an afro-centric missional perspective on the history of south african baptists

38 Pages·2013·0.6 MB·English

by  Desmond Henry

LEADING TOWARD MISSIONAL CHANGE: AN AFRO-CENTRIC MISSIONAL
PERSPECTIVE ON THE HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICAN BAPTISTS

Desmond Henry

Submitted in Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree

PHILOSPHIAE DOCTOR

In the Faculty of Theology
Department Science of Religion and Missiology University of Pretoria

Supervisor: Prof C.J.P. Niemandt

December 2012
©© UUnniivveerrssiittyy ooff PPrreettoorriiaa
STUDENT NUMBER: 28509405

I declare that “Leading toward missional change: an Afro-centric missional
perspective on the history of South African Baptists” is my own work and that all
sources cited herein have been acknowledged by means of complete references.

__________________ _____________________
Signature Date
D. Henry

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LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES

Name of figure Page
1. Sources used 23
2. Leading toward missional change 25
3. DRC waves of mission 66
4. BUSA waves of mission 67
5. Relooking Africa’s importance 90
6. Percentage Christian in 1910 116
7. Numbers of Christians in 2012 and the shift of 116
gravity in the
8. Barrett’s stats 121
9. Religion by global adherents, 1910 and 2010 122
10. Religions by continent, 2000 and 2010 123
11. Percentage majority religion by province in 2010 124
12. Jenkin’s stats 1 129
13. Jenkin’s stats 2 129
14. Christian growth by country, 1910- 2010 131
15. Christian growth by country, 2000- 2010 131
16. Majority religion by country, 2050 132
17. Global religious change, 2010- 2050 133
18. Religious adherence and growth, 2010- 2050 135
19. Cole Church 3.0 139
20. Marketplace needs Forgood.co.za 2012 170
21. Largest cities in 1910 180
22. Growth of cities 181
23. Number of Cities by continent, 2010 1 8 1
24. Urban Growth Rates in Africa, by region 182
25. African regional historical and futuristic urban 183
Growth Rate Figures
26. Regional Continental Urban Growth Rates 184
averages
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27. Largest urban areas 2010 185
28. 50 urban areas with the most Christians 186
29. Urban Christians in Africa 187
30. UN-HABBITAT 193
31. African Urban Agglomerates 194
32. Comparison of BUSA Member churches and 251
Fellowships
33. Comparison between BUSA membership and 253
adherence (Trends)
34. Growth areas within BUSA's Fellowships 254
35. Growth areas in BUSA's church membership 255
36. Trends in local church baptisms 257
37. Number of Children on the national front 258
38. Numbers of Children's workers in BUSA 260
39. BUSA regional child distribution and growth 260
40. Numbers of youth nationwide 261
41. BUSA young adults regional distribution 2 6 1
42. BUSA young adults nationwide 262
43. Associational young adult breakdowns 263
44. Summary of BUSA trends 2006-2011 264
45. Online respondent timeline 266
46. Distribution of BUSA churches 267
47. Graphic depiction of the distribution of BUSA 267
churches
48. Economic breakdown of BUSA reach 268
49. Graphic depiction of the economic breakdown of 268
BUSA
50. Understanding of ‘missional’ 270
51. Self-identity of BUSA churches 271

52. Current missions involvement of BUSA churches 271
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53. BUSA pastors personal leadership styles 273
54. Effectiveness of BUSA cell groups 285

Tables:

1 Associational breakdown of BUSA churches 252

2 BUSA adherents 253

3 Children's ministry changes (Associational) 259
4 Statistical rate of return 260
5 BUSA Pastors and time management 274
6 BUSA Pastors devotional integrity 274
7 Youth ministry in BUSA 283
8 BUSA churches and discipleship 285
9 Effectiveness of BUSA cell groups 285

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RESEARCH SUMMARY
This study shows the importance of leading toward missional change within
BUSA in post-1994 contexts incorporating global, afro-centric missional
perspectives as South African Baptists. As my research will indicate, BUSA is
at a crucial junction, and I contend that BUSA’s main problem is primarily a
missiological problem, with ecclesiastical challenges that urgently need to be
addressed by BUSA’s leaders. The importance of BUSA’s critical self-
reflection and analysis is paramount. Does BUSA and her mission have a
future, or will it fade into obscurity?

