Features
Rap, reggae, the church
Evangelsing to the youth should preserve the sanctity of the temple
The young Guatemalan Catholic priest has gone far in changing the face of Catholic worship in his homeland, using rap preaching, rap music and rap prophecies. Obviously, the man is in the wrong profession.
Many of his countrymen think that the man who behaves like Tic Tac should have been Guatemala’s award-winning top hip-hop artiste and not a minister of the word. Imagine Gyedu-Blay Ambolley doing the ‘Zimigwado’ on the pulpit and administering the communion.
When he first introduced rap into Christian worship, many in his congregation thought the Guatemalan priest had gone ‘ment,’ precisely gone ‘mental.’ Far from it, the man is pretty sane and is drawing youngsters from far and near with his rap delivery, the staccato power-packed gospel message.
TEMPTATION
First of all, some in his congregation were tempted to think that God and Jesus did not understand rap and anyone who rattled in rap language was merely wasting his time. God wasn’t going to understand what he (or she) was saying, much more answers his prayers.
But of course, rap prayers are being answered in Guatemala and the rap mass celebrations still go on. The Guatemalan revolution in Catholicism is fast catching up but the conservative hardliners don’t ‘dig’ the idea.
They reckon that if the young priest had been born in the last two centuries, the Catholic Church room would today be exactly like a rock concert hall with the mass servers break-dancing behind the Catholic Father, while he is offering the communion for the forgiveness of sins.
One really would wonder what type of music Jesus would like if he was alive today. Probably he’d take a liking to traditional Sikaman gospel highlife. That would be the nearest to what is sang in heaven.
No doubt Peter would go in for funk, may be gospel funk, and by all means Judas would stick to reggae. That in no way means that reggae is evil music, but taking the profile of Judas, he’d be someone who’d thump his feet to the Jah rendition, “One Love.”
The man’s betrayal of Jesus was merely business as far as he was concerned. Music had nothing to do with it. Thirty pieces of silver, if melted into cedis today is a fortune the disciple’s greed couldn’t resist. Today, people are doing exactly what the man did – selling their own children, their nephews and nieces for pittance. I hear someone was even going to sell his own mother until the law caught up with him. To sell your own mother? Leave her alone and come and sell Kwame Alomele!
The world is going pieces but if Jesus were alive today, his disciple James would have chosen between jazz and burgher highlife. John would go for the cool numbers just like Andrew. Certainly, Bartholomew and Thomas would go for Congo!
In centuries past, composers of renowned songs performed to hail Jesus, notably George Frederich Handel composed “Unto Us A Child Is Born” and songs like “Every Valley Shall Be Exalted in praise of the Lord Jesus, called the Christ.
Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Jesus Joy of Man’s Desiring” was another classic gospel tune of the time which probably earned him the Father of Modern Music accolade. Talk about Beethoven (arguably the most talented composer), Mozart (the most intelligent), and you’ll understand the celestial and Halleluyah inspiration of their compositions.
FAITHFULS
Those were the days when fellowship was a solemn occasion of hymn singing, choral music and sober sermons preached on morals.
Penteco-charismatism began when some faithfuls saw that what happened on Pentecost Day as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles was totally sidelined.
On that day, those present spoke in varied tongues, many rattling in Ada-Krobo, Ewe and Gomoa-Fanti when they hailed from Judea, Jerusalem, Nazareth and the rest.
It was a phenomenon unprecedented in Christian history, yet totally ignored by emerging churches like Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist, and Evangelical Presbyterian.
One of the reasons why we have two Evangelical Presbys is the fact that one believes in tongue- speaking and other attributes and manifestations of the Holy Spirit and the other doesn’t. In other words, one is charismatically inclined, the other traditionally enshrined.
HOLY SPIRIT
One sticks to traditional hymn singing, the other takes to fervent praise-and-worship sessions to literally invoke the Holy Spirit. The issue of doctrine is central to the split, and so long as doctrinal differences cannot be reconciled, coming together can only be a pipe-dream.
Of course, the role of music in the spread of the word cannot be denied. But more and more, the idea of bringing in floating youths to worship is also distilling the notion that the kind of secular music in vogue must be ‘christianised’ as a way of magnetising the youngsters.
The question here is, if rap or hip-hop is used to draw in the youth, would they be coming to fellowship because they genuinely want their souls to be saved or because they want to do their ‘monkey- things’ also in church as they do elsewhere?
If we do not present the gospel to the youth exactly as it is, then very soon, the latest dance style of very dubious origins will be released in the church room rather than in the dance hall.
The enthusiasm of evangelising the youth must be tempered with the need to preserve the sanctity of the temple, reverence for order, the comportment and deportment of those who leave their homes to go and worship. Greetings!
This article was first published on February 1, 2003
Introduction
In today’s fast-paced, high-achieving society, it’s common to glorify long hours and an unwavering commitment to one’s profession. However, when dedication turns into an obsession, it can have severe and far-reaching consequences.
Workaholism, a pattern of behavior characterised by excessive and compulsive work habits, is a complex and multifaceted issue that affects millions of people worldwide.
