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Download date: 24. Sep. 2021 VRIJE UNIVERSITEIT

LEADERSHIP ROLES IN THE TRANSNATIONALISATION OF NIGERIAN PENTECOSTAL CHURCHES The Mountain of Fire and Miracles Church in the Netherlands and Ghana

ACADEMISCH PROEFSCHRIFT

ter verkrijging van de graad Doctor aan de Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, op gezag van de rector magnificus prof.dr. L.M. Bouter, in het openbaar te verdedigen ten overstaan van de promotiecommissie van de Faculteit der Godgeleerdheid op maandag 14 januari 2013 om 9.45 uur in de aula van de universiteit, De Boelelaan 1105

door

Ezekiel Oladapo Ajani geboren te Katsina, Nigeria promotoren: prof.dr. C. van der Laan prof.dr. H.M. Vroom Table of Contents

Chapter I: Introduction 1 1.0 Relevance of the study 1 1.1 The Choice of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries 2 1.2 Pentecostalism and Transnationalisation 4 1.3 Leadership 8 1.4 Research Question 10 1.4.1 Research Sub-questions 10 1.5 Methods Used for the Research 11 1.5.1 Qualitative method 11 1.6 Structure of the Research 14

Chapter II: Transnationalisation and Leadership 2.0 Introduction 17 2.1 Pentecostal Transnationalisation 17 2.1.1 Christianity in the Global South 17 2.1.2 Transnationalisation: Towards a Conceptual Understanding 18 2.1.3 Nigerian Pentecostal Transnational Religious Networks in West Africa 18

2.1.4 Issues of Importance from the discussions on Transnationalisation to the research on the MFM in the Netherlands and Ghana 23 2.2 Leadership 25 2.2.1 The Concepts of “Leader” and “Leadership” 27 2.2.2 Characteristics of Leadership 29 2.2.3 Issues of Importance from the discussions on Characteristics of Leadership to the research on the MFM in the Netherlands and Ghana 45 2.2.4 Christian Leadership 2.2.5 Issues of Importance from the discussions on Christian Leadership to the research on the MFM in the Netherlands and Ghana 51 2.3 African Traditional Leadership 52 2.3.1 Issues of Interest on African Leadership to the Research in the Netherlands and Ghana 55 2.4 Relationships within Leadership Characteristics, Christian Leadership and African Leadership 56 2.5 Conclusion 59

Chapter III: History, Practices and Ministries of the MFM Church 3.0 Introduction 62 3.1 Christianity in Nigeria 62 3.1.1 Beginning and Growth of Christian Missions 62 3.1.2 African Initiated Churches (A.I.C) 69 3.1.3 The Aladura Churches 70 3.1.4 Pentecostalism in Nigeria 71 3.1.5 Statistics of Religious Affiliations 75 3.2 A Brief History of the Christ Apostolic Church (C.A.C) 76 3.3 The Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries: Beginning and Expansion 80 3.3.1 Beliefs and Practices 85 3.3.2. Vision and Mission Statement 86 3.3.3. Major Practices of the MFM 87 3.3.4. MFM Programmes 90 3.3.5. MFM Media 91 3.3.6. Organisation and Structure 91 3.3.7. MFM Ministries 92 3.3.8. MFM’s World Locations 93 3.4 Conclusion 95

Chapter IV: History, Practices and Ministries of the MFM Church 4.0 Introduction 95 4.1 Leadership Roles in Styles 95 4.2 Leadership Roles in Motivation 96 4.3 Leadership Roles in Worship 98 4.3.1 The MFM Prayer city 98 4.3.2 Contextualisation 100 4.4 Leadership Roles in the Operation of Spiritual Gifts 111 4.5 Leadership Roles in Relation to Gender Issues 114 4.6 Leadership Roles in Exercising Power and Authority 114 4.7 Leadership Roles in Conflict Resolution 116 4.8 Leadership Roles in Raising and Administering Funds (Local Resources) 116 4.9 Conclusion 118