Utilizing the South African Baptist faith heritage as an important interlocutor
with a view to retrospective and prospective Baptist ecclesiology in post-
1994 South African society. Special recognition is given to the contribution of
emerging Afro-centric missional voices within the current South African/
African context. In doing so, this study seeks to be leadership-oriented,
biblically-based and Afro-centric in its approach to missional change with
South African Baptist Union churches.

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Toward missional leadership within BUSA churches this study:
1. Uncovers the importance of an Afro-centric missional ecclesiology, taking
into consideration both local and global trends and conversations.
2. Uncover a retrospective view of Baptist Ecclesiology within the Southern
African context, with its relevance to the history and present-day context of
ministry within BUSA.
3. Analyses existing statistical data found within the Baptist Annual Handbook,
to establish denominational trends since 1994, with a view to identifying
significant ministry trends operable within BUSA.
4. Collects, analyses and interprets data from a number of churches from
within the Baptist Union of Southern Africa that stand out as significant in three
or more ‘missional indicators’ in the first tier of research and analysis.
In reading through the pages to follow, you will journey alongside the
researcher in:
 Analysing and interpreting the history of Baptists in South Africa with
reference to BUSA, BCSA, SABMS and the ABK through a ‘missional lens’.
 Critically examining current trends visible within BUSA churches since
1994 to the present-day.
 Undertaking qualitative research to identify phenomenology of people’s
shared experience in BUSA
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 Interpreting and objectifying statistical results drawn from qualitative
research at local church level; making further recommendations towards an
Afro-centric missional ecclesiology relevant to BUSA churches in post-1994
contexts.

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KEY WORDS
Africa; Missional; BUSA (Baptist Union of Southern Africa); Global South,
missions, AIC, MIC, NPC, glocal

ABBREVIATIONS
BUSA- Baptist Union of Southern Africa
ABK- Afrikanse Baptiste Kerk
BCSA- Baptist Convention of South Africa
BASA- Baptist Association of South Africa
SABMS- South African Baptist Missionary Society
BBC- Bantu Baptist Convention
BC- Baptist Convention
LMS- London Missionary Society
MIC- Mission initiated churches
AIC- African independent/ initiated churches
NPC- newer Pentecostal-type churches
SABH- South African Baptist Handbook
BBI- Baptist Bible Institute
BWA- Baptist World Alliance
DTI- Department of Trade and Industry
BTC- Baptist Theological College
CTBS- Cape Town Baptist Seminary

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LIST OF DEFINITIONS

Africa: Africa shall represent the modern day continent comprising 54 countries
with a combined population estimated at 1 billion people. Africa is the second
largest continent on earth with a total landmass covering 30,212,000 square
kilometers and is an important contributor to our world, both economically and
spiritually and will continue to grow in its influence in both sectors.

Missional: Being missional relates to our understanding both the Triune missio
Dei and the ‘sending’ posture of the Church as it continues the work of Christ.
Being missional points to the unique call of the Church to be in, with, for and
against the world. Because we are the ‘sent’ people of God, the Church is the
instrument of God’s mission in the world. Mission is both an originating and
organizing principle.

BUSA: BUSA is known as the Baptist Union of Southern Africa and comprises
around 600 churches of which some are members and other affiliates and
fellowships of BUSA. BUSA is organized in regional fraternals and Associations,
which operate independently and cooperatively with BUSA.

Global South: Countries within the Global South are representative of the fastest
growing Christian population in the world today, and comprise countries not in the
West or traditional colonizing powers responsible for early 20th Century missionary
endeavors.

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