

The concern for contextualization, inculturation and indigenization continues to be the bedrock of missions, even though, globalization and internationalization has become the order of the day. It is due to this reason that the present book is written to help prospective missionaries to Africa and elsewhere understand the dynamics of entering a new culture.

For Christianity to be more meaningful, it needs to be well rooted in the culture it is being brought to and relevant to the cultural setting.  Indigenizing Christianity is specifically geared towards bringing a better understanding of the Christian faith in the cultural context. In this case, the African context that draws attention to the African way of life and worldview.

Africans received the Christian faith through the influence of its colonizers; even though the faith originated in Asia Minor and Africa, the theology handed over was “wrapped with the cumbersome paraphernalia of Western culture” (Wakatama, 1976, P. 13). “Africanization has now become the vogue, and frantic attempts are being made to dress Christianity in an African garb, without, however, stripping off the dress in which it cloaked itself on its way to Africa from Europe” (Zulu Sofola in Appiah-Kubi, et al., 1977, p. 126). The issue is not that Africa should have a different kind of Christianity and spirituality, but that Christianity and spirituality should reflect the culture of a place. What is meant here, is the good aspect of the culture that does not contradict the Christian faith biblically and theologically.

This is an attempt to answer the question: What shall Africans do to resolve this complex situation of Christianity not being rooted in the African culture? How can Christianity be authentically rooted in African soil? This is the goal of the book, to help bring about a more authentic Christianity that is rooted in the African soil and culture. This issue has been dealt with squarely in most African countries, but it’s true that some Christians are yet to embrace this in full and so we shall continue to discuss this issue today.


African Theology of Missions

Spiritual transformation is said to have taken place in a leader when the following values have been imbibed, belief in God, Holy Spirit empowerment, modeling biblical character, servanthood, collaboration, appreciative and evangelistic qualities. Leaders must have these qualities to succeed in any Christian organizational set up. These values and qualities permeate Christian institution’s philosophy, vision, mission, goals, planning activities, and evaluation criteria. Apart from these qualities the leaders must also have administrative and interpersonal skills, clear organizational structures framework and communication skills. The institutions are also impacted by these values; compassion, fellowship, worship, evangelism, Christian service, smooth interpersonal relationships and spirituality is experienced.

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