Methodist Bishop advises congregation on the relevance of teamwork

06-04-2011
Narration: Christians across the country have been encouraged to let their lifestyle and attitude in life, ministry and service teach the world a new meaning of team work, team-spirit and commitment in whatever God graciously put them in charge. This will help them overcome all unforeseen challenges and also win all contests with honours. The Methodist Bishop of Northern Ghana Diocese, Rt. Rev Emmanuel MacLord Afriyie, made the call at the occasion of the official opening of the 50th annual synod of the northern Ghana Diocese held at the Bolgatanga Ebenezer Methodist Chapel on the theme: “Connexionality : working together as a team-the place of commitment’. Correspondent Isaac Asare attended the ceremony and has filed this report for Radio Ghana.

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The 50th annual synod dubbed “the Golden Jubilee synod’ of the Northern Ghana Diocese of the Methodist Church of Ghana brought together members from the various religious denominations including heads of churches and Islamic leaders among other functionaries. The historical occassion with focus on team-spirit and team work happens to be the third of the series of synods held within the Northern sector. Addressing the congregation, The Methodist Bishop of Northern Ghana Diocese, Rt. Rev Emmanuel MacLord Afriyie, laid much emphasis on the need for Christians as Christ followers to work together as a team towards achieving a common vision and goals. According to him the essence of team work and team spirit which he defines as the feeling of pride and loyalty or commitment that exists among members of a team to succeed should be exemplified in all fields of endeavours. This, he noted, must be marked by a feeling of unity and oneness ahead of all personal or sectional interests and glory. Rt. Rev Afriyie declared territorialism and individualism as two unhealthy tendencies that must not be entertained in the churches since they breed selfishness and also have the tendency of creating serious rivalry and divisions in the church as experienced in the first century church of Corinth. He therefore entreated the congregation to consider the connexionality of the Methodist church by exhibiting decent lifestyles worthy of emulation. He moreover cautioned Christians to discourage and eschew the spirit of territorialism, individualism and above all partisanship, but rather appreciate how the pooling and sharing of all talents skills, and other resources could strengthen connexionality for better and greater achievements. The Upper East Regional Minister, Mark Woyongo in a speech read on his behalf, acknowledged the significant contribution of churches as well as their complimentary role in the nation’s developmental agenda and urged the churches on to continue with such inevitable roles in their common strive to push the developmental agenda of the nation on a high pedestal. He commended the Methodist church for spearheading various developmental projects in some parts of the region and encourage them to continue to assist the effort of government in that regard. Mr. Woyongo seized the opportunity to caution the general public on indiscriminate littering of the environment with polythene bags since it remains a major challenge bedeviling the region and the country in general. He also encouraged religious bodies to pray for peace to prevail in conflict prone areas within the sub-region especially neigbouring Cote d’Ivoire.
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