The Abuakwa hegemony: same people as of old?

 Yao AGBENYO writes

YOU'RE EITHER IGNORANT OR PART OF THE AKYEM ABUAKWA HEGEMONY

Most of the youth of today do not find history a subject worth the energy to study. Yet the elders say "kaxoxowo nu wo gbea yeyewo do." To wit, it is according to the contours of the old ropes that new ones are built. Even the good old book says "there's nothing new under the sun." What this means is that everything we see today has its roots in an antecedent. Yet you don't think history has so much to say about today? Indeed! Tete wo bi ka! If you think your path has become so oblique and obscured, go ask your forebears! They have all the answers in antecedents you NEED TO LEARN.

Enough of the rigmaroles of folk wisdom, here's all I want to say: YOU ARE EITHER IGNORANT OR A PART OF THE AKYEM ABUAKWA HEGEMONY, otherwise, you’re just being used to achieve that Kibi Abuakwa agenda.

The NPP was formed to take power from the people and place it in the hands of a few selfish and ethnocentric individuals for their nepotistic and parochial gains. The NDC, on the other hand, was formed to give that power back to the people, and I’m gonna be proving this to you in a series of articles. Watch out for them.

☝🏼Since the days of the Aborigines Rights Protection Society (ARPS), anyone who joins the NPP or the postulators of their tradition with good intentions soon realises their evil mind-sets of amassing the country’s wealth to enrich and aggrandise themselves, and leaves. Every well meaning Ghanaian who joins them always leaves! Any wonder Nkrumah left and never went back to join them? These few selfish family members from Akyem Abuakwa, with JB Danquah as their ring leader, supported by his other family members- Edward Akuffo Addo, William Ofori Atta, and others, have been the torn in Ghana's flesh, the first of their agenda starting from the establishment of the ARPS to the UGCC till Nkrumah came in to join them but later breaking away, having realised the tribal agenda they were pursuing in the name of seeking independence for Ghana. Nkrumah broke away and founded the Convention People's Party together with like minded commoners, the common people. The Akyem Abuakwa hegemony came together to frustrate every effort Nkrumah made towards independence, including writing letters to the British Crown to deny Nkrumah independence, and releasing classified government information to the American government to frustrate Nkrumah's efforts. Why? Because that'd not fuel their agenda to have the nation's resources to themselves and their Ofori Panin family in Abuakwa. Fast forward, Nkrumah and his team defied all odds and finally got the Independence. In search of a name for the new nation after the 1956 plebiscite, the ethnocentric JB Danquah’s suggested name for the new nation is ‘AKANLAND’! Let no one deceive you that he was the one who proposed the name Ghana. He proposed Akanland. That just foregrounds the tribalism and ethnocentrism ingrained in the DNA of these guys.

They made the new nation ungovernable for Nkrumah with numerous assassination attempts on his life, inciting various tribal groups against Nkrumah. Finally, as masters of the smear campaign, they managed to convince some army officers to overthrow Nkrumah in 1966. As the masterminds behind the coup, Edward Akuffo Addo (Nana Addo’s father) was made chief justice, and later ceremonial President in 1969, with Busia as Prime Minister. If they weren’t the brains behind the coup, how do they assume such high positions shortly after the coup by the same coup makers? It was in the same year Nana Addo returned to Ghana and got inducted as a lawyer in his father’s office! This explains why we cannot trace his mates at law school. I haven’t said he’s not a lawyer.

Mind you, I’ve been talking about Akyem Abuakwa hegemony all this while because the other Akyem groupings: Kotoku, Bosome, and Asante Akyem have never been part of this whole destructive agenda. Thus if anyone wants to finger the whole of Okyeman in this cantata, I would not support it. It is only the Abuakwa group, the Ofori Panin children of Abuakwahene that have formed this hegemony to amass our national wealth to themselves, and this must be pointed out and condemned in no uncertain terms.

Let me reverse the history a bit to the formation of the UP and the Dombo confusion. Dombo was the leader of the Northern People’s Party. The largest section of the Union Party which was formed with other tribes Asante(made up of Eastern, Ashanti, and Bono Ahafo regions), some Anlo and Ga youth. When all these guys came together, because these Abuakwa and Ashanti guys can’t stand being led by people of other tribes, they insisted JB Danquah led the pack. Fine, he contested against Nkrumah and lost miserably. Why has the tradition always been Danquah-Busia until recently when they wanted to use the Northerners again, they’re adding Dombo to their so called tradition. As typical of them, the day they’d want to use the Ewes and Gãs, they’ll go back to history and tell you, you have always been part of the tradition. Don’t believe them. They just want to use you to achieve their selfish agenda.

