In 1977 the Annual Conference of the Methodist Church of South Africa (MCSA) decided to
discontinue its practice of sending messages of goodwill to the Heads of State of the Southern
African region (including Transkei). The Prime Minister ofTranskei interpreted this resolution
as implying the non-recognition ofTranskeian political independence, obtained from the Republic
of South Africa in 1976, and expressed his intention to ban the MCSA in Transkei and replace it
by the Methodist Church of Transkei (MCT)
The thesis presents, in narrative form (Chapter 2), a detailed description of the process of
the schism ( 12 January 1978 to 2 June 1978). Chapter 3 analyses the political and ecclesial
context of the schism comprehensively by examining three main issues: the Methodist tradition
in the Eastern Cape and Transkei, the Methodist tradition of pledging loyalty to the Head of State
and the emergence of Transkei as a geo-political state.
Chapter 4 focuses on the reaction of the Transkeian Methodists to the dispute between
the Transkeian Government and the MCSA. The loyalties which influenced their reaction are
identified and analysed. In this study the whole process of the schism is seen as an interplay
between and clash of different loyalties.
Chapter 5 reviews the different models and typologies used to explain and interpret the
African Independent/Initiated Church movement. The aim is to identify the elements in these
models which are relevant for an understanding of this schism.
Chapter 6 concludes the study by considering five areas of missiological importance
highlighted by the 1978 Methodist schism in Transkei, namely: ( 1) the research questions, (2)
mission and unity, (3) mission and ethnic issues, (4) prophetic mission, and (5) prophetic
ambivalence. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D.Th. (Missiology)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:uir.unisa.ac.za:10500/17263 |
| Date | 11 1900 |
| Creators | Lungu, Maxwell Themba. |
| Contributors | Kritzinger, J.N.J. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Format | 1 online resource (xiii, 190 leaves) |
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