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British-African Pentecostal Megachurches and Postmodern Worship: Comparative and Contemporary Influence and Impact

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British-African Pentecostal Megachurches and Postmodern Worship: Comparative and Contemporary Influence and Impact British-African Pentecostal Megachurches and Postmodern Worship: Comparative and Contemporary Influence and Impact “British-African Pentecostal Megachurches and Postmodern Worship: Comparative and Contemporary Influence and Impact” By Mark Amadi A thesis submitted to the University of Birmingham for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Department of Theology and Religion College of Arts and Law Graduate School/Theology & Religion University of Birmingham August 2016 i University of Birmingham Research Archive e-theses repository This unpublished thesis/dissertation is copyright of the author and/or third parties. The intellectual property rights of the author or third parties in respect of this work are as defined by The Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 or as modified by any successor legislation. Any use made of information contained in this thesis/dissertation must be in accordance with that legislation and must be properly acknowledged. Further distribution or reproduction in any format is prohibited without the permission of the copyright holder. British-African Pentecostal Megachurches and Postmodern Worship: Comparative and Contemporary Influence and Impact Abstract To what extent is British African Pentecostal Megachurch (BAPMC) a postmodern phenomenon, and has APMC influenced the western Pentecostal worship style in any way? The plethora of literature on Megachurches reveals a gap in knowledge about African Pentecostal Megachurche (APMC) worship and its influences, especially within the UK. Consequently, there is a need to research if the APMC worship concept is a postmodern phenomenon. This study seeks to investigate and determine if there is any influence and to what extent the African Pentecostal Megachurch is a postmodern phenomenon. To determine this, the study examines early African religion, missionary Christianity, African Instituted Churches, African Pentecostalism, transmigration and African immigration, the Black Church, African Diaspora and the Megachurch to give an understanding of African worship concept in comparison to what is obtainable today. A research methodology peculiar to this study was adopted, which involved using four APMCs in London as case studies to generate sufficient data to answer the research question along with existing literature and research projects by Megachurch experts. This study used the western contemporary culture (WCC) as a lens to view how these APMCs worship today compared to the African early worship styles and establishes that a relationship exists between the WCC and the APMCs’ worship concept; that WCC has influenced the APMC worship concept. Likewise, the western Pentecostal worship style has been influenced by African Pentecostal worship features. Throughout this thesis, the phrases ‘ ‘postmodernism’ and ‘ ‘WCC’ will be used interchangeably.’ ii British-African Pentecostal Megachurches and Postmodern Worship: Comparative and Contemporary Influence and Impact Acknowledgement This thesis is the partial fulfilment of my God-given assignment. I thank God for His great plan of salvation, the study of which is inexhaustible. This study is taken in His service and for His glory alone. Special love and thanks to my parents, family and all my friends who have endured many hours of conversation about the influence of western culture on African worship concept. Many thanks are given to the Fountain of Peace ministries members for their encouragement and support during this process. Tokunbo Dara, Dotun Olaleye, Yemi Atanda, Tomiwa Atanda, Sam Bremang, Ebun Ajiboye, Tomi Ajiboye, Wole Dada, Fola Lambo, Taiwo Olugbode, Seyi Olufunmilayo, Dele Olaleye, Rotimi Familusi, Dr. Isaac Ojutalayo and many others were of tremendous help to me. In addition, I appreciate my little Immanuela and Elaina whose smile always encourage and inspire me to keep writing. Deep appreciation is extended to my wonderful supervisor Dr. Andrew Davies, who was more than a supervisor. He gave me confidence and hope when I didn’t understand anymore what I was doing. His encouragement, expertise, support, and kindnesses shown me during my study are forever appreciated. Thanks also to Pastor David Adabale, Pastor Michael Olawore, and Dr. Albert Oduleye and their ministries who made this research possible. In addition, I also say a big thank you to all that read through this work and offered helpful comments that I cannot mention by name. I deeply appreciate Oxbridge Editors (Third Party), who also copy edited this thesis for grammar and spelling. iii British-African Pentecostal Megachurches and Postmodern Worship: Comparative and Contemporary