Abstract MIGRATION OF THE COMMUNICANTS FROM ANGLICANISM TO PENTECOSTALISM IN NIGERIA The migration of communicants to the Pentecostal stream of Christianity is an increasing concern for the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion (CONAC). Although there are several scholarly works reflecting on why people in general are leaving the mainline denominations, including CONAC, they have not examined the reasons for migration among previously committed members of the church. This study focused on the migration of communicants because the constitutions and canons of the CONAC expected them to be the most committed members. The process of catechesis is the process of formation for communicants, wherein they are expected to hear the word of God, be transformed into the likeness of Christ, and thereupon live out their commitment to the Anglican church in particular, as the context in which their discipleship is to be expressed. The problem of migration, therefore, can be linked to the connection between catechesis, the formation of communicants, and commitment to the CONAC. The research was guided by the following questions: What attracts Anglican communicants to the Pentecostal stream despite their roots in Anglicanism and the rich form of Anglican catechism? Why is the present CONAC catechism, role of communicants, depth of spirituality of the catechist, and worship not strong enough to retain membership? And why do attempts to adopt/adapt Pentecostal practices fail to retain members? What are the changes that need to be considered to drastically minimize migration from the CONAC to Pentecostal stream, retain members, and endear members who have left, prompting them to return? Using ethnographic instruments that focused on communicants who chose to stay in the CONAC and communicants that chose to migrate, this study analyzed the role of catechesis, commitment to the CONAC, and the attraction of communicants to Pentecostalism. The research showed that the prosperity gospel was the least significant factor effecting migration, despite the attention given to this in the literature. Rather, the culture of worship and power of the Spirit were the main attractions to Pentecostalism for communicants: a spirituality which they found lacking in the CONAC. The research also shed light on the strengths and weaknesses of the catechetical process. On the one hand, perceived failures in the process exposed weaknesses in the church’s approach to disciple-making. On the other hand, where the process was strong, it could prepare communicants for a spirituality that they would only find in the Pentecostal church. Ironically, the very catechesis that is supposed to form the most committed Anglicans is actually a significant factor in driving the problem of migration. This study concludes by examining the implications of this research for the catechetical process in making committed members of the CONAC, and the adequacy of its worship as a context to express that commitment. It is argued that the real issue of migration is not the catechism itself, but its connection to lifelong discipleship in the church for both clergy and laity. Catechesis as a bounded process ought to be situated within a lifelong spiritual journey of discipleship. Communicants migrate to Pentecostal churches because that is where they get to express the commitment and spirituality they have been taught in the Anglican catechism, but have not found in the Anglican church. Therefore, there needs to be a renewal of catechism in conjunction with the worship and discipling culture of the whole church. The evidence and argument of this dissertation suggest that such a process of renewal could at least help to mitigate the problem in some (if not ) many cases. MIGRATION OF THE COMMUNICANTS FROM ANGLICANISM TO PENTECOSTALISM IN NIGERIA A DISSERTATION PRESENTED TO THE FACULTY OF ASBURY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY WILMORE, KENTUCKY IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY DISSERTATION COMMITTEE DR. PHILIP R. MEADOWS, MENTOR DR. W. JAY MOON, READER BY SAMUEL AYOTOLA ODUBENA 2020 Copyright © 2020 by Samuel Ayotola Odubena All rights reserved. Table of Contents Abstract Title Page Copyright Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................v List of Abbreviations .................................................................................................................. viii Lists of Tables and Figures ............................................................................................................ ix Acknowledgements ..........................................................................................................................x Dedication .................................................................................................................................... xii Chapter 1: Introduction to Research Introduction .....................................................................................................................................1 Statement of the Problem ................................................................................................................3 Research Questions .........................................................................................................................8 Significance of the Research ...........................................................................................................8 Scope and Delimitation ...................................................................................................................9 Definition of Key Terms ...............................................................................................................10 Theoretical Framework .................................................................................................................20 Research Methodology and Data Collection ................................................................................27 Research Approaches ....................................................................................................................31 Analytical Framework (Data Analysis) ........................................................................................39 Summary of Chapter One .............................................................................................................40 Chapter 2: The Development of the CONAC and Pentecostalism in Nigeria Overview of the Chapter ...............................................................................................................42 A Brief History of Nigeria ............................................................................................................42 History of Christianity in Nigeria .................................................................................................44 The Emergence, Form and Development of Anglicanism in Nigeria ..........................................53 The Role and Significance of Anglicanism in Nigeria .................................................................57 The Role and Significance of Pentecostalism in Nigeria ..............................................................61 Summary of Chapter Two .............................................................................................................67 Chapter 3: Perspectives on the Problem of Migration Overview of the Chapter ...............................................................................................................69 Migration and Causes of Migration ..............................................................................................69 Response to and Implication of Migration ....................................................................................75 Synthesis of Literature ..................................................................................................................78 Summary of Chapter Three ...........................................................................................................82 Chapter 4: The Principles and Practice of Anglican Catechesis Overview of the Chapter ...............................................................................................................83 A History of the Rite of Confirmation ..........................................................................................84 v The CONAC Catechism ...............................................................................................................89 The Process of the Rite of Confirmation ......................................................................................93 The Confirmation Liturgy .............................................................................................................96 Post Confirmation Commitment .................................................................................................102 The Meaning of Worship ............................................................................................................103 The Principles and Praxis of the CONAC Worship ....................................................................106 Archival Study of the CONAC Worship ....................................................................................112 Summary of Chapter Four ..........................................................................................................116 Chapter 5: The Attractions of Pentecostalism and