Sacred Spaces and the Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches in Ghana
Date
2019-07
Authors
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Publisher
University of Ghana
Abstract
Sacred space is common to almost every religion in the world. A sacred space
is a place set apart from a secular space for holy use. In this study, two classifications
of sacred spaces have been given, the natural and the man-made, but this study is
focused on the man-made sacred spaces. Particularly, the study seeks to examine the
Ghanaian Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches’ understanding of sacred space regarding
their places of worship. This is against the backdrop of the proliferation and acclaimed
growth of Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches (PCCs) in Ghana.
This is a phenomenological study of PCCs places of worship (sacred space) on
the Spintex Road and Abeka Lapaz areas in Accra. The methods of data collection
employed were interviews, observations and participant observations, photography and
a review of published literature.
The study found out that the Ghanaian PCCs’ understanding of sacred space is
any space ‘set aside’ through visions and dreams. These spaces are then claimed by the
‘visionaries’ and ‘dreamers’ (leaders) and consecrated as sacred spaces for worship.
The study identified 63 places of worship out of which the researcher classified into
tents, pave, rented, house/community, events centres and megachurches. Some of these
churches can be found in very close proximity, both within residential and commercial
areas with more PCC churches springing up monthly. This helps to explain the claim
of PCCs to the growth of Christianity in Ghana. The research recommends that future
studies on PCCs actual membership (and not the number of churches/places of worship)
be done to get the real data of PCCs contribution to Christianity in Ghana. The study
also recommends that Town and Country Planning Authorities should ensure that PCCs
follow the laid down processes of securing land titles for their places of worship.
Description
MPhil.
Keywords
Pentecostal, Charismatic Churches, Ghana, Sacred space