Presiding Bishop calls for deeper faith, stronger evangelism as Methodist Church Ghana begins new Church Year

The Methodist Church Ghana begins a new Church Year today, 1 October, with a renewed call for members to deepen their faith and allow the Word of God to guide their daily lives.

The new Church Year is being observed under the theme “Walking in God’s Word”, with the church encouraging members to move beyond hearing Scripture to putting its teachings into practice.

Speaking on the WTV Morning Show, Sore Na Hyeren, the Presiding Bishop of The Methodist Church Ghana, the Most Rev. Prof Johnson K. Asamoah-Gyadu, said the church must remain responsive to the changing needs of society while staying committed to its mission.

He said the changing social environment required the church to mobilise its members, particularly young people, to contribute to its growth and wider mission.

“The needs of the age have changed, the terrain has changed, so we must mobilise this vibrant energy to build God’s church.”

The Most Rev. Prof Asamoah-Gyadu said evangelism must remain central to the church’s work, alongside pastoral care and service to communities.

He also stressed the importance of using the media to communicate the Christian message, particularly to younger generations.

Renewed focus on young people

The Presiding Bishop expressed concern about some young Methodists who no longer attend church regularly or participate in activities such as Bible classes and youth fellowships.

He said the church needed to understand the circumstances behind their disengagement and avoid simply assuming that they lacked commitment.

Distance from churches, he said, could make it difficult for some young people to attend services, while financial pressures could also affect participation.

He urged churches to be sensitive to members who may struggle with financial demands, including situations where several offerings are taken during services.

“The church must visit the members to know their difficulties and get to the root of their issues,” he said.

He also encouraged ministers to identify the potential of young people and create opportunities for them to take active roles in the church.

“We must thank God that we still have a large body of young people who still identify as Methodists,” he said.

Call for stronger preaching

The Most Rev. Prof Asamoah-Gyadu also called for greater emphasis on the quality of preaching in Methodist congregations.

“Let’s cultivate the culture of expository preaching,” he said.

He explained that preaching should help members understand Scripture and apply its teachings to their everyday lives.

The theme “Walking in God’s Word” similarly encourages Methodists to strengthen their relationship with God through prayer, Bible study, worship and fellowship.

Members are being encouraged to allow Scripture to influence their decisions, relationships and conduct at home, at work and in their communities.

Methodist institutions serving communities

The Presiding Bishop also highlighted the contribution of Methodist institutions to education, healthcare and community development, saying the church’s impact should not be assessed only through its challenges.

He cited a recent visit to Cape Coast, where he joined celebrations marking the 190th anniversary of a Methodist educational institution, as an example of the long-term contribution of the church to Ghana’s development.

He questioned why the achievements of such institutions were sometimes overshadowed by negative perceptions.

“If God uses a church institution to accomplish such great things, why should we always be looking at the negative side and not appreciate the gift that God has given us?” he said.

The Most Rev. Prof Asamoah-Gyadu said that in his travels across the country over the past two years, he had been struck by the range of institutions established by the Methodist Church.

He mentioned a Methodist clinic at Adwoa Fuwa, which, although relatively small, continues to provide healthcare services and help address gaps in areas where government services may not be sufficient.

He also praised the contribution of Methodist basic schools, particularly their role in providing educational opportunities to children in communities across the country.

According to him, the significance of the schools was not necessarily in the size or appearance of their buildings, but in the opportunities they created for children who might otherwise have had limited access to education.

“Our basic schools are just too impressive, not in terms of structure, but in terms of the opportunities that our basic schools give young people, children, to be educated wherever they are located in this country.”

He said the Methodist Church’s schools serve children from different religious backgrounds, describing that diversity as evidence of the church’s wider community role.

The Presiding Bishop said he had deliberately taken photographs with non-Methodist pupils, including Muslim girls wearing hijabs, during visits to Methodist schools.

“It tells me that we are not just ministering to insiders, but we are serving the community,” he said.

Fair treatment for congregations

The Presiding Bishop also spoke about the posting of ministers, saying the church considers several factors when determining where ministers should serve.

He said the welfare of ministers and their spouses could be considered in the process, alongside other circumstances.

He stressed, however, that congregations must also be treated fairly.

“The Church members deserve to be treated fairly. I’m not going to impose a Minister on any congregation,” he said.

He said the church’s leadership must listen to the concerns of congregations while ensuring that ministers are deployed in ways that support the wider mission of the church.

Beyond the church

The Most Rev. Prof Asamoah-Gyadu said the Methodist Church’s mission extends beyond its members and places of worship.

“As Methodists, we are not just ministering to insiders, we are serving the community,” he said.

He encouraged members to see evangelism and community service as important parts of their Christian responsibility.

Reflecting on his own experience, he said his formation in the church was shaped by participation in children’s service, youth fellowship and adult worship.

“I’m a product of a well-structured children’s service, dynamic youth fellowship and an adult service that has all the ingredients to be a church,” he said.

He said the Methodist Church should build on those structures while adapting them to the realities facing today’s generation.

The beginning of the new Church Year therefore provides an opportunity for Methodists to renew their commitment to their faith, strengthen fellowship and seek new ways of spreading the Gospel.

The Most Rev. Prof Asamoah-Gyadu said the church must harness the energy of its members, particularly young people, while strengthening its institutions and community outreach as it continues its mission of building God’s church.