The mission position of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in post 1994 South Africa

Abstract

This dissertation is written with the aim of finding the mission position of the AMEC in post 1994 South Africa, bearing in mind the influence of the socio-historical contexts of South Africa in the ministry of the AMEC, as well as the theologies that influenced it prior 1994 and their relevance in post 1994 South Africa. Since this topic was never investigated before there is not much information that can enhance it. From the history of the AMEC it is clear that the church is the product of the liberation struggle. This study needs to investigate as to whether the AMEC is still on its original intent of liberation or has it changed. It also intends to propose a new theological understanding that might enhance the ministry of the AMEC in post 1994 South Africa. Although the situation of the African Americans might not have been the same as that of the black people in South Africa, at the end of the day they all want liberation from whatever kind of bondage. All eyes, including those of the AMEC members, were looking up to God the Creator for redemption and salvation from political structures. Since mission is said to be the participation of God's people in God's action in the world , and missiology is the practical part of it, this dissertation will investigate the position of the AMEC in relation with missio Dei in post 1994 South Africa and to where and how it directs its missionary work. This dissertation will also investigate and find out about the challenges of the AMEC member in participation in missio Dei in post 1994 South Africa. The AMEC with her experience of suffering is able to teach God's people about the redemptive-salvific plan of God: to develop, give hope to the hopeless, heal the spiritually ill and feed the hungry. Since liberation theology is no longer on the forefront in post 1994 South Africa, the AMEC will need to change to a proposed new theological understanding which will enhance her participation in the missio Dei in post 1994. Technology affected the AMEC since members became part of the global world and became more knowledgeable. Some congregants become more knowledgeable than their pastors due to lack of thorough theological training. With more knowledge and choices people do "church hopping" if they do not hear and see what they want in their respective churches. It has become an imperative that the AMEC must develop and train ministers and pastors at academic institutions if they want to sustain the church in a global society. Hendriks (2004: 17) stated that the "globalised world requires a new paradigm in leadership and training ". Transformation will play an integral part in this process, hence transformational theology is proposed to enhance the mission position of the AMEC in post 1994 South Africa.