GPCC General Secretary Cautions Against Phone calls during Church Service

The General Secretary of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC), Apostle Immanuel Tettey, has raised concerns over the distractions by the youth with phone calls during church services.

Speaking in an interview with GPCC News during a GPCC regional tour, Apostle Tettey acknowledged the significant benefits that smartphones and technology bring to modern life. “Thank God for technology, thank God for smartphones. There are lots of things we are doing with smartphones that are so beneficial, which we didn’t have previously,” he noted. However, he also emphasized the risks associated with their use, particularly their potential to engross users and divert their attention from important activities like worship.

Apostle Tettey highlighted the crucial role of maintaining focus during church services. “When you come to church, it is a meeting place with the Spirit of God and with one another for fellowship,” he stated. He stressed the need to give respect and honor to God, ensuring that nothing takes precedence over worship. “Sometimes, in your attempt to read your Bible on the phone in the church, a message pops up, something pops up on your Facebook page, and you are tempted to divert attention. That is what we must avoid,” he advised.

Practical Advice for Managing Distractions

To mitigate distractions, Apostle Tettey recommended practical steps for churchgoers. “If your phone is becoming a distraction because of social media, then when you are coming to church, put your phone off or put it on airplane mode. Carry a hard copy Bible or another form of technology that doesn’t respond to social media promptly so that we can have concentration,” he suggested.

He also pointed out that even the mere presence of a phone can be distracting. “Sometimes in your attempt to read the bible on your phone in Church, a message may pop up on your Facebook page to divert your attention,” he advised.

Taking Control Over Technology

Apostle Tettey urged individuals to assert control over their devices. “People should not let their phones control them. We should be in charge of our phones. You took money and bought that phone. Don’t let the phone rule over you. Decide when to check messages. Thankfully, the messages that come in wouldn’t get lost; they will be in the system. So when you finish church, you can go back to them,” he advised.

Apostle Tettey’s message serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining focus and reverence during worship, encouraging churchgoers to manage their use of technology effectively. His call for discipline and mindfulness in the use of smartphones is a timely reminder in an age where technology often competes for our attention.

SOURCE: GPCC NEWS