SUN ETD - Theses and Dissertations

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Browsing SUN ETD - Theses and Dissertations by Author "Ampofo, Mishael Donkor"

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    An assessment of the Assemblies of God, Ghana’s Vision 3000 in light of Venn’s Three-Self Mission Model
    (Stellenbosch University, 2024-12) Ampofo, Mishael Donkor; White, Peter; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology & Missiology.
    The rapid growth of Pentecostalism in Africa has led to an increased interest in understanding effective mission strategies within Christianity. This study assesses the Assemblies of God, Ghana’s (AOGG) Vision 3000 church planting initiative in light of Henry Venn’s Three-Self (3S) mission model. The 3S model, emphasising self-governance, self-support, and self-propagation, has guided AOGG’s mission effort since its establishment in 1931. Vision 3000, launched in 2014, aimed to double AOGG’s churches from 3,000 to 6,000 by 2019. This ambitious project provides a unique opportunity to examine the application and effectiveness of the 3S model in a contemporary African Pentecostal context. The study employs a qualitative research methodology, utilising semi-structured interviews with 57 key stakeholders, including Vision 3000 committee members, executive leadership, pastors, and local church leaders. This approach allows for an in-depth exploration of the lived experiences and perspectives of those directly involved in implementing and experiencing the initiative. Data was also gathered from official reports and relevant literature, providing a comprehensive view of the project’s development and outcomes. The research utilizes Basel’s Vertical Missionary Approach theory as its theoretical framework, offering a lens through which to analyse the holistic nature of AOGG’s mission efforts. The study reveals that Vision 3000 achieved significant success, planting 2,117 new churches and revitalizing evangelistic zeal and evangelical mindset among AOGG members. This numerical growth was accompanied by a renewed sense of mission and purpose within the denomination. However, the research also uncovers several challenges that emerged during the implementation of Vision 3000. These include difficulties in achieving financial self-support in economically disadvantaged areas, particularly in rural regions. And the complex task of balancing centralized oversight with local autonomy. The study highlights the intricate intersection of the 3S model’s implementation with Ghanaian cultural, economic, and social realities, demonstrating the need for ongoing contextualization of mission strategies. This research makes a significant contribution to the field of missiology by providing a nuanced analysis of the 3S model’s application in a specific African context. It goes beyond merely assessing the model’s effectiveness to propose a “3S plus” framework that incorporates self-theologizing and self-missionary components. This expanded model reflects the growing recognition of the need for indigenous theological reflection and cross-cultural mission engagement within African Christianity. The study also offers practical measures for contextualizing the model, including integrating traditional leadership structures and developing community-based financial models that resonate with Ghanaian cultural practices. The research concludes that while the 3S principles remain relevant in contemporary African mission contexts, their application requires ongoing contextualization to address local realities effectively. It demonstrates that successful mission strategies in modern Africa must strike a delicate balance between maintaining fidelity to universal Christian truths and deeply engaging with local contexts. This balance is crucial for developing authentic, sustainable, and culturally relevant expressions of Christianity. This study provides valuable insights for both scholarly research and practical mission strategies. As African Christianity continues to play an increasingly prominent role in global Christianity, understanding effective models for church growth and sustainability becomes ever more critical. The findings of this research offer a roadmap for other denominations and mission organizations seeking to implement large-scale church planting initiatives in Africa and other developing contexts. By examining the successes and challenges of Vision 3000 through the lens of the 3S model, this study contributes to ongoing discussions about indigenization, contextualization, and the future of mission in Africa. It sets the stage for further research into the long-term sustainability of rapid church growth initiatives, the role of technology in mission, and the development of truly African expressions of Christian theology and practice.