Rev. Eastwood Anaba, a well-known Ghanaian pastor, has raised worry about the rising presence of entertainment in churches, claiming that it may be overshadowing the basic goal of worship.
In a sermon quoted online, Rev. Anaba emphasised his views, saying, “When you go to these churches, sometimes I just imagine. If there is no drum, there is no organist, there is no guitarist, and you take away all the music and the entertainment, many of our churches will die.”
The pastor continued to highlight instances where the focus on entertainment supersedes the spiritual message.
He recounted situations where invited ministers spend over two hours at conventions surrounded by “one song after the other, one dance after the other, choreography, and somersaulting.”
Rev. Anaba made a funny parallel to secular establishments, saying, “I’ve never entered a ‘chop bar’ and they said ‘praise and worship’ before the food was brought. They know exactly why they exist so as soon as you sit down, they come to you with a menu. They want to know what you want to eat because the purpose there is eating.”
While acknowledging the importance of entertainment in church settings, Rev. Anaba emphasised that it should not overwhelm the church’s core mission, which is worship.
He cited biblical scriptures to emphasise the need of focusing on “the work of the Lord” over excessive entertaining.
The preacher closed by confronting his fellow clergy, asking: “How many pastors walk into church on Sunday with the aim that if there is a leper in my church, he should be cleansed? If a dead person is there, he should be raised? If there is a cripple, the person should walk?”
Rev. Anaba recommended a change in the church’s activities, repeating that it focuses on healing and salvation rather than simply entertaining people.
Reverend Eastwood Anaba’s comments have aroused debate in the religious community, sparking contemplation on the balance of entertainment and spiritual growth in current church rituals.
