MOTE FORMS OF CHRISTIANITY

PRESYBETERIAN UNIVERSITY OF EAST
AFRICA
NAKURU CAMPUS
DEPARTMENT: BACHELOR IN THEOLOGY
COURSE CODE: TCH 300 AFRICAN CHURCH

HISTORY II
STUDENTS NAME: JEREMIAH MOTE WAIMIRI
ADMISSION NO: V30/NK/16445/2024
TERM PAPER SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL

FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR
THE AWARD OF THEOLOGY
LECTURERS NAME: REV. MERCY KARANU
ASSIGNMENT: CAT TWO EVALUATING

ALTERNATIVE FORM OF CHRISTIANITY IN
AFRICA.
DATE OF SUBMISSION: 9TH DEC, 2024

EVALUATING ALTERNATIVE FORMS OF CHRISTIANITY IN AFRICA EG.
INDEPENDENT CHURCH MOVEMENT
INTRODUCTION
Alternative forms of Christianity in Africa are rich dynamic and integral to the continents
spiritual and cultural life. They showcase how faith can adopt to local context while
addressing the needs of diverse communities.
Christianity in Africa has undergone significant transformation since its introduction,

evolving beyond traditional missionary led denominations like catholic (Roman)
Anglicanism and Protestantism. Over time, alternative forms of Christianity emerged,
rooted in the unique cultural, social and spiritual context of the continent. These reflect
the dynamic inter play between Christianity and African traditions often adopting to the
continents diverse cultural landscapes and addressing the specific needs of its people.
Alternative forms of Christianity typically include African independent churches (AICS)

Pentecostal and Christiania movements, prophetic and messianic sectors and syncretic
religion groups that blend Christianity with indigenous beliefs. They arose as responses
to colonial denomination, cultural all enation and the rigid structures of missionary
churches offering a more localized empowering and inclusive expression of faith.
These forms often emphasize spiritual healing, prophetic visions, community based
worship and the integration of African cultural practices. By priotizing indigenous
leadership and local contexts they represent a critical shift towards Africanizing
Christianity ensuring its relevance and resilience across the continent. When one
understand these movements is essential to appreciate the diversity of African
Christianity and its role in shaping identity, community and spirituality in the region of
Africa.
i. African Independent Churches (AICs)
They are Christian religious movements that originated in Africa. Primarily as result of
African communities adapting Christianity to their cultural, social and spiritual contexts.
These churches emerged in response to missionaries, cultural imposition and the lack of
recognition for African leadership within mission founded churches. The key features of
African independent churches are:
a) Indigenous leadership
AICs are led by African leaders emphasizing autonomy and independence from foreign
missionary central.
b) Cultural integration
AICs incorporate African traditions music dance and symbols into Christian worship
blending Christian’s doctrines with local customs.
c) Spiritual emphasis
Many AICs focus on healing, prophecy and charismatic practices reflecting a strong
belief in the holy spirits power and a connection to African spirituality.
d) Community orientation
AICs often serve as centers for a community support, offering solution to social and
economic issues alongside spiritual guidance.
We have types of AICs as diverse with many variations; broadly they can be classified
into:
i.Ethiopian churches- these emphasizes African self-reliance and leadership

while retaining much of the traditional Christian worship doctrine eg. African
Methodist episcopal church.
ii. Zionist churches- known for charismatic practices like healing and prophecy
often with a focus on the holy spirit (e.g. Zion Christian church)
iii. Prophetic or apostolic churches- these are led by prophets or apostles who
claim divine inspiration (e.g. church of the lord alodura in Nigeria)
ii. Pentecostal and charismatic churches
Pentecostalism has grown rapidly in Africa focusing on spiritual gifts such as speaking in
tongues healing and prophecy. The key features are, they are vibrant in worship with
music and dance. They emphasis on personal salvation prosperity gospel and miracles,
they are strong in appealing to urban populations seeking spiritual empowerment.
Examples of these churches are redeemed Christian church of god and universal church
of the kingdom of God.(originating from Brazil but influential in Africa).
iii. Liberation theology movement
In some African contexts Christianity has been used as tool for political and social
liberation. The key features include; advocacy for justice, human rights and anti-colonial
struggles. Incorporation of African communal values into theology. Examples are the
kayos document in the South Africa which linked Christian theology to anti-apartheid
resistance.
iv. Contemporary evangelical movements
These are heavily influenced by global evangelical trends but tailored to African needs
Key features
- Strong emphasis on bible teaching, evangelism and discipleship.

