The Director of Church Life and Nurture (CLAN), Rev. Andrew Shardow, says the Presbyterian Church of Ghana will not compromise its rich heritage, insisting that the Church must remain firmly rooted in its doctrine, liturgy, and identity.
He made the remarks on Tuesday during his department’s turn on PCG Connect at the Ramseyer Training Centre, Abetifi. Rev. Shardow explained that the Church’s heritage is one of its greatest strengths, and the Department of Church Life and Nurture is committed to ensuring that every member understands and appreciates it.
“Our heritage is rich, and we do not intend to compromise it in any way,” he said, noting that continuous education is essential for preserving Presbyterian identity across generations. He highlighted the work of the Committee on Heritage and Doctrine, which selects themes for Heritage Week and Heritage Sunday each year and prepares brochures to guide congregations in celebrating these events.
The committee also develops guidelines to ensure that worship and faith celebrations remain true to Presbyterian tradition and do not drift into practices foreign to the Church.
A major project nearing completion is the Faith and Ethics Document, which outlines the Church’s doctrinal positions on baptism, sacraments, worship, and other key matters. Rev. Shardow said the document will help members clearly understand what the church believes and ensure consistency in practice across all congregations.
The Director also outlined the work of other committees under the department. The Counsellors Association is developing a curriculum for training counsellors in the church, along with a structured selection process to ensure high standards in counselling ministry.
The Committee on Ministry to Senior Citizens, recently established, has studied the needs of senior citizens and produced a document to guide congregations in supporting them. Efforts are underway to popularise the document and ensure its use across the church. The committee also prepares themes and brochures for the annual Senior Citizens’ Day celebrations.
Rev. Shardow further noted that the Department is developing structured material for Bible Clubs, a new initiative aimed at teaching young people Scripture. Since content varies widely across congregations, the Department is working on a generic resource that can be adapted to different contexts.
He also mentioned the annual Clan Moderator’s Meeting, which brings together all groups and associations for accountability sessions. These engagements allow the Department to review their work, provide guidance, and strengthen coordination across the church.
By Jerome Otchere
