I HAS THE MISSION OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IN GRAND BASSA COUNTY, LIBERIA PARTICIPATED IN THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE OF BASSA SINCE 2000 TO 2012? Clarence Lamphere Benson AVH5010 – Master’s Thesis (60 ECTS – credits) Master in Theology Supervisor: Rev. Dr. Roar G. Fotland A DRAFT PROPOSAL SUMBITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF THEOLOGY IN THE NORWEGIAN SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY Spring 2013 MF – Norwegian School of Theology I DEDICATION I dedicate this thesis to my late Father HENRY D. BENSON, SR., who worked all of his life to see his children achieve their dreams but the cold hands of death did not permit him to see this day. You will ever be remembered in my life as long as I live. Also, I will like to dedicate this thesis to my Mother MRS. ROSE GREENE BENSON, for her dedication her prayers and encouragement for her children to succeed in life. II ABSTRACT Introduction: This thesis looks at how the people of Grand Bassa County perceive the work of the United Methodist Church in Grand Bassa County. The introductory chapter gives a full outline of the thesis and highlights the profile of the thesis. It also states the problems, study objectives, research question and an overview of the literature which forms the basis for the study. Methodology: The method used in was a qualitative approach where a semi-structure interview style of interviewing was employed. Semi-Structure Interview- is typically refers to a context in which the interviewer has a series of questions that are in a general form of an interview guide but is able to vary the sequence of questions. The interviewer also has some latitude to ask further questions in response to what are seen as significant replies. Findings: The research finds out that the United Methodist Church (UMC) in Grand Bassa County is participating in the transformation of lives of the Bassa people according to the five marks of global mission. However, the people of Grand Bassa County perceive the UMC to be more engaged in transformation through Proclamation, Teaching, Baptism and Nurturing its members and as well as other Christian and the Respond to Human needs by loving service such as the provision of schools, awarding of scholarships to the poor and disinherited in Grand Bassa County, health services delivery, improving their living conditions through the construction of Hand Pumps, connecting farms to market roads and building bridges, which the people believe are crucial to their survival. However, the study further find out that not much has been done in the areas of transforming the unjust Structures of Society as the people are divided on the topic. While some feel that the church is playing her role in addressing the unjust structure of society, there are many others who believe that the church is silent and needs to wake up if the church must be the voice of the voiceless. On the fifth mark of mission, the people believe that the church has not and is not doing much to educate the people on the danger of climate change. Conclusion: The thesis concludes with a summary and cite some observations and suggests where the church needs to pay attention in it mission based on the five marks of Walls and Ross five marks of mission. Thesis finds out that the church is making significant progress in light of the first, second and third marks of mission. However, according to the interviewees, the church needs to do more when it comes to the church the church addressing the social structure of society in Grand Bassa county and to enlighten people on sustaining the earth. III ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This study has been possible through the contributions of many people and I give my sincere thanks to them all. I will like to convey my deepest gratitude to my academic supervisor, Rev. Dr. Roar G. Fotland for his invaluable guidance and constructive comments throughout the study. I express special thanks to my friends and colleagues in Norway for their friendship, support and the sharing of ideas throughout the period that we have known each other. Last but not least, I would like to specially acknowledge my parents, Mother, my siblings and all family members for their unwavering support and encouragement throughout my journey in this course. IV List of Abbreviations AFL Arm Forces of Liberia DCS Department of Community Services LAC/UMC ECOMOG Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group ECOWAS Economic Community of West African States GBCO Grand Bassa County INPFL Independent National Patriotic Front of Liberia ISO International Organization for Standardization LAC Liberia Annual Conference LAP Liberia Action Party LCC Liberian Council of Churches LUP Liberia Unification Party LURD Liberia United for Reconciliation and MODEL Movement for Democracy in Liberia NDPL National Democratic Party of Liberia NPFL National Patriotic Front of Liberia PRC People Redemption Council TWP True Weigh Party UMC United Methodist Church UP Unity Party UPP United People’s Party WHO World Health Organization V Table of Contents DEDICATION .......................................................................................................................... I ABSTRACT .............................................................................................................................. II ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................................... III Table of Contents ..................................................................................................................... V 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Profile of Study Site .............................................................................................................. 4 1.2 Problem Statement ................................................................................................................ 8 1.3 Justification and purpose of the study ................................................................................ 9 1.4 Study Objectives .................................................................................................................. 10 1.5 Research Questions ............................................................................................................. 10 1.5.1 Additional Questions ...................................................................................................................... 10 1.6 Area and scope of the study ............................................................................................... 11 1.7 Conceptual Model ............................................................................................................... 11 1.8 Research Methodology ....................................................................................................... 11 1.9 Literature Review ............................................................................................................... 13 1.10 Research Ethics ................................................................................................................... 13 1.11 Structure and Organization of the Thesis ......................................................................... 14 2 CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK..................................................................................... 15 2.1 Definition of the term .......................................................................................................... 15 2.2 Concepts of Transformation .............................................................................................. 15 2.2.1 Proclamation ................................................................................................................................... 16 2.2.2 Baptism and Nurturing .................................................................................................................... 20 2.2.3 Political Awareness......................................................................................................................... 22 2.2.4 Nurturing of the young converts ..................................................................................................... 23 2.2.5 The Church’s Response to Human Needs by loving Service .......................................................... 23 2.2.6 To seek to transform unjust structures of society............................................................................ 25 2.2.7 To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth ............ 27 2.2.8 Degradation of the life of the earth ................................................................................................. 28 2.3 Historical background of the research .............................................................................. 29 2.3.1 Grand Bassa County ....................................................................................................................... 38 2.3.2 The United Methodist Church in Liberia ........................................................................................ 38 3 Research Methodology .................................................................................................... 41 3.1 The Method Used ................................................................................................................ 41 3.2 Identification of population and sample ..........................................................................