Roswith Gerloff, Leeds, United Kingdom.
E-mail:
roswithgerloff@onetel.net.uk
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Abstract
The African Christian Diaspora in Europe: Implications for
Mission and Ecumenism, with Special Reference to the Global Impact of
Pentecostal/charismatic Movements
Contemporary studies in religion speak of 'religions on the move',
or the process of transmigration and transculturation, as it refers to dynamic,
reciprocal, transitory and multidimensional creations in shaping a 'poly-contextual
world'. This implies that religions have to be regarded as cultural and
spiritual phenomena whose taken-for granted essence has resulted from
transcultural and transnational processes of mutual influence, interaction and
continuous adaptation to new environments. The emphasis here is on 'a new model
of understanding religion which emphasizes process and practitioners over form
and content' (C.D.Yawney). Religions, including different forms of Christianity,
respond to ever changing circumstances and play a role in constructing
identities. The African Christian Diaspora in Europe is a case in point, as is
the impact of the pentecostal/charismatic movement on the renewal of global
Christianity.
In view of the conference theme, the paper will explore
• the pluriformity of African diaspora traditions, their contextual approach and
network structure: a pattern of ‘overlapping circles of Christian life in
context, with no absolute centres or peripheries’ (Bediako);
• specific aspects of Pentecostalism such as its African roots, an 'African
continuum in variations' with cultural implications for doing theology;
• common elements in pentecostal-type churches, such as the role of women, the
concept of the Holy Spirit as a controlling and organising energy; the
centrality of music and rhythms in the liberation of people; an understanding of
the body-mind relationship in healing, dreams and visions; or the search for a
relevant theology, drawn from experiential cultural and spiritual sources.
The significance of new movements for mission and ecumenical relations may be
explored in four directions:
• the rediscovery of the church as a living organism and grassroots model of
community in response to people's need for surviving in dignity;
• a spirituality of belonging, important in fragmented, hostile and violent
societies;
• contextualizing theology (all theologies!) which implies a redefinition of
syncretism;
• the issue of an open-ended identity as vehicle for redemption and dialogue;
• an improved understanding how economics (i.e. wealth and poverty) shape
theologies, and how the charismatic concept of 'prosperity' belongs to the
ethics of power.