Window on the World

 Giving churches turn around

This month I want to share with you an article by James Henderson, mission developer for Africa, about the Worldwide Church of God in Ghana.

James underscores some vital spiritual principles. As he points out, the blessings that the Ghanaian church is to others is a direct extension of the blessing that others were to them. The spiritual energy that is now making a difference can be traced back to the original love and generosity that made it all possible.  

Many people talk these days about turnaround churches. In my experience, a church turns around when it becomes a giving church.

Alfred Ablordeppey (left), Ghanaian minister sent to assist church in Togo, and Daniel Yovo, pastor for Togo. [Photo by James Henderson]

Take, for example, our precious fellowship in the West African country of Ghana. If you were to visit one of our Ghanaian congregations, joy would fill your heart. The laughter, the singing, the worship, the togetherness—all combine to refresh the believer’s faith.

Our church in Ghana began as a mission primarily because of generous members in North America. Funding was used for baptismal tours and sowing the seed of the gospel. Gradually a few congregations were established.

As is common with many mission ventures, the Ghanaian church started out financially and administratively dependent on the sending churches. However, the dynamics have changed. Now the dependence is mainly theological through denominational accountability.

With wise stewardship, the initial investments and subsequent gifts have created self-sustaining mission opportunities. Sound governance has also been a factor in the development of the Ghanaian church. The church is run by a competent ecclesiastical council that reports to its national church board. In addition, the congregations are shepherded faithfully by pastoral teams.

In retrospect, one can see three factors that have contributed to the spiritual well-being that is evident in the Ghanaian church.

A sense of concern

Not only do the Ghana members show care inwardly within the community of churches, but they also demonstrate a sense of concern for the unredeemed, those still caught in the slavery of sin.

If you went to an intercessory prayer meeting in our church in Ghana, you would hear specific prayers for mission opportunities as well as prayers for those in need within the congregations. Their prayerful desire is that God would open “a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ” (Colossians 4:3).

A sense of responsibility

This concern is translated into responsibility. In other words, they do something about it. As Paul says: “For I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16).

Throughout Africa the WCG teaches that as we are indebted to Christ for all that he has done for us, so that indebtedness is turned   into a debt to those whom Christ wishes to bring salvation.

This joyful obligation plays out in many ways in our Ghana church. They preach the gospel to all, even to those who already have professed belief (we all need constant reminders of the grace that we have received) and they are active in ministering the love of Christ to those in need.

Let me give a couple of examples. A few years ago, the church began a Sunday school outreach in the community of the church farm (this farm was purchased partly through donations from the United States and elsewhere and is currently used for a church primary school and for functions such as youth camps and conferences). Now this Sunday school is a church with more than 70 in attendance.

The church in Accra, the capital city, has adopted a wing of a geriatric hospital. They help clean the ward and visit the sick as well as assist with food from time to time.

A sense of gratitude

It is a privilege to be involved in gospel work (Romans 1:5). We are compelled by the love of Christ, which has been poured into our hearts, to preach the gospel and to shepherd the flock.

We have so much to thank God for. One of the things that the Ghanaian church thanks God for is the spirit of giving. Without the international vision of the WCG, they would not exist. Freely they have received and now they freely give.

They follow the pattern of giving that was so clearly shown to them when they began to be established. A proverb in Ghana says: “When you follow in the path of your father, you learn to walk like him.”

This giving approach extends to international mission. For example, the Ghana church helps fund Alfred Ablordeppey, one of its ministers, to assist the church in the neighboring country of Togo.

Also, they apportion part of the income to help the churches in West and Central Africa. Their financial in-volvement goes outside their borders even though their national income is limited.

Our church in Ghana is a turnaround church, one of many within our denomination. Underpinning this transformation is an attitude of giving, of seeing the church as bigger than the sum of its collective congregations. Thanks be to God!

Alfred Ablordeppey (left), Ghanaian minister sent to assist church in Togo, and Daniel Yovo, pastor for Togo. [Photo by James Henderson]

Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 2005