Exploring Pentecostalism in the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Ghana, 1990-2015: A case Study of Meridian Ghana Conference

Abstract

Pentecostalism is a neo-religious movement that grows geometrically in Ghana. There is a seeming gap created by the charismatic renewals over the mainline churches as the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church, Meridian Ghana Conference (MGC), in the aspects of worship, prayer pattern, biblical messages and stewardship that generate conflicts between the conservatives and progressives. This study attempted to fill the gap. The methodology employed was an analytical methodology. Interviews were conducted based on a questionnaire. Findings, based on a sample size of 15, revealed that the SDA Church within MGC had been negatively influenced by Pentecostalism. These negative variables were leading to loss of the church’s identity and beliefs with respect to liturgy, worship ideology, preaching pattern, prayer pattern and mode of raising funds.Conclusively, it is imperative that the SDA leaders should hold firm onto “thus says the Lord”. Therefore every doctrine or practice introduced into the church must be scrutinized based on the Bible, Spirit of Prophecy and church policies on every issue concerning the church. The researcher recommends that the Conference leadership of the church must educate her members, elders, and pastors on Pentecostalism in order to protect the identity of the church’s beliefs and practices.