Several years of rotating power among themselves and their families, and organising ARTIFICIAL COUPS and reinstating their own kith and kin, Rawlings, a junior army officer together with other officers of further junior ranks, decided to halt the circus and give power back to the Ghanaians in 1979 with the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC). Elections were quickly organised (Rawlings did NOT contest in the election in 1979. He merely supervised the election and went back to the barracks as a soldier). In the run up to the elections, William Ofori Atta joined forces with Dr. Limann because the Akyem group had been around for so long, and people had known them for who they were, and the evil agenda they were pursuing. So they needed to bring a new face, preferably someone they could control and use to achieve their selfish agenda. Hence the choice of Hilla Limann(the same factors affect the choice of Bawumia today). When he finally won the election, they infiltrated his government and messed up the whole country, borrowing left and right till Ghana became bankrupt! Most workers(teachers in majority) left the country to Nigeria and other countries.

The Abuakwa hegemony has been in control of Ghana for so long, messing up everything till Rawlings came. This is why the majority of Ghanaians who understood the significance of Rawlings’ intervention named him Junior Jesus. They have been around for a long time. As soon as they realise people have known them for the evil mind-sets they have, they quickly change name, and sometimes bring in new people they can control and manipulate to achieve their selfish agenda as is the case of Mahmud Bawumia in 2023.

☝🏼Anybody in Ghana now who means well for this country knows that the NDC under the leadership of John Dramani Mahama is the only hope for our redemption and restoration as a nation. A vote for Bawumia is like taking Ghana back to 1969. Bring back John Mahama to give back power to the people.

By 1981, Ghana had been declared bankrupt. Consequently Rawlings came back in 1981, seeing that the same Abuakwa hegemony was in control of the nation, with Limann the President just acting as a puppet, and that Limann didn’t have the bones to sack and dismiss when he needed to. Hence Rawlings came in this time establishing a Military government called the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC). The aim was to sanitise the system, clean the house and prepare Ghana for democracy again, later, rebuilding Ghana from the state of bankruptcy to a new democracy. How he managed to navigate the country through the famine of 1983 won him the Hunger Prize which he used to establish the University for Development Studies which people have come to rename instead of building new ones.

So why has Rawlings been demonised? I’m sure by now you understand that Rawlings came to put an end to the Ashanti and Akyem Abuakwa hegemony. For denying them the opportunity to ramshackle the country’s wealth for their family gains, Rawlings became their enemy. Remember these are masters of smear campaigns. They’ll say things that are untrue about you till they become the truth if you don’t allow them to have their way. The best way to become an enemy to these people is to set boundaries and refuse to be used and manipulated by them.

Fast forward, by 1990 to 91, plans had been far advanced to return Ghana to a democracy. The lawyers from these Abuakwa guys refused to sit at table with others to draft the 1992 constitution. They frustrated the whole process till finally the constitution was drawn, the National Democratic Congress was born and the New Patriotic Party was also formed with Adu Boahen as its flag bearer after defeating Kufuor at the Primaries, but losing miserably against Rawlings who had by now become the darling of all Ghanaians. In 1996, Rawlings won against Kufuor and handed over power to Kufuor who defeated Atta Mills in the 2001 run-off.

All this is simply concluded thus: all those following NPP are just either ignorant of who they are and their intentions or are part of the grand scheme to usurp the People's rights and privileges. The same people who have frustrated every effort to develop the country, have their children hanging around here, pretending to be angels of democracy yet pursuing the same tribal and aristocratic Conservative ideologies. Reject them! Vote John Mahama. God punish npp severely. 😡

Yao Agbenyo

Communications Team Member, Tema West

Endorsed by : Christian Dela Afetor

Const. Comm. Officer, NDC-Tema West.

yaoagbenyo@gmail.com

+233 543 55 62 35

Words for parents while kids are at home

BECE is over, SHS One students are home too. 

Dear parent, guardians and public, I want to remind you that these kids are still going through a process of psychological, emotional, and physical growth. They process information and make decisions based on the amygdala, the emotional part of their brain. Research has shown that humans begin to make full use of their frontal cortex which is the rational faculty of the brain around 23 to 24 years. Any decisions taken before this age are just fall outs of their emotional and psychological levels.

