Growth Trend of the Methodist Church Ghana, Accra Diocese from 2009 to 2014
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University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh SACRED SITE VISITATION AND THE RENEWAL PROGRAMME OF THE METHODIST CHURCH GHANA . BY DORIS EKUA YALLEY (10363688) THIS THESIS IS SUBMITTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF GHANA, LEGON IN FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF DE- GREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN THE STUDY OF RELIGIONS . DECEMBER, 2015 University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh DECLARATION It is hereby declared that this thesis is the outcome of research work undertaken by the author. Any assistance obtained has been duly acknowledged. The work has neither in part nor whole been presented for another degree to any other Univer- sity. …………………………………… …………………………. DORIS EKUA YALLEY DATE (STUDENT) ………………………………………… ……………………… REV. PROF. J. CHRISTOPHER THOMAS DATE (SUPERVISOR) ……………………………………… ……………………….… PROF. ELIZABETH AMOAH DATE (CO-SUPERVISOR) ……………………………………… ………………………….. REV. DR. ABAMFO OFORI ATIEMO DATE (CO-SUPERVISOR) i University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh ABSTRACT This research examines the rationale behind the institutionalized pilgrim- age process of the Methodist Church Ghana (a phenomenon, dubbed Sacred Site Visitation in this research), and its relationship with the renewal program of the Church. The study was approached from an interdisciplinary perspective, namely, theological, church historical and anthropological perspectives to demonstrate how sacred site visitation affects renewal. Victor Turner’s theory of Communitas constituted the theoretical foundation of the study. The theory perceives sacred site visitation as a liminal phenomenon, characterized by Communitas, a situation which offers opportunities for ‘pilgrims’ to enjoy a fresh kind of social existence of harmony, filial bond and freedom in their spiritual quest. Adopting a qualitative approach to data management, interview schedules, focus group discussions were employed to elicit views, beliefs, and insights from the Church’s clergy and the laity about the Church’s practice of sacred site visita- tion. Three prayer centres of the Methodist Church, Ghana, were used for case study with purposive samples of the laity, youth and senior hierarchy constituting the respondents. Two viewpoints emerged from the study. On one hand, sacred site visitation is a means of spiritual renewal in the Methodist Church Ghana for the following reasons: providing church members with the opportunity to enhance their prayer lives; satisfying physical, spiritual and emotional needs. It also helps the Church to construct a firm and non-negotiable image of the Wesleyan tradition. On the other hand, it emerged that renewal in the Church goes beyond sacred site visitation, fasting or praying to a holistic development of Church members. Whereas the Church hierarchy was associated with the latter viewpoint, the laity ii University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh held on to the former viewpoint. A remarkable finding was that the laity’s per- spectives on certain sacred site visitation practices ran contrary to the Church hi- erarchy’s perspectives. The recommendations from the research were two-fold: for academia and the Methodist Church Ghana. For academia, it is recommended that there should evolve a discipline, Hierotopy or Hierotopical Studies under the Hu- manities which transcends the methodological and terminological limitations im- posed by traditional humanistic disciplines. For the Church, various steps should be made to streamline sacred site visitation to meet the qualitative growth of the members of the church. iii University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh DEDICATION This work is dedicated to my dear mother, Esther Sam who sacrificed much for my sake. May the Lord bless you richly. iv University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS It is with a great sense of delight that I acknowledge all those through whose kind assistance this research has been successfully completed. I thank the most high God foremost, for his grace and the enablement to reach this far. My deepest and unreserved appreciation also goes to my supervisors; Prof. J. Christo- pher Thomas, Prof. Elizabeth Amoah and Rev. Dr. Abamfo Atiemo. As my aca- demic mentors they placed my feet on the solid path of academic discipline. They painstakingly read through and critiqued this work. They gave timely warnings and suggestions which have greatly enriched the research. I am particularly thankful to Dr. George Ossom Batsa, Head of the Depart- ment for the Study of Religions and Dr. Nicoletta Gatti for their encouragement and for their gracious assistance in reading critically the entire work and suggest- ing very insightful improvements. I also wish to appreciate Dr. Rabiatu Ammah and other senior members of the Department for the study of Religions for showing interest in my academic progress. I thank Central University College for granting me study leave with pay and for providing me with sponsorship to enable me pursue this programme. Many friends and colleagues shared with me their knowledge and precious time, of spe- cial mention are Rev. Godibert K. Gharbin, Revs. Gideon Puplampo and Gabriel Akimana of Akrofi Christaller Institute, also Mr Alhassan at the Balme Library for his gracious assistance during my library search, I thank all of them. I am also very grateful to all those who granted me audience through tele- phone calls and direct appointments, in their homes, offices, church premises and colleges; these included the immediate past Presiding Bishop of the Methodist v University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh Church Ghana, the Directors, past and present of Evangelism Mission and Re- newal Division of the Methodist Church Ghana. Finally, my very special thanks go to my entire family members, especially my uncle, Prof. David L. Sam of Ber- gen University in Norway for his tremendous support, my mother, my children, Ebenezer, Emmanuel, James and Joshua for standing by me with their encourage- ment and prayer support. Last but by no means the least; I express my sincerest and most profound thanks to my dear husband for his love and concern, patient endurance, immense financial support during this long period of study. I am eternally grateful. vi University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION ............................................................................................... i ABSTRACT ..................................................................................................... ii DEDICATION ................................................................................................ iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................... v TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................ vii LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................... xiii LIST OF TABLES ......................................................................................... xiii LIST OF PICTURES ..................................................................................... xiv LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS .......................................................................... xv CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ................................................................. 1 1.1 Background to the Study ............................................................................. 1 1.2 Statement of the problem ............................................................................. 4 1.3 Objectives of the study ................................................................................ 5 1.4 Research question ....................................................................................... 5 1.5 Scope of the study ....................................................................................... 5 1.6 Significance of study ................................................................................... 6 1.7 Literature review ........................................................................................ 7 1.8 Theoretical framework .............................................................................. 16 1.9 Methodology ............................................................................................ 18 1.9.1 Design and Framework ............................................................ 18 1.9.2 Sources of Data ....................................................................... 23 1.9.3 Population and Sampling technique ......................................... 24 1.9.4 Research Instruments and Data Collection Procedure ............... 25 vii University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 1.9.5 Data analysis ........................................................................... 28 1.9.6 Ethical consideration ............................................................... 30 1.9.7 Limitations in the Research Method ......................................... 30 1.10 Organization of chapters .......................................................................... 31 CHAPTER TWO: THE CONCEPTS OF SACRED SITE VISITATION AND RENEWAL .................................................................................................... 33 2.1 Introduction .............................................................................................. 33 2.3 Origins of Sacred Sites .............................................................................. 35 2.4 Features and Functions of Sacred Sites .....................................................