Friday, 1 August 2014

An Understanding Of African Ministries

By Sharron Cantu


Africa as a continent has currently 54 nations and is acknowledged as the most densely inhabited continent. Its status also includes a couple of countries at war, massive unemployment, poverty including problems linked with low development elsewhere in this world. However its inhabitants being very religious due to years of evangelism activity reflected in the large number of Clerical African Ministries in the continent that play huge roles in solving some of the said problems.

There are two broad types of ministries in Africa, government and church ministries for example the Presbyterian Mission Agency among other denominational based agencies. Both have the chief role of offering service to the people. They are both seen to work hand in hand in the community and in so doing supplement each other in different areas where the other is inadequate.

The two categories of ministries vary in a few ways. These variances include for instance a drift in leadership structure in that church ministry normally have clergy men as leaders while government ones are run by elected heads. Moreover in the case of the structure employed by church ministry there is direct engagement of the society as in government ministry its structure is seemingly incoherent with the community. Individually the two perform 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.

Church oriented evangelism have diverse roles they assign themselves depending chiefly on what aim the church and its congregation agree on. Commonly this includes acting as the voice of the community by airing their views, linking with external donors, management of aid accorded to locals as well as assisting in development projects in areas they are based. The activities undertaken however must in accordance with the law.

The current kinds of religious agencies differ and most often based geographically. Northern Africa being primarily Islamic has few Christian based ministries as they operate a lot on Islam based laws while the eastern as well as the western regions of the continent have both protestant and catholic ministries as is the case in the south. They all tend to provide different services in their areas of operation depending on the available needs.

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.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment