The liturgy of 'Deliverance Ministry' in Mopani

Abstract

Currently there is a trend, a hunger for the supernatural in the church community. One could get an impression that people are running after the supernatural or the mystic realm. 'Deliverance ministries' in particular that flow in the prophetic, healing and deliverance is the in thing, the 'hype'. This notion has become a center or commonality for many people in Africa. This phenomenon has been popularized greatly among Africans because of the desperation to escape poverty. A large percentage is turning to 'deliverance churches' that promise healing and material reward, a search for spiritual meaning and solution to life's countless hardships. Churches that have identified and recognized the need of the masses are growing massively because they have learned to respond effectively to the particular psyche of Africans. The concept of prophecy, healing, and deliverance appeals much to Africans because it encompasses foretelling of the future (which is paramount), spiritual and emotional healing, bodily recuperation protection from evil spirits and witchcraft, finding remedies for unemployment, family relationships and work related conflicts, marital problems, to summarize, I.e. healing the 'whole person'. Deliverance is conducted to help separate people from life's challenges or afflictions. Healing is done against the background of transformation i.e. people should go through all the process of conversion. The researcher has done a literature study and looked at the liturgies specifically deliverance, healing, and prophecy concerning these two churches: "deliverance churches". The findings were: First these churches center their theologies from the 'Bible'. Second the whole of their theology is based on the power of the Holy Ghost to deliver, to heal and to prophesy. The study was done upon the core tasks of practical theological interpretations of (Osmer 2008:4). Four things were done: 1). Liturgical information about deliverance, healing, and prophecy was gathered. 2). Interpreting the liturgies of deliverance, healing and prophecy was done using theories of the arts and sciences. 3). Theological concepts to interpret the liturgies of deliverance, healing and prophecy constructing ethical norms to guide responses. 4). Liturgies to determine strategies of action that influence situations in ways that are desirable as well as recommendations for criteria for effective liturgical needs were employed.