Someway somewhat, Christians personalise their faith at par with their social life. We can't be comparing people's faith with our preferences. It is wrong to belittle the faith of another in contention to prime your choice. In all, we must respect where people worship and their modus operandi. It tells us much that their conscience puts them ahead to be able to choose according to faith and belief. The Church should not be staged on a comparison radar. We must understand Christianity has a diversity but of the same purpose. If people lie flat in church by means of praising God and others stand on their feet to praise God, their diversity is how they worship but their purpose is the same; to worship God.
The Church is a body of Christian believers, holding the same creed, observing the same rites, and acknowledging the same ecclesiastical authority. My lens today looks into the broader concept of Christianity as a religion, doctrines and practices, administrative structures and its diversity. With the Catholic Church being the origin of most orthodox churches, we will come to know interesting things.
My case study for this will be based on the Musama Disco Christo Church. With doctrines, rites and other administrative structures left to be talked about, we have some misconceptions to clear from our thoughts.
THE DIVERSITY
The origin of the misconceptions people carry about other Christian churches is their failure to understand Christianity has diversity. God in his own wisdom chose how to spread his gospel and how to show himself in power. That is why there are a variety of churches ranging from Spiritual to Pentecostal. On the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended on them, they began to speak in tongues. Clearly, God didn't want them to speak one language but to have the same purpose. The reason there are a variety of churches with different beliefs and rites but of the same purpose. Preach the gospel, win souls for Christ and be prepared for the day of judgement. No church will advise its members to steal or engage in social vices; the purpose is to champion the Lord's words.
Spiritual churches are noted for their potency in spirituality; healing the sick, performing miracles and prophesying. There are a number of spiritual churches who have similar practices and beliefs. The inferiority complex in other's minds is that Pentecostal churches are better than Spiritual churches and thus attending a spiritual church is too archaic and indigenous. The history, the rich cultural values, the foretold future and the power vested in it is unmatched. Having been directed by God at all times is the best you can get. So you get to see humans don't run the church but He does. The saddest thing here is that the church has been a face of social satisfaction where anything social and free to human taste is allowed but the unique thing about spiritual churches is that human taste is not allowed but God's direction.
For instance, 23 years after the death of the founder of the Musama Church, Nana Essaah the Chief of Gomoa Fomena, the owner of the land had some dispute with the church. He bred pigs in Fomena, the neighbouring village of Mozano, which affected the sanctity of the town, Mozano, according to the beliefs of the church and so God ordered them to leave the land and acquired a new land at Gomoa Eshiem, the current stay of the Church,present day Mozano.
People are so ignorant and ill in thoughts that they do not choose beliefs, teachings and rites in search of churches but check the beauty in and around the church. You can only worship God in spirit.
There are a couple of spiritual churches that have the African Cultural set up. The ideology, the structures and the freedom of its society. I do not detest any church because of my understanding of the diversity of Christianity. Musama Disco Christo Church can boast of a band of Prophets and Prophetesses called by God and the spiritual power they carry.
THE ORIGIN
How various churches are established are not of the same routine but of the same purpose. There are founders of some churches who faced fierce opposition from their parent church which forced them out to establish theirs. Some also had the divine instruction to take steps to establish their church and there are others who decided to establish a church in their bid to spread the gospel. The difference here is that in whatever means they are established, they preach the gospel, make provisions for member welfare and make the church an avenue for nurturing and socialisation.
It is expected of every Christian to fear God and believe in Him. In most cases, the practices of today in some churches are derived from the onset, like how the Israelites escaped from the land of Egypt and the Passover.
Every church has an origin and the origin has some beliefs upon which they were established. In the case of the Methodist Church, John Wesley founded the church with a lot of historic background alongside Susana Wesley. In the case of the Church of Pentecost, Pastor James McKeown, an Irish missionary, was sent by the Apostolic Church based in Bradford, UK in 1937. Passed through some fierce opposition within their fold over doctrinal differences. Clearly, some churches were borne out of the other, making their doctrines and beliefs similar. An example is how the Musama Disco Christo Church was borne out of the Methodist Church. This sends a message to all of us that the church may vary according to doctrines, beliefs and practices. The origin has a role in the church's development.
