The Spirituality of St. Antony of Egypt: Lessons for Contemporary African Pentecostalism

This study is an examination of the spirituality of St Antony of Egypt. It examines the historical, intellectual, and religious context of St Antony’s life and ministry, including his worldview and how these inform his spirituality. The study is a literary study and utilizes existing primary and secondary source materials on Antony’s life, including his seven extant letters which are assessed as to their credibility. The study explores St Antony’s understanding and use of scripture, prayer, and spiritual warfare. From these, the study draws lessons relevant for contemporary African Pentecostalism. Keywords: Spirituality, St. Antony of Egypt, African Pentecostalism

Christian Advocacy Ministry on Pandemics: The Ghanaian Example on HIV/AIDS

The study is an examination of the various Christian advocacy approaches that the church in Ghana has adopted in its role in the fight against the AIDS pandemic. The study seeks to make the Ghanaian experience available for Christian advocacy ministry for other pandemics. The study as a qualitative one focused on library research. Available primary and secondary materials on the church’s participation in the AIDS pandemic were examined and analyzed. Much attention was paid to reports, addresses, study materials and policy documents on the pandemic by the World Council of Churches, Christian Council of Ghana and the Presbyterian Church of Ghana. The study has observed that provision of leadership, capacity building of church leaders, education and awareness creation, the relevance of the Christian message of hope in a moment of despair and Christian advocacy ministry have made significant contributions to the Christian advocacy on the HIV/AIDS in Ghana. The study further provides insights for studies in church and society and the construction of public theology on pandemics in African Christianity. Keywords: Advocacy Ministry, Pandemics, Capacity Building, Church Leadership

Jesus Shall Reign? An Examination of Christian Mission to the Akan Palace

The Gospel and African Culture interface has remained an ongoing dialogue due to the fact of inherent tensions. The genuineness of the conversion of the traditional leadership institution that welcomed the Western missionaries has remained in doubt in some missionary established churches. The conversion challenges of the traditional leaders have resulted from ancestors and ancestorial related functions that traditional leaders performed. The churches over the years created mission fields and chaplaincies with trained personnel and resources to address conversion challenges of specific and unique communities. While the creation of mission fields and appointments of chaplains have made significant responses to the conversion challenges of the people involved, the conversion challenges that traditional leaders have constantly requested for support from the churches have not been fully addressed. The study is an examination of the requests of some traditional leaders for Christian missions to be extended to the Palace and responses made so far by some of the missionary established churches. The study adopts a qualitative approach with an examination of relevant available materials and interviews. The study points to the fact that the conversion of the Palace and its functionaries must be considered as a major ministry and mission field of the church with trained ministers and resources for the specialized mission field. The study moreover calls for deeper research into matters of ancestors and ancestorial related rites that have remained as areas of tension between the church and the conversion of the Palace functionaries. Keywords: Palace, Christian Mission, Traditional Leadership, Chaplaincy, Conversion

Rural Pastoral Transfers in Classical Pentecostal Churches in Ghana and Pastors Children’s Holistic Development

The transfer of pastors is an age-old phenomenon dating from the early church as recorded in the Bible. This process was conducted in consultation with the Holy Spirit and the leaders of the Church. In the contemporary Church, the same format is used. However, what is lacking is unequal treatment given to pastors who are posted to rural areas that were not evident in the early church. This paper employed the qualitative research approach in studying rural pastoral care in three Classical Pentecostal churches in Ghana. The study findings indicate that children of rural pastors face challenges which affect their holistic development. It recommends pastors and their families should be given fair treatment in the transfer process to ensure the holistic development of their children. Keywords: Rural Pastoral Transfer, Equity, Holistic Development

Will You Not Revive Us Again? (Psalm 85:6): An Evaluation of Revival In The Context Of Evangelical-Pentecostal Movements.

The study attempted an explanation of what revival of religion is and how revival erupts amongst the Evangelical–Pentecostal movements whiles not leaving behind the challenges associated with the breaking forth of revivals. This qualitative study was guided by the interpretive paradigm and the sampling strategy was homogeneous sampling. The findings are that revivals conjointly originate from the Holy Spirit, through a prepared person. Both the prepared person and the Holy Spirit are requirements for revival to come to pass. Throughout history, revival has occurred with its resultant challenges such as theological incoherence, abuse of gifts, loss of ecclesial identity and distinctiveness. It is being recommended that, revivals should be managed to promote the Christian faith in the long-run. The study has contributed to the literature on revivals by answering the academic argument of whether a revival is a surprising work of God or otherwise. Keywords: revival, revivalism, evangelical-pentecostal movements

Postmodernism and Faith: An Evaluation of the Auto-Positioning of Pentecostalism and its Sacred Boundaries in Ghana

