THE EFFECTS OF THE 1991 SCHISM ON THE EVANGELICAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, GHANA: 1992-2015

ABSTRACT The Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana (EPCG) experienced a number of conflicts and divisions from 1942 to 1991. Among them, the schism on the 8th June, 1991 is considered the greatest. After twenty-four years, the effect of this split still persists. The study therefore investigates the effects of the 1991 schism on the EPCG, within the period of 1992 – 2015. It examines the consequences of the Schism from EPCG perspective, highlighting both the challenges and the potentialities. The study employed the historical approach in its data collection and analysis process. The approach was used to recount the histories of the EPCG. It used this tool to describe, analysis and interpret the available data regarding the historical development of the schism, particularly, its causes and effects. Relevant information was mainly gathered from first-person accounts, church record, court records, manuscripts, letters, minutes and reports. Additional data was collected from interviews to verify the first-person sources of information. The study discovered that the 1991 schism was a result of a misunderstanding between EPCG leadership and BSPF members. The misunderstanding emanated from the BSPF which started in EPCG, Kumasi-Amakom as a Pentecostal/Charismatic renewal movement in 1978. The beliefs and practices of the BSPF were seen by EPCG leadership as a deviation from Presbyterianism. Therefore, the leadership of EPCG wanted to guard its reformed tradition but the BSPF members would not allowed it. This was because, the members of the group considered these beliefs and practices as been biblical. As a result, the misunderstanding resurfaced three main issues: financial mismanagement; constitutional and theological. Additionally, the study identified sixteen (16) congregations as the mostly affected. It further revealed that ten (10) of such congregations are located in the southern part of the Volta Region, Ghana. For the reason that majority of the members of the BSPF hailed from the southern sector of the Volta Region, Ghana. As such, the BSPF was very vibrant in the south. Furthermore, the study observed that the 1991 schism was different from all others which happened in the EPCG since its establishment. The earlier schisms either involve one or few congregations in a particular district but for the 1991 schism, it manifests nationally. Also, the study underscores that the schism in 1991 was the only one that involve constitutional issues. In conclusion, the study recommended future investigation of a comparative study of the effects of the 1991 schism on both EPCG and GEC. This will highlight GEC version of the story and also contribute to the ongoing academic discourse. It also recommended that possible steps should be taken to withdraw all property issues pending before court. Leadership of both EPCG and GEC should work towards an out of court arbitration. By so doing, it would speed up the arbitration process. It would also prevent any further deterioration of church properties in locked chapels at the time of the research. Better still, the leadership of both churches must visit their respective mostly affected congregations and educate members on the need to allow peace to prevail.