Religion And Chieftaincy In Ghana PDF Download

This book sets out to understand why there has been relatively little constructive missional engagement between Christianity and chieftaincy, and what advantages there might be for Pentecostalism to adopt chaplaincy to chieftaincy as an effective ministry and form of mission. It does so within a historical account and empirical research framework (in the form of 50 participant interviews) that identifies key themes that characterise prevailing attitudes, placing these in theological context. It is based on my experience as a minister and the experiences of Christian and traditional leaders who have generously given their time in responding to my doctoral research on this subject. As I begin to explore this question, I remember my early years of joining the teaching staff of Northern Ghana Bible Institute from the mid 1990s where the principal, Rev James Abdulai bemoaned the absence of theological literature that reflected the Ghanaian cultural context. Historically, there is a long tradition of chaplaincy ministry developed over the years to serve the spiritual needs of people in different contexts. Although chaplaincy may mean different things to different people, I have used it here to reflect its ability to offer spiritual services to people outside the traditional setting of sacred religious sites like church buildings used for places of worship. Hence, the corridor and traditional setting of chieftaincy could be a place where Christian chaplaincy ministry may strive. This book therefore aims to provide a historical narrative of chieftaincy, its responsibilities and associated cultural practices. It sets out to provide a missiological case for Christian witness to traditional leadership, some conceptual clarity for ministry opportunities in chieftaincy and practical suggestions for the development and support of Christians serving in the institution of chieftaincy. My intention is that this book will be useful for church leaders to develop intentional missional policies to engage with traditional leadership. I also hope that it will be helpful to students and those involved in researching practice. It is intended for lay and ordained people in church ministry, theological and ministerial educators, leaders in mission and ministry and Christian traditional leaders. It, of course, may not prove to be an easy read, but the evidence presented here may provide a basis for ongoing discussion on Christian ministry to chieftaincy.