A Theological Evaluation of Views on Children and Childhood in the Ethiopian Full Gospel Believers’ Church, with Special Reference to the Gospel according to Luke

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore, describe, and evaluate the common views about children and childhood among adult members of the Ethiopian Full Gospel Believers’ Church. The study addressed the following research question: What is the theological value and validity of common views about children and childhood among adult members of the EFGBC? The research question was answered by using four tasks of a Practical Theology research process as identified by Osmer, namely the descriptive, interpretive, normative and pragmatic tasks. The descriptive task was attended to, with the goal of answering the question, What is going on concerning children in the Ethiopian society and in the EFGBC? The research was done through literature study and a qualitative empirical investigation, using focus groups as data gathering method. The literature study investigated the views about children present in the Ethiopian society and the EFGBC by focusing on some of the popular Ethiopian idioms and stories regarding children, reports concerning children available in the public domain, official documents of the EFGBC, and the government constitution. This analysis showed that children are not getting enough protection, care and due respect because of the presence of underlying negative views about children and childhood in the Ethiopian society and the EFGBC. These findings were further investigated through different focus groups of leaders and members of selected local churches of the EFGBC in Addis Ababa. An analysis of the focus group data revealed that although parents, the church and the community at large accept children as gifts from God and there are good intentions to nurture them, children are not treated as they should be. They are not accepted as part of the believing community and valued as equal members. Moreover, children are not taken into consideration when the local churches and the denomination plan their annual budget and programs for the coming year, such as training, teaching and conferences. The interpretive task was accomplished by addressing the question, Why is it going on? More specifically, it investigated the reasons for the predominantly negative views of children and childhood found in the preceding chapters. The reasons found, include traditional beliefs and practices, lack of knowledge and insufficient integration of theology and practice. Other contributing factors include famine, war and conflict, corruption and inappropriate reporting by some child-based organizations. Responding to the latter, it was pointed out that a balance is needed between positive and negative information about children and how they are treated in Ethiopian society. The general finding remains that much more should be done to elevate the status of children and their ministry in the EFGBC. The normative task of this study was done through exegesis and analysis, selected passages from the Gospel of Luke concerning children were explored. A key perspective revealed by the study was the example set by Jesus, by welcoming and respecting children, caring for and ministering to them. From this study, theological perspectives were deduced which can guide the EFGBC in their ministry. The pragmatic task was addressed by formulating strategies to enhance the views of adult members of the EFGBC about children, their life and ministry in the light of the theological perspectives based on the Gospel of Luke’s view about children. The possible strategies identified were creating awareness about children, establishing a welcoming atmosphere for children in all the ministries of the local church, and teaching members to welcome, love, give care and protect children by following the example set by Jesus in the Gospel of Luke. Developing national strategies for the EFGBC should also get attention.