Euthanasia of a Mission: African Church Autonomy in a Colonial Context

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Examines the pivotal role African agents, influences, and reactions played in transforming a mission into a national autonomous church. Henry Venn, secretary of the London-based Church Missionary Society from 1840 to 1872, coined the term "euthanasia of a mission" to describe the vital process whereby a foreign mission becomes progressively indigenous and independent. His vision of church autonomy was first implemented in Sierra Leone, and the author examines this experiment in detail to uncover the nature of early efforts at constructing an African Christian identify separate from foreign influence and control. Through a detailed analysis of the crises and controversies evoked by African interpretation and appropriation of Venn's vision, the author illustrates the complex interaction of foreign missionary action, indigenous Christian response, and socioeconomic factors in the problematic transition from mission to national church. Venn's ideas had far-reaching influence on the growth of African nationalism, political consciousness, and nation-building. His experiment led to local efforts to merge with the foreign missionary efforts and to an eventual takeover of leadership and mission responsibilities by native Africans. Hanciles chronicles the initial missionary efforts in Sierra Leone, the growth of the mission, the problems that arose, and the emergence of "Ethiopianism," a movement which promoted the idea of African nationalism. The book argues that in the West African region, at least, Venn's experiment precipitated some of the most profound eccelesiastical crises of the 19th century and unleashed powerful forces of change that continue to this day. By focusing on the African factor in the intensely problematic transition from mission to national church, this work contributes to the ongoing reappraisal of the significance of African Christianity as a major stream of Christian history.

Reviews

"...Jehu J. Hanciles illustrates how the members of the Anglican church in his native Sierra Leone reacted to the application of Venn's policy, and describes the profound racial and ecclesiastical crises it provoked. He also details its contribution to the pan-African "Ethioplanism" movement which was to become influential in the African dispora. Moreover this stimulating, scholarly and critical work by one of the leading younger West African historians makes an important contribution to the now burgeoning discipline missiology" Christopher Fyfe, Reader in African History (retired), University of Edinburgh "Euthanasia of a Mission brings full circle studies of the remarkable Henry Venn, foremost British missionary leader in the nineteenth century. By concentrating on the impact of Venn's policies and administrative initiatives on the ground--both for the missionary and the local church--Dr. Hanciles lays bare the dynamic and often troubled relations among the several parties. At once a visionary thinker and a forceful administrator, Venn helped unleash forces that contributed to the economic, social, and political development of West African societies. This groundbreaking study gives us a fresh angle from which to understand the modern missionary process that was still in process of formation when Venn launched his famous Native Pastorate Experiment in 1860." Wilbert R. Shenk, Paul E. Pierson Professor of Mission History and Contemporary Culture, Fuller Theologian Seminary, Pasadena, California

Author Bio

JEHU HANCILES is Associate Professor of Mission History and Globalization, at the School of World Mission, Fuller Theological Seminary. He has published widely in the areas of African Christianty and Missions.