1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study
1.2 Statement of problem
1.3 Objective of the study
1.4 Research Hypotheses
1.5 Significance of the study
1.6 Scope and limitation of the study
1.7 Definition of terms
1.8 Organization of the study
CHAPETR TWO
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW
CHAPETR THREE
3.0 Research methodology
3.1 sources of data collection
3.3 Population of the study
3.4 Sampling and sampling distribution
3.5 Validation of research instrument
3.6 Method of data analysis
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
4.1 Introductions
4.2 Data analysis
CHAPTER FIVE
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Summary
5.3 Conclusion
5.4 Recommendation
Appendix
Abstract
This study is on Issues and challenges facing Assemblies of God Churches in Nsukka Traditional Marriage System. The total population for the study is 200 respondents were used, 100 from church members and 100 from villagers. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made pastors, church members, village heads and youths was used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
The growth of the Assemblies of God, Nigeria (henceforth identified as the AGN) during the Decade of Harvest (1990-2000) is without a doubt one of the most dramatic developments of the Church in West Africa. From a small, exclusive movement in the early 1940s, the church has grown to be a significant Pentecostal denomination in West Africa. With the exit of expatriate missionaries, the church is faced with the challenges.
At marriage, every African Christian couple, especially in mission-founded churches, is confronted with three ‘worlds’ the world of the traditional culture to which most parents of marrying-age children belong; the world of the civil or legal system under which the couple, like other citizens, live; and the world of the predominantly westernized culture that prevails in the church, especially in urban areas, within which the couple generally worship. The question is: which of these three ‘worlds’ has a right to declare an African Christian couple married(biblicalstudies.org.uk. ) Is it the traditional world, when upon initiating, the woman is led to and handed over to the man in the presence of key family. When two different religious systems exist in one community, the tendencies of conflicts of socioreligious, ideological, physical, and even political characters will arise between them. Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity was constantly opposed by the religious leaders of the Jews (journals.sagepub.com)
In traditional Igbo society, marriage confers special status to a man and a woman. This is because a man who reached the age of marriage and has not done so is looked down upon. He is regarded as “Efurefu” which means a “useless”, “care-free man” or “good for nothing old man”. Similarly, a woman who has advanced in years and has not yet married is also regarded as “Nnayanu” which means the father will marry. Either lineage members are therefore most anxious to ensure that their members are not enjoined with that epithet as “Efurefu” or “Okokporo” According to Basden (1966:68), marriage is a most important event in Igbo life from the time when the boys and girls are capable of thinking for themselves; marriage is set before them as the one object to be attained. For Nsukka people, marriage is a serious contract for it joins two lineages. This is because when a man is married; he establishes a serious link between his own lineage and lineage of the wife. The Igbo usage for this relationship is known as “Ogo” which means in-law. Marriage is therefore seen as a system which is used to cement inter-family relationship. It can also be said that a woman is married not only to her husband; but also to the lineage; thus her reproductive power is predominantly transferred to her husband patrilineal descent group.
In Christianity not all churches adhere to traditional pattern of marriage which will have a very serious conflict between the culture of the land and the church. Assemblies of God have their own doctrine of joining couple which is far from the tradition of Nsukka people. It is the issues that need to be addressed. Base on this background the researcher want to investigate the issues and challenges facing Assemblies of God churches in Nsukka traditional marriage system.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The coming of Christianity in Nsukka has made impacts on the people, in the aspect of religion, culture, tradition, education and politics; for instance, in traditional and cultural aspect, Christianity has made impacts in terminating some superstitious practices like, killing of twins, sacrifice of human beings to idols, female genital mutilation, caste system. And in the aspect of religion, politics and education, Christianity has also restructured the system. Therefore, the issue here is that traditional marriage rite Church like Assemblies of God not paying attention to it which bring the conflict between the tradition of Nsukka and Assemblies of God church.
The objectives of the study are;
- To ascertain the issues and challenges facing Assemblies of God church in Nsukka traditional marriage system
- To ascertain whether there is conflict between Assemblies of God doctrine and Nsukka tradition
- To ascertain which rite is superseding in Nsukka
For the successful completion of the study, the following research hypotheses were formulated by the researcher;
H0: there are no the issues and challenges facing Assemblies of God church in Nsukka traditional marriage system.
H1: there are the issues and challenges facing Assemblies of God church in Nsukka traditional marriage system
H02: there is no conflict between Assemblies of God doctrine and Nsukka tradition.
H2: there is conflict between Assemblies of God doctrine and Nsukka tradition
- SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This study will be very significant to students, Churches especially Assemblies of God, people of Nsukka and the general public. The study will give a clear insight in the Issues and challenges facing Assemblies of God Churches in Nsukka Traditional Marriage System. The study will also serve as a reference to others researchers that will embark on this topic.
- SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
The scope of the study covers Issues and challenges facing Assemblies of God Churches in Nsukka Traditional Marriage System. The researcher encounters some constrain which limited the scope of the study;
- a) AVAILABILITY OF RESEARCH MATERIAL: The research material available to the researcher is insufficient, thereby limiting the study
- b) TIME: The time frame allocated to the study does not enhance wider coverage as the researcher has to combine other academic activities and examinations with the study.
1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS
TRADITION: A tradition is a belief or behavior passed down within a group or society with symbolic meaning or special significance with origins in the past. Common examples include holidays or impractical but socially meaningful clothes, but the idea has also been applied to social norms such as greetings
MARRIAGE: Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally recognised union between people, called spouses, that establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children, and between them and their in-laws
CHALLENGES: a call to someone to participate in a competitive situation or fight to decide who is superior in terms of ability or strength
1.8 ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY
This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows
Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (overview, of the study), historical background, statement of problem, objectives of the study, research hypotheses, significance of the study, scope and limitation of the study, definition of terms and historical background of the study. Chapter two highlights the theoretical framework on which the study is based, thus the review of related literature. Chapter three deals on the research design and methodology adopted in the study. Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding. Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations made of the study.
ISSUES AND CHALLENGES FACING ASSEMBLIES OF GOD CHURCHES IN NSUKKA TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE SYSTEM
