Towards a Missiological Evaluation of the Three-Selves Mission Theory as the Missional praxis of the Church of Pentecost in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa

Abstract

The indigenous church mission principle has been the flagship missional praxis of The Church of Pentecost (CoP) since its inception, and that has culminated in the tremendous growth of the Church’s mission work across the globe. This thesis project examines the implementation of the indigenous church mission theory as a missional praxis of CoP in the Eastern Cape of South Africa and its general impact on the development of the Church in the nation. The research analyses the factors of growth, missional strategies, and praxis of the CoP. The historical trajectory of the development of the Church and its influence in shaping the Church’s missional praxis have been discussed. This thesis project raises serious concerns about the slow growth of the CoP among the indigenous South African believers as well as the rampant resignations of the indigenous leaders in the Church. During the study, structured interviews were conducted with some ministers, former missionaries, and officers of the Church in South Africa and Ghana. The findings led to the conclusion that there is the need for an improvement in the way the indigenous church mission principle is practiced by the CoP in South Africa. The research recommended, inter alia, that the Church must consider its missional praxis within the contextual realities of South Africa. Attention to urban mission, focus on effective and intentional discipleship in the local church, partnership between the mission-planted church and the mother church, and using indigenous leaders as strategic partners in the development of the Church are all parts of the recommendations of this thesis project. The study has also revealed that an effective way of implementing the indigenous church mission principle is fundamental to the self-reliance policy of the CoP. The research then concluded by recommending other areas of research for a significant transformation of the CoP’s missional praxis.

The indigenous church mission principle has been the flagship missional praxis of The Church of Pentecost (CoP) since its inception, and that has culminated in the tremendous growth of the Church’s mission work across the globe. This thesis project examines the implementation of the indigenous church mission theory as a missional praxis of CoP in the Eastern Cape of South Africa and its general impact on the development of the Church in the nation. The research analyses the factors of growth, missional strategies, and praxis of the CoP. The historical trajectory of the development of the Church and its influence in shaping the Church’s missional praxis have been discussed. This thesis project raises serious concerns about the slow growth of the CoP among the indigenous South African believers as well as the rampant resignations of the indigenous leaders in the Church. During the study, structured interviews were conducted with some ministers, former missionaries, and officers of the Church in South Africa and Ghana. The findings led to the conclusion that there is the need for an improvement in the way the indigenous church mission principle is practiced by the CoP in South Africa. The research recommended, inter alia, that the Church must consider its missional praxis within the contextual realities of South Africa. Attention to urban mission, focus on effective and intentional discipleship in the local church, partnership between the mission-planted church and the mother church, and using indigenous leaders as strategic partners in the development of the Church are all parts of the recommendations of this thesis project. The study has also revealed that an effective way of implementing the indigenous church mission principle is fundamental to the self-reliance policy of the CoP. The research then concluded by recommending other areas of research for a significant transformation of the CoP’s missional praxis.