Posts in category: Moving With Chairman

Please find below the full text of the Opening Address delivered by the Chairman of THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST and Convener of the ongoing All-Ministers Conference (#AMC2023), Apostle Eric Nyamekye, during the opening session of the interdenominational conference.

The address contains all you need to know about the focus and objectives of this all-important conference.

Reading Time: 5 minutes

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Praise the Lord!

I am delighted that we are gathered here once again as a unified force not bound by denominational barriers to pursue the purpose of the Church in our dear nation, Ghana.

On behalf of the Executive Council of The Church of Pentecost and the entire planning committee members of this conference, which cuts across several other denominations, I welcome you all to the second edition of the All Ministers #interdenominational conference. Last year was a blessing, and I am hopeful this year’s edition will equally be a blessing.

Dearly beloved, as I indicated last year, I hold the view that no one denomination is the exclusive or particular channel of God’s grace. The saints, I believe, are equally distributed among all denominations and that the degree to which God uses a fellow is determined not by the denomination in which he is located but by the depth of his surrender to God, regardless of where he is.

To achieve the #transformation of our dear nation and fulfil the Great Commission within our context, we must work together across denominational lines. By joining forces, we can become a powerful voice that shapes the growth and development of our nation through the gospel of Christ. This is the essence of the “All Ministers Conference”.

Brothers and sisters, this year’s conference, in particular, is a direct follow-up of the National Development Conference, which was hosted by The Church of Pentecost here at PCC a couple of weeks ago under the theme, “Moral Vision and National Development”.

The conference brought together Ghana’s two former presidents, the sitting Vice President, the Speaker of Parliament, the Chief Justice, parliamentarians, leaders of political parties and various heads of institutions.

The Conference called for an urgent need for a clear moral vision that will serve as the bedrock for our development as a nation.

The question we are confronted with as a Church is this: as the salt of the earth and light of the world, what role can the Church play in all this? Dearly beloved, this is what this year’s All Ministers Conference seeks to address under the theme: “Moral Vision and National Development – the Role of the Church”.

The relevance of the church to the common man is the transformation it brings to society.

For a nation that claims to have 71.3 % of its population as Christians, we need to rethink our influence on the nation’s development in our generation, especially the moral development.

Among this, 71.3% of Ghanaians claiming to be Christians are cultural Christians, nominal Christians and actual practising Christians.

By cultural Christians, I am referring to those who claim to be Christians solely due to their forebears being Christians but have never been active members of any church.

Between 2010 and 2015, the Ghana Evangelism Committee conducted a “National Church Survey” in five regions.

However, due to funding constraints, the survey did not cover all the five regions. According to the survey, only 19.76% of the population in the Ashanti region attended church.

In the Upper West region, the survey recorded only 12.05% of the region’s population attending church. The Upper East, Northern and Bono Ahafo regions recorded 12.0%, 8.21% and 21.23% respectively.

Admittedly, it is possible that these statistics might have improved over the period, but one thing is clear: as ministers of the Gospel, we need to work really hard to bring all these cultural and nominal Christians into the fold of the Church and effectively disciple them so that our huge numbers can have a meaningful impact on the nation.

Brothers and sisters, as we work hard in discipling our members, we must, however, keep in mind that persons are not isolated individuals, but are persons embedded in community with its complex and sometimes corrupt socioeconomic and political structures.

We cannot save the soul of an individual and be unconcerned about the society they live in – the very structures and systems that inform their everyday life. Both the soul and society must be evangelised to make righteous living easy in the society.

The theme for this conference, “Moral Vision and National Development – the Role of the Church”, is a call to consciously raise all who claim to be members of our churches to be channels through whom the grace of God will flow in blessing to society.

It is a call to help our members appreciate their role as the salt of the earth and the light of the world.

It is a call to re-orient ourselves that the Church holds the key to the transformation of this nation.

It is a call to refocus the church on its core mandate of raising Christlike Christians who will transform society with righteousness. For righteousness, the Bible says, exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people (Prov. 14:34).

Brothers and sisters, I am very confident that as the Church of God, when we collectively keep our minds to our mandate, we can bring about the needed transformation to the nation. I am happy to note that we can draw some encouragement from history.

