An Understanding Of African Ministries

By Sharron Cantu


Of all the continents in the world, Africa is considered to be the one with the most number of people. The continent itself currently has 54 independent states. Over the years, the continent has gathered a relatively bad reputation due to a number of weighty issues such as the high levels of insecurity mainly resulting from political instability within member states, high unemployment levels, and inequitable economies with very few rich inhabitants and the rest very poor. Besides all that, the presence of African ministries symbolizes them being religious a result of evangelism work on the ground since time immemorial there more than in any other continent.

There exists two comprehensive types of ministries, governmental and church based ministry for instance Anglican Mission Agency as well as other church based agencies. The two have the chief duty of providing service to people. They both base their work in the community thus work concurrently and in so doing complement each other.

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.

These organizations in government play legally defined and very public roles normally formed through legislation. The roles they play comprise of redistribution of resources justly, management of development projects, providing citizens with security in addition to quality medical services. It is important that they ensure service provision is 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.




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