Ghana Travel Seminar: Time for church!

  1. Ghana Travel Seminar: Seeing the magnificence of God’s love
  2. Ghana Travel Seminar: Time for church!
  3. Ghana Travel Seminar: Elimina Slave Castle
  4. Ghana Travel Seminar: Learning at the Akrofi-Christaller Institute
  5. Ghana Travel Seminar: May Day
  6. Ghana Travel Seminar: The ties that bind
  7. Ghana Travel Seminar: Reuniting with alumni
  8. Ghana Travel Seminar: Singing without words
  9. Ghana Travel Seminar: Handcrafts with personality and stories
  10. Ghana Travel Seminar: Touching the lives of children and teenagers
  11. Ghana Travel Seminar: Hospitality and kindness
  12. Ghana Travel Seminar: Love and anger are the key

BY JEN BROTHERS

We went to church today and it was a sight to behold. Ghanaian Presbyterians worship with gusto. There is nothing frozen about these chosen. As we passed through the gates into a sultry open-air sanctuary, we were greeted by a sea of swaying hips, swinging arms, clapping hands, and singing voices.

These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! Acts 2:15

Our Ghanaian sisters and brothers embody joy in worship — even as they dance to the offering plate not once, not twice, not three times, but four. Four offerings were taken, and the parade of women and men dancing down the aisle only grew with each call.

We were hot and sweaty, but the Ghanaian women and men were beautifully clothed in bright colors and beautiful patterns often denoting their lay and clerical ministry roles. Three distinct groups lead us in song — a praise band, a traditional choir, and a brass band. They seemed to have all the time in the world for worship. We had been told the service was scheduled to run from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., but it could often run a few hours longer. I couldn’t imagine what they would do with all that time until I realized that in order to speak to everyone gathered, the three scripture texts would be read in four languages — three distinct Ghanaian tongues plus English. The sermon would also follow this pattern.

Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? Acts 2:8

I couldn’t help but think, is this what Pentecost was like? The inclusion of four different languages spoke to the diversity within this one group and the sacrifice they were willing to make in order to gather together — a sacrifice of time and efficiency that is at odds with our western mindset.

I couldn’t understand every word, but I didn’t need to. I understood the message being conveyed — worship is a joyful party and everyone is invited!


Jen Brothers is a Master of Divinity student at the Richmond campus of Union Presbyterian Seminary.