150 years of mission-churches in Swaziland, 1844-1994 : elitism, a factor in the growth and decline / by Marjorie Froise. [print]

Typescript (photocopy)

Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Theology in the subject of missiology at the University of South Africa.

"November 1996."

Thesis University of South Africa 1996.

Part One: Church Growth Defined

Chapter 1: Introduction to Swaziland

Origins of the Swazi people and their early history Political development Population growth Culture and traditional religion.

Chapter 2: Earliest Beginnings of Christianity in Swaziland

King Sobhuza's dream and the requests to the Wesleyan Church The Wesleyan Church responds The first year: 1844 to 1845 A year of grwoth: 1845 to 1846 Trouble brewing The exodus The refugee settlement at Indaleni and later Edendale A closed door for Christian witness.

Chapter 3: Church Growth in Swaziland From 1884 to 1994

Three phases of church growth The pioneer period 180-1910 Anglican beginnings The Wesleyans return Non-denominational mission agencies commence ministries The consolidation period 1910-1975 The church comes of age 1976-onwards.

Chapter 4: Church Growth Statistically

Religious affiliation from Census reports from 1904-1956 Religious affiliation from Official Yearbooks of the Union of SA Mission-church affiliation statistics from various sources Congregational growth.

Chapter 5: Church Growth Case Studies

The Anglican Church (Church of the Province of South Africa) -- Historical review The growth of the church statistically The Wesleyan Church (Methodist Church of Southern Africa) -- Historical review The growth of church statistically Roman Catholic Church Historical review The growth of church statistically The Church of the Nazarene Historical review The growth of the church statistically.

Part Two: Church Growth Examined

Chapter 6: 1880-1939 Years of Growth in the Church--Elitism in the Church

European contact-the beginning of modernisation Traders-introducing new values Recruiters introduce a cash economy Concessionaries and greedy kings Concessions during the reign of Mswati II Concessions during the reign of Mbandzeni Colonial forces seeking domination The role of missionaries in the process of modernisation and colonisation Reasons for rapid church growth in this period: -- Converts through institutional appraoch to missions Change in value systems Christianity-the road to advancement for commoners Factors in this era which created problems in the subsequent era: -- Concessions and the church Fission in the church and its effects Language issue: Zulu or Siswati Missionaries who came to stay Christianity plus Western culture Biblical worldview Communicating the message Enlightenment Christianity Enlightenment Christianity confronts African traditional culture Early Christian converts The effect on the people- -- The churched people developed airs of superiority The status of women changed Resentment of chiefs.

Chapter 7: 1940-1985 Years of Stagnation in the Mission Churches--Elitism in Culture

Changes in the nation in this era Political changes Economic advance Social changes Sobhuza II's powerful leadership Growth in national pride and return to culture Resurgance of Swazi traditional religion Polygamy The church in this era Loss of institutions Mission churches gain their independence Rapid growth of Independent Churches Reasons for the move from mission-churches to Independent Churches Problems in this era: -- Second generation Christians-faith a veneer Rulers were never reached The effect on the people: -- Elitism shifts from mission-church Christianity to culture.

Chapter 8: 1986-1995 A Decade of Change--Elitism in Modernity

Changes in the nation in this era A new monarch and constitutional changes Economic changes Unemployment Social changes A breakdown in the traditional family structure Health care Development of an educated Swazi elite A youth-a secularised generation The church in this era A dichotomised society Affiliated to some chhrch but don't attend Clergy-a Western model The number of missionaries has declined The charismatics are planting churches - Swazi Independent Churches in this era The challenge to the church Dealing with a society in "Future Shock" -- The church of the Nazarene is growing Meeting the spiritual needs of the people.

Conclusion

The era of cultivating elitism in the church The era of developing elitism in culture The era of modernised elitism What is the future of the church in Swaziland?.

Addenda

Swaziland in Brief Church Groups listed in the Swaziland Christian Handbook Religious affiliation in the Census reports.

List of Tables

A comparative statistical table-1910 Church development in Swaziland Religious affiliation from 1904 to 1956 from the Census reports Church growth from 1904 to 1956 from the Census reports as a percentage of all population groups Black mission church growth from 1904 to 1956 Census reports after adjustments Population, church attendance, and % of population attending church Church attendance from 1918 to 1952 as a percentage of the total population Church affiliation from 1904 to 1994 Growth in congregations from 1910 to 1994 Population per mission church from 1910 to 1994 Numerical growth of the Anglican church from 1891 to 1994 The Anglican Church as a percentage of the total population The growth of the Methodist (Wesleyan) church from 1890 to 1992 Membership of the Methodist Church from 1910 to 1992 as a percentage of the population Catholic population from 1920 to 1994 taken from church records Affiliation from Census reports compared with Catholic population records Catholic population statistics as a percentage of the population Church membership (full members) -- Church membership compared with Population growth Biblical world view Christianity in a Western world view Traditional world view Elitism in the church Elitism in modernity Average attendance Religious affiliation-1904 Census Report Religious affiliation-1921 Census Report Religious affiliation-1936 Census Report Religious affiliation-1946 Census Report Religions of the African population-1956 Census Report Religious affiliation of the European and Coloured Pop.

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