CLERGY-LAITY CONFLICTS OVER NIGERIAN BAPTIST POLICIES IN OGBOMOSO CONFERENCE, 1993 – 2008 BY OLUDELE, OLUGBADE ADEREMI B.A., M.A. (Ibadan) Matric No. 117964 A Thesis in the Department of Religious Studies, Submitted to the Faculty of Arts In partial fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY of the UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN LIBRARY June, 2014 CERTIFICATION We certify that this work was carried out by Olugbade Aderemi OLUDELE, under our direct supervision in the Department of Religious Studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan. ………………………. ………………………………… Date Prof. Deji Ayegboyin B.A. Hons.(Legion), M.A. Ph.D (Ibadan) Professor of Church History, University of Ibadan,Ibadan ………………………… …………………………………….. Date Dr. O. O. Adekola B.Ed (Ife), M.A.,Ph.D.(Ib). Snr. Research Fellow Institutes of African Studies University of Ibadan UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN LIBRARY ii DEDICATION This work is dedicated to the glory of God Almighty who revealed Himself in Jesus Christ the Lord of life and the Prince of Peace. UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN LIBRARY iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Accomplishment in research work is never "my achievement" but "our achievement." This is so because, in reality, several people must have directly or indirectly contributed to its attainment. On this work, many people deserve appreciation. First before any other person are my supervisor and mentors, Revd. Professor Isaac Deji Ayegboyin. Thousands of thanks cannot be enough to appreciate the pains and patience it took you to supervise this work. When it required not only sympathy, encouragement, prophetic assurance and empathy, you allowed all that it demanded to get this work accomplished. You journeyed with me not only in shine, but also in rain. You descended low like Jesus to raise others up. My entire family remains forever grateful. Dr. O.O. Adekola of Peace and Conflict, Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan is a father indeed. He accepted to be a co-supervisor for this work in order to give it inter-faculty recognition and acceptability. Thanks a lot. I also appreciate Dr. Ruth Oke, an available, encouraging, and helpful senior colleague. Your availability and ready assistance made me undaunted. Other lecturers in the Department of Religious Studies worthy of appreciation are Dr J. K. Ayantayo, Dr. Mrs. H. A. Labeodan, Dr. A. O. Dada, Dr. S. M. Mepaiyeda, Dr. O. O. Famulusi, Dr. S. A. Fatokun, Dr. S. K. Olaleye, Dr. J. S. Adekoya, and Dr. G. N. Toryough. The love of Dr. S. A. Ajayi of the Department of History University of Ibadan remains fresh in my memory. Thank you. The contributions of some senior colleagues under the same supervisor with me are acknowledged. Among them are Dr. T.K. Ajamu (Kano), Dr. P.A. Ojebode (Oyo), and Dr. M. L. Ogunewu. Thank you all. Mention must be made of the contribution of Dr. Sunday Adesina of Department of English, University of Ibadan, who took pains in editing the work and UNIVERSITYDr. S.A. Odebunmi, Sub-Dean OF (Post IBADANGraduate), Faculty LIBRARYof Arts, University of Ibadan, through whose unquantifiable efforts this work attained approval at the Postgraduate School. He worked day and night in the office and at home, even on the road to see that all hurdles were crossed. Sir, I am indeed very grateful. iv I sincerely appreciate the church of God where I serve, First Baptist Church, Oke-Owode, Ikirun, Osun State, for allowing me to run this course. I am very grateful. I register my profound gratitude to my wife, Yemisi, and our daughters - 'Funmilayo, Favour and Faith. Your contributions, endurance and prayers are appreciated. Finally, to the faithful and wonderful God, who paves ways where there seems to be no way, be glory for ever and ever. O.A. Oludele, June, 2014 UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN LIBRARY v TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Title Page i Certification ii Dedication iii Acknowledgements iv Table of contents vi List of tables x List of plates xi List of maps xiv List of Abbreviations xiii Abstract xii CHAPTER ONE: GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1.1. Background to the Study 1 1.2. Statement of the problem 3 1.3. Purpose of the study 4 1.4. Scope of the study 5 1.5. Limitations to the study 5 1.6. Significance of the study 6 1.7. Research methodology 7 1.8. Clarification of terms 8 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW 2.0 Introduction 11 2.1. Conflict management 11 2.1.1. Nature of conflict 13 2.1.2. Types of conflict 