DEWCOM

Abstract

The subject of ancestral veneration has existed in the African communities and in our different churches for a long time; especially within the African Indigenous churches, where it is prominent. It is also visible in the Mainstream churches but was ignored up until it shows negative impact on the church, and then attempts to address it are considered. I grew up in the context of a household where my mentors-grandparents belonged to firstly, Mainstream church, which did not subscribe to ancestral veneration and secondly, belonging to the African Indigenous church in which ancestral veneration was recognised. My grandparents had different uniforms for these two churches and the worshiping approach towards the services of two churches was different. This difference between the two churches used to confuse me.

As I grew up and I observed some dichotomies between the two church which at times create tension between its different members. Therefore, this study, theologically explores dichotomies between Mainstream and African Indigenous churches with regard to ancestral veneration, employing the doctrinal, liturgical and cultural approaches of the Mainstream and African Indigenous churches to arrive at the conclusions. Twenty four interviews were held involving twenty four willing participants which were randomly selected from Mainstream and African Indigenous churches. It is out of those interviews that I was able to analyse data, insights and concluded that there are beneficial similarities between the two churches and also dichotomies which create tension between the churches and thus need to be addressed by both of them.