2007/2008 COURSE CATALOGUE

NAIROBI, KENYA

Course: MARY AFST 548: African Independent Churches: Authentic Integration with or Separation from Christianity

Course Description:
This course introduces Christian workers to the major African independent churches. Any Christian workers, Missionary or African, can benefit from the course, but the course is geared particularly to those who have no previous study of the African Independent churches (it is a foundational course). The course examines some of the significant aspects of the African Independent churches with the belief that:

1. African Independent Churches (A.I.C.'s) have something to teach Missionary Planted Churches (M.P.C.'s) and visa versa. For example, A.I.C.'s can teach M.P.C.'s how to contextualize the Gospel in African cultures, so that the Gospel can be rooted in Africa. One of the A.I.C.'s most precious assets is its experience of being rooted in African cultures. And the M.P.C.'s can teach A.I.C.'s various methods of Bible study, an element that seems to be lacking among the A.I.C.'s

2. A.I.C.'s have formed a major Christian force that cannot be ignored by the universal church of Christ.

3. Better understanding of A.I.C.'s will bring unity, partnership and fellowship among the members of both A.I.C.'s and M.P.C.'s. Presently, there are divisions and isolations - instead of fellowship - among members of A.I.C.'s and M.P.C.'s and these divisions and isolations have brought intolerances and condemnations. We believe a clear grasp of A.I.C.'s will reduce these unfair intolerances and condemnations and enhance partnership and fellowship.

COURSE OUTLINE

1) Introduction 

- Introduction to the phenomenon of AIC. 

- General characteristics of AICs. 

- Classification of terminologies. 

- Scope and Limitations of the study. 

- Significance of the study. 

- List of names of AICs

2) Historical Overview of AICs

- Beginning in West Africa. 

- Beginning in South Africa. 

- Beginning in Central Africa. 

- Beginning in East Africa. 

3) Causes of emergence of AICs 

-Prohibition or denial of Spiritual gifts (healing, Prophesying)

4) Classifications of AICs

-Turner's typology. 

- On basis of doctrines

- On basis of structure

- On basis of social movements.   

5) AICs viewed as "churches religion"

-Beliefs/God
-Practices, taboos

- Values and virtues

6) God in AICs

-Attributes  
-Work

7) Spirit possession in AICs

-Filled by good spirits.  
-Possessed by evil spirits

8) Exorcism

-Beliefs

- Methods 

9) Worship on AICs

-Acts 
-Styles

- Methods 

10) Morality and Ethics in AICs

-Modesty of dress. 
-Holiness/Chastity of life.

11) Religious Rituals

-Birth   
-Naming

- Wedding 

- Baptism 

- Sacraments 

12) Marriage and family in AICs

- Weddings  
- Polygamy

- Levirate marriages

- Sororate marriages

- Nuclear and extended families

13) Leadership

-Leadership at home   
-Leadership at church

-Leadership in politics 

-Symbols of authority e.g., dress, rods, rituals

14) Economy in AICs

-They are called "Churches of the poor"   
-Built in slums/ghettos

-Low income/casual jobs

 15) Education in AICs

-Informal style 
-Few schools and colleges

-Method: Oral, stories, myths, proverbs. 

16) Women's status and roles

-Majority of the adherents  
-High status and roles 

-Women priests, preachers and pastors

17) Jesus in AICs

-Liberator   
-Ancestor par excellence

-Healer 

-Deliverer 

-Savior 

18) Holy Spirit in AICs

-Guide of the people   
-Power for the people 

-Wisdom to interpret dreams and visions 

-Emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit 

-As the most powerful spirit in the universe

19) Bible in AICs

-Symbol of authority   
-Magic book 

-Text book for teachings 

-Why AICs are attracted to the Bible 

-Significance of Old Testament

20) Efforts of AICs to integrate culture into the church

-Hospitality   
-African worldview/cosmology e.g., mystical powers, witchcraft

-Respect for old people 

-Generosity/sharing, helping the needy 

-Sanctity and dignity of human life

-Community solidarity 

-Care of nature

21) Search by AICs to bridge separation from other churches

-Fellowships in the villages   
-Attending mission church, school and colleges

-Modification of some of the AIC practices

22) Lessons from AICs for Mission churches

-Conflict settlement in church  

-Wholistic approach to healing

-People values 

-Cultural dominance of host cultures

-Lively church worship

23) Survival of AICs in contemporary Africa

-Optimistic approach   
-Pessimistic approach

-Realistic approach 

-Issues and challenges to address in order to survive 

-Dialogue between AICs and other churches 

Recommended Readings 

Barrett, D. (1968). Schism and Renewal in Africa: An Analysis of Six Thousand Contemporary Religious Movements. Nairobi: Oxford University Press. 

Bujo, B. 2003). Foundation of an African Ethic: Beyond the universal claims of Western morality.  Nairobi: Paulines publications Africa. 

Daneel, M.L. (1987). Quest for belonging: Introduction to a study of African Independent Churches.  Gweru, Zimbabwe: Mambo Press. 

Ndegwa, S. (1998). Issues in African theology. Nairobi: East African Educational Publishers. 

Nyamiti, C. (1984). Christ as our ancestor: Christology from an African perspective. Gweru: Mambo Press. 

Padwick,J.A. D. (1989). Rise up and Walk: Conciliarism and the African Indigenous Churches 1815-1987. Nairobi: Oxford University Press. 

Shank, D. A. (1991). Ministry in partnership with African Independent Churches. Indiana: Mennonite board of Missions. 

Stinton, D. (2004). Jesus of Africa: Voices of contemporary African Christology. New York: Orbis Books. 

Sundkler, B. (1961). Bantu Prophets in South Africa. Second Edition. London: International African Institute. 

Turner, H. W. (1967). African Independent church: The life and faith of the church of the Lord (Aladura). Oxford: Clarendon Press. 

Welbourn, F.B. and B.A. Ogot. (1966). A Place to Feel at Home: A study of two Independent churches in Western Kenya. London: Oxford University Press. 

Wipper, A. (1977). Rural Rebels: A study of two protest movements in Kenya. Nairobi: Oxford University press.