17 2.1.3. Sources of conflict 20 UNIVERSITY2.1.4. Effects of conflict OF IBADAN LIBRARY 25 2.2. Conflict management strategy 26 2.2.1. Traditional conflict management strategy 27 2.2.2. Contemporary conflict management strategy 31 2.3. Church conflict management 37 vi 2.3.1. Nature of church conflict 37 2.3.2. Sources of church conflict 44 2.3.3. Effects of church conflict 56 2.4. Biblical foundation of church conflict 61 2.4.1. Conflict in the Old Testament 61 2.4.2. Conflict in the New Testament 63 2.5. Conflict management the Nigerian Baptist convention experience 71 2.5.1. Conflict in American Baptist Mission in Nigeria 72 2.5.2. Major conflicts in the NBC in the 1990s 80 2.6. Implementation of church policy 88 2.7. Summary 90 CHAPTER THREE: ESTABLISHMENT OF OGBOMOSO BAPTIST CONFERENCE 3.0 Introduction 91 3.1. Brief History of Ogbomoso Town 91 3.2. Brief History of Baptist Mission Work in Ogbomoso 95 3.2.1. The beginning of Ogbomoso mission station 98 3.2.2. The dark but thriving years 100 3.2.3. Re-organisation of the mission work, 1877-1879 101 3.2.4. Progression amidst hatred, 1880 - 1906 102 3.2.5. Baptist institutions in Ogbomoso 103 3.2.5.1. The Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary 103 3.2.5.2. Bowen University Teaching Hospital 105 3.2.5.3. Leper's Colony 105 3.2.5.4. The Keysey Children Home 106 3.2.5.5. Primary and secondary schools 107 3.3. Origin and Development of Ogbomoso Baptist Conference(OBC) 107 3.3.1. Toward the dream of a conference 107 UNIVERSITY3.3.2. A dream realized OF IBADAN LIBRARY 115 3.3.3. The principles, aims and objectives OBC 116 3.4. Summary 118 vii CHAPTER FOUR: BASIC BELIEFS AND POLICIES OF THE OGBOMOSO BAPTIST CONFERENCE 4.0 Introduction 120 4.1 Development of Nigerian Baptist Distinctive Beliefs and Practices 120 4.2 Basic Beliefs that Baptist Shared with other Christian Denominations 124 4.2.1. The Trinity 124 4.2.2. God 124 4.2.3. The Bible 125 4.2.4. The fall of man 125 4.2.5. The virgin birth 126 4.2.6. Resurrection and second coming 126 4.2.7. Salvation 127 4.3 The Nigerian Baptist Distinctive Beliefs and Practices 127 4.3.1. The primacy of the Bible 127 4.3.2. Soul competency 129 4.3.3. Autonomy of the local church 130 4.3.4. Saved church membership 131 4.3.5. Separation of church and state 132 4.3.6. Resurrection and second coming 133 4.3.7. The two ordinances: baptism and the Lord's Super 136 4.3.8. Two scriptural offices of the church, the pastor and the deacons 138 4.4 Policies of the Nigerian Baptist Convention 138 4.4.1. Policy on monogamy as a requirement for holding church offices 138 4.4.2. Policy on non-allowance of pastors to engage in herbal medicine 141 4.4.3. Policy on non-accordance of church membership to known Members of secret societies 143 4.4.4. Policy on bi-vocational and interim pastorate 144 4.4.5. Policy on retirement age 146 4.4.6. Policy on active participation in politics and political parties 146 4.4.7. Policy on consumption of alcoholic beverages and tobacco 146 4.4.8. Policy on court as a mean of conflict resolution 147 UNIVERSITY4.4.9. Policy on procedure OF for settlingIBADAN crises LIBRARY 148 4.4.10. Baptism and the Lord's Supper 149 4.4.11 Policy on ordination of ministers and deacons 150 4.4.12. Policy on handling conflict between pastor and his church 150 4.5 Summary 151 viii CHAPTER FIVE: POLICY-RELATED CONFLICTS IN OGBOMOSO BAPTIST CONFERENCE 5.0 Introduction 152 5.1 Analysis of respondents bio-data 152 5.2 Baptist policies regarding clergy-laity practice and benefits that caused conflicts 156 5.3 Conflicts resulting from implementation of Baptist policies in selected Churches of OBC 158 5.3.1. Non-accordance of church-membership to known members of secret societies: conflict in Ebenezer Baptist Church, Isale-Afon, 1993-2002 158 5.3.2. Non-allowance of pastors to engage in herbal medicine in Ijeru Baptist Church, 2001 162 5.3.3. Monogamy as a requirement for holding church offices: conflict in Iranlowo Oluwa Baptist Church 167 5.3.4. Pegging of pastors' retirement age to 65 years: conflict in Ori-Oke and Ebenezer Baptist churches, Ogbomoso 173 5.4 Effects of conflicts over Baptist policies on the church 181 CHAPTER SIX: SUMMARY, EVALUATION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 6.0 Introduction 184 6.1 Summary of study 184 6.2 Summary of finding 185 6.3 Concluding remarks 187 6.4 Recommendations 188 Appendixes:Appendix I 191 References 193 Appendix II 208 UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN LIBRARY ix LIST OF TABLES Page Table 5.1. Sex distribution of the respondents 152 Table 5.2. Age distribution of the respondents 153 Table 5.3.