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008 180806s2023 sa ||||fom|d| 001 e eng |
040 _aZA-BrSAT
_cZA-BrSAT
100 _aBeddim, Jonas Bekpene
_d1975
_9955
245 _aAn Examination of the Holistic Ministry Approach of Classical Pentecostal Congregations in Amasaman, Accra, Ghana
260 _aJohannesburg
_bSouth African Theological Seminary
_c2023
300 _a153
_bPDF
_cA4
_eAbstract, TOC, Works Cited List
502 _bMaster of Theology
_cSouth African Theological Seminary
_d2023
_gDr Luc Kabongo
520 _aThe main research objective was to help provide tools in the form of a curriculum for congregation leaders to catalyse and prioritise a holistic ministry approach. The research problem stemmed from the fact that the three Classical Pentecostal congregations in Amasaman continually miss out on embarking on any clear, practical strategies to improve the congregants’ and society’s quality of life. The main research question that guided the literature review was: What would it look like to develop a holistic ministry that improves the quality of life among three classical Pentecostal congregations in Amasaman? To answer this question, I asked four sub-questions: What is the current situation regarding holistic ministry in those congregations? What insights does the existing literature give us about these congregations’ approaches to ministry? What are the theological and biblical principles behind holistic ministry? And how might these congregations adopt and prioritise a holistic approach to ministry? The research found that, firstly, since the inception of “Classical Pentecostal” churches in Ghana in the past six decades, little attention has been given to a holistic approach to ministry within the study area. Secondly, data revealed that some members ignorantly brought their traditional mind sets into the ecclesia. They only need spiritual growth at the expense of socioeconomic development. This phenomenon gave the congregation leaders the liberty to not plan to alleviate poverty within and without the congregation. Thirdly, those weaned off the traditional mind set are of the view that the pastors only care for their personal socio-economic growth at the expense of the poor congregants and the society. Last but not least, the data showed that the leadership was not equipped to handle ministry holistically. In conclusion, the researcher suggested that (i) congregational leaders should partner with the government and other local businesses to find jobs for the people in society. (ii) mobilise resources through annual offerings and solicit funds from philanthropies to open skill training centres to empower the congregants and society socio-economically. (iii) impress upon government and political leaders to fulfil their promises for community development. The congregational leaders are to adopt and prioritise the suggested practical strategies in the working spirit of the four models: The Early Church model, the Agabus-Paul model, the InnerCHANGE South Africa model, and the Jesus’ Social Ministry model.
650 0 _aPentecostalism
_9405
650 0 _aChurch
_930
942 _2ddc
_cTHE
999 _c16952
_d16952