Can you make time to empathize, sympathize, guide, and educate them rather than shouting, shaming, blaming, comparing, or pampering? You need to know when to discipline and how to discipline responsibly, AND ALLOW THOSE WHO KNOW MORE THAN YOU to help you shape these kids?

How much time do you spend with the children, or you just dismiss their emotional needs and wants, or dump them on their church youth leaders and their peers to teach them? Do you know how these neglects grow into traumas, depressions, suicidal thoughts, and psychological disruptions later in their lives?

Here are a few things I suggest you do to keep your kids purposeful while at home:

1. Enroll them in Pre SHS and Vacation Classes.(I recommend GISAM College in Ashaiman. People attend their classes from very far and near places. Classes there are very effective and the instructors know their stuff very well. Human relations is very lovely and warm. Call or whatsApp 024 489 0216 ).

2. Enroll them in Fashion Design, computer, or any artisanal schools. These skills would later help them survive the harsh detours of life. This doesn't mean they shouldn't help at home or sell where necessary.

3. Ensure they fully participate in church activities. These activities will shape their moral lives and help them identify their purposes in life.

4. Have a hearty one on one interaction with the kids. Don't leave their development to chances. Be specific and deliberate in all things.

5. Take your kids to visit their hometowns and other places to explore new environments and learn other languages. Add books and videos carefully selected to keep them happily busy. Help them manage their time responsibly and allow them make decisions under your guidance.

Let the kids live their days worthy!

Yao Agbenyo

+233543556235

Lawyer James Enu always sets the pace for Carlos in Tema West Constituency

 Does Carlos Ahenkorah care about Education in the Tema West Constituency?

Yao Agbenyo queries 

Our future leaders are starting their first ever external examination in their lives tomorrow but the MP has NOT been seen anywhere in the constituency. Does the Member of Parliament for the Tema West Constituency care? Does he know the value of Education? Does he know the pressure that kids face just at the mere thought of sitting an exam and what his presence alone could do for the kids in ameliorating their fears? As other Members of Parliament and Parliamentary Candidates across the country embark on encouragement tours donating Educational Materials and offering salient guidance to these kids as they face one of the toughest moments in their lives, does our MP see it? Does he follow the news? Has he got social media monitoring teams?  More importantly, HAS HE SEEN THE THOUGHTFULNESS OF LAWYER JAMES ENU, the NDC'S parliamentary candidate as he goes round the whole constituency with his team donating Educational Materials and offering words of motivation and inspiration to the kids and even giving money to schools to convey these kids to their exam centres to cut down the stress of walking long distances to go sit the exam?

Must the MP always be in the news for the wrong reasons? Must he always wait to be jerked up before he goes about his constitutional mandate? Must lawyer James Enu always set the pace for him to follow? Must the MP always wait to steal ideas from lawyer James Enu? If we don't have a functional MP, he should resign so we know we don't have a father in the Constituency. 

This is Tema, the land of the elites, Nkrumah's Tema! We cannot, and will not tolerate any dysfunctional leaderships any longer. Get to work or resign for the more competent person to take over the seat.

Would a father be at home and allow the family goat give birth while tied to a tree? Didn't the elders say that in the presence of an elder, a child's head is not allowed to droop? If we have an elder who neglects the mandates of his grey hair, let him raise his hands in despair for the younger one with empathy to lead the family! A word to the wise....

Endorsed by:

Christian Dela Afetor

Cons. Communication Director, Tema West

Some British rich men on tour the ruins of the Titanic confirmed dead

 

The men had gone to tour the ruins of the famous Titanic ship in the ocean and were reported to have gone missing together with the submarine that was to take them down the ocean to go tour the ruins last Sunday. Search teams were dispatched immediately to the rescue but all effort prove futile in the attempt to find and rescue the missing men. 

Many years ago, the Titanic ship which was claimed to be one of the safest ships of all times with the manufacturer claiming not even God was capable of sinking the ship, unfortunately sank with thousands of lives lost in the process. Since then, the spot of this catastrophe has remained a mystery ground claiming more lives year after year. Many have asked authorities to declare the region a grave, barring all expeditions to the area but all these calls have fallen on deaf ears. No wonder we're here again, mourning with no mean a family than the famous Masood family for the loss of their beloved father and son in this new disaster.

