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2nd May 2019
“The greatest mistake the church has ever made is making members instead of disciples” according to Reverend Benson Osafo Kantanka, Chairperson of the Asante Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG), speaking to the 97th Presbytery Session of the Asante Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana under the theme ‘Go and make Disciples of all Nations’ (Matt. 28:19-20). He added that, the church has unfortunately relent on the eagerness to see to the Spiritual growth into maturity of members to live as disciples.
He urge the church to embark on “vigorous Spiritual renewal and growth through prayer, teachings, retreats and revivals.” This he believes will set the church on track to the will of the Father in victory over the devil. “If the church fails to bind Satan, Satan will bind the church.”
On property and resources of the church, he advised delegates who are mainly agents and leaders of the church in the Presbytery to be good stewards over the property of the church left under their care. He however cautioned that, no portion of any church property shall be ceded to an individual or group of people without the prior approval of the church hierarchy.
The Chairperson, brought to light the intension to create more Districts this year in order bring efficiency in the works of the Districts that has large coverage areas in the Presbytery. All things be equal, Adiebeba, Ahensan, Breman, Manso Nkwanta, Bonwire and Mamponteng Sub-Districts will be elevated into full District status.
Rev. Osafo Kantanka noted that the year 2020 will be the Centenary celebration of the Asante Presbytery and therefore, preparation to make it grand is to commence.
He further noted that the system of learning without understanding the essence is dangerous. Therefore, in preparing candidates for confirmation, it must not just focus on rote learning of passages but with proper understanding. Many national and social issues emerge all the time and these young ones must be taught through, such as sakawa, homosexuality, occultism, kidnapping, corruption etc.
Speaking to the 97th Asante Presbytery Session in Kumasi, Rev. Osafo Kantanka, pointed out that the youth without direction and empowerment could easily misdirect their exuberance. It was therefore, important especially for the church to initiate pragmatic strategies that would empower “these young ones to become entrepreneurs or further their education so that they can have sources of income to sustain themselves”.
He said the church should be at the frontline and not to be side-tracked by the growing challenges in the country, adding “it is the church that ought to show the way and respond to the rare needs of people, to salvage the growing rates of immoral acts in society.
On the Missions of the Church, the Chairperson pledged to lead members and re-double efforts by registering their presence in every village throughout the Presbytery. He therefore brought in the slogan, “One Presbyterian, One Soul in a Year” to sensitise all disciples to bring to Christ’s Church at least a perishing soul each year.
He stressed the need to strengthen the church and community relationships to help impact positively on members in the communities. On this, he urged all Presbyterians to lead the campaign of clean environment, avoid littering and observance of the arbor day – tree growing exercise.
He ended by congratulating the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei II on the celebration of his 20th Anniversary on the Golden Stool. He appreciated his humility and devotion to development in the country at large.