Max Weber was a German sociologist, economist, and politician. In 1904, Max Weber wrote a series of essays about the evolution of capitalism in Northern and Central Europe. These essays later became the widely read book “The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism.”

According to Weber, the industrial revolution that gave birth to the new economy in Europe and eventually to our modern civilisation was a result of the teachings of the European Protestants.

Weber believed that the influence of the Protestant ethic on large numbers of people to work in the secular world, enterprises, trade, savings, and investments gave birth to the new world economy, largely known as capitalism. It is upon that economy that our modern world stands.

Prior to the Protestants’ teaching, the dilemma of the European economy was the fact that when landowners employed labourers, they could not make these labourers give their best. The only incentive widely known and used at that time was an increase in wages, thinking that when there was an increase in wages for labourers, they would view their work as more valuable and, thus, work longer and harder.

However, in the real sense, the labourers often spent less time working and not hard enough. They would rather drink and leisure. But the teaching of the Protestants changed all that.

The basic teachings of the Protestants were all surrounding values, ethics, and morals. They focused on building a better world out of what they had. Their teachings, among others, stressed on the following:

That righteousness must be at the basis of the nation, government, and society in general.

That ministry was not only meant for the clergy; every believer is a minister. Howbeit, they minister everywhere they find themselves on a daily basis: at work, at home and everywhere.

That secular work is as sacred as the clergy’s. Hence, you do everything as unto the Lord, and whatsoever your hands find to do, you do to the very best.

They also taught their people to choose to live for the long term, even eternity. This perspective on time motivated them to be far-sighted, sacrificing the short-term for the long term. They live with the next generation in mind. They were never interested in amassing wealth at the expense of the nation.

These values were later transferred to the United States of America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other countries and continents where the descendants of these European Protestants were scattered in the 16th/17th centuries.

Everywhere the Protestants and their descendants went, they took with them these same teachings, and they got the same results – a developed economy and an advanced and civilised society – a generally more prosperous nation.

If we do what the #Protestants did, we will have the results they had – the transformation of our society.

We cannot afford to only put up huge church buildings, raise gigantic billboards, litter churches across the nations, etc., without our salt and light being felt in our generation. This ought to change, brothers and sisters; this ought to change.

How can we complain about corruption when we are the salt of the earth?

It is for such reasons that we are gathered here once again to rethink our influence on our nation. It may not all happen in one day, but we need to begin from somewhere.

We need to ask ourselves, what are we not doing right? As we hear from the various speakers, let each and every one of us reflect – what am I not doing right as a church worker?

Let us make an intentional effort to translate our religiosity to spirituality and from spirituality to morality, and let us release our members into society to transform it with the values and principles of the Kingdom of God.

If the Protestants in the 16/17 century could do it, we can also do it in our time.

It is my prayer that in this conference, we shall have a deeper and better understanding of our role in the nation’s development.

I pray that after this conference, righteousness will flow from our churches to the streets and the marketplace.

On this note, I once again welcome you to the second edition of the All Ministers Conference. May the Lord of the Church, even our Lord Jesus Christ, be with us and give us success.

The Chairman of The Church of Pentecost and President of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC), Apostle Eric Nyamekye, has asserted that society will feel the impact of the Church when it works towards transforming society.

“The relevance of the Church to the ordinary person is the transformation it brings to society,” he said, adding, “For a nation that claims to have 71.3 % of its population as Christians, we need to rethink our influence on the nation’s development in our generation, especially the moral development.

Apostle Nyamekye said this at the opening session of the 2nd All Ministers Conference (the biggest non-denominational conference for Ghanaian pastors) being attended by about 2,500 ministers at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa Fetteh near Kasoa.

Being held from Tuesday, 19th to Friday, 22nd September 2023, the conference is under the theme: “Moral Vision and National Development – the Role of the Church.”

The Chairman pointed out that 71.3% of Ghanaians purporting to be Christians are cultural Christians, nominal Christians and actual practising Christians.

He observed that cultural Christians are those whose ancestors were Christians while they have not accepted Christ or been active church members.

He charged the clergy to work to bring all cultural and nominal Christians into the Church and effectively disciple them so that the Christian community’s huge numbers could have a meaningful impact on the nations.

Apostle Nyamekye charged ministers to work together across denominational lines’ since this is the essence of the conference.

