Witchcraft-Like Practices and Their Impact on The Urban Church Ministry: A Case of Selected Churches in Machakos Town
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Date
2013
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Daystar University, School of Applied Human Sciences
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate and determine the impact of witchcraft-like practices on the church. The objectives of this study were to find out the link between witchcraft beliefs and the church ministry in urban ministry and to examine and establish the extent of witchcraft practices on the worship of the church. The other objective of the study was to establish the effects of witchcraft practices on the nurturing programmes of the church. The study also sought to establish the influence of witchcraft practices on evangelism by the church in Machakos town. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The study employed the use of questionnaire, interviews, FGDs and participant observation. A questionnaire was designed and used as an instrument in primary collection of data. Descriptive data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. SPSS 17.0 version was used for data analysis. The findings indicated that witchcraft is a belief in impersonal mystical powers and that, sorcerers and witches are specialist on witchcraft. The results showed that manipulation, intimidation and domination do significantly manifest themselves during worship, nurture and evangelism in churches. The findings of the study revealed that incantations, symbols, magic charms and fetishes as used in churches are objects equivalent to what is used in witchcraft practices. The study also found out that Kamba traditional witchcraft practices influence church evangelism. The findings also showed that witchcraft beliefs and practices in Machakos town are hindrances to church growth and negatively affect the relationship between church leaders and members. The study recommends that churches in Kenya concentrate on teaching the Word of God based on the teachings of the Old Testament and the New Testament. To reduce the deceit of witchcraft practices, the study also recommends that preaching of the gospel of salvation be intensified in churches in Machakos town.
Description
MASTER OF ARTs in Christian Ministries
Keywords
Witchcraft-Like Practices, Impact, The Urban Church Ministry
Citation
Simon, D. K. (2013). Witchcraft-Like Practices and Their Impact on The Urban Church Ministry: A Case of Selected Churches in Machakos Town. Daystar University, School of Applied Human Sciences