Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-4-2024

Abstract

The Churches of Christ in Ghana are a mission plant. They were planted by two American missionaries, Wendell Broom and Sewell Hall, around 1958. The Churches of Christ in Ghana pursue a theology of ministry which resolves around evangelism, edification, and benevolence. These are often referred to as the “mission of the church.” They represent the holy trinity of activities which was once and for all time delivered to the church in Ghana. Against these, there must be no rival theological focus. Any innovation beyond this risks the heresy or apostasy label which is punishable by ostracism. The general assumption among Churches of Christ asserts that the appropriation of biblical knowledge by itself will result in spiritual maturity.

After years of pursuing this theology of ministry, its deficiencies have become apparent. The emphasis on information and facts from Scripture does not seem to be producing commensurate levels of spiritual maturity and transformation. Leaders and members are still captive to self, sin, and society. Conformity to the image of Christ is still elusive. Therefore, leaders of campus churches affiliated with Churches of Christ in Ghana became aware of this spiritual stagnation experienced by members of the church, we resorted to retreats as viable alternatives to encourage pursuit of spiritual formation and transformation. This has been going on for more than a decade.

This study evaluates these retreats as spiritually formative experiences for the participants who are mostly emerging adult Christians. The study also seeks to advocate a review of theological vision and telos of ministry. Almost all participants in the retreat discussed in this study indicated that they have experienced some positive spiritual shifts related to their retreat experiences. They described the retreats as “educative and transformative.”

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