While calling on the clergy to work hard at winning souls, he advised them not to lose sight that the souls (persons) they win are not isolated individuals but live in communities with complex and corrupt socio-economic and political structures.

“We cannot save the soul of an individual and not be concerned about the society they live in, the very structures and systems that inform their daily lives. Both the soul and society must be evangelised to make righteous living easy in the nation,” he stated.

The GPCC President expressed his delight that Ghanaian clergy was gathering once again as a unified force not bound by denominational barriers to pursuing the purpose of the Church in Ghana.

He reiterated that a single church denomination cannot achieve the work of transforming people to be Christlike, saying, “I hold the view that no one denomination is the exclusive or particular channel of God’s grace. The saints, I believe, are equally distributed across denominations. That, the degree to which God uses a fellow is determined not by the denomination in which they are located but by the depth of their surrender to God regardless of where they are.”

Apostle Nyamekye disclosed that the essence of this year’s conference is to work together as a joint force to effect a moral change and foster national development as the Church, stressing that “we can become a powerful voice that shapes the development of our nation through the gospel of Christ.”

He indicated that the conference is a direct follow-up of the conference on national development that brought together two former presidents of Ghana, the sitting vice-president, the speaker of parliament, the chief justice, parliamentarians, leaders of political parties and various heads of institutions.

He revealed that the conference called for an urgent need for a clear moral vision to serve as a bedrock for Ghana’s development.

He said the theme of the conference serves as a conscious call to Christians to be channels through whom the grace of God will flow in blessing the Ghanaian society, a call to help all appreciate their role as salt and light of the earth, a call to orient church members that the Church holds the key to the transformation of nations.

Apostle Eric Nyamekye called on the Church to refocus her core mandate of raising Christlike Christians who will transform society with righteousness.

PENTECOST NEWS

Apostle Eric Nyamekye has been inducted into office as Chairman of The Church of Pentecost for a second term.

Apostle Nyamekye was given the nod to lead the Church for another five-year term during the 46th General Council meetings held in May this year.

The induction ceremony, which took place at the Pentecost International Worship Centre (PIWC) in Atomic, Accra, on Saturday, September 2, 2023, was attended by several prominent clergymen, Heads of Churches in and outside Ghana, as well as state officials and traditional leaders, among others.

Notable among them were Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyinah Rtd. (Former Chairman of The Church of Pentecost), Apostle Emmanuel Agyemang Bekoe (International Missions Director), Apostle Dr. Aaron Ami-Narh (President, Apostolic Church of Ghana), and Elder Dr. Yaw Adutwum, Minister of Education and his deputy, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour.

The event also witnessed the induction of the four newly-elected Executive Council Members: Apostle A.N.Y. Kumi-Larbi, Apostle Dr. Amos Jimmy Markin, Apostle Dr. Dieudonne Komla Nuekpe, and Apostle Banimpo Lare.

Apostle Ebenezer Hagan and Elder Ebenezer Acheampong were introduced as the Youth Ministry Director and Deputy Director of the Pentecost Men’s Ministry (PEMEM) at the historic event.

In his maiden address, Apostle Nyamekye, on behalf of all the inductees, thanked God for offering them the opportunity to serve the Church in their respective offices.

He also solicited the support of the entire church community to enable them to discharge their roles effectively.

The Chairman noted that in the last five years, the Church pursued the “Possessing the Nations” agenda, which aimed at influencing every sphere of society with the values and principles of the Kingdom of God.

The pursuit of the five-strategic vision of the Church, dubbed Vision 2023, saw The Church of Pentecost achieving significant success and contributing significantly to societal transformation, he said.

He added that during the period, the Church recorded a 29% growth in overall membership and a 50% increase in the number of new nations reached.

Touching on Vision 2028, the Chairman said that in the coming years, the Church will pursue what he described as “Phase 2 of the Possessing the Nations agenda.”

“While Vision 2023 focused on equipping our members, Vision 2028 will focus on unleashing these equipped members into the world as agents of transformation,” stressing: “We need to make God popular again.”

The Chairman revealed that the ultimate goal of Vision 2028 is to fulfil the Great Commission by reaching individuals from all walks of life and elevating the values and principles of the Kingdom of God in every sphere of society.

