EP Church ends 67th Synod…with election of new Moderator and Clerk of General Assembly
The 67th Synod of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (E.P. Church) has ended in Ho, with the election of a new Moderator of the General Assembly, and Clerk of the General Assembly, because the incumbent Moderator, Rt. Rev. Dr. Livingstone Komla Buama, and the Synod Clerk, the Rev. Frank Anku, would have successfully serve their eight-year term, at the end of December this year.
This year's Synod was used to effect some major changes in the administration of the church, hence Synod of the church would now be known as the General Assembly, as well as Moderator and the Synod Clerk, be called Moderator of the General Assembly and the Clerk of the General Assembly, respectively.
This was made known at a thanksgiving service, to end the 67th Synod of the Church, by the Moderator, Rt. Rev. Dr. Buama, at the Dela Cathedral, headquarters of the E.P Church, in Ho last Sunday.
He, however, said the meetings of the Presbyteries of the Church, would be known as the Synod, while the Presbyter Chairman, would now be known as the Moderator of the Synod.
The 56 year old new Moderator of the General Assembly of the E.P. Church, the Rt. Rev. Francis Amenu, a native of Ho, is an Engineer by profession, attended the Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis, USA, administered the Church in London, as a Minister, a Lecturer, Trinity Theological Seminary Legon, Lecturer, E.P. University College, among other top positions, and certificates in religious and pastoral studies.
He is married and blessed with four children.
The Clerk of the General Assembly, Rev. Godwin Kwaku Osiakwa, who was born in 1951, holds an MA in Pastoral Psychology from the Cambridge University, U.K, BA in Psychology, Diploma in Theology, Certificate in Mission Studies, and was ordained into the ministry in 1984.
Preaching the sermon, the Moderator of the E.P. Church, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Buama, thanked God and the Church for the opportunity given him, and the Synod Clerk, to serve the people, and asked that they should be forgiven for any harm they might have caused anybody in the discharge of their duties.
He reminded the people of the need to remember God at all times, particularly those in authorit, noting that some people in authority, arrogated power to themselves, and abused their positions without respect for human rights and dignity, as well as the fear of the Lord.
Rt. Rev. Dr. Buama used the opportunity, and cautioned those who were privileged to be in positions that demanded that they render quality service to the people, to do so with patience at all times, and refrain from ungodly acts which would not glorify God, as well as edify man.
He also asked pastors and leaders, to respect the people that they lead, and that any attempt to look down upon them, would not enhance their work, noting that it was unfortunate that most Christians did not understand what they stood for, adding that there was the need for self-recognition, in order to ensure mutual cooperation and collaboration.
The new Moderator of the General Assembly of the E.P. Church, the Rt. Rev. Francis Amenu, on behalf of the Clerk of the General Assembly, thanked God and the Church for the honour done them, by promoting them to the highest offices of the church.
Rt. Rev. Amenu asked for God's guidance and the cooperation of the people, to enable them work effectively to transform the church, as he promised that they would build on the achievement of their predecessors, so as to ensure continuity in the church.
He pointed out that the election through which they were elevated, was very peaceful, and called on Ghanaians to be tolerant during the forthcoming elections, in order to ensure total peace, during and after the elections.
The Moderator of the General Assembly asked Ghanaians to avoid the situation where partisan politics dominated their activities, because it could pose serious problems to the future of the country, even though such involvements could not be avoided, there was the need for Ghanaians to tread consciously, so as to safeguard the peace of the country.
Eleven newly-trained pastors of the church were also ordained at the thanksgiving service, where the church adopted the General Assembly, as the highest lawmaking body of the E.P. Church, and would hold the first ever General Assembly after the 67th Synod in Ho.