Nigerian Pentecostal Mission in Europe: Ecumenical and Secular Relations in Britain

African churches face diverse obstacles while attempting cross-cultural mission in the West. These include the influence of external forces such as racism, lack of understanding of European cultures, lack of worship spaces and various perceptions that many wider indigenous Europeans have about Afri...

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Main Author: Bisi Adenekan-Koevoets
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Radboud University Press 2023-07-01
Series:Ecclesial Futures
Subjects:
Online Access:https://ecclesialfutures.org/article/view/13424
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author Bisi Adenekan-Koevoets
author_facet Bisi Adenekan-Koevoets
author_sort Bisi Adenekan-Koevoets
collection DOAJ
description African churches face diverse obstacles while attempting cross-cultural mission in the West. These include the influence of external forces such as racism, lack of understanding of European cultures, lack of worship spaces and various perceptions that many wider indigenous Europeans have about Africans and their churches, particularly their theological beliefs. These external factors impose real challenges, which are beyond the control of the leaders of diaspora African churches and interfere with the effort to build relations with the wider white indigenous European host population, whether spiritual or secular. This qualitative study explores the different ways through which Nigerian-initiated churches in London are engaging with British society, both ecumenically and as a social force within the communities. There are indications that a few of the larger churches are building ecumenical relations with mainline British churches, although this is prevalent at leadership level. Similarly, they are well-enough resourced to embark on social community projects which are beneficial to nationals of all races and political activities to court the British royal and political elite and are therefore establishing their presence within and creating pathways to British society.
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spelling doaj.art-e499c5ff4554411d92d07dddfe9c51722024-01-25T11:36:40ZengRadboud University PressEcclesial Futures2770-66562770-66642023-07-014210.54195/ef13424Nigerian Pentecostal Mission in Europe: Ecumenical and Secular Relations in Britain Bisi Adenekan-Koevoets0University of Roehampton African churches face diverse obstacles while attempting cross-cultural mission in the West. These include the influence of external forces such as racism, lack of understanding of European cultures, lack of worship spaces and various perceptions that many wider indigenous Europeans have about Africans and their churches, particularly their theological beliefs. These external factors impose real challenges, which are beyond the control of the leaders of diaspora African churches and interfere with the effort to build relations with the wider white indigenous European host population, whether spiritual or secular. This qualitative study explores the different ways through which Nigerian-initiated churches in London are engaging with British society, both ecumenically and as a social force within the communities. There are indications that a few of the larger churches are building ecumenical relations with mainline British churches, although this is prevalent at leadership level. Similarly, they are well-enough resourced to embark on social community projects which are beneficial to nationals of all races and political activities to court the British royal and political elite and are therefore establishing their presence within and creating pathways to British society. https://ecclesialfutures.org/article/view/13424Cross-cultural MissionEcumenical Relations Social ActionNigerian Pentecostal ChurchesMinistry of Presence
spellingShingle Bisi Adenekan-Koevoets
Nigerian Pentecostal Mission in Europe: Ecumenical and Secular Relations in Britain
Ecclesial Futures
Cross-cultural Mission
Ecumenical Relations
Social Action
Nigerian Pentecostal Churches
Ministry of Presence
title Nigerian Pentecostal Mission in Europe: Ecumenical and Secular Relations in Britain
title_full Nigerian Pentecostal Mission in Europe: Ecumenical and Secular Relations in Britain
title_fullStr Nigerian Pentecostal Mission in Europe: Ecumenical and Secular Relations in Britain
title_full_unstemmed Nigerian Pentecostal Mission in Europe: Ecumenical and Secular Relations in Britain
title_short Nigerian Pentecostal Mission in Europe: Ecumenical and Secular Relations in Britain
title_sort nigerian pentecostal mission in europe ecumenical and secular relations in britain
topic Cross-cultural Mission
Ecumenical Relations
Social Action
Nigerian Pentecostal Churches
Ministry of Presence
url https://ecclesialfutures.org/article/view/13424
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