Yesterday, the US coastal authorities declared them officially dead after only a debris of the submersible they went under the sea with was found.

So many questions have plagued the mind of many across the globe-how come no rescue measures were put in place to cater for any eventuality? Why were there no backup plans, nor missing signals? How did this happen to the US of all nations with all its advancement and sophisticated technology? How many years and how many more lives should it take authorities to declare the ruins of the Titanic a grave (for that is what it is, and graves are sacred!)

Educate your children at all cost Yao Agbenyo

 BECE results are out once more, SHS placements will be out soon. Do your best to allow your children have the best experience as far as formal education is concerned. 

The most valuable gifts a parent could bestow upon their children is to

have them properly educated, and given a good relationship with their creator. There is very little disputation to this. Parents need to invest as much resources as possible in their kids in order to have them properly positioned to face all the hercules that come along the voyage of life. 

I am very pained however when parents feel ok spending so much money changing clothes and sewing new styles of dresses, and suits, spending lavishly at funerals, parties, and other social gatherings, yet when it comes to the education of their children and paying for their wards' educational materials, they make up all sorts of excuses and reasons for which they can't afford to pay. Dear parents, prioritise your wards' educational needs this year. 

If you can afford to educate your children at home, please do it, and if you have the means to send them abroad too, do not hesitate at all. The current Education System makes it very possible for you to school your children at home, yet get them to write the mainstream exam and still excel even above those who have been educated within the four walls of a school. Any experience the school system is designed to give, a parent with money, and a determination to get their ward well fed with quality education could equally do so without necessarily sending them into the four walls of an institution.

This green tea hair cream is for men who want to keep their hair in good shape to avoid balding and fading of the fronts. Call +233(0)240486784 or visit their social media handles. 

Ensure your children learn the computer. I usually urge parents to encourage their wards to take lessons in basic computer skills and design technologies when they are on vacation or awaiting their results. Let them learn how to make flyers, do video editing, how to use the excel and PowerPoint, and even go into coding and robotics if the needs be. This will greatly help them in future. 

Avoid forcing your children to pursue your childhood dream programs. Many parents have tried this and put their children in harm's way as well as endangered the lives of many. Imagine forcing your ward to read Science when they have passion for arts? There are several intricacies regarding the choice of career and accompanying courses, however, the bottom line is to be sure you and your child are well informed and there's mutual understanding before the career choices are made. You may call the writer of this piece for proper guidance and support in this regard. 

Call Me-Natural Hair Products on +233(0)240486784 for the best natural hair experience.

When in your grey and weakly days you come back home, would you say you have invested enough in the education of your wards?

You can advertise or have your news items or articles published on yaoagbenyo.blogspot.com by WhatsApp +233(0)543 55 62 35

How to Handle Adolescents Today

 

HOW TO HANDLE ADOLESCENTS TODAY

The conflict between grown-ups and teenagers has always been an age long combat. Over the years, many parents and loco parents have been wondering if there are any peculiar and effective ways of handling adolescents that are sure to yield lasting results in the lives of the youngsters they lead. In times past, youths and adolescents had very little say in decisions that concerned their lives, from what to eat to what school to attend and even who to marry! They were handled with canes, lashes, threats, and punishments if they dared go against the dictates of their parents and guardians. There were hardly any chance for the youngster to say what he thinks about any given issue. In cases of conflict between a youngster and an adult, we were told “the elder is never wrong” even if the adult was clearly at fault. Some of the offences or things adults then considered offences were quite ridiculously funny to the extent that one could get beaten for crying after having been beaten, and receiving more punishment for not crying after being beaten. Sleeping too early could attract punishment, not sleeping early could equally attract punishments. Eating in a family member’s house could attract beatings and more canes, and insults could flow for not eating what is available when one was hungry. Teenagers who were caught exploring sexualities were syringed with ginger and pepper concoctions. Physical and verbal abuses were rampant as forms of deterrence for delinquent youths, and many other forms of punishments that have become issues of child right litigations today. It is not gainsaying that some of these hardhanded approaches to adolescent molding yielded some positive results in times past.

However, in recent times when it has become difficult for adults to even make decisions for, and even with the youngsters, there is the need to adopt modern techniques in handling these youths in an attempt to adapt to the changing trends and cultures. Let us explore some of the suggestions that could help us wrap our arms around the now herculean task of youth engagement.

