SDA church enhances its identity through songs
By Brian Wasili – Mana.
Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church says it will maintain its identity by promoting the originality of singing the songs in its hymn book in all its religious-related activities conducted by congregations under the church.
The SDA Director of Music in the South, Pastor Edington Chapasuka, said in an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) over the weekend following the Music Day that was organised by Thambani Mission under Thambani District of the SDA Church in Mwanza.
“We want to sensitise our church members on how the SDA Church sings its songs, be it during church service or at funeral ceremony, so that our identity is maintained,” said Chapasuka who observed that the songs have deviated from the denomination’s normal singing.
Chapasuka, who was guest of honour at the event, further said that was the reason the SDA Church conducts capacity building on a regular basis to provide skills of singing to the leadership of its churches.
Senior Chief Govati, who was among the notable invited guests at the ceremony, hailed the SDA Church for conducting the activity in his area, saying the Word of God would be spread in the community through singing.
“People get converted through various ways, one of which is by listening to spiritual songs,” said Govati.
Chairperson of the event’s organising committee, Sinos Tembo, said the ceremony was a follow up of the trainings which music group leaders in churches in the district have had recently.
“The ceremony has given us an opportunity to expose skills acquired during the music training which we attended recently,” said Tembo.
Thambani District of the SDA Church has 38 churches which include Thambani Mission, Kalanga, Malowa, Kanjoka, Nkambadzi, Chikudzu, Kayera, Mfumbe, Nkhoma, Nthondwe and Machedwa among others which also attended the event.
Music Day is an annual event in the SDA Church and this year’s was cerebrated under the theme: ‘Holy Spirit Faithful Guide’ taken from the SDA Church Hymn Song number 53.
Mana/bw/bn/thz
