Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Dissertation Projects DMin Graduate Research 1989 Training for Evangelism Among the Yorubas of Nigeria Joseph Adebisi Ola Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dmin Part of the Missions and World Christianity Commons Recommended Citation Ola, Joseph Adebisi, "Training for Evangelism Among the Yorubas of Nigeria" (1989). Dissertation Projects DMin. 210. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dmin/210 This Project Report is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertation Projects DMin by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Thank you for your interest in the Andrews University Digital Library of Dissertations and Theses. 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Oversize materials (e.g., maps, drawings, charts) are reproduced by sectioning the original, beginning at the upper left-hand comer and continuing from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps. ProQuest Information and Learning 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 USA 800-521-0600 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT TRAINING FOR EVANGELISM AMONG THE YORUBAS OF NIGERIA by Joseph A. Ola Adviser: Norman Miles i I Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH A PROJECT REPORT Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary TITLE: TRAINING FOR EVANGELISM AMONG THE YORUBAS OF NIGERIA Name of Researcher: Joseph Adebisi Ola Name and degree of faculty chair: Norman Miles, Ph.D. Date completed: August 1989. Problem When the Seventh-day Adventist church came to Nigeria in 1914, the Yorubas were the first people exposed to the church's message; today, Yorubas are the least receptive to Adventism when compared to the growth of Adventism in other parts of the country. Urban development in Yorubaland today presents the greatest challenge to the church; Yorubas forming one-fifth of the 100 million people in Nigeria. Most converts among Yorubas are from other denominations, for traditional religionists seldom attend Adventist crusades and are never converted to the Adventist faith. Since evangelistic campaigns lack efficient coordination within the whole church, the responsibility of Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. evangelism is usually left to the pastoral staff with laity as spectators. This project was designed to train ministers and laity in effective ways to evangelize Yorubas. Method The project uses descriptive analytical method to examine Yoruba religion and beliefs. This presents the world view of Yorubas and offers an explanation why Yorubas have not been attracted into the Adventist church. It also indicated why laity, including some pastors, are not enthusiastic about sharing their faith within their communities. Results Our study revealed that on the conference-level leadership has nos failed to encourage local churches to conduct public crusades— especially when funds are needed for evangelism. Also, many Yoruba religious beliefs have striking parallels with certain Christian concepts. Yoruba cosmology has two orders: (1) Orun, or heaven, the highest order, is the abode of the Supreme Being, Olorun Olodumare, who is less concerned with the day-to-day affairs of men but responds to the call of man in desparate situations, also is the abode of Orisas and the ancestral spirits; (2) while the second order, Aye, the world of human beings: is where mankind has to contend with evil forces and seek external powers to defend them from these evil forces. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Conclusions Ministers must be trained to know how to present Jesus Christ to the Yorubas. The church must make use of N.T. methods. Evangelizing to make disciples for Christ is an urgent matter for all church members. To reach Yorubas, one must start with what they know before expanding to the unknown. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary TRAINING FOR EVANGELISM AMONG THE YORUBAS OF NIGERIA A Project Report Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Ministry by Joseph Adebisi Ola August 1989 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number: 3096482 i UMI_ _ ® ■ ■ " — 1 - i ! UMI Microform 3096482 I Copyright 2003 by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. ! All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. i i ProQuest Information and Learning Company I 300 North Zeeb Road i P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TRAINING FOR EVANGELISM AMONG THE YORUBAS OF NIGERIA A project report presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Ministry by Joseph A. Ola APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE: Acjviser,sr, ' ' Dean, ttformorman Miles SDA Theological Seminary Russell Staples™^- — y,„., /* /?#?. C~. Rayirtond Holmes Days approved Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS..................................... viii INTRODUCTION ....................................... 1 Statement of the Project ......................... 1 Justification of the Project ..................... 5 Description of the Project....................... 12 Limitation of the Project ....................... 13 Definition of the P r o j e c t ....................... 13 Overall View of the P r o j e c t ..................... 13 Chapter I. SURVEY OF THE HISTORY AND CULTURE OF THE YORUBA P E O P L E ....................... 16 Yoruba Society and Culture ................ 17 Urban Way of L i f e ........................... 19 Their Origin ............................... 21 The Yoruba Kings (Oba) ..................... 22 Three Important States in Yoruba Life .... 23 The Marriage Ceremony ................... 24 The Birth Ceremony....................... 28 The Funeral Ceremony ..................... 30 The Religious System of the Yoruba People . 35 Olorun— The Supreme Deity .............. 37 The Major Deities (The O r i s a s ) .......... 41 Orisa-Nla (Obatala) ..................... 42 O d u d u w a ................................. 43 Orunmila................................. 43 I f a ..................................... 44 O g u n ..................................... 44 ESU ..................................... 44 The Ancestors............................... 46 The Deified Ancestors ................... 47 Family Ancestors ......................... 48 The Secret Societies (Ogboni Society) .... 49 Oro G u i l d ............................... 49 Meditation in Yorubaland ................... 50 Olori E b i ............................... 50 The P r i e s t ............................... 50 The K i n g s ............................... 51 Orisa Meditating for Another Orisa .... 51 iii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. The D i a g r a m................................. 52 Individual Ritual for Cleaning .......... 52 Community Rituals (Festivals) .............. 53 II. THEOLOGY OF EVANGELISM AS OUTLINED IN THE G O S P E L S ............................... 55 Evangelism: A Definition.............. 57 What is Theology? ...................... 59 Principles of Evangelism as Outlined by Christ in the G o s p e l s ................ 61 Respect for People ....................... 62 Employing T a c t ........................... 63 Utilization of Opportunity .............. 64 Need for S t r a t e g y ...................... 65 Involvement in the Life of the Individual ...................... 66 S e l e c t i o n ......................... 69 Association ...................... 69 Demonstration .................... 71 Delegation ...................... 71 Supervison ...................... 72 Social Action .................... 73 The Apostles and the Unfailing