Sacred Spaces and the Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches in 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.