DOCTRINES AND PRACTICES
Every church is bound by doctrines. It is the doctrines and practices that differentiates the Presbyterian Church from the Apostolic Church. However, the origin of churches allow them to have similar and in some cases the same doctrines and practices. An example is the Catholic Church and Anglican Church. Both churches have similar practices and have a particular rite that is the same. In the same vein, the Methodist Church and the Musama Church have almost the same hymnals. It is the right of every Christian to uphold the doctrines of his church so as to put him on the same wavelength of the church; the creed.
There are churches who allow the consumption of specific delicacies. Some eat pig and human like animals and some bar members from eating them. Some allow footwear into the place of worship and others detest. However, there are vivid explanations by these two factions as to their beliefs. Some being divine directions and others being biblical understanding. It is for you to get an understanding of the two so you won't be hating or ridiculing the other. The spirit of tolerance must be the armour of every Christian such that we won't be disrupting the Kingdom of God. We are all under the auspices of the Kingdom of God as churches championing the wants of God. We will only succeed when we follow the wants of God but fail as a church if we do not prioritize the general welfare of our members and refuse to contribute our quota to the social development of the nation and the world as a whole.
Whereas others find reasons to drum, sing and dance, others abhor drumming in the church. We must agree that one's peculiarity as a church is its doctrines and teachings.
ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURES
Every church has a founder and a leader. In most cases the founders are late and the leaders are the successors of their respective churches. The Church of Pentecost was founded by Pastor James McKeown and led term after term by Apostle Ntumy, Apostle Opoku Onyinah just to mention a few and currently led by Apostle Eric Nyamekye. The Church of Pentecost elects their leaders on a tenure basis.
With the Musama Church, it was founded by Prophet Jemisimiham Jehu-Appiah (AKABOHA I) and successively headed by Prophet Dr. Mathapoly Moses Jehu-Appiah (AKABOHA II), Prophet Miritaiah Jonah Jehu-Appiah (AKABOHA III) and currently headed and led by Prophet Moknajeeba Jehu-Appiah (AKABOHA IV). Musama Church has a Council of Elders who become an advisory body for the AKABOHA. They are the followers of the founder. The family is the JEHUNANO Family. “Jehu-Appiah” is a name from the lineage of the founder of the Musama Church and as such, any person who bears that name comes from the royal family of the founder. By the divine direction of the Holy Spirit, only the son of the “AKABOHA“ can succeed the throne to lead the Musama Disco Christo Church. This is not complicated to easily understand why there's an AKABOHA I - IV. The General Head Prophet who is also the spiritual head of the Church holds that position for life. Till death sweeps him away, his son remains an “AKASIBEENA” (Prince), an heir apparent to the throne. No man chooses a Leader for the Musama Church, not the National Executive Committee neither the I'Odomey Conference. The owner, God Almighty chooses for himself. You wonder how? We move on.
The church has a role to inject respect for authority in its members and groom them enough to be fit for governance and administration. The leader is the arrow head of the church and the head of the legislative body of the church. He then delegates his power to departmental heads, straight down to the diocese and various stations and branches. The leader is revered and respected as much as he respects his people, the reason why politicians turn to religious leaders for peace and unity. The mode of appointment of leaders of churches is also distinctive. In most cases the origin plays a pivotal role in this part of our Christian fold. Some are appointed, elected and others hold it from family lineage.
However, God has a way of showing himself and his power to his people through people. Prophets, Apostles, Teachers, Evangelists and Pastors are called. Ephesians 4:7-12.
“Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, prophets, evangelists and pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ”.
We move on to the elected; the deacons, deaconesses and departmental heads, etc. Act 6:3-6.
“ And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word “.
The last in the church's administrative structures are the appointed. Welfare, properties, counsellors and special duties. Titus 1:5-9.
“I left you on the island of Crete so you could complete our work there and appoint elders in each town as I instructed you”.
People are specially assigned to a task so they deliver at their utmost best. They are expected to work selflessly to mark the confidence reposed in them. That is why people are assigned special duties and are required to be respectable, devoted, accountable and selfless.
Clearly, running an administration has a trace in the Bible. If the church breaks loose, societal vices loom. It should be every Christian's priority to move the church beyond boundaries and atrocities. The head of departments are regarded as the best fit, full of wisdom and accorded such respect to help build the church. If the church's administrative structures fail, the church fails.
Now to our case study, interesting times ahead. Unraveling the unknown, paying attention to facts and history and clearing misconceptions from thoughts.
CASE STUDY
THE MUSAMA DISCO CHRISTO CHURCH.
