The Holistic Mission of the Church in Northern Ghana
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.. ....... .. I. ... ., ... : .. , . j;. ..... .. .... The Copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of phwtmwpies or wtha reproductiwns of mpyrighted material. Under cetZBin conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorid to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific mditions is that the phohmpy or reproduction is not to be “Used fir my purpose other than private study, schdanhip, or research.” If B user make3 a quest far, or later uses, a photompy or repductim for puqmses in ecess of ‘‘fair we9’’that user may be liable for mpyright infringement, This institution reserves the right to rehe to accept a copying order if, in its judgmenk fulfitlrnent of the order would involve violation ofcoMght Jaw- By the using this materid, you are couwnting t~ abide by this copyright policy, Any duplication, reprodndinn, nr modification of this material without express waitken consent from Asbuv Theological Seminary andhr the original publisher is prohibited. Q Asbury TheoIogi@alSeminary 2009 ABSTRACT THE HOLISTIC MISSION OF THE CHURCH IN NORTHERN GHANA: A CASE STUDY OF THE METHODIST CHURCH GHANA by Emmanuel K. Asare-Kusi In the world today, people look for progress in all aspects of life. This study calls the Methodist Church Ghana to plan effective ways of doing mission in the northern part of Ghana. The expansion of the kingdom of God by the church needed for growth can be enhanced and sustained with the commitment of the whole church in many practical ways. The responses to the questionnaire and semi-structured interviews of key people connected with the holistic mission of the church indicated the need for a more aggressive holistic approach to culturally relevant evangelism and leadership development for future growth. The problems hindering the mission of the church can be overcome when the church no longer ignores or rationalizes the spiritual, social, and physical issues affecting the northern Ghana. DISSERTATION APPROVAL This is to certify that the dissertation entitled THE HOLISTIC MISSION OF THE CHURCH IN NORTHERN GHANA: A CASE STUDY OF THE METHODIST CHURCH GHANA presented by Emmanuel K. Asare-Kusi has been accepted towards fulfillment of the requirements for the DOCTOR OF MINISTRY degree at Asbury Theological Seminary May 11,2007 Date May 11,2007 Ingmal Reade; Date hi 0.b May 11,2007 Dean, Doctor of Ministry Program Date THE HOLISTIC MISSION OF THE CHURCH IN NORTHERN GHANA: A CASE STUDY OF THE METHODIST CHURCH GHANA A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of Asbury Theological Seminary In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirement for the Degree Doctor of Ministry by Emmanuel K. Asare-Kusi May 2007 0 2007 Emmanuel Asare-Kusi ALL RIGHTS RESERVED TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................. vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .............................................................................................. vii CHAPTER 1 PROBLEM .................................................................................................... 1 Background .............................................................................................................. 1 Context ofthe Project .............................................................................................. 2 The Problem ............................................................................................................. 3 Biblical and Theological Foundations ..................................................................... 5 Purpose ofthe Project ............................................................................................ 10 Research Questions ................................................................................................ 10 Research Question # 1 ................................................................................ 10 Research Question #2 ................................................................................ 10 Definitions of Terms .............................................................................................. 11 Methodology .......................................................................................................... 13 Participants ................................................................................................. 13 Population and Sample .............................................................................. 13 Instrumentation .......................................................................................... 14 Delimitation and Generalizability .............................................................. 14 Overview ofthe Study ........................................................................................... 15 CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE ............................................................................................. 16 The Spiritual and Physical Challenges of Mission ............................................... 19 A Theological Discussion of Mission .................................................................... 21 Mission Work in the Past ....................................................................................... 23 ... 111 Mission Work in Northern Ghana .......................................................................... 24 Political Conditions ................................................................................................ 27 Mission and Culture ............................................................................................... 28 Mission and Islamic Influences in the North ......................................................... 32 A Holistic Mission ................................................................................................. 33 Leadership and Mission ......................................................................................... 35 Mission Priority ..................................................................................................... 38 CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY ...................................................................................... 42 Purpose ofthe Study .............................................................................................. 42 Research Questions ................................................................................................ 43 Research Question # 1 ................................................................................ 43 Research Question #2 ................................................................................ 43 Methodology .......................................................................................................... 44 Population and Sample .............................................................................. 44 Instrumentation ..........................................................................................45 Pilot Test .................................................................................................... 46 Data Collection .......................................................................................... 46 Main Variable ............................................................................................ 47 Data Analysis ............................................................................................. 48 CHAPTER 4 FINDINGS ................................................................................................... 50 Profile of Participants ............................................................................................ 50 Method and Process of Data Analysis .................................................................. 56 Findings of Research Question # 1 ......................................................................... 59 iv Findings of Research Question #2 ......................................................................... 65 Participants’ Suggestions for Approaches to Effective Mission ........................... 66 Summary of Interviews of Two Founding Members of the Church in the North .68 Summary of Major Findings .................................................................................. 72 CHAPTER 5 DISCUSSION.............................................................................................. 74 Major Findings ....................................................................................................... 74 Explanations and Discussions ................................................................................ 75 Weakness of Study ................................................................................................. 81 Contributions to Research Methodology ............................................................... 82 Future Studies ........................................................................................................ 82 Personal Reflections ............................................................................................... 82 Contribution to Present Ministry and Recommendations ...................................... 83 Conclusion and the Way Forward .......................................................................... 86 APPENDIXES ................................................................................................................... 88 A . Questionnaire of Needs for the Holistic Mission in the North .....................................88 B . Semi-structured