Abstract:
An eco-theological analysis of African Initiated Churches (AICs) has revealed that most of
these churches use water for a myriad of rituals ranging from baptism to consecratory rites.
Their affinity with water even qualifies them to be dubbed water-based churches; yet, the
world is faced with an imminent scarcity of this natural resource. The United Nations echoed
that access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene are the most basic human needs for health and
well-being; but it has observed that unless the water situation improves, by 2030, billions of
people will lack access to these services because of climate change. Given this reality, there is
a genuine need to examine the possibility of having the eco-theologies of AICs adapted to suit
these emerging realities. The paper explores how water is used in the religiosity of the AICs in
an effort to elucidate the possible challenges to be encountered because of climate change. It
then examines the possibility of realigning the water uses to the current climatic trajectory. The
article is largely based on desktop research which utilises secondary sources.
CONTRIBUTION: This article makes a critical contribution to the body of knowledge by making
an analysis of the adaptability of AICs’ conceptualisation and use of water in a climate change
context. An eco-theological analysis is crucial as it enables the nuancing of AICs’ theologies so
that they conform to a world in a climate crisis.