Train up the child the way he should go, so that when he grows, he will not depart from it. The adolescent child is a product of their childhood experiences. In view of this, parents should ensure they introduce their children to the right experiences of love, care, and understanding before the child reaches adolescence. Parents who notice stubbornness and self will in the lives of their children before adolescence should understand they are going to have difficult time handling such children in adolescence if the necessary steps are not taken to correct them before they grow. Strike the rod while it is still hot. It is sad that parents can leave their children at home and go to church, the child refuses to go to school and the mother just laments and complains without taking action. Some fathers are not helping issues either because of loose handedness and irresponsibility. Parents have the responsibility first to train up their children before any loco parents take over. Children teachers at church, and school teachers have the next responsibilities as loco pants after biological parents. Wives should mind their relations towards their husbands, husbands should mind their relation and speech towards their wives, especially in the presence of the children because “out of the mouth of children come words that adults should not have spoken.”

As they get closer to adolescence, observe to do according to the following:

Build confidentiality and trust first. Many have opined that in order to deal with youths effectively, there is the need to listen and listen and listen to them! But many in this school have forgotten that for decoding to occur, the other partner has to be ready to encode; otherwise there is nothing to listen to. How do you get the youngsters to talk to you? They have become excessively secretive, and protective of their lives. Many are not even ready to sit with many an adult in the first place. How do you get them to talk? Build confidentiality and trust. When you first talk, start with a discussion on how a lot of adults have become broadcasting corporations. They listen to you, intentionally pry into your issues not because they have any solutions, or intend to solve the problems but to go and broadcast it around and on the pulpit! This is one major thing youths detest about adults; leaders and pastors in particular. Then let them know how you intend to deal with their issues differently. Say it, speak about confidentiality more often when you are with them, and make sure you do not betray their trust. This might not take a day or two. It will take a time of friendliness and harmless giftings and praises to build this trust. If you are not real about this, they will know with time, and you lose them forever.

Correct in private, praise in the open. Doing this tells the youth that you respect them, and their self worth. This principle is mainly taught to intending and married couples, but we forget it is a major principle in adolescent mentorship and grooming. Nobody likes public embarrassment or upfront confrontations and rebukes. Rebuking youths openly only scares them away and creates feelings of worthlessness and lasting inferiority complex. If you observe certain behavioral deviations in dressing, in speech, company, or any other cultural deviations that are likely to impede the positive developments of the youth, remember; praise in the open; correct in private.

Listen. Parents and other youth stakeholders should focus on building friendships, and listen to their children with an intent of interest and willingness to help without condemnations and judgement, and lead by example! Encourage them to talk more after that cordiality is established. Remember no matter how friendly you are with adolescents, there will be inhibitions against opening up on certain serious issues. Their friends in school are pestering them with issues of sex and sexuality, drugs, menstruation, music, Christianity and other religions, and so many things, and these disturb them honestly. It may take work for them to admit this but be rest assured, they do. There is the need for a push and encouragement for them to talk about things that bother them. Sometimes, postpone the discussion, wake up at dawn and call them to it. Be sure to ignore irrelevant issues. Let things that have past, that do not have very grave consequences on the future go, and rather concentrating on showing understanding, empathy, and forgiveness.

Do not be too conscious of they respecting you, but build an atmosphere that will make them enjoy that friendship, but find it difficult to disrespect you. You can do this by speaking about these things when they are in groups meetings like church or youth fellowship and cell meetings.

Be genuinely interested in their progress and well being in life. Instead of just shouting and condemning their nonserious attitude towards church and spiritual issues, take time to ask about their academics, about FOOD, about their health, and other needs. Where possible, get others to help you buy some gifts for them. Show genuine interest. Sit with them, take a walk, and other things that aim at reducing tension and shyness between you the adult and the kids.

Control your emotions when dealing with adolescents. The youth ministry is a ministry of disappointments. If one of your youths, who you so much trust confesses to you a grave sin he or she has committed, do you have the mental fortitude to handle it without tantrums? If one of your youths outrightly disobeys and demeans your authority in the presence of everybody, will you get angry, or you will be able to hold it for another day? How you handle that embarrassment will from that day determine the light in which they see you. Learn to smile things off and laugh even when you are offended and call the culprit later, assuring him/or her that you understand what is going on, and that you do not hold anything against them, then make conscious efforts to pull them closer for that shyness and embarrassment to be erased for a smooth relation to continue.

