The spirituality of a preacher in African context : reflections from the life and ministry of the apostle Paul

The subject spirituality is very popular in these days. There are different ways in which people try to give a definition to it. Some people see it as a personal feeling in his inner-most, which we consider as too narrow. Other scholars see it as something pertaining to a particular way of life, which is too one-sided. In this study we try to show how the subject spirituality is comprehensive and embraces the whole life of a person before God. In the history of the church we encounter moments when certain teachings were held so high as if that would constitute the whole teaching of the Bible. The rescue from this pitfall was brought about by the Reformation of the sixteenth century when people returned to the Bible. A scramble to Africa came also with the spread of Christianity. The carriers of the message were not all people of the same stock and also their motives were not the same - there were gospel missionaries, travellers, traders and also imperialists. Amidst all these competing streams there was a not so clear understanding of the cultures of the nationals with the result that there appeared to be tension between culture and Christianity. This study highlights some of these cultural aspects in order to enlighten the church so that it will devise ways of bringing the gospel holistically. African spirituality needs be informed of reformation spirituality as entailed in both Testaments of Scripture. In this study the ministry of the apostle Paul is taken as a case study for both the preacher and his flock, especially Philippians. Suggestions are given to the preacher as to how he can enhance his ministry.