Influence and Impact Content Table of Contents ………………………………………. iv – x Key Phrases …….................................................. xi Abbreviation.............................................................. xii Chapter 1 – Introduction ……………………………… 1 - 14 1. African-Led Pentecostal Megachurches in the West and Postmodernism……………………………………… 1 - 14 1.1 Introduction………………………………………… 1 - 10 1.2 Research Aims, Objectives and Impact………… 10 –11 1.3 Structure of the Thesis…………………………… 11 - 14 Chapter 2 – African Religion and Mission Christianity …… 15 - 67 2.0 Religion in Africa and African Christianity…… 15 - 15 2.1 What is African Traditional Religion? ………… 15 - 18 2.2 History/Origins/Categorization of African Traditional Religion……… 18 - 21 2.3 Belief, Culture and Practices…………………………………………… 21 - 27 2.4 Worship…………………………………………………………………… 27 - 30 2.5 African Christianity………………………………………………………. 30 - 30 2.5.1 Early History of African Christianity…………………………… 31 - 37 2.5.2 Mission Christianity………………………………………………………. 37 - 41 2.5.2.1 History/Origins/Categorization of Mission Christianity………. 38 - 41 2.5.2.2 Features Beliefs and Culture of Mission Christianity……… ...41 - 43 2.5.2.3 The Missionaries’ Culture, Practices and Worship………….. 43 - 46 iv British-African Pentecostal Megachurches and Postmodern Worship: Comparative and Contemporary Influence and Impact 2.5.3 African Instituted Churches (AICs)…………… 47 2.5.3.1 AICs Origin/History/Categorization … 47 - 51 2.5.3.2 AICs’ Categorisation ………………………………………. 52 -58 2.5.3.2.1 Separatist………………………………… 52 -53 2.5.3.2.2 Ethiopianism ………………………………… 54 - 55 2.5.3.2.3 Zionist …………………………………………. 56 2.5.3.2.4 Spiritual and the Prophetic Movements …… 57 2.5.3.2.5 Praying Churches and the Aladura Movement 57 - 59 2.5.3.3 Beliefs, Culture and Practice…………………………………….. 59 - 62 2.5.3.4 African Worship……………………………………………………. 62 2.5.3.4.1 African Worship Concept ……………………… 62 – 65 2.5.3.5 A Brief Comment on Worship ………………………………………65 -67 Chapter 3 – Pentecostalism………………………………………………… 68 - 118 3.1 Global Pentecostalism…………………………………………………….68 3.2 History/Origins/Categorization……………………………………………68 - 73 3.2.1 Classical Pentecostals…………………………………………… 73 - 74 3.2.2 Charismatic Movement……………………………………………74 3.2.3 Signs and Wonders or Neo-charismatic Movement……………74 -75 3.2.4 . Pentecostal Churches……………………………………………..75 - 76 3.3 William Seymour Background…………………………………………….76 - 77 3.3.1 The Azusa Street Genesis, Impact and Critics …………………77 - 80 3.3.2 Spiritual Experience and Antirationalism……………………… .81 - 83 3.3.3 Pentecostal Belief, Practice and Worship (Spirituality)…………84 - 86 3.4 African Pentecostalism; Nigeria……………………………………………87 v British-African Pentecostal Megachurches and Postmodern Worship: Comparative and Contemporary Influence and Impact 3.4.1 History/Origins/Categorization……………………………………..87 - 91 3.4.2 Practice, Culture and Worship…………… 92 - 94 3.5 Transmigration and African Immigration to the UK and USA……… 95 3.5.1 Complexity of Migration…………………… 95 - 98 3.5.2 Overview and Genesis of The African Diaspora Phenomenon… 98 - 100 3.5.3 The African Migration to the UK and US…………………………... 101 - 101 3.5.3.1 Forced Migration (Involuntary Emigration)……………….. 101 - 106 3.5.3.2 Contemporary Migration…………………………………… 106 - 109 3.5.4 The Black Church Phenomenon…………………………………… 109 -112 3.5.5 Metamorphosis of African Diaspora Churches in UK and US…. 112 - 118 Chapter 4 – Megachurches ……………………………………………… 119 -154 4.0 Megachurch Phenomenon ………………………………………… 119 4.1 Megachurch Origin and Early Historical Background ……….. 120 - 124 4.2 Introduction to Contemporary Megachurch and its features… 125 4.2.1 Contemporary Megachurch…………………………… 125 -130 4.2.2.1 Scott Thumma’s Four Distinctive Streams……………. 131 - 133 4.3 Contemporary Megachurch Distinctive Features …………….. 134 4.3.1 The adoption of professional leadership principles…… 134 -135 4.3.2 Numeric capacity………………………………………… 135 - 136 4.3.3 Community Centres Phenomenon……………………… 136 - 138 4.3.4 Energetic and Charismatic Leader and Denominationalism…….. ……………………………….. 138 - 140 4.3.5 Modernised ‘Business and Theatre-like’ Architectural Environment……………………………….. 141 - 144 4.4. Criticism of the Megachurch ………………………………………. 145 - 146 vi British-African Pentecostal Megachurches and Postmodern Worship: Comparative and Contemporary Influence and Impact 4.5 Europe's Megachurch Phenomenon …………………………….. 147 - 149 4.6 Black Megachurches in UK ………………………… 150 - 153 4.7 UK Black Megachurches and the Contemporary phenomenon… ……………………………………….. 153 - 154 Chapter 5 - New Wine Church……………………………………………. 155 - 221 5.0 Introduction to New Wine Church…………………………………… 155 5.1 Pastor Tayo Adeyemi ………………………………………………… 156 -159 5.1.1 The Beginning and Description of New Wine Church……………... 160 5.1.1.1 New Wine Categorisation and Distinctive Features…………………………………………………. 161 -166 5.1.1.2 NWC’S Membership, Demographic and Sundance Features…………………………………….. 167 -177 5.1.1.3
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