PENTECOST NEWS

Apostle Eric Nyamekye, the Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, has offered guidance to retired ministers, ministers’ wives, widows, and widowers within the Church, urging them to embrace a joyful and healthy life during retirement while maintaining a continuous connection with God.

Apostle Nyamekye shared these insights on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, during the 2023 Retirement Seminar hosted at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa Fetteh.

Addressing participants on the topic “One Thing I Ask Of The Lord, Two I Desire,” using scriptural references from Psalm 27:4-5, he drew attention to King David’s prayerful aspirations in his later years.

“Even if you’re not preaching as often, you’re still a Christian with a unique wealth of experience from serving in the Lord’s sanctuaries for years,” he assured.

He emphasized that retiring ministers shouldn’t feel their ministry and priesthood have been taken away. Instead, he reminded them of their continuing role as carriers of priestly wisdom, vital for guiding the next generation.

Apostle Nyamekye emphasized that while their earthly journey is ongoing, their priestly role remains.

He urged the participants to stand as intermediaries between God and the people, highlighting the spiritual duty that continues even after retirement. Neglecting this responsibility, he noted, would be considered a sin.

“Harmony leads to happiness; disharmony leads to inner turmoil,” he underscored.

Quoting Psalm 31:7, he explained that it’s not only the heart that suffers but the soul as well. Maintaining a contented and optimistic mindset, he stressed, is crucial for a fulfilling, healthy life.

The Chairman recommended that retirees shield themselves from negativity and instead focus on uplifting words that elevate the spirit.

He highlighted the power of self-affirmation and the importance of positive thinking in nurturing happiness and health.

Apostle Nyamekye encouraged the elderly to shed negativity and maintain a Christ-like attitude, acknowledging that not everyone will be supportive.

He likened life to a stage, and despite stepping out of the limelight, he urged them to continue making their lives meaningful even behind the scenes.

PENTECOST NEWS

The Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, has challenged Ghanaians to be willing to endure discomfort by prioritising the interest of the nation ahead of their personal interests in order to hand over a better country to future generations.

According to him, the nation will not experience steady progressive growth if its citizens, particularly those in leadership positions, continue to promote their individual interests at the nation’s expense.

“We have people in leadership who only think about their interests, and this is not good. Live for the next generation and not just for the next four years,” Apostle Nyamekye charged, adding that “you cannot improve the future without addressing the present, so let us think about tomorrow’s Ghana. Whatever you do should benefit the nation.”

He made these remarks at the opening of a two-day National Development Conference, organised by The Church of Pentecost, at the Pentecost Convention Centre, Gomoa Fetteh, near Kasoa, on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. The theme of the conference is “Moral Vision and National Development.”

Drawing lessons from Isaiah 59:14-15 and Proverbs 14:34, he opined that every leader’s success or failure lies in the people’s nature, character, and confidence. He stressed the need to uphold moral principles since no nation can realise its potential with people who live by conflicting values.

Apostle Nyamekye cited the case of Moses, Israel’s greatest leader, who could not enter the Promised Land, and Aaron made a golden calf for the people, resulting in his inability to enter the promised land due to the character and pressure of the people, which they failed to nip in the bud promptly and strategically.

“We need to have a set of moral principles that will guide the life of Ghana. A socially approved and acceptable pattern and norms of proper conduct shared by all” advocated Apostle Nyamekye.

Apostle Nyamekye lamented the decline in moral values in Ghanaian society and highlighted the church’s transformative mandate and historical antecedents to be involved in the conversation of national development.

He encouraged the mindset to build a better world based on the teachings of our forebears about equality, the dignity of labour, and integrity in one’s words.

The conference, attended by a cross-section of Ghanaians from all parts of the country, including members of parliament, MMDCEs, political party representatives, assembly members, and others, is expected to issue a communique at its conclusion.

During the event, Vice President Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia delivered the keynote address, while former presidents H.E. John Agyekum Kufuor and H.E. John Dramani Mahama addressed the gathering.

Speeches and fraternal greetings were also delivered at the event by the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban S. K. Bagbin, the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Gertrude, Justice A. E. Torkonoo, and the President of the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA), Mr. Albert Kwabena Dwumfour.

