Is the Methodist Church of Southern Africa an African Church or a Church in Africa? A Decoloniality Paradigm

Abstract

The study set out to explore whether the Methodist Church of Southern Africa (MCSA) is an African Church or a British Church operating in Africa. This is a fundamental question because it affects the MCSA’s mission, doctrines, and relevance to its black African membership. The question is critical, given the MCSA’s vision of “a Christ-healed Africa for the healing of nations.” The study first reconnoitered the milestones achieved by the MCSA to position itself as well as respond to Southern African challenges after its independence from the British Methodist church. Thereafter, available and relevant literature was reviewed to argue that, since the MCSA’s autonomy from the British Methodist Church in 1927, there has been an imbalance between the British Methodist heritage and the African-ness of the MCSA in its theology and its practices. This study argued that it compromises its witness and relevance to its black African membership. A decoloniality paradigm is explored in this regard. The study concluded with recommendations for further research and conversation on how the MCSA could be a more African Church. The study contributes to the ongoing conversations and scholarship in the MCSA on contextual theology, African theology, and decolonisation of its theology and doctrines.