Abstract

The research study is a critical investigation of the role the indigenous pastors have played over the years to the growth of the Malawi Assemblies of God (MAOG) since its inception in 1947. Through the lens of the concept of indigenization in missions, the study explored the factors that have made the names of Malawian pastors absent and muted in the annals of the church. It is argued throughout the thesis that the growth of the MAOG has from time immemorial depended much more on the invaluable efforts of the local pastors than on the much touted foreign missionaries. The findings revealed that the indigenous pastors have contributed greatly to the growth of the church through two major areas, namely, the theological and the social concern mandates. Although these contributions have not properly been documented. they are mostly found in oral transmissions and have acted as catalysts for the development of the church. This study is very significant as it has exposed many gaps, especially in the social concern mandate where the MAOG still struggles with some teething implementation problems. The research study was guided by one main research question with three sub-questions. The main question aimed at investigating the contributions made by the indigenous pastors to the growth of the M/\OG. The three sub-questions explored the specific areas which the indigenous pastors made contributions as well as investigating the reasons for the absence of the names of indigenous pastors in the historiography of the church. Hence the research study comprises six chapters.

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School	: School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Issued Date	: 2015

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