle producers. Other self-seeking “so-called men of God” shamefully defile girls and rape their female members while some of them claim to have the ability of praying for visa acquisition for unsuspecting victims.
He noted that many people have taken undue advantage of the 1992 constitution which guarantees freedom of worship to establish mushroom churches with the ultimate aim of duping genuine seekers of God’s salvation. While advising the public to be wary of these charlatans, he called on the Pentecostal Council of Ghana, the Christian Council of Ghana and other well-meaning Christian organisations to help check fraudsters in the work of evangalising God’s word.
Mr. Woyongo said the NDC government since assumption of office in 2009 has instituted measures to ensure that senior high school students under the four year secondary school system face no problems with regards to classrooms and dormitory accommodation on the various campuses.
According to Mr. Woyongo, contracts are being awarded in Accra for the take off of various infrastructure projects in the senior high schools nationwide and urged parents not to entertain any fears as to the fate of their wards’ education. These projects according to him should be completed before the next academic year begins by September/October this year.
BY PETER ATOGEWE WEDAM
ISD-BOLGATANGA MUNICIPAL
The Anglican Diocese of Tamale whose jurisdiction covers the three Northern regions has experienced a steady growth in its membership over the past two years. The membership of the Anglican faith in the diocese has risen from 3,051 to 3,698 as at today, a difference of 647 over that of the previous two years. The church has also baptised 528 new members as against only 177 during the last two years meanwhile, its confirmations rose from 230 to 448 over the same period. The diocese has an overall membership of over three million.
The Bishop of the diocese, Rt. Reverend Emmanuel Anyidana Arongo disclosed these in a charge to the sixth synod of the diocese held at Bolgatanga in the Upper East region. The synod which is the highest decision making body of the church is held every two years on rotational basis with the last one held in Upper West region. The synod will among other things elect an incoming Bishop who will succeed the current one whose tenure expires in 2011.
Rt. Reverend Arongo further disclosed that a total of 13 clergy are currently serving in the nine parishes of the diocese. According to him, deaths within the diocese also dropped from 29 to only 17 over the period under review, a phenomenon he attributed to the health interventions of ADRO, a non-governmental organisation born out of the Anglican church.
Touching on the theme for this year’s synod “Stop complaining and move forward”, which is coined from the book of Exodus, Rt. Rev. Arongo noted that there are too many complains in Ghana today ranging from complains in families, the church, office set ups to the political arena. He equated complains to grumbling and said perpetual complains make God angry. Rather, people especially Christians should pray and turn to God in times of trouble instead of becoming faithless that all is lost.
The Bishop specifically made reference to recent complains and seizure of state offices by the so called foot soldiers of the ruling National Democratic Congress [NDC] that times are hard and that government has failed to provide them with jobs. He urged these aggrieved youth to discard their destructive acts which amount to lawlessness and only draw back the development of the country as property and other public assets are often destroyed when they go on rampage.
Acknowledging that certain developmental demands may be made by the church authorities periodically, the Bishop entreated his flock not to complain but rather readily oblige to assist in whatever capacity they can.
Rt. Rev. Arongo commended various personalities and organisations within the diocese for their contributions to its works of evangelism and development over the years. He urged the church’s youth to channel their energies to the advancement of the growth of the Anglican church.
The Upper East regional minister, Mr. Mark Owen Woyongo in an address to synod members praised the Anglican church and other religious bodies for their selfless efforts in all spheres of Ghana’s development such as education, health and agriculture. He noted that most of the best hospitals that the country boasts of were established by religious bodies and these are noted for their affordable and godly services.
The regional minister observed that though most churches are partnering government for the holistic development of Ghana, many other churches have been established for personal gains with their leaders parading themselves as miracle producers. Other self-seeking “so-called men of God” shamefully defile girls and rape their female members while some of them claim to have the ability of praying for visa acquisition for unsuspecting victims.
He noted that many people have taken undue advantage of the 1992 constitution which guarantees freedom of worship to establish mushroom churches with the ultimate aim of duping genuine seekers of God’s salvation. While advising the public to be wary of these charlatans, he called on the Pentecostal Council of Ghana, the Christian Council of Ghana and other well-meaning Christian organisations to help check fraudsters in the work of evangalising God’s word.
Mr. Woyongo said the NDC government since assumption of office in 2009 has instituted measures to ensure that senior high school students under the four year secondary school system face no problems with regards to classrooms and dormitory accommodation on the various campuses.
According to Mr. Woyongo, contracts are being awarded in Accra for the take off of various infrastructure projects in the senior high schools nationwide and urged parents not to entertain any fears as to the fate of their wards’ education. These projects according to him should be completed before the next academic year begins by September/October this year.
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