origins of the new churches movement in Southern Ethiopia, 1927-1944, The

Book Description

In the highlands of southern Ethiopia, a remarkable spiritual transformation began to unfold in 1927 when Emperor Haile Selassie welcomed foreign missionary-evangelists to establish new religious communities. Rather than working within the established Orthodox Christian framework, these pioneers chose to forge an entirely different path, creating what would become known as the New Churches Movement.

Brian L. Fargher chronicles this fascinating chapter in Ethiopian spiritual history, examining how expatriate evangelists with fundamentalist backgrounds navigated the complex religious landscape they encountered. The author explores three essential dimensions of this movement: the rich Orthodox Christian heritage that provided the cultural backdrop, the practical methods and organizational structures the missionaries developed, and the lasting impact that emerged after the Italian Occupation period.

What makes this story particularly compelling is how the New Churches Movement, which formally began in 1932, managed to influence every aspect of Ethiopian society without creating destructive competition with existing traditions. Instead, it demonstrated how spiritual innovation can complement rather than replace established religious practices.

This detailed study offers valuable insights for anyone interested in understanding how new spiritual movements take root and flourish within traditional cultures. Fargher's research reveals how thoughtful religious pioneers can create lasting change while respecting the sacred foundations already present in a community.