Monday, July 28, 2014

An Analysis Of African Ministries

By Sharron Cantu


Of all the continents in the world, Africa is considered to be the one with the most number of people. The continent itself currently has 54 independent states. Over the years, the continent has gathered a relatively bad reputation due to a number of weighty issues such as the high levels of insecurity mainly resulting from political instability within member states, high unemployment levels, and inequitable economies with very few rich inhabitants and the rest very poor. Besides all that, the presence of African ministries symbolizes them being religious a result of evangelism work on the ground since time immemorial there more than in any other continent.

There exists two comprehensive types of ministries, governmental and church based ministry for instance Anglican Mission Agency as well as other church based agencies. The two have the chief duty of providing service to people. They both base their work in the community thus work concurrently and in so doing complement each other.

The two key ministerial bodies vary slightly in some areas. These areas of drift include for starters leadership structure indifference such that church agencies normally really on the clergy to serve as leaders whereas administrative ones are managed by democratically elected ones. Likewise when it comes to which structures each chooses, religious ministries prefer direct engagement with society while on the other hand government ministries have structures that are seemingly distant from the community. Individually however, the two types perform their own unique roles.

Governmental based ones play only legally stipulated and accepted roles formed after consensus is made by the citizen representatives. Is could feature responsibilities such as, distribution of national resources evenly geographically, running of beneficial projects, ensuring security of the people within their borders and the protection of human rights. It is of key concern that governmental bodies serving the people ensure that they are free and fair.

Christian religious ministries outnumber those spreading the Islam religion. This mainly because missionary activity started earlier and was quite vigorous thus attracting more and more followers compared to the Islamic one. Consequently northern region of Africa is hugely administered by Islamic ministries as most communities are Muslim. In turn, the western, southern and eastern regions are covered by the Christian faith i. E. Protestant and Catholic.

The roles given to denominational based could be grouped into two, either development roles or religious duties. The development roles include being a voice to the community i. E. Airing the various needs of the people, working hand in hand with various organizations to acquire funds and finally to administer them to individuals in form of aid to individuals and self-help groups. The religious roles of this ministry include spreading their religions and converting people into believers, conducting prayers and offering training to new religious leaders.

There also exist a number of bumps towards the fulfillment of ministry work. Some range from political incorporation, cultural barriers, religious fundamentalism, geographical hindrances to mobility and harsh terrains. This hindrances are however manageable.

There are trials experienced by both categories of evangelism in provision of services. Some of these difficulties include tireless fights and conflicts, cultural practices resistant to faith and law, corruption among local leaders and many more. Nevertheless, the work done by the various holy orders is increasingly being appreciated and therefore cannot be overlooked or over ruled but be encouraged for an end to all the suffering.




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