- Use of modern media and technology for outreach
Examples are
Christ embassy (love world ministries0
Hill song affiliates across Africa.
v. House churches and informal fellowship
These are small decentralized Christian community that emphasizes intimate fellowship
and grassroots organizations.
Key features
- Flexibility in worship styles

- Often cater to marginalized groups
Examples are
Informal Christian gatherings in rural or urban poor communities.
vi. The independent church movement
In Africa represents one of the most significant alternative forms of Christianity on the
continent. These churches often referred to as African independent church (AICs) or
African inflated churches emerged as response to colonialism, missionary dominance and
the desire for centralized Christianity that reflects African cultural values and spirituality.
The independent church started in the early 19th to 20th centuries as African Christian
grew dissatisfied with missionary led churches. The key reasons include:
a. Cultural all enation missionary churches often dismissed African customs and
imposed European traditions.
b. Racial discrimination; African leaders and congregants faced marginalization in
missionary led churches.
c. Spiritual needs; many Africans sought a more experimental faith that addressed
their social and spiritual realities.
Evaluation of the independent church movement.
a. Contextualized Christianity. African independent church provides a form of

Christianity that resonates with African cultural and spiritual realities. Making
faith more accessible and relevant.
b. Empowerment and autonomy; by rejecting colonial and missionary dominance,
AICs empower African leaders and communities to define their own religious
practices.
c. Spiritual vitality. The movements focus on healing prophecy and charismatic
leadership offers a vibrant and experiential faith that appeal to many.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, alternative forms of Christianity in Africa such as African independent
churches, Pentecostal and charismatic movements and contextual theologies demonstrate
the continents dynamic engagement with faith. These expressions reflect a desire for
autonomy, cultural relevance and spiritual vitality of African communities. They
challenge the dominance of missionary led denominations and colonial influences
offering localized interpretation of Christianity that resonates deeply with African
traditions and world views.
These movement empower communities and provide hope they also face challenges such
as doctrinal inconsistences over emphasis on material prosperity and risks of
authoritarian leadership. Despite these issues they continue to play a crucial role in the
growth and diversification of Christianity in Africa show casing the continents ability to
adopt and innovate within the Christian tradition.
They often address local challenges provide a sense of identity and foster spirituality
resilience contributing significally to the growth and vibrancy of Christianity in Africa
REFERENCES
Unpublished publications and internet sources.

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PRESYBETERIAN UNIVERSITY OF EAST

DEPARTMENT: BACHELOR IN THEOLOGY

COURSE CODE: TCH 300 AFRICAN CHURCH

STUDENTS NAME: JEREMIAH MOTE WAIMIRI

ADMISSION NO: V30/NK/16445/2024

TERM PAPER SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL

LECTURERS NAME: REV. MERCY KARANU

ASSIGNMENT: CAT TWO EVALUATING

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 9TH DEC, 2024

Christianity in Africa has undergone significant transformation since its introduction,

Alternative forms of Christianity typically include African independent churches (AICS)

i. African Independent Churches (AICs)

i.Ethiopian churches- these emphasizes African self-reliance and leadership

iii. Liberation theology movement

iv. Contemporary evangelical movements

- Strong emphasis on bible teaching, evangelism and discipleship.

Christ embassy (love world ministries0

Hill song affiliates across Africa.

v. House churches and informal fellowship

- Flexibility in worship styles

Informal Christian gatherings in rural or urban poor communities.

vi. The independent church movement

Evaluation of the independent church movement.

a. Contextualized Christianity. African independent church provides a form of

Unpublished publications and internet sources.

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