Christianity in Botswana

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More than 70% of the population of Botswana is Christian, with most being members of the Anglican, United Congregational Church of Southern Africa, the Methodist Church of Southern Africa, and African independent churches. Anglicans in Botswana are part of the Church of the Province of Central Africa. Membership in the Roman Catholic Church includes about 5% of the nation's population.

Recently^[when?] the number of Pentecostal churches has been rising. A strong revival has been going on. Among activities in churches is all night prayers,evangelism and holding crusades. midweek services are also conducted in some churches for bible study.In these meetings prayers are usually made for the church,members,community and leaders in the nation. Some of the churches in Botswana include , Assemblies of God, Apostolic Faith Mission, Eloyi Christian Church, Pentecostal Holiness Church, Dutch Reformed Church in Botswana, , Christ Embassy, Bible Life Ministries, Victory International Centre (VIC), First Love Church, Winners Chapel International to name but a few. There's also the presence of Eastern Orthodox Church.

One of the first missionaries to bring the gospel to the land of Botswana was David Livingstone. The churches normally meet occasionally to worship together under the name Evangelical Fellowship of Botswana.^{[citation needed]}This body is like an organization of churches and it is the voice of the church.

Major denominational families[]

Botswana citizens identify themselves as Christians.^[1] Anglicans, Methodists, and the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa make up the majority of Christians.

A survey of the Botswana identified the percentages of these groups as 66% (Protestant), 7% (Roman Catholics) and 1%(Others).

Youth programs[]

While children and youth in the colonial era were treated as small adults, awareness of their special status and needs grew in the nineteenth century, as one after another the denominations large and small began special programs for their young people. Protestant denominations set up Sunday school programs. They provide a major source of new members. The Catholics have set up an entire network of parochial schools, and by the late nineteenth century probably more than half of their young members are attending elementary schools run by local parishes.^{[citation needed]}

Demographics[]

Beliefs and attitudes[]

• 19 percent of Botswana Christians believe salvation comes through Jesus Christ, attend church regularly, are Bible readers, invest in personal faith development through their church, accept leadership positions in their church, and believe they are obligated to "share [their] faith", that is, to evangelize others.
• 20 percent are referred to as Professing Christians. They also are committed to "accepting Christ as Savior and Lord" as the key to being a Christian, but focus more on personal relationships with God and Jesus than on church, Bible reading or evangelizing.
• 24 percent fall into a category named Liturgical Christians. They are predominantly Lutheran and Roman Catholic. They are regular churchgoers, have a high level of spiritual activity and recognize the authority of the church.^{[citation needed]}
• 16 percent are considered Private Christians. They own a Bible but don't tend to read it. Only about one-third attend church at all. They believe in God and in doing good things, but not necessarily within a church context. This was the largest and youngest segment. Almost none are church leaders.
• 21 percent in the research are called Cultural Christians. These do not view Jesus as essential to salvation. They exhibit little outward religious behavior or attitudes. They favor a universality theology that sees many ways to God. Yet, they clearly consider themselves to be Christians.^{[citation needed]}

Conversion[]

A study from 2015 estimated that about 100 Botswana Muslims convert to Christianity, most of whom belong to an evangelical or Pentecostal community.^[2] It's been also reported that conversion into Christianity is significantly increasing among East Asians in Botswana.

Education[]

The majority of Botswana Christians attend mixed gender public schools, mostly government schools.There are Christian Schools in Botswana.These schools were built by churches. Among such schools we have Moeding college for the United congregational church of Southern Africa.We also have St Josephs College which is under the Roman Catholic Church. web|url=http://www.localbotswana.com/company/12397/ST_JOSEPHS_COLLEGE%7Ctitle=ST JOSEPH'S COLLEGE|website=LocalBotswana|access-date=2016-06-17}}</ref> Although the schools are termed christian schools,the government has a part to play on them more especially in developments and infrastructure. Even teachers of such schools are hired or employed by the government.

Media[]

Television[]

Every weekday public channel BTV broadcasts short religious programmes at 05h30.^{[citation needed]}

See also[]

• Religion in Botswana
• Islam in Botswana

Further reading[]

• Balmer, Randall. The Encyclopedia of Evangelicalism (2002) excerpt and text search

References[]