Avoid being dictatorial. When there is mutual respect, young people will find it difficult to say no to instructions from adults, but where the adult feels an entitlement to be obeyed at all times by the youth without having a say, it becomes more of a burden and fear relation to the youth. They will then start plotting how to neutralize that authoritativeness. Instructions should not come with force, leaving no options for the youth. Calm down, and come down to the level of the youth, and allow them the opportunity to have a say in decisions that concern them.

Watch and observe for change in behavior and depressive tendencies. Depression in the life of adolescents is more real now than before. Social media and peer influences have made life very complex, complicated, and difficult for adolescents. Friends are flaunting their unrealistic properties around, they see their peers in cars, at beaches, and other entertaining functions. The pressure to also have what their peers seem to have is mounting every now and then on young people. This pressure eventually leads to depressive and suicidal thoughts. If your young people are withdrawing form public gathering and retreating from what they used to enjoy before, there is a cause for alarm. You need to draw the attention of other youth workers as soon as possible before you hear the worst news of your life.

Spare the rod, spoil the child. Discipline is very important as well as all these methods. It becomes difficult to cane a child today if they are not your biological children. Parents should stamp their feet on the ground, and know when to insist that their children go a certain way, and when to punish their children appropriately without excesses, and not without wisdom. At certain points in the life of a recalcitrant child, no loco parent has the authority to apply force in today’s world, but where the parents are alive, force should be applied. Or the child could be moved from their biological parents to live with other people if the child seems to be taking the familiarity with their parents for granted.

Do not fail in your parental role. Employ persuasion, employ discipline, use every legitimate means available to you to ensure that the children God has given you do not fail in this life.

This write up is not enough to digest how to preach today. You may invite the writer for further discussions, workshops, and preaching sessions on this matter and more.

The writer is a communications strategist, Youth Life and Leadership Coach.

 

Thank you, and God bless you.

E. Yao Agbenyo

Youth Life and Leadership Coach

Youth and Future Incorporated

Tema,

Ghana, West Africa

+233(0)543 556 235

yaoagbenyo@gmail.com

fb.me/eyaoagbenyo

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How to Preach Today by Yao Agbenyo

Fast forward to life after the first decade of the 21^st century. Illiteracy has drastically reduced, many have been educated, and now have access to computers, smart phones and social media. Conferences are held online, in social media groups and pages. Knowledge has astronomically increased across all spheres. Consequently, most of your listeners today know more on any given topic than you could possibly deliver on a Sunday morning or during a church meeting. 

HOW TO PREACH TODAY

A brief introduction to the principles and practice of preaching in the 21^st century

E. Yao Agbenyo

What are the best preaching practices today?

How do I get my congregation to ask for more?

Why do my listeners sleep during my message? Is it demonic, or my congregation is just not spiritual enough?

How do I assess my message impact?

In this short article, Yao Agbenyo explores with you some of the best in-church preaching practices that will transform your ministry.

BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION

Most of your listeners today know more on any given topic than you could possibly deliver on a Sunday morning or during a church meeting. Years ago, up till the end of the twentieth century in the year 2000, even till the end of the first decade of the 21^st century in 2010,  local  preachers were, and remained almost the only source of information to many on matters of Scripture, Christianity, Faith, and Life in general. Preachers were the only Life Coaches that were. They were the final authority on many things in the lives of people. Is it same today? It took much more extra effort for congregations to get more information on life. They either ordered CDs from abroad, bought books, or attended paid conferences to sharpen their knowledge on a lot of things. Many in the 19^th and 20^th centuries remained uneducated, hence preachers enjoyed the monopoly of authority and knowledge. There was no pressure on preachers to learn ‘how’ to deliver messages then. You just needed to preach with a number of Bible reference texts, and that was it. No matter how monotonous, how dull, or uninteresting your message, you will have a committed congregation that would come every week to listen to you.

