The origins of the new churches movement in Southern Ethiopia, 1927-1944
By: by Brian L. Fargher.
Series: Studies of religion in Africa,; 16; Studies on religion in Africa ;; 16.
Publisher: E.J. Brill
Published: 1996
Place of publication: Leiden; New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 329
Subjects: Missions -- Ethiopia; Ethiopia -- Church history; Ethiopia -- Religious life and customs
Description: This study describes the beginnings of a movement which has created another face for Ethiopian Christianity. The expatriate missionary-evangelists, who in 1927 were encouraged by Emperor Haile Selassie to work in southern Ethiopia, intentionally by-passed the Orthodox model and made a fresh start. Three of the many facets of the movement comprise the body of the book.

There is the religious backdrop of Orthodox Christianity and the expatriates' fundamentalist traditions; then the praxis and polity of their work; finally the post-Occupation outcome which confirmed their choices. Since its beginning in 1932 the New Churches Movement has impacted every part of Ethiopian society: religious, political and socio-economic. It demonstrates that a fresh start can be complementary rather than competitive.

The movement's success encourages missionary-evangelists to continue making new beginnings.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. [311]-326) and index.