In many cities across Ghana, most auditoriums of The Church of Pentecost host two church services each Sunday. The first service is usually in English, while the second is Twi (local language). This practice has led to a significant increase in attendance and overall growth. However, it has also raised sanitation concerns, specifically the cleanliness of the church auditorium after each service.
Typically, the responsibility of cleaning the auditorium and church premises falls on the shoulders of deacons, deaconesses, caretakers, and a handful of dedicated members.
My first day at Rose Hill Assembly in the UK was eye-opening, which inspired me to write this article. Immediately after the service at Rose Hill Assembly, all members come together to arrange the chairs and other items meticulously. They use their cleaning equipment to tidy up the auditorium within 10 to 15 minutes, ensuring it is properly set for the next activities.
Recently, The Church of Pentecost has introduced an annual environmental care campaign in which every member and assembly collaborates with stakeholders to clean their communities. In light of this, it is only fitting that the church auditorium is clean right after service. This raises a pertinent question in Ghana, where many big assemblies run two services back to back – how can the auditoriums be cleaned before the commencement of the second service, not to mention the washrooms?
This issue has often been overlooked or neglected, especially when the first service runs late, leaving no time for preparations before the next service. It is essential to remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 23:26, “Clean the inside of the cup and the dish, and the outside will also be clean.”
Cleaning our auditorium after the service is crucial to prevent embarrassing situations, especially during emergency meetings, where presiding elders and Women’s Ministry leaders are often held accountable.
As the adage goes, “Cleanliness is next to godliness.” It is my heartfelt desire that all members will take inspiration from the example set by Rose Hill Assembly to ensure our auditorium remains clean and a fitting place for the glory of God.
Article by Elder John Boateng Asante (Photographer)
Rose Hill Assembly, Croydon District, UK