On March 15, 2020, President Akufo-Addo in his first address to the nation on measures taken against the spread of Covid19 announced a ban on all public gatherings, including that of church and other religious activities.
Recently, some Christian leaders have urged government to allow churches resume their activities.Among these is the executive member of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC) who is also the president of Perez Chapel, Bishop Agyin Asare who said churches were ready to adhere to social distancing protocols.
Against this backdrop, ATLFMNEWS spoke to some Christians in the Cape Coast Metropolis to find out from them how the 10 weeks absence of church gatherings has affected their Christian faith.
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For majority of them, this has not made any difference in their Christianity as they believe that Christianity is more of a personal relationship with God.
“I don’t see how it has affected my Christianity because whether you pray at church or at home, it is the same God who would answer”, one gentleman revealed.
For another, he believes that “God does not dwell in buildings made by men but rather in the hearts of men and so he still does everything as expected of a Christian regardless of the absence of church gatherings.”
Another gentleman further revealed that “the Bible was not only referring to church gatherings when it said wherever two or three are gathered in the name of God there he is in their midst; and so he can equally gather with his family in their home in His name and He still would be in their midst”.
On the other hand, a few others believe that the absence of church gatherings has made their Christianity incomplete.
“It has affected my Christianity in a negative way because I am missing the joy I used to get from the praises and worship we have in church and also the encouragement I get from other people’s testimonies”, a lady revealed.
Yet for another gentleman, not going to church has really “made life boring” for him as a Christian.
Speaking to the issue of whether the absence of church gatherings should affect the faith of a Christian, the Head Pastor of Bethel Assemblies of God, Cape Coast, Rev. Samuel Paa Kissi called on Christians not to be deterred in these times of trouble but explore all avenues to grow their faith until churches are open again.
“During this time of restrictions, we must be very careful as Christians not to allow the situation to take the better part of us; a lot of Christians receive daily messages from their pastors through social media just as they would in church and so we only need to make ourselves available to these means and not allow the situation to put us down as Christians at all”, he said.
Earlier this month, heads of Christian Ecumenical bodies submitted a proposal to the government spelling out the safety measures put in place in preparation towards the resumption of church activities. However, it is not certain when the ban on religious activities in the country would be lifted.
President is Akufo-Addo is expected to address the nation by the end of the month to update the country on the next measures the government intends to adopt in containing the virus.
READ MORE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nana_Akufo-Addo
Source: Lydia Sekyi Acquah/ATLFMNEWS
