Throughout his recent pastoral visit to the Ga West Presbytery, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rt. Rev. Dr. Abraham Nana Opare Kwakye, repeatedly echoed this urgent message: the church must be responsible, disciplined and Christ‑centred in its use of social media. It was a consistent, timely and relevant message.
His appeal was pastoral, spiritual, and necessary in an age where digital platforms, like it or not, are shaping public perception and influence. Social media can build or destroy, edify or embarrass, unite or scatter. The Moderator’s caution is therefore a reminder that the church’s digital work or engagement must reflect the character of Christ.
Publicising internal conflicts
One of the Moderator’s strongest concerns is the increasing tendency for congregational disputes, leadership misunderstandings, and personal grievances to be taken to social media. When disagreements are aired publicly, the church’s image suffers, relationships are damaged, and the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is overshadowed by conflict.
Christ calls us to forgiveness, reconciliation, and quiet restoration—not public shaming. Congregational sessions must therefore lead with wisdom, ensuring that disputes are resolved biblically and with the goal of healing. When we wash our dirty linen online, it does not only weaken our witness; it betrays our message of discipline and godliness.
Christ‑like conduct in digital age
The Moderator’s message is simple: let Christ be the reason we speak, post, share, and comment. A Christ‑like digital presence is measured, gentle, truthful, and anchored in wisdom. It avoids needless arguments, resists the temptation to retaliate, and seeks unity above pride. Our online behaviour should reflect the One we follow – Jesus Christ.
Data protection as Christian stewardship
The Moderator’s emphasis also aligns with a growing concern: the careless handling of personal data within some congregations as evident on their social media pages. We collect critical information like photos as church media, including names but some of us treat this information casually, exposing members to risks and violating ethical and legal standards.
Proper data collection and protection is about care. It is respect for human dignity. It is stewardship. Congregations must adopt responsible practices that safeguard the privacy and trust of their members. A disciplined church is a trustworthy church.
We must go beyond photo dumps and tell strong, Christ‑centred stories. The obsession with posting huge collection of photos after events from the same place and of the same people must end. It overwhelms audiences and distracts them from the message. Communication becomes cluttered, and the story of Christ and the church’s work is lost in a sea of images.
We must rethink digital storytelling. A few well‑chosen photos, accompanied by clear, simple, and meaningful narratives, can communicate far more effectively than endless uploads. The goal is not to advertise numbers but to testify to what God’s work.
Digital discipleship
Today’s church cannot avoid social media, but we must approach social media with discipline, wisdom, purpose, and spiritual maturity as the Moderator puts it. The Moderator’s message is a reminder that the digital world is also a mission field – and mission fields require missionaries who are trained, disciplined, and Christ‑centred. If we embrace this call, social media will cease to be a battleground of conflict and superficiality become a platform for evangelism, unity, and transformation – all to the glory of God.
By: Jerome Otchere
PCG Public Relations Officer
