By Michael Foli Jackidy, GNA
Ho (V/R), Aug. 14, GNA – Right Rev. Dr Lt Col. Bliss Divine Kofi Agbeko (Rtd), the outgoing Moderator of the General Assembly of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana (EPCG), has underscored the importance of technology in advancing the Church’s mission, strengthening discipleship and expanding its outreach.
He said technology had become indispensable to the modern Church, providing opportunities to reach younger generations, connect congregations across borders, and improve the efficient use of resources.
Rt. Rev. Dr Agbeko made the remarks at the opening of the 12th General Assembly of the EPCG in Ho on Thursday.
He said at the beginning of his administration, he identified the digital environment as an important mission field and therefore advocated for the deliberate use of modern technology to reach people both within and beyond the physical walls of the Church.
He noted that the vision had yielded significant results, including the organisation of an emergency General Assembly online for the election of a Council Chair of the Evangelical Presbyterian University College.
He said in the past three years, two of the four mandated sessions of the General Assembly Executive Council meetings had been held virtually, while several congregations had also adopted online services, enabling worshippers across geographical boundaries to participate.
Rt. Rev. Dr Agbeko further disclosed that the Church had secured and registered a radio frequency under the name Bremen Radio, saying the platform would enable the EPCG to educate communities and spread the Gospel through relevant programmes.
However, the outgoing Moderator cautioned that the increasing use of digital platforms also presented ethical, legal, doctrinal, reputational and security challenges that could undermine the Church’s mission if not properly managed.
He identified some of the challenges as distortion of Church doctrines and official positions, unauthorised use of the Church’s name and emblem, dissemination of false teachings, cybersecurity breaches, copyright infringement, misinformation, defamatory content, online financial fraud and impersonation.
Others, he said, included political manipulation of Church platforms, cyberbullying, personal attacks and divisive online engagements.
To address the challenges, Rt Rev Dr Agbeko said the Strategic Plan Implementation Committee, in collaboration with the Policy Drafting Committee, had initiated the development of an Online Worship, Digital Communications and Social Media Policy for the Church.
He said the policy would regulate online worship, digital ministry, electronic communication, and social media activities undertaken in the name of or on behalf of the EPCG.
The policy was intended to safeguard the doctrine, integrity, unity, reputation, identity and public witness of the Church, while promoting accountability and responsible Christian stewardship in the digital environment, he said.
Rt. Rev. Dr Agbeko urged his successor and members of the Church to continue the initiative and ensure that technology remained a tool for advancing the Gospel.
“I urge my successor, together with the people of God, to carry this work forward diligently, ensuring that the Church continues to harness technology as a servant of the Gospel, never as its master,” he said.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/ Christabel Addo
