Ghanaian or Ghana Methodists

If any Church is lacking a sense of direction in North America, it is the so called Ghana Methodist Churches here. This is definitely confirmed by the News item of October 16, 2007. Most of these Churches are operated as personal business ventures by their Ministers yet they would like to portray an affiliation with the Ghana Methodist Conference. This is also condoned in a way by the Conference back home. The news items mentioned the solving of problems and the problems being spiritual but are they?

If the truth and realities are not faced, the problems can never be solved. It is not only ‘spiritual’. The truth of the matter is the Ministers who have refused to go back home after what ever reason they came here. These Ministers have set up their paradises here. They are refusing to answer to the calls of the GHANA METHODIST CONFERENCE.

There seem to be no control what ever by the Ghana Conference over them. They prefer to be considered as independent or affiliated to the United Methodist here in America because that is where their bread is buttered, where they have better prospects. They would however like to conjure their ‘Ghana’ identity when it comes to serving their purposes.

Of all the pronouncements, apart from members wearing the 170th Anniversary cloth, singing ‘Ebibindwom’ and so forth, what direct link do they have with Ghana? Do some of these Churches even have the right to wear these clothes and symbols patented by the Ghana Conference if they consider themselves as independent or with the United Methodist? We know some of these Ministers are directly rebellious to the Ghana Conference, what right do they have to consider themselves as Ghana Methodist Ministers? Are we talking about Nationality here or the Conference we affiliate to? Let us try to distinguish between the Ghanaian Methodist Churches and the Ghana Methodist Churches. The Ghana Methodist Churches must establish their clear identity and they can start by organizing events on their own. It should be realized that it will not be easy because the present status or standing of some of these Ministers with the Ghana Conference may drive them to undermine such a venture.

We should begin to ask ourselves what contributions we as a body and collectively making to the Conference back home. If we have mundane societies raising funds to support their ‘alma mater’ so to speak, what services are we as Christians rendering to the parent Church back home?

The laity should be mindful of not being used by these ‘rebels’ to achieve their objectives. We should not forget the villagers who struggled and paid their assessments, whose sweat and blood helped to train them as Ministers and who they have deserted to set up their empires here. The laity should be able to operate devoid of any interference or the Ministers asserting on them. We must organize. It is time we followed the system of the Church of Pentecost and the Ghana Presbyterians. No Minister should stay at one station indefinitely.

The issues and discussions at the Camp Meeting should be frank and realistic. Sweeping matters of concern under the carpet will not solve them. If we are really Ghana Methodists, let us rise and organize, set up METHODS to deal with issues with our focus on the Conference back home. The haphazard handling of affairs is un-Methodist.

“YOUR KINGDOM COME”

Michael Gyamfi
(Writer is a Steward of the Ghana Emmanuel Methodist Church, Newark, NEW JERSEY). Views here should be considered as his personal views and no way in relation to that position.

Views expressed by the author(s) do not necessarily reflect those of GhanaHomePage.