By Christine Naadu Lartey, GNA
Tema, Dec. 25, GNA – Although Christian doctrine encourages believers to gather and worship together in fellowship with fellow brethren, many residents in Tema continue to travel long distances to attend church services, bypassing congregations within their immediate communities.
Some worshippers say personal history, spiritual attachment, familiarity, and leadership influence largely account for the preference to worship outside their neighbourhoods, even where branches of the same denomination exist close to their homes.
Mrs Naa Anyorkor Sawer, a media personality, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that even though she lived in the Ningo-Prampram district, she worshipped at the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Tema Community Nine.
She explained that the decision was rooted in long-standing family ties to the Church, noting that even though there was a Presbyterian Church branch one kilometre from her house and a number of branches between her house and Community Nine, her family preferred to remain where they worshipped, as her husband played a key role as a founding member of that congregation.
She explained that transferring membership involved formal processes and emotional adjustment, which the family found difficult, as it would mean starting afresh in a new congregation.
According to her, even though residing far hindered them from joining some Church activities, especially at night due to road congestion, they still stood by the decision not to change to a nearby Church.
Ms Lawrence Bramiah, a resident of Tema Community Five, said she worshipped at Winners’ Chapel in Community 12 due to the Church’s impact on her spiritual development.
Ms Bramiah told the GNA that although there were no restrictions preventing her from attending other branches, she had remained with the Community Twelve assembly for about ten years, making it the congregation she felt most connected with.
She said she previously worshipped with the Apostolic Church but joined Winners’ Chapel after relocating from her former neighbourhood and being unable to find a nearby Apostolic Church.
Nana Yaa Apeku, another Tema resident, said she travelled from Community Five to worship at Action Chapel International at Spintex.
She explained that her decision was influenced by her admiration for Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, whose teachings she closely followed.
According to her, she preferred to worship in a Church where the archbishop personally ministered, adding that this was the reason she was unwilling to attend other Churches closer to her residence.
According to the residents, while proximity remained a factor in Church attendance, deeper considerations such as spiritual growth, leadership attachment, historical contribution, and long-term fellowship continue to influence their choices of which Church to attend.
GNA
Edited by Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo/Linda Asante Agyei