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Contextual Challenges to African Women in Mission
Author(s) -
Ayanga Hazel O.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
international review of mission
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.118
H-Index - 11
eISSN - 1758-6631
pISSN - 0020-8582
DOI - 10.1111/irom.12187
Subject(s) - missiology , context (archaeology) , prosperity , politics , environmental ethics , poverty , sociology , gospel , political science , history , law , archaeology , philosophy
When the first missionaries came to Africa, they described it as the Dark Continent: a continent whose people were steeped in savagery and superstition. These descriptions were unjustifiable, yet not altogether unreasonable. The Western Christian missionaries were responding to a “difference” they could not readily comprehend. They found themselves in a context incredibly different from their own. But rather than look for answers that would help them understand their missiological context and environment, they judged all that was not European as pagan, superstitious, and primitive. However, the situation has dramatically changed, mainly as the result of the rapid social‐economic and political developments that Africa is experiencing. These developments, both positive and negative, have far‐reaching implications for missiology and mission. They require critical analysis and understanding, particularly for those who would be involved in mission. This paper describes some of the results of the rapid change that Africa is experiencing, results that in one way or another affect missiology and the missiological context in Africa. There is socio‐economic development, yet there are still alarming levels of poverty leading to the development of other challenging situations and teachings. These include the mushrooming of prosperity gospel churches and movements, human trafficking and modern‐day slavery, and information and communication technologies. Further, the paper seeks to describe how these developments enhance or hinder the involvement of African women in mission. Since mission of necessity requires an understanding and appreciation of the context of mission or the mission field, the paper suggests that relevant theological education of African women is of paramount importance if they are to be effectively involved in mission. Finally, the paper does not seek to provide answers to the challenges described. This is because mission and missiology are of necessity very context specific. Thus would‐be missionaries need to understand the issues and respond to them in context‐appropriate ways without compromising the integrity of the message of the gospel.