The past 30-40 years have seen a growth in Pentecostalism in Ghana. It has been good news for the growth of Christianity, but it has also not eluded the postmodernist influences on faith, belief, and theology. Part of this influence which is redefining the precincts of Christianity can be attributed to the concepts of ‘narrativism’ and ‘postsecularism’, which are described as ramifications of postmodernism. This work examines the current religious atmosphere in Ghana and other influences which expound the dynamisms that are changing the basis of Chrisitian faith, religion, and socio-cultural practices. The foremost interest is to analytically use the postmodern concept to explain the new phase of religion and other influences of Pentecostalism in Ghana today. And how the determinants of postmodern tendencies have influence local and microscopic forms of religious undercurrents in society. It brings to light the new theological and philosophical grounds on which new philosophies can enhance new directives and conjectures for the understanding and growth of religion and culture in the African context. Keywords: Pentecostalism, Narrativism, Christianity, Postmodernism, Postsecularism, Religion.

An Evaluation of Akan and Konkomba Witchcraft Trials & Beliefs in Ghana: In Dialogue with the Biblical, Anthropological and Psychiatrists Perspectives

The study illustrates how witchcraft accusations are confirmed and how the accused are tried in the Akan and Konkomba context in Ghana. It further examines the legitimacy of witchcraft beliefs through dialogue with the biblical, anthropological and psychiatrist’s perspectives. The methodology used in the qualitative research was the interpretive paradigm which explored the views of 40 Akan and 20 Konkomba respondents through interviews. Other kinds of literature were used as secondary sources in the discourse to triangulate the findings. The study findings suggest that those who often lead the witchcraft trials among the Akan are the chiefs and traditional priests (akɔmfo) whiles the chief priest and landowner or the Utindana leads the trials in the Konkomba context at the Gnani witch camp in the Yendi municipality in Northern Ghana. Furthermore, there are similarities in the processes of witchcraft trials in the Akan and Konkomba contexts as well as divergences. The legitimacy of the beliefs in the activities of witchcraft in Ghana was tested from other perspectives and some of the beliefs were putative while others were negated. The study postulates that witchcraft beliefs in Ghana cannot be negated entirely. The research contributes to knowledge by highlighting the gaging of witchcraft trials and beliefs in Ghana.

The Migration of Christian Youth to Pentecostal and Charismatic Churches in Ghana: Implications for Mission Work

Recently, it appears the centre of gravity of Christian youth worldwide has shifted from the traditional or historic mission churches to Pentecostal, Neo-Pentecostal and Charismatic churches. This global phenomenon is also seen in a migration among Ghanaian Christian youth from mission or mainline churches to Pentecostal and Charismatic churches. What accounts for their migration and what could be done to prevent such mass movement? This paper argues that there are many factors that may determine the migration rate of the youth from historic mission churches. Interviews and literature study were the approaches employed for gathering of data. The paper draws attention to the fact that retaining the Ghanaian Christian youth in mission churches has become a major concern in a pluralistic church environment in Ghana. Key Words: Migration, Pentecostal, Charismatic, Historic Mission Churches, Youth

Mission Financing: The Case of Contemporary Prophetic Ministry in Ghana

This article discusses the ways in which “newly called prophets” begin and sustain ministry activities. It argues that among the various ways “newly called prophets” use to raise the needed funds to begin ministry is a bare-foot ministry in public places. It also posits that charging consultation fees as a requirement to receiving the services of a prophet, selling “anointing oil”, relics, and prophylactics to aid miracles for seekers, and as means of mobilizing funds to sustain ministry activities in the media lack effective biblical support. Even though money is a critical resource in mission and church life, the means that are used to mobilize funds from the congregants must not be oppressive. The study employed a narrative historical analytical approach towards the discussion of issues. It is recommended that contemporary prophets must adapt good biblical principles and fundraising strategies that do not over-burden congregants/donors.

Catholic Charismatic Renewal and Pentecostalism

A new set of Pentecostal renewal started in the early twentieth century leading to the proliferation of Pentecostal denominations, and renewal movements within the then existing denominations. The beginning of this Pentecostal renewal has often been linked with the Bethel Bible School, which was started by Charles Fox Parham, and amplified by William Joseph Seymour at Azusa Street, Los Angeles, in the US. This article brings another dimension of the renewal by demonstrating that, for the Catholic Charismatics the outbreak of the Holy Spirit in the early twentieth century was partly an answer to the prayer of Pope Leo XIII. In addition, the Catholic Charismatic advocates consider the Pentecostal experience, dubbed Duquesne Weekend, which led to the Catholic Charismatic Renewal movements as the answer to the prayer of Pope John XXIII at the Second Vatican. The considerations of the Catholic Charismatics are presented apparently as an affirmation of the sovereignty of God over his Church and the world.