ORIGIN
Musama Disco Christo Church, meaning “the Army of the Cross ofChrist '' was founded in the year 1922 by Mr. Joseph William Appiah, a Methodist Catechist. It was first started as a prayer group known as the Faith Society in 1919 at Gomoa Oguan in Winneba District, Ghana. In the year 1922, a short time after the late Rev. Acquaah's stay in the Circuit, the Faith Society met a bitter and strong misrepresentation by some other jealous catechists and selfish members of the Methodist Church, who invented many false stories about Mr. J. W. Appiah.
These induced Rev. Acquaah who therefore asked Mr. Appiah and his society to leave the Methodist Church. The society then grew from strength to strength in the face of many traducers; and on 19th October 1922, Mr. Appiah established it as a church under the name Musama Disco Christo Church by the order of the Holy Spirit.
It is evident Musama Church is one of the few churches borne out of a parent church, carrying some of its doctrines and practices along. The choir, hymnals and a few. Musama Disco Christo Church is a heavenly name given to the founder after confining himself for several days with prayer and fasting. Musama Church is abound with many Prophets and Prophetesses and how their prophecies have fast happened. In the early days, it was prophesied that some years to come, people will make a mock out of the name of the church but God had already instructed not to be changed notwithstanding the level of mockery. That is why Musama Disco Christo Church is still Musama Disco Christo after 96 years of its establishment. This is God's own church and nobody decides for Him.
DOCTRINES, PRACTICES AND THE CHURCH.
The Musama Church has in abundance Prophets and Prophetesses who God speaks through them. It is a church that believes in prophecies. Every step taken is a direction from God. The most pivotal strength of this church is music. The indigenous African tunes (Ebibindwom) that soothes the soul. That is why we have notable Ghanaian gospel musicians who have passed through the church. With the likes of Apostle Okoh, Uncle Ato, Lord of No Tribe fame, Cecilia Marfo,Cindy Thompson and Nacee. With Okanashiba (OK) band winning celebrations, a tv gospel reality show on Tv3.
Musama Church has 21 laws given to the founder by Angel Jehu of which it forbids members from wearing footwear into places of worship and also detest members from eating pigs and other human-like animals. Women are to cover their hair with a scarf in the church. God also instructs the Church to plant a wooden fixed cross in and outside the church with the inscription M.D.C.C and copper rings and crosses to be worn by members. The white fixed cross is the emblem of the church.
Even though Prophet Appiah founded the Church, the leader was yet to be born as prophesied. His unborn son was the reason God established the Church. Mr. Appiah got married to Hannah Barnes, deeply religious by nature. She distinguished herself through many prophetic utterances that she was ordained a Prophetess. Among some of her prophecies, she told the future popularity of the Musama Church, and the future of her first born - how she would conceive a boy, how he would grow to succeed his father and how she saw the boy's image in her trance.
“In her trance, she saw a bald headed man riding in a stone palanquin and she was told he is the successor of the founder of the church. He would be born on 24th August,1924 and at 12 noon”.
She also prophesied that Mr. Appiah would be publicly initiated thrice by the Holy Spirit to prove the fullness of his spiritual attainment as founder of a spiritual church.
True to the fulfilment of the prophecies of Prophetess Hannah Barnes, on 24th August 1924 at 12 noon, she gave birth to her first born, a son who became the successor of his father as the spiritual head of the church. At the age of 24, he became the General Head Prophet of the church after the demise of his father, overseeing the administration of the church in Ghana, West Africa and the Diaspora. Born on 24th August,1924, he ascended the throne at 24, powerful indeed.
It was his birth that God had a covenant with the Church. Musama Disco Christo Church has an annual convention called the Peace Festival, celebrated every August 24 till September. It was the covenant between Musama Disco Christo Church and God. He instructed members to convene in Mozano, the church's headquarters to glorify His name every year from the day the Promised son was born, thus August 24 and He promised to sanctify the town and pour His blessings unto His people.
To be true to His word, he gave the Musama Church a gift, one which reminds them of the covenant. God gave the church an Ark which is housed in the Holy Place in Mozano. Yes, there's an Ark from God in Ghana and it's in Mozano, belonging to the Musama Disco Christo Church.
