ACCOUNT FOR THE EMERGENCE AND GROWTH OF INDEPENDENT AFRICAN CHURCHES IN EITHER MALAWI OR WEST AFRICA AND ASSESS THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS DEVELOPMENT

The main reasons for the emergence of the African independent church movement were linked with the style of management of mission controlled churches and with certain unpopular aspects of colonial rule in the late 19th and early 20th century:

– The alienation of African land for use by foreign settlers.

– Colonial taxation policies.-

The use of forced labour

– The slow speed of Africanisation of mission churches for example in the ordination of African priests and the promotion of Africans within the church hierarchy.

In Malawi:

– Here the growth of independent churches was closely associated with protest against colonial rule in general. The main leaders in the movement were Eliot Kamwana (of the Watch Tower Movement and the Seventh Day Baptists), John Chilembwe who went to the USA with Charles Booth and returned as an ordained priest in 1900. he led the 1915 Rising as an anti “ colonial rebellion directed particularly against the recruitment of Africans to fight in World War One.

In West Africa:

-The main leaders here were Majola Agbedi and William Wade Harris. Agbedi was associated with several independent churches including the African Baptist Church (1888), the United Native African Church 1891, and the African Bethel Church (1901). He was President of the African Baptist Union of West Africa. Harris, a Liberian Protestant evangelist, was the most successful in terms of the number of followers and converts. He moved to the Ivory Coast in 1913 where he enjoyed his greatest success.

IMPORTANCE

Though reasons for the emergence and growth of independent churches varied from place to place, there was much commonality in their importance / significance. All were examples of protest against colonialism in general and against foreign control of churches. All were examples of early African nationalism. Only Chilembwe in Malawi carried protest to the point of open rebellion. Most leaders were opposed to the used of violence. All were advocates of more and better education for Africans as a means of improving living standards and promoting progress and justice. All believed that Christianity in Africa must come to terms with African culture and the African personality. For marks above 18, answers must clearly address both parts of the question. Vague and inadequate answers can hardly expect to get beyond 7 marks.