Journal: Conspectus
Volume: CONSPECTUS 28:1 (Sep 2019)
Article: A New Proposal For A Biblically Grounded Christian Social Welfare Provision Among The Ghana Baptist Convention Member Churches In The Ashanti Region, Ghana
Author: Joseph Adasi-Bekoe

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Conspectus 28:1 (September 2019) p. 161

A New Proposal For A Biblically Grounded Christian Social Welfare Provision Among The Ghana Baptist Convention Member Churches In The Ashanti Region, Ghana1

Joseph Adasi-Bekoe

and

Annang Asumang

About The Authors2

Joseph Adasi-Bekoe

PhD Student, SATS

Annang Asumang

PhD, SATS, Dr Asumang is a consultant with Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom. A Clinician in Intensive Care Medicine, Annang has also made a significant contribution as a academic and researcher in theology.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to seek a theologically sound, biblically grounded and sociologically appropriate means of organizing social care for the Ghana Baptist Convention (GBC) member churches in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The absence of formal social support, amidst severe social welfare challenge has led to the emergence of several mutual, self-help societies, including the social welfare schemes of the GBC churches. Using the Zerfass (1974) practical theological model as a primary tool for the study, the research showed that the current social welfare system of the church lacks a distinctive Christian identity. Relying on an exegesis of four anchor texts to discover the standards of God, the study made proposals to address the identified deficiencies of social welfare in the churches. This study could serve also as template for other Christian communities especially in Africa.

This article: https://www.sats.edu.za/adasi-bekoe-asumang-new-proposal-for-christian-social-welfare-in-ghana

Conspectus 28:1 (September 2019) p. 162

1. Introduction

Israel, as the precursor of the church was given a responsibility for the provision of social welfare of its citizens, and the same is expected of the church today. The Israelites were to be generous to people in need as a reflection of the generosity of God towards them (Lev 25:36–38). The New Testament Church followed this same pattern as laid down by God for Israel, and made provisions for the welfare needs of its members one of their major focuses (Acts 2:42–47, 4:32–37).

In pre-colonial African societies, the social welfare needs of citizens were not a major problem as the extended family and other social institutions were strong enough to take care of most members of the society (Nevil...

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