Description
IBP Books Conflict And Peacemaking Among African Independent Churches In Ghana Theological Implications Dynamics And Results by Rev Dr Humphrey Akogyeram
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus Christ instructed His disciples to be Peacemakers. He said: “Blessed are the peacemakers,for they will be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9). The Church cannot make peace in the world if she cannot resolve her conflicts peacefully. The book explores the causes and effects of conflict among the African Independent Churches (AICs) in Ghana. The AICs are churches established by Africans to worship God in the African context. Among other things, the book asserts that conflicts in AICs are caused by personality clash, lack of effective administrative structures and unfulfilled expectations, leadership styles, financial malpractice, change and reformation, and communication breakdown. The book provides practical means through which AICs can resolve their conflicts peacefully. Also, the book will enable Christians to determine the positive and negative impact of conflict in their Churches and to discover Biblical methods of handling conflict that will enhance personal well-being, justice, and positive social relationships in their Churches and Communities. Contents Foreword Chapter One: Introduction Chapter Two: The Bible and Conflict Chapter Three: The AICs in Ghana and Conflict Chapter Four: Conflicts in OSSA-Madih Church and Musama Disco Christo Church Chapter Five: Theology of Peacebuilding/Reconciliation Conclusion Bibliography Appendix Rev. Dr. Humphrey A. Akogyeram received a Master of Arts degree in Biblical Studies from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (Elkhart, IN U.S.A.), Master of Sacred Theology from United Lutheran Seminary (Philadelphia, PA. U.S.A.) and earned a Ph.D. in Old Testament from United Lutheran Seminary. He has done a remarkable research on African Independent Churches. Presently, he is the Academic Dean of Good News Theological Seminary in Accra, Ghana – a seminary established to train African Independent Church leaders and workers. He has been teaching at the Seminary for the past 30 years. He is also a Pastor of Trinity Bible Church, La – Accra, Ghana and the National Deputy Education Director of Council for African Instituted Churches, Ghana.