Investigating the Impact of Pentecostalism and Charismatism on the Enchi Circuit of the Methodist Church Ghana
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Date
2023-01
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KNUST
Abstract
ABSTRACT
A cursory look at the activities in the Methodist Church suggests identifiable traits of
Pentecostalism and Charismatism in the Church, and more specifically Methodist Church Ghana
(MCG). From the research finding, it has been discovered that some members of the MCG are
not comfortable with certain religious tendencies in the Church. While attempting to discover the
form and content of the Church’s current spirituality, there is, therefore, the need to identify the
influence of Pentecostalism and Charismatism on Methodism.
The problem this study sought to investigate was the perception that Pentecostalism and
Charismatism are greatly influencing the Enchi Circuit of the Methodist Church Ghana. Thus,
some activities of the traditional Enchi Circuit of the Methodist Church Ghana has been
questioned.
The study investigated the impact of Pentecostalism and Charismatism on the Enchi Circuit of
the Methodist Church Ghana. The study employed simple random and purposeful sampling to
select forty (40) respondents from the Circuit. Hence, semi-structured interview was employed to
gather data for the study.
The study is useful in the sense that the findings of the study would contribute to the literature on
the impact of Pentecostalism and Charismatics on the Methodist Church Ghana.
The field findings showed that several reasons have accounted for the Pentecostal and
Charismatic influences in the Enchi Circuit of the Methodist Church Ghana, namely dullness and
lack of spiritual fulfillment in the church, speaking in tongues, spiritual warfare, divine healing,
gifts of the Holy Spirit, and interest in and enjoyment of the traditional Pentecostal and
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Charismatic worship. The field findings indicated that some aspects of the teachings and
practices of the Enchi Circuit of the Methodist Church Ghana are closely linked to key
characteristics of Pentecostalism and Charismatism. It was, furthermore, found out that
Pentecostalism and Charismatism have both positive and negative impact on the Circuit.
Based on the findings of the study it is recommended that: A key to understanding the growth of
the Enchi Circuit of the Methodist Church Ghana is the use of ‘lay’ individuals by ministers;
awareness should be made among members concerning the dangers of seeing all spiritual
manifestations as coming from the Spirit of God; attention gradually should not be shifted from
the main focus of the vision and mission of the Methodist Church Ghana to things of secondary
importance; spontaneity should give way to structure; and the Enchi Circuit of the Methodist
Church Ghana should not lose its lay orientation.
On the basis of the findings of the field survey the thesis concludes that in spite of the influence
of Pentecostalism and Charismatism on the Enchi Circuit of the Methodist Church Ghana, the
church should not deviate from the traditional Methodist beliefs and practices, and members of
the Circuit should not lose their identity as Methodists. Members should conform to the
traditional teachings and practices of the Methodist Church Ghana. They should be “responsible
Methodists”.
Description
A Thesis Submitted to the Department Of Religious Studies at the Kwame Nkrumah University Of Science And Technology – Kumasi in Partial Fulfilment for the Requirement of the Degree of Master of Philosophy (Religious Studies)