Towards a Strategy for improving the Practice of Missions in the Divine Grace Church of God in the Chawama Compound, Lusaka, Zambia

Abstract

This thesis is based on the realisation that the Divine Grace Church of God (DGCG) seems to be lacking in its operative theology in relation to missions in its ministry context. The main objective of the thesis is to formulate a theologically-informed strategic plan to ensure that the praxis of DGCG with regard to missions is faithful to God and optimally relevant to its ministry context. The secondary objectives are: (1) to interpret the operative theology of DGCG with respect to missions; (2) to determine what faithful praxis in relation to missions would look like for DGCG in its ministry context, and (3) to develop a communicative and strategic plan to strengthen the praxis of DGCG in relation to missions. The research design and methodology employed in this study are based on Browning’s strategic practical theology (1991:55-74). It is a holistic approach that has four steps and each step covers a chapter in this thesis, except that steps 2 and 3 are included in one chapter. Both qualitative empirical and literary methods are employed to gather the needed data.

The thesis begins with an analysis and interpretation of empirical data to determine the operative missions theology of DGCG (chapter 2). It moves on to consider a theological analysis with a view to forming theological perspectives and imperatives to guide the practice of missions in DGCG (chapter 3). This leads to the formation of appropriate programmes to embody these theological imperatives. The final chapter (4) considers ways of communicating and implementing these strategic programmes.

The following are the findings of the thesis. First, though DGCG is found to have good programmes that seem to cover almost all areas of church life and witness, its operative theology in relation to missions is found to be lacking in holistic kingdom mission. The result is failure to adequately impact society by life, word and deed. Second, chapter 3 deals with this inadequacy by providing theological imperatives to inform beliefs and practices of missions which are more faithful to Scripture. Third, ways by which DGCG would effectively communicate and implement the resulting new praxis of missions are finally outlined.