Chapter V: Transnationalisation and Leadership Roles in the MFM of the Netherlands 5.0 Introduction 119 5.1 Brief Information about the Respondents 119 5.2 A History of the Beginning and Growth of the MFM in the Netherlands 121 5.3 MFM Locations in the Netherlands 125 5.4. Transnationalisation 125 5.4.1 Causes and Goal(s) of Transnationalisation 126 5.4.2 Targeted Groups and Patterns of Organisation in Transnationalisation 127 5.4.3 Worldview in Transnationalisation 128 5.4.4 Spiritual Matters in Transnationalisation 130 5.4.5 Teachings and Practices in Transnationalisation 131 5.4.6 Relationships in Transnationalisation 131 5.4.7 The Media and Transnationalisation 132 5.5 Leadership Roles 133 5.5.1 Leadership Styles 133 5.5.2 Leadership Roles in Motivation 135 5.5.3 Leadership Roles in Worship 143 5.5.4 Leadership Roles in the use of Spiritual Gifts 147 5.5.5 Leadership and Gender 149 5.5.6 Leadership Roles in the Exercise of Power and Authority 150 5.5.7 Leadership Roles in Conflict Resolution 152 5.5.8 Leadership Roles in Raising and Disbursing Funds 152 5.6 Conclusion 154

Chapter VI: Transnationalisation and Leadership Roles in the MFM of Ghana 6.0 Introduction 157 6.1. Brief Information about the Respondents 157 6.2 Pentecostalism in Ghana 158 6.3 A History of the Beginning and Growth of the MFM Ghana 165 6.4 MFM Locations in Ghana 170 6.5. Enoch Aminu and His Pure Fire Ministries Ghana 171 6.5.1 Enoch Aminu and His Cessation from the MFM of Ghana 171 6.5.2 Enoch Aminu Ministries 172 6.6. Transnationalisation 174 6.6.1 Causes and Goal(s) of Transnationalisation 174 6.6.2 Targeted Groups and Patterns of Organisation 175 6.6.3 Worldview in Transnationalisation 176 6.6.4 Spiritual Matters in Transnationalisation 177 6.6.5 Teachings and Practices in Transnationalisation 177 6.6.6 Relationships in Transnationalisation 178 6.6.7 The Media in Transnationalisation 178 6.7 Leadership Roles 179 6.7.1 Leadership Styles 179 6.7.2 Leadership Roles in Motivation 180 6.7.3 Leadership Roles in Worship 182 6.7.4 Leadership Roles in the use of Spiritual Gifts 186 6.7.5 Leadership and Gender 188 6.7.6 Leadership Roles in the Exercise of Power and Authority 189 6.7.7 Leadership Roles in Conflict Resolution 190 6.7.8 Leadership Roles in Raising and Disbursing Funds 191 6.8 Conclusion 192

CHAPTER VII: COMPARISONS AND CONCLUSIONS 7.0 Introduction 195 7.1 Comparisons and Observations on Transnationalisation 195 7.1.1 Causes and Goals of Transnationalisation 196 7.1.2 Target Groups and Patterns of Organisation 196 7.1.3 Worldviews in Transnationalisation 197 7.1.4 Spiritual Matters in Transnationalisation 198 7.1.5 Teachings and Practices in Transnationalisation 199 7.1.6 Relationship and Transnationalisation 201 7.1.7 Media and Transnationalisation 202 7.2 Comparisons and Observations on Leadership Roles 203 7.2.1 Leadership Styles 203 7.2.2 Leadership and Motivation 205 7.2.3 Leadership and Worship 206 7.2.4 Leadership and Spiritual Gifts 208 7.2.5 Leadership and Gender 209 7.2.6 Leadership Roles in the Exercise of Power and Authority 210 7.2.7 Leadership Roles in Conflict Resolution 212 7.2.8 Leadership Roles in Raising and Disbursing Funds 213 7.3 Summary and Conclusions 213 7.4 Concluding Remarks ` 217

