MISSION AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE INTERNATIONAL CENTRAL GOSPEL CHURCH IN GHANA BY MAWULI KOFI TAMAKLOE Submitted in Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PhD) In the Faculty of Theology and Religion (Science of Religion and Missiology) At the UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA Principal Supervisor: Prof. Dr. C.J.P (Nelus) Niemandt Co-Supervisor: Dr. Peter White APRIL 2020 DECLARATION I declare that the thesis, which I hereby submit for the degree at the University of Pretoria, is my own work and has not previously been submitted by me for a degree at this or any other tertiary institution. Student Signature : Student Name: Mawuli Kofi Tamakloe Student Number: 16403054 Department: Science of Religion and Missiology Date: 26th April 2020 ii DECLARATION OF ORIGINALITY Full names and surname of student: Mawuli Kofi Tamakloe Student number: 16403054 Topic of work: Mission and Development in the International Central Gospel Church in Ghana Declaration 1. I understand what plagiarism is and am aware of the University’s policy in this regard. 2. I declare that this thesis is my own original work. Where other people’s work has been used (either from a printed source, Internet or any other source), this has been properly acknowledged and referenced in accordance with departmental requirements. 27th April 2020 ____________________ ___________ SIGNATURE DATE iii ETHICS STATEMENT The author, whose name appears on the title page of this thesis, has obtained, for the research described in this work, the applicable research ethics approval. The author declares that he/she has observed the ethical standards required in terms of the University of Pretoria’s Code of ethics for researchers and the Policy guidelines for responsible research. iv THESIS SUMMARY MISSION AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE INTERNATIONAL CENTRAL GOSPEL CHURCH IN GHANA MAWULI KOFI TAMAKLOE Supervisor: Prof. Dr. C.J.P (Nelus) Niemandt Co-supervisor: Dr. Peter White Department: Science of Religion and Missiology University: University of Pretoria Degree: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Four decades after Charismatic churches emerged in 1979 in Ghana; only a few has executed sustainable mission and development making an impactful contribution in Ghana, in contrast to the majority. This thesis investigated the relationship between mission and development in the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC) in Ghana and applied sustainable approaches making impactful contributions, reflective to mission and global development concepts. The process also examined factors that precipitated the emergence of Charismatic churches in Ghana; for better appreciation of the study’s context. Qualitative case study design, purposeful sampling of the International Central Gospel church, primary and secondary data were applied. Primary data collected on participants’ “opinions and views” through semi-structured interviews, focused group discussions and participatory observation were inductively analyzed. Findings on emerging themes were discussed in the study’s chapters, maintaining participants’ voice for emphasis. Findings show Christian youth re-actions to challenges associated with mainline Christianity in part, fuelled by the negative effects of the late 1970s and 1980s socio-economic hardships particularly on the youth; were precipitating factors behind the emergence of the Charismatic churches in Ghana. Secondly, findings show existence of relationship between mission in the ICGC and applied “God centered” and “members centered” mission approaches reflective of and v making relevant the twentieth (20th) century ecumenical mission movement model concepts of missio Dei, missio ecclesia and Henry Venn’s “Indigenous Church Principle”. While the “God centered” approach enable both the clergy and laity depend on God for divine resourcefulness and sustenance to execute mission, the “members centered” mission approach allow local church members own and actualize the local mission agenda; through spread, financial support, governance participation and the application of biblical texts to personal challenges. This applied mission approach facilitated the ICGC mission spread, sustenance and national impact; planting eight hundred and sixty-two (862) churches as at January 2019 both in Ghana and the Diaspora, employed over one thousand (1000) pastoral and administrative staff in Ghana alone; within thirty- five (35) years and still counting. Based on the above findings the ICGC mission approach can be described as “sustainable mission approaches”. Thirdly, results demonstrate co-relation between Development in the ICGC and applied human development approach reflective of selected Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Agenda 2030. Findings showed improvement in participants’ human development in areas of; overcoming poverty; attainment of quality and higher education; improved health-care and healthy lifestyles; accessing clean water and improved sanitation; community peace, social justice and inclusive society; gainful employment and decent income, small scale entrepreneurship; affording descent housing. All these human development findings reflect key reference SDGs “Goal 1”, “Goal 4”, “Goal 3”, “Goal 6”, “Goal 16” and “Goal 8” respectively. Again, findings show the pulpit ministry’s contribution to sustain development, dealing with issues that impede sustainability. This result also describes “sustainable human development” in the study’s context. Finally, and premised on aforementioned discussions; the thesis has shown existence of relationship between mission and development in the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC) and applied sustainable approaches reflective of mission and development concepts, making impactful contributions in Ghana. Word count - 498 vi ABSTRACT Title: Mission and Development in the International Central Gospel Church in Ghana Author: Mawuli Kofi Tamakloe Supervisor: Prof. Dr. C.J.P (Nelus) Niemandt Co-supervisor: Dr. Peter White Department: Science of Religion and Missiology University: University of Pretoria Degree: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) vii ABSTRACT Objective: The study investigated the relationship between mission and development in the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC) in Ghana and applied sustainable approaches making impactful contributions reflective of mission and global development concepts. Necessitated by majority of Charismatic churches inability to prosecute sustainable, impactful national mission and development activities that improves people’s lives; except few Churches in four decades after their emergence since 1979, the study asked: What factors facilitated the emergence of Charismatic churches? What mission approach accounted for sustainable, impactful national mission? What accounted for sustainable development activities relative to SDGs, and participants’ human and socio-economic well-being? Population: The International Central Gospel Church (ICGC) was purposefully sampled from Charismatic churches in Ghana for the national character and scope of her mission and human development activities. The Clergy, members and non-members of (ICGC) associated with above mentioned programmes were sampled purposefully for interrogation. Method: The qualitative ‘case study’ research design was employed for in-depth information. Both primary and secondary data were employed. Primary data on “opinions and views” were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews of key respondents, focused group discussants and participatory observation. Inductive data analysis was employed to analyze the data. Findings: Analysis of responses show the existence of relationship between mission and development in the Charismatic church in Ghana and applied sustainable approaches, reflecting mission and development concepts, making impactful national mission and human development contributions. It also established correlation between the mission and socio-economic challenges of the 1970s and 1980s in sub-Saharan Africa and the emergence of Charismatic churches in Ghana. Conclusion: Based on findings, I conclude that “God centered” and “members centered” approaches help ensure sustainable mission with national spread reflective of mission Dei, mission ecclesiae and Henry Venn’s indigenous Church concept. And that human development initiative combined with elimination of anti-sustainable issues, occasion sustainable development, reflective of SDGs Agenda 2030. Application: Findings will enable smaller and stagnant churches adopt above approaches to facilitate sustainable mission and development activities for growth and improvement of viii followers’ holistic human development and well-being. Word count – 333 LIST OF KEY WORDS Mission, Development, International Central Gospel Church, sustainable mission, sustainable development, charismatic churches, Ghana, human development, socio-economic, God centered mission approach, members centered mission approach, Sustainable development goals (SDGs) Agenda 2030, pulpit ministry, Central Aid (NGO), Education, missio Dei, missio ecclesiae, Henry Venn’s Indigenous church principles, member centered propagation, member centered financial support, member centered governance, member centered theologizing, mission challenges, Diasporean mission. ix DEDICATION To the gallant youthful believers of the 1970s and 1980s who yearned for better Christian spirituality, defied nominal Christianity, suffered persecutions, endured the sub-Saharan African socio-economic crises, and bravely embraced the transformational soul