THE CAUSES OF DECLINE IN CHURCH MEMBERSHIP: A CASE STUDY OF DE-GRAFT MEMORIAL METHODIST CHURCH, ASAWASI – KUMASI

Abstract

The English word “church” is the one of the most abused and misused words in the twentieth century vocabulary. Unfortunately like Caesar, it suffers more in the hands of his friends than its enemies. There are four common uses which many Christians make of the word “church”, certainly with no deliberate attempt to wrench the word from its proper biblical context.1 Many people understand the church as a building, denominations, universal church and local church. This is not a Biblical understanding of the church. The word “church” comes from the Greek word ekklesia which is defined as “an assembly” or called out ones.” The root meaning of “church” is not that of a building, but of the people.2 According to Rick Warren, the church members are the group of official members of a particular church. They have been baptized and have made a commitment to be part of that particular church. They are now more than attenders, and they are committed to the purpose of fellowship.3 In Methodist Church Ghana, only those who have received Christ, been baptized, confirmed, attending bible class meetings, taken up tithe card, and going by the rules and regulations