African culture and emergent church forms in Ghana

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Periodical article

Title:	African culture and emergent church forms in Ghana
Author:	Dovlo, Elom
Year:	2004
Periodical:	Exchange: Journal of Contemporary Christianities in Context
Volume:	33
Issue:	1
Pages:	28-53
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Ghana
Subjects:	inculturation African Independent Churches
External link:	https://doi.org/10.1163/1572543041172639
Abstract:	The term 'African Initiated Churches' covers three types of churches in Ghana. Two of these are the earliest Independent Churches, which emerged in the colonial era (the mainline churches) and immediate postcolonial era (the Spiritual Churches). The third type and the newest to emerge are termed the Neo Pentecostal Churches, or Charismatic Churches. They began to spread especially in West Africa in the 1980s. These churches are normally credited with active engagement with African culture and therefore inculturation of the Gospel. Inculturation is a process, and its dynamic in Ghana is a complex ongoing process in which the emergent Church forms at various times engage with different African contexts. The process therefore not only reflects the evolution of Christianity, but also the evolutions in African culture. This paper reviews the genesis of these new church forms in Ghana and their engagement with African culture and context. Notes, ref., sum. [ASC Leiden abstract]