As promised in an earlier post, I share below just one of several things I experienced while in Ghana 28 May to 2 June 2008. Akwaaba! (that means 'welcome' in Twe, one of the many native languages spoken in Ghana).
I arrived in Accra on Wednesday 28 May and left on Saturday 31 May 2008 and relocated to another town, Tema, thanks to a Christian couple who are friends of mine. While in Tema, I visited many places including a progressive veterinary practice, a wonderful home (address, environment and people) and obviously a church.
I visited this Baptist church on 1 June 2008. Something worth mentioning about the church is its Sunday programme. It was unique and very interesting. I think I missed some session(s) because I got there a little late. When I got there, a guided congregation prayer session was in progress. After the prayer, the congregation split up into groups - I saw three on that Sunday: the English speaking adults, the non-English speaking adults and the kids.
I will dwell on what transpired in my group. I did, obviously, go to the English speaking adults group. In my group, a moderated discussion was held aimed at answering some questions that had been asked the previous Sunday by some members of the congregation. The questions were the familiar ones with some grey areas: How should a Christian dress? What constitutes tithe - 10% of net or 10% of gross payment? Should women preach in church?
As expected these are questions that can generate lots of debate which is capable of becoming quite heated up. Well, all I can say is that it was a lively debate that was brought to a close before ideas, opinion and Bible quotations related to those subjects were exhausted. The issue of tithe was settled much more easily and seemingly satisfactorily (my perception) than those of dress code (especially for women) and women preaching in church.
Some interesting questions were asked e.g. "If my wife came to church wearing a trouser, would she be accepted or thrown out?"; "What was Ghanaians' original dress code (men and women) - are they acceptable in the community / church today?".
After the group activities, the various categories of worshippers rejoined to form one congregation and the main service started. It was a wonderful service.
Why do I share this? It is mainly to draw your attention and hopefully interest you in thinking about the questions and giving your own position on them as you see fit or feel convicted or as told to you in your church or any other place of worship.
So, what is your position regarding the above questions?
2 comments:
The idea of going to church in our 'Original' dressing is quite intriguing. Imagine someone appearing at church in their birthday suit- I doubt they would get past the door! In Ghana, my guess is the original dressing may be some colorful African prints. Some ethnic groups do have very revealing traditional dresses. My opinion is that compromise, tolerance guided by love should guide both our dressing and judging.
I will borrow 1 Corinthians 8 and replace the context of food with dressing. Particular attention should go to verses 9-13.
Where i work, we are given a dress code and anything outside it is unacceptable. The church may be different as it wants to attract the lost but if saving souls comes at the cost of losing them, then set a dress code so that the average church goers are decent according to the church. Encouraging the flock to dress ‘well’ or ‘responsibly’ without setting boundaries is relative & abstract hence the need for a dress code. We have different tolerance levels so while I may pray in the spirit & listen attentively to the sermon while seated next to a hottie in a bikini, my brother may not handle the urge to ‘touch’ the lady seated next to him in a hijab but with free flowing hair. Set the dress code.
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