Defining workaholism: The Psychology behind the behavior
Workaholism is often driven by a combination of internal and external factors, including:
Internal Pressures:
Perfectionism: an unrelenting drive for flawlessness
Fear of failure: anxiety about not meeting expectations
Need for control: a desire to micromanage every aspect of work and life
External Pressures:
Job demands: high expectations from employers or clients
Organisational culture: a workplace environment that encourages or demands excessive work hours
Societal expectations: pressure to succeed and maintain a certain status
The health consequences: A growing concern
Prolonged workaholism can lead to a range of serious health issues, including:
1. Cardiovascular problems: hypertension, heart disease, and stroke due to chronic stress and neglect of physical health
2. Mental health concerns: anxiety, depression, and burnout, often exacerbated by lack of social support and self-care
3. Sleep disorders: insomnia, sleep deprivation, and related health issues, such as impaired cognitive function and mood disturbances
4. Immune system suppression: increased susceptibility to illnesses, such as colds, flu, and autoimmune diseases
5. Nutritional deficiencies: poor eating habits, weight changes, and related health problems, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease
The lethality risks: A hidden danger
In extreme cases, workaholism can have lethal consequences, including:
1. Sudden cardiac death: increased risk due to chronic stress, hypertension, and neglect of physical health
2. Suicide: work-related stress and pressure can contribute to suicidal ideation, particularly in individuals with underlying mental health conditions
3. Accidents and injuries: fatigue and decreased cognitive function increase the risk of workplace accidents and errors
The social and emotional toll: Relationships and identity
Workaholism can also have devastating effects on personal relationships and overall well-being, leading to:
1. Strained relationships: family, friends, and colleagues may feel neglected, abandoned, or resentful
2. Loss of personal identity: over-identification with work can lead to a loss of interests, hobbies, and sense of purpose outside of work
3. Decreased productivity: burnout and decreased motivation can result in reduced job performance and satisfaction
4. Impaired cognitive function: decreased creativity, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities due to chronic stress and fatigue
Breaking the cycle: Strategies for recovery
Recognising the signs of workaholism is crucial to preventing its negative consequences. Strategies for overcoming workaholism include:
1. Setting boundaries: establishing a healthy work-life balance and prioritising self-care
2. Prioritising self-care: engaging in activities that promote physical and emotional well-being, such as exercise, meditation, and social connections
3. Seeking support: therapy, support groups, and social connections can provide emotional support and guidance
4. Re-evaluating priorities: reassessing values and goals to align with a more balanced and fulfilling life
Conclusion
Workaholism is a serious issue that can have severe and far-reaching consequences for individuals, organisations, and society as a whole. By acknowledging the risks and taking proactive steps to maintain a healthy work-life balance, we can mitigate the negative effects of workaholism and promote overall well-being.
By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson
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How many times have we not made New Year resolutions but have not been able to achieve them?
When we are unable to achieve them we vow to ourselves that at the end of the year, we shall make proper New Year resolutions and this time we will make it happen only for the New Year to travel on and close to the end the story repeats itself.
A lot of people find themselves in this situation and if they were to rate their success, it may hover around 48 per cent. There is a popular quote that is generally attributed to Einstein that” Insanity, is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.
“A careful analysis will most likely reveal that, the discipline required to put in the required effort and the consistency required is absent in the execution phase of whatever plan has been put in place to realise the objectives.
Discipline according to the Oxford Dictionary is the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behaviour, with punishment or other undesirable consequences for those failing to comply.
When we say someone is disciplined, what can be observed in his behaviour is consistency whether it is in connection with reporting for events on time, providing a particular service as promised on schedule etc.
In other words, that behaviour has become routine or has become a habit. If 2026 is going to be different from the previous years, as far as the achievement of New Year’s resolutions are concerned, then things must be done in a routine manner which will then ensure consistency.
If the resolution is say a closer walk with God by the end of the year for example, then the plan may be to sleep early enough and be able to wake up at say 5:00 am and pray and meditate on the Word of God.
This must be done every day, that is, you should have the discipline to make this routine behaviour which some people refer to as habit and that is what would ensure the realisation of your objective by the end of the year.
The question of how did you arrive at your new year’s resolution becomes very important. It brings in the God factor, which for me as a believer is very important because if you are say an Entrepreneur, then innovate ideas are what you need and according to Deuteronomy 8:18, innovative ideas to get wealth comes from God.
I believe that to be able to achieve our new year’s resolutions, we must approach them with a project management mindset. We should break the year into periods, either quarterly or monthly and evaluate our performance.
The end of the periods we have chosen should mark the achievement of certain goals or key milestones. This will reveal to us whether we are on track, whether we need to double up or there is the need to adjust certain things.
This year start looking at potential hindrances to the achievement of your resolutions. Check how much time you spend on social media for fun, like following the Akosua Serwaa and Odo Broni story and not for learning something useful that can add value to your life.
On a personal level, I have started cutting the time spent on listening to news and debates on various media platforms and using the time to polish my German and French as one of my resolutions.
Yours may be the time you spend on the phone chatting with friends, so please watch it and adjust especially as a child of God, so you too can have a testimony to share on December 31, 2026, to the glory of God. God bless.
NB: ‘KOTOKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO KOFI BAAKO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
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