The conference includes various topics, such as “Moral Vision and Development” by Prof. Delanyo Adadevoh of the International Leadership Foundation, “Leadership and Human Flourishing: Making a Case for Social Justice and Nation Building in Ghana Today” by Very Rev. Prof. J. Asamoah-Gyadu, President of Trinity Theological Seminary, and “Raising Effective Politicians for Africa” by Dr. Olivia N. Muchena, Former Minister of Women Affairs, Zimbabwe.

Other topics include “Religion and Morality Development” by Sheik Aremeyaw Shaibu, Spokesperson for the National Chief Imam, “Integrity in Nation Building” by Apostle A. N. Y. Kumi-Larbi, and “Patriotism and National Development” by Rev. Dr. Opuni Frimpong, Executive Director of Alliance for Christian Advocacy Africa.

PENTECOST NEWS.

The Amasaman District in the Achimota Area of The Church of Pentecost on Sunday, June 18, 2023, held a retirement service for three illustrious officers who have served dutifully in various capacities in the church for several years.

These retirees, Elder Albert Brefo, Elder Peter Mensah, and Deaconess Grace Mensah, have dedicated many years of diligent service in various capacities within the church.

The retirement service took place at the Amasaman Central Assembly auditorium (Mercy Temple) in Amasaman and was officiated by Apostle Eric Nyamekye, the Chairman of The Church of Pentecost.

Apostle Abraham Swanzy, the National Director of the Ghana Evangelism Committee, also assisted in the ceremony.

Officiating the service, Apostle Nyamekye stated that those who believe in Jesus are blessed and extend to future generations.

He encouraged the congregation, stating, “Even if you don’t have children, adopt someone and treat them as your own.”

Speaking on the theme “Possessing the Cities of Your Enemies,” Apostle Nyamekye reiterated that for descendants to overcome the challenges and obstacles, they must possess strength and empowerment.

He emphasised the importance of being capable, competent, and influential in specific fields.

Elder Albert Brefo, a highly regarded Bible teacher and staunch guardian of the Pentecostal heritage, was ordained as a deacon in The Church of Pentecost in 1976 by Pastor Painstil in Accra. Later 1988, Apostle S.K. Ansong ordained him as an elder in Kumasi. Elder Brefo, married to Theresa Afia Owusu-Nyarko, has seven sons, two of whom are church ministers.

He served in several leadership roles throughout his tenure, including being the first Presiding Elder of Woraso Assembly in Kumawu District (1983-1987) and the first Presiding Elder of Opah Assembly in Taifa District (2003-2004). He also served as the Chairman of the District Marriage Committee in Amasaman (2004-2023) and was a member of the District Ministerial Committee (1998-2023), among other responsibilities.

Elder Peter Mensah, the founder of the Royal Priesthood Academy since 1996, was ordained as a deacon in 1994 and as an elder in 2001. He is known for his expertise in Bible teaching, discipline, exceptional generosity and support for church projects, and youth mentorship. Elder Mensah, married to Deaconess Grace Mensah, is the father of six children.

His contributions to the church include serving as a District Executive Committee Member in Sarpeiman (2016-2020), a District Ministerial Committee Member in Sarpeiman (2016-2020), a District Executive Committee Member in Amasaman (2009-2016), and an Amasaman Local PEMEM Leader (2000-2004), among other roles.

Deaconess Grace Clottey-Mensah, a registered nurse and midwife, has co-founded the Royal Priesthood Academy since 1996. She was ordained as a deaconess of The Church of Pentecost in 1998. She actively supports the Ministry to Prisons, demonstrates exceptional generosity, mentors the youth, and possesses a captivating charisma.

Her notable positions include serving as the Amasaman Worship Center/ District Women’s Ministry Leader (2004-2008), Amasaman WC Prisons Coordinator (2004-2015), Chieftaincy Ministry Secretary in McKeown Assembly (2022-date), and Sarpeiman District PENTSOS Committee Secretary (2016-2021), among others.

These dedicated officers are highly esteemed for their selfless service to the church and commitment to positively impacting humanity.

PENTECOST NEWS.

Apostle Eric Nyamekye, Chairman of The Church of Pentecost and President of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC), has revealed that a new generation of people has emerged in The Church of Pentecost.

According to him, this new generation of church members has been re-circumcised to impact their spheres, just as the Lord used the early fathers of the church to make a significant impact in the nations.