Fast forward to life after the first decade of the 21^st century. Illiteracy has drastically reduced, many have been educated, and now have access to computers, smart phones and social media. Conferences are held online, in social media groups and pages. Knowledge has astronomically increased across all spheres. Consequently, most of your listeners today know more on any given topic than you could possibly deliver on a Sunday morning or during a church meeting. Preachers should note therefore, that though the gospel of Jesus has not changed, the standard of holiness and righteousness expected to be delivered to our congregations has not changed, and should not, our culture, and times have changed. There is therefore a need to adapt quickly, and adopt modern and current practices that will make our listeners want to listen to us, which would ultimately increase the impact and impartations in the lives of our congregations.

 THE MATTER OF THE MOMENT

No matter what message is being preached, if the preacher is not on top of his message, content, and delivery, people will sleep. It has very little to do with the spiritual state of the congregation.

What then should a preacher do differently now to get his congregation asking for more?

1.      Go deeper than your congregation in everything; read more, pray more, listen to other preachers and make notes! Sometimes, sit down too and let another preach for you to listen! Be on top of your message.

2.      ALWAYS SPEND LESS TIME THAN YOU ARE GIVEN. People no longer enjoy long messages.

3.      Record your messages for personal assessment. Get others to assess your delivery, and be ready to make amends and corrections.

4.      Note down your topic and key points you’ll be asking your congregation to write down

5.      Get new stories every day.

6.      Practice voice modulation

7.      Exercise to feel more energetic and confident

8.      Add humour, but be mindful of excesses so your congregation does not become too used to them.

9.      ALWAYS speak within less time than you are given

10.   Aim at impact, and not the wealth of words. Jesus wasn’t a long talker, he focused on the impacts.

11.   Add proverbs, rhetorical questions, deepen, and lighten your voice appropriately; know when to shout, when to scream, when to whisper, and when to speak normally.

12.   Aim at adding something new every day; new stories, new words, new strategies, new approach. Never be predictable

13.   Maintain eye contact with your congregation. Master the stage.

14.   Get your congregation involved in your delivery by insisting on points they should note down, open the bible and read together with you. If they fail to read along, call them to it, call for chorus answers, and individual answers.

15.   Read more. Read everything, including circular knowledge, tradition, and other religions. You need all these to be able to refute arguments and help your congregation understand certain developments better. Are you abreast with the latest news, and songs in town?

16.   Raise arguments that you know your congregation has been battling with, refute, and leave some questions unanswered to keep the discussion going on even after the service.

17.   Appeal to the emotions of your congregation.

18.   Leave the stage when the applause is loudest.

NATURALLY SLOW SPEAKERS TO NOTE

Whereas speaking comes naturally to the sanguins and cholerics, introverted preachers like the phlegmatics, and melancholics have a more arduous task at speaking. Congregations find them slow, monotonous, and boring. These preachers could note the following for effective preaching. In the first place, speaking is an art, and could be learnt and practised.

1.      Write down your topic, and points you will ask your congregation to write down. Giving congregations points to write down will get them involved, prevent people from sleeping, and help you stick to time.

2.      Ask questions, both rhetorical and probing questions.

3.      Request the congregation to read along with you.

4.      Always bring an axiomatic statement the congregation will take home after your message.

5.      Learn to add humour to your message, but remember to be in time.

6.      Do not stand at one point while preaching. Learn to move around, and even touch one or two members of the congregation during your message.

7.      Research more into how to be the best of yourself to your congregation

OTHER MATTERS

No matter how small your audience, you are a leader, and a leader’s number one mandate is to produce more leaders. This will happen when you give people the benefit of the doubt, the opportunities to show what they have. Give people opportunities. That is how to mentor.

Others outside your congregation would want to listen to you. Get social media handles, cut some messages short and continue on your handles through short videos and interview, and live sessions.

Employ the drama approach. It is now yielding very good results. Allow the drama, spoken word, poetry, and music ministries to thrive. Do not silence them.

 

Conclusively, preaching in our time requires more from the preacher than used to be. It is therefore imperative to “study to show thyself approved….” as we have been admonished by the apostle Paul, if we are to leave our congregations in awe, calling for more engagements with us.

 

This write up is not enough to digest how to preach today. You may invite the writer for further discussions, workshops, and preaching sessions on this matter and more.

The writer is a communications strategist, Youth Life and Leadership Coach.

 

Thank you, and God bless you.

E. Yao Agbenyo

Youth Life and Leadership Coach

Youth and Future Incorporated

Tema,

Ghana, West Africa

+233(0)543 556 235

yaoagbenyo@gmail.com

fb.me/eyaoagbenyo

yaoagbenyo.blogspot.com