Bibliography 219

Summary 233

Samenvatting 236

Appendix I 239

Appendix II 241

Curriculum Vitae 243 Acknowledgments

My deep and unreserved appreciation goes to my supervisors; Professor dr. Cornelis van der Laan and Professor dr. Hendrik M. Vroom. I am indeed humbled by their humility. They are both more than supervisors to me. As my academic mentors, they placed my feet on the path of academic discipline. In their criticisms they were thorough and objective. They painstakingly read through and critiqued this work. They gave timely corrections, warnings, guidance and suggestions which greatly enriched this research work. Beyond these, as fathers, they encouraged me in my moments of pains and family challenges. Should I possess a thousand tongues, they would be grossly insufficient to express my sincere and heartfelt gratitude to these distinguished supervisors. They gave me a new understanding of academic mentoring. A mentoring which transcends paper works. A mentoring which exemplified the love of Christ; a mentoring with an impeccable academic excellence; a mentoring that is self-less. To them both, I remain eternally grateful.

I am also very grateful to all other members of the Faculty of Theology and Philosophy who had taught me one course or the other. Professor dr. Hans de Wit, Prof. dr. Willie van der Merwe, Prof. dr. Wim Janse the dean of the faculty and all others, I am very grateful to you all for your academic mentoring. I am also very thankful to Dr. Annette Mosher, the International Students Director of the Faculty of Theology and Philosophy. Their love, counsels and guidance during my programme at VU is highly appreciated. My list of appreciation would be incomplete if I fail to mention the Rev. Professor Deji Ayegboyin, the President of the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso for his interest in my study at VU and in the progress of this work. In addition, I am grateful for his provision of links with persons who were of assistance in this research. More importantly, it was under his leadership in the Seminary that I was granted study leave. May the Lord continue to honour and increase him.

My special thanks and appreciation goes also to the entire members of the Riverside Baptist Church, Odo-Alamo, Ogbomoso for their love and support to me during the pursuit of this study. They lovingly permitted me to be away for the period I was in Amsterdam for study. May the Lord continue to increase, uphold and abundantly bless His Church. I am also very grateful to my pastoral associate, Pastor Olukayode Ayoola for his prayers and support. May the Lord abundantly bless him.

My profound gratitude also goes to the leadership of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, the Governing Council of the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary Ogbomoso, and the President and Administrative Council of the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary Ogbomoso for the opportunity to pursue a doctoral study abroad. May the Lord continue to bless the Nigerian Baptist Convention family.

I am particularly grateful to all those who painstakingly provided me with primary information for this research in the Netherlands and Ghana. Of note in this regard are, Pastors Emmanuel Olumobi, Kofi Ansah, Kayode Ifebajo and Sister Elisabeth and all others. May the Lord continue to bless them. I must also express my heart of gratitude to Brother Segun Abiodun who helped in the print lay-out for the work.

I am deeply and profoundly grateful to my wife, Elisabeth Omolara Adenike Ajani. Her total support for me is highly cherished. While I was away in Amsterdam, she gladly held forth the home-front Thanks “Iyawo mi owon” (my precious wife) for always being there. May the Lord Almighty grant her multiple fulfillments in Jesus name! For all my siblings, relatives and all who shaped my life in one way or the other towards the realisation of this dream, may they be truly blessed of the Lord. I remain eternally thankful to the Lord God Almighty who saved me by His eternal power and daily sustains my life as He guides me into accomplishing His purposes for my life.

Abbreviations

Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries - MFM

African Independent Church - AIC

Christ Apostolic Church - CAC

Faith Tabernacle - FT

General Overseer - G.O.

Assistant General Overseer - A.G.O

Regional Overseer - RO

Assistant Regional Overseer - ARO