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African Independent Church (AIC) refers to any Christian church in Africa that was founded, led, and managed by Africans, independent of foreign missionary control. These churches often blend Christian teachings with African culture, and they arose in response to racial discrimination, cultural rejection, and the desire for African leadership and spiritual expression. Major African Independent Churches (AICs) and include:

1. Ethiopian/Separatist Churches (Early Phase)

• Native Baptist Church – 1881
• United Native African Church – 1891
• The African Church (Incorporated) – 1901
• United African Methodist Church – 1917

2. Aladura/Pentecostal-Prophetic Churches (Later Phase)

• Garrick Braide Movement / Christ Army Church – 1916
• Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) – 1918
• Cherubim and Seraphim Church – 1925
• Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) – 1947

These churches were pioneers in asserting African identity in Christianity, and they remain influential across West Africa today.

Causal Factors that led to the break way of Africans from mainland churches

The African Independent Church Movement emerged due to several factors:

1. Racism and Authoritarianism: White missionaries denied Africans leadership roles and treated them unequally.
2. Cultural Rejection: Mission churches rejected African customs like polygamy, music, and traditional spirituality.
3. Doctrinal Differences: Africans valued prayer, prophecy, healing, and visions — elements mission churches ignored.
4. Desire for Self-Governance: Africans wanted control over their churches — leadership, finance, and evangelism.
5. Socio-Economic Conditions: Poverty and neglect from mission churches led Africans to seek churches that met their needs.
6. Search for Purer Christianity: Some believed the mission churches had strayed from true, spirit-filled Christianity.
7. Leadership Tussle: Conflicts over who should lead caused splits and the creation of independent churches.

Features of the African Independent Church Movement

The African Independent Churches (AICs) developed unique characteristics that set them apart from the mission-related churches. These features reflect their African roots and spiritual focus:

1. African Leadership

• AICs are led entirely by Africans.
• Church founders often bear titles like Prophet, Apostle, Spiritual Leader or Papa, mama (for female leaders).
• Leadership is based more on spiritual gifts than formal theological training.

2. Cultural Integration

• They incorporate African music, drumming, dance, attire, and languages into worship.
• Practices like naming ceremonies, traditional marriage rites, and healing rituals are adapted into church life.

3. Emphasis on Prayer and Spiritual Power

• Strong focus on fasting, night vigils, speaking in tongues, and healing.
• Belief in dreams, visions, and prophecy as means of divine communication.
• Spiritual solutions are offered for issues like infertility, joblessness, and illness.

4. Tolerance for Polygamy and Traditional Beliefs

• Some AICs allow polygamous members to participate in full church life.
• Others show tolerance for traditional practices like herbal medicine and ancestor respect — as long as they do not contradict the church's core message.

5. Self-Governance and Independence

• AICs own their buildings, select their leaders, and run their affairs without external influence.
• This has helped them grow rapidly, especially among the rural and urban poor.

6. Holistic Approach to Life

• They address both spiritual and physical needs.
• Services often include testimonies, counseling, healing, and even job support.
• Churches function as both religious centers and community support groups.

7. Evangelism and Expansion

• Many AICs are mission-oriented, sending evangelists across West Africa and beyond.
• They are known for bold street preaching, crusades, and revival programs.

Q&A-Style Revision

Q1: Why did Africans break away from mission churches?
A: Due to racism, lack of leadership opportunities, cultural rejection, and desire for independence.

Q2: What role did African culture play in the rise of independent churches?
A: Africans wanted to worship in a way that reflected their music, language, traditions, and spirituality.

Q3: How did socio-economic factors influence the movement?
A: Poor living conditions and unemployment made Africans seek churches that offered spiritual and economic hope.

Q4: What doctrinal differences existed?
A: African Christians believed in dreams, visions, spiritual healing, and miracles — which were not supported by mission churches.

Q5: What does "self-governing, self-supporting, and self-propagating" mean in this context?
A: It means independent churches were run, funded, and expanded by Africans without foreign control.

Q6: What was the leadership tussle about?
A: Africans wanted to lead their churches, but missionaries refused, leading to splits and creation of new churches.