Like it was prophesied, Prophet Appiah was publicly baptised in the chapel with a lump of crystal-water from above; the drips of which soaked his garment and the whole body. This drew many people from the village who came and witnessed with amazement. The “water” was both sweet and fragrant. This took place at Oguan on 31st October, 1922. Another took place in the same village on 20th March, 1922. A third one took place at Onyaawonsu on the 21st March, 1924.
Musama church is noted for having big names as leaders, prophets and some members which are rarely common. These are heavenly names given to members by God through His early Prophets; Jemisimiham Jehu-Appiah, Mathapoly Moses Jehu-Appiah and Jimiru Fuah.
On 24th August,1924, when the son was born to the prophet and he enquiring spiritually through prayer which name he should give to the child, the Holy Spirit gave “MATHAPOLY MOSES”, with a title ‘AKASIBEENA’ ( PRINCE). On that very day, the Holy Spirit also changed the Prophet's name to “JEMISIMIHAM JEHU-APPIAH” with the title ‘AKABOHA’ (KING) and his wife's “NATHOLOMOA” with the title ‘AKATITIBI’ (QUEEN).
ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURES
Musama Disco Christo Church is led by a King who is a Prophet. Not necessarily a traditional king but God has designed the Church as a Kingdom and ruled by a King with the title (AKABOHA). He is the General Head Prophet and the Spiritual Head of the Church. He is the life-chairman of the legislative body of the church known as the I'Odomey Conference. He resides in a palace at the Church's headquarters in Mozano.
Mozano is also a city for its members, more of a Mecca for Musama members; whereas no other denomination is in the town as well as no mosque nor a traditional palace or a shrine. Mozano translates as (God's own town). A town belonging to the church and every member is entitled to a place in the citadel. It can boast of buildings for all members,the healing temple, various offices and the Jubilee Temple. In 1959, the Jubilee Temple was the largest in West Africa and had over 50,000 members in Ghana and West Africa. When Kwame Nkrumah was released from prison, the first place he visited was Mozano. Prophet Jemisimiham Jehu-Appiah (AKABOHA I) was the first to prophesy Kwame Nkrumah would be a President of Ghana.
At the entry of Mozano, there is the Stone of Courtesy(Nokwar Bo), a monument raised to glorify the Lord for staying true to His numerous prophecies to the Musama Disco Christo Church. It was laid by Prophet Dr. Mathapoly Moses Jehu-Appiah (AKABOHA II) at the time they moved from Old Mozano (Fomena) to the present day Mozano. Mozano is located in the Central Region of Ghana, an hour drive from Agona Swedru. Musama Church has a band of prophets who are very powerful who safeguard what God requires from the Church. It is sad today's prophets are dwindling the nation with doom prophecies.
The AKABOHA has two deputies. Senior Superintendent Ministers I and II (SSM I & II) and two deputy Prophets, Senior Superintendent Prophets I and II. (SSP I & II). He has a cabinet. Then comes the Church's National Executive Committee and the I'Odomey Conference. All branches worldwide report to the Headquarters in Mozano, Ghana.
Musama Disco Christo Church has a robust Pastoral Seminary managed by the Pastoral Council. Musama trains its own pastors and prophets to the tune of its doctrines and teachings. There are special prayers said by Musama members at six O’clock in the morning, twelve O'clock in the afternoon and six O'clock in the evening. There are special prayers said before travel, before and after meals, before killing an animal for food, before bath, in crisis and a lot. This is very special and ordained. There have been great Pastors who have also passed through Musama Disco Christo Church, with Pastor Mensa Otabil, Pastor Agyin Asare and N’akoa Nazareth.
The Musama Church has the Ghanaian cultural setting where a King has sub-chiefs and Abusuapanin. District elders are sub-chiefs who represent the AKABOHA's office at the District level. He has the Gyasihen, Odikro,Ninfahen and Benkumhen of which all are pastors. This is purely African. This is a church that pays attention to culture, its roots and pride. You can't take anything away from them. Prophet Dr. Mathapoly Moses developed the church across Africa and the Diaspora. He became the first Chairman of the Christian Council of Ghana. He worked tirelessly to grow the church as prophesied. He built the Jubilee Temple and achieved a lot.
Musama Disco Christo Church is now led by Prophet Moknajeeba Jehu-Appiah (AKABOHA IV), a grandson of the founder, a Cambridge graduate. Prophet Moknajeeba Jehu-Appiah attended Apam Senior High School.He was a lecturer at the University of Ghana and became an examiner at the International Baccalaureates.
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