James McKeown Memorial Lecture 2021

James McKeown Memorial Lecture 2021

Pentecost University, School of Theology, Mission and Leadership

Theme: Re-Visioning African Pentecostal-Charismatic Ecclesiology in the Public Sphere.

Date: November 4-5, 2021.

Registration Link: https://forms.gle/UPhx5hDVS4WZ5zSV8

Organizers:

• Apostle Dr. Emmanuel Anim: Ag. Pro Vice Chancellor & Director of School of Theology, Mission and Leadership – Pentecost University – Ghana.
• Apostle Dr. Lord Elorm-Donkor: Principal, Birmingham Christian College, UK.
• Apostle Dr. Mbanyane Mhango: Principal, Pentecost Biblical Seminary, USA.
• Apostle Professor Opoku Onyinah: Associate Professor of Pentecostal Theology and African Spirituality – Pentecost University – Ghana.
• Apostle Dr. Christian Tsekpoe, Director of Postgraduate Studies and Research & Head of Mission Department – Pentecost University, Ghana

Background:

This biennial lecture is organised in honour of the premier superintendent and chairman of The Church of Pentecost, the Revd James McKeown, who is recognised as one of the pioneers of Pentecostalism in Ghana. The lecture is intended to promote scientific and practical dialogue between academics and ecclesial practitioners whose work revolves around the Global Pentecostal/Charismatic movement. Furthermore, it will offer participants the opportunity to critically examine, assess and reflect on the praxis and theories of their faith, and contribute to the advancements in global understanding and appreciation of the movement.

Rationale for the 2021 theme:

The 2021 theme is intended to engender conversation around the Church’s mandate of influencing the public sphere as an agent of social transformation. Current demographic statistics on global Christianity reveal that Pentecostal/Charismatic Christianity, in its diverse forms, represents the fastest growing stream of Christianity, especially in the non-Western world, and particularly in Africa and Latin America. In spite of its numerical growth at the turn of the 20^th century, there remains concerns about the extent to which the church in Africa is making the desired impact in the public space. As a response to these observations, the 2021 lecture aims at engaging the theme from multi-disciplinary perspectives, covering the following thematic areas for the plenary sessions:

Plenary Speakers and Thematic Topics

• Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyinah (Associate Professor of Pentecostal Theology and African Spirituality – Pentecost University, Ghana) – James McKeown’s concept of Pentecostal ecclesiology and its impact on the ministry of the Church of Pentecost.
• Apostle Dr Emmanuel Anim (Ag. Pro Vice Chancellor & Director of School of Theology, Mission and Leadership – Pentecost University, Ghana) – Pentecostal mission and social transformation
• Dr Peter White (Senior Lecturer, Stellenbosch University, South Africa) – Ecclesiological appraisal of Christian values and principles in the public sphere
• Apostle Dr. Dela Quampah (Adjunct Lecturer, Pentecost University & Area Head, The Church of Pentecost, Ho) – Church-State relations and the problem of corruption in Africa

Respondents:

1. Apostle Dr Elorm Lord-Donkor – Aps. Prof. Opoku Onyinah’s presentation
2. Apostle Dr. Mbayani Mhango – Aps. Dr. Dela Quampah’s Presentation
3. Apostle Dr. Christian Tsekpoe – Rev. Peter White’s Presentation
4. Deaconess Dr. Allison Norton – Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Anim’s Presentation

Break Out Session (Small Group) Presentations:

1. Apostle Dr. Daniel Okyere Walker – (The church and emerging generations: challenges and opportunities)
2. Apostle Vincent Anane Denteh – (A Pentecostal response to home and urban mission in Africa)
3. Dr. Justice Arthur – (Re-thinking church in the light of Covid-19)
4. Mrs. Ernestina Novieto – (The role of the family in the socio-economic development of Africa)
5. Apostle Dr. Alfred Koduah – (Pentecostalism and the Lordship of Christ in a religiously pluralistic society)

Expected Activities for the Lecture:

1. The lectures will be organised using a blended approach. Thus, there will be on-site (in person) meetings at the Phase II Auditorium of the Pentecost University. Participants outside Ghana and those in Ghana who may not be able to attend the lecture on-site may join online.
2. There will be four (4) plenary speakers in all. Each of the plenary speakers will have one person (scholar/practitioner) responding to the lecture. A few questions may be allowed after each presentation.
3. There will be one session of small group discussions. A total of six (6) small groups is anticipated. Each group will have one person (scholar/practitioner) presenting a 20- minute paper with a 30-minutes discussion from the group members.

Expected Outcomes:

1. Publication of lecture presentations (both plenary and small groups) in the Pentecost Journal of Theology and Mission (PJTM).
2. Presentations – including papers, videos, PowerPoints, pictures and other resources will be kept as teaching resources and will be made available in the library and online for both students and scholars

 Programme Outline

Sub-Committee Responsible for Organisation:

1. Rev. Dr. Christian Tsekpoe (ctsekpoe@pentvars.edu.gh; Tel: +233 244 072 950) 2. Rev. Dr. Justice A. Arthur (jaarthur@pentvars.edu.gh; Tel: +233 202 848 498)
2. Mr. David Kyetong Guun
3. Rev. Dr. Victor Zizer
4. Rev. Augustine Arthur-Norman
5. Rev. Abraham Nortey
6. Mrs. Rachel Adofo
7. Mr. Harry Atieku-Boateng
8. Mr. Emmanuel Amanquah