Speaking on the topic, “Repositioning The Local Church For Maximum Impact In the Nations” at the 2^nd Global Elders’ Retreat at the Pentecost Convention Centre, Gomoa Fetteh, on Saturday, June 10, 2023, Apostle Nyamekye stressed the need for a holy zeal to claim every available space for the Lord and a desire to fulfil the purpose for which God called out the church.

Elaborating on the concept of the second circumcision to make maximum impact in the local church, the Chairman mentioned that as the generation of Moses passed, a new era, represented by Joshua, needed to be circumcised to secure their place in the promised land.

“If we do not re-circumcise our members in The Church of Pentecost, we will not be able to achieve much,” he pointed out.

Drawing from the biblical account in Joshua 5:2-8, Apostle Nyamekye recounted how the Lord commanded Joshua to make flint knives to circumcise the Israelites once again.

He explained that this action was necessary because all the men of military age who had come out of Egypt had died in the wilderness during their journey. Consequently, the subsequent generation born in the wilderness had not undergone circumcision as stipulated in God’s covenant with Israel.

“God is re-circumcising The Church of Pentecost and propelling us to greater heights. The world will take notice of us because we have circumcised our hearts,” he stressed, emphasising the transformative impact of the circumcision of the new generation within the church.

Apostle Nyamekye described ‘repositioning’ as carefully preserving and transmitting established landmarks.

He explained that the church intentionally teaches its members the core values, culture, and principles to pass on to the next generation to ensure continuity and relevance.

He envisioned the local church becoming prayer homes where young people would come to devote themselves to continuous prayer.

He entreated church members to remain strong in their faith, avoiding fear and worry, saying, “God will use you mightily in this generation.”

Apostle Eric Nyamekye, however, cautioned both church leaders and members against becoming complacent with the praise they receive from the public, warning them not to let it become a hindrance to their growth.

PENTECOST NEWS

Apostle Eric Nyamekye, the Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, has called upon presiding elders of the church to create a platform for open discussions and collaboration among church officers.

The Chairman also charged presiding elders, whom he described as “first among equals” to organised regular meetings to strategise for the growth of the church, emphasising that Vision 2023 mandates them to conduct formal meetings at least once a month to review ongoing activities and address pending issues within the local church.

“It is essential to establish a forum where everyone can freely share their thoughts and ideas for the progress of the church. Failing to do so may lead to dissatisfied leaders expressing their concerns elsewhere,” he explained.

Apostle Nyamekye said this during the opening session of the second phase of the Global Elders’ Retreat, held at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC) in Gomoa Fetteh, on Friday, June 9, 2023.

Speaking on the theme, “Managing Meetings,” the Chairman highlighted the importance of meetings as critical components of effective organisational management, whether in a church or any other setting.

He stressed that the church is both an organism and an organisation, underscoring the significance of leaders dedicating themselves to studying the Word and engaging in fervent prayer.

However, he cautioned that praying and preaching cannot build the church. Effective management is crucial to prevent confusion, dissatisfaction, grumbling, and chaos within the organisation.

Apostle Nyamekye emphasised that no individual possesses all the necessary skills and abilities, urging church leaders not to assume such an all-encompassing role.

He stated: “A good presiding elder is someone who can collaborate and effectively utilise the gifts and talents of the members.”

Quoting Acts 4:23, the Chairman highlighted that meetings are organised to counter the devil and his forces, saying, “We convene meetings to strategise against the devil. As the local church flourishes, it combats the devil’s influence.”

Apostle Nyamekye outlined essential steps in preparing for a meeting, advising the chairperson to clearly define the purpose and objectives of the meeting, determine its duration, and ensure the relevant participants are present before commencement.

Furthermore, he identified various purposes of meetings, including sharing information or advice, issuing instructions, addressing grievances, generating ideas through brainstorming, presenting proposals for discussion, and making crucial decisions.

To keep meetings focused, Apostle Eric Nyamekye asked persons chairing meetings to familiarise themselves with the circulated information beforehand, adhere to scheduled start and end times, gently redirect discussions back to the agenda if they veer off-track, involve participants in questions and answers, allow orderly participation from all attendees, and ensure everyone is aware of the decisions made.

“When all agenda items have been discussed, the presiding elder should summarise the proceedings, set a date for the next meeting, express gratitude to participants, and conclude the meeting with a prayer,” he concluded.

PENTECOST NEWS