18 Reads
For missions to be effective, the message, the messengers and the church should be contextualized, to the society, the culture, and the people in the field. This study concerns itself with the contextualization of these three elements essential to Christian evangelism in the church of the Tangale of Northern Nigeria The first concern is the contextualization of the message to the Tangale with the focus on the concept of God The villagers offer sacrifices and pray to a lower god called Yekku, who intercedes for them before the Supreme Being Then Yekku delivers the words of the Supreme Being to the people through the priest The Gospel is contextualized to the Tangale people's concept of God Jesus, the Son of God replaces Yekku In the place of their traditional animal sacrifice, the Lamb of God, who takes away all human sins, is contextualized. The second concern is the contextualization of the messengers sent to the rural villages of the Tangale, focusing on the methods of communication Tangale people employ mediators for conflict-resolution or important communication between different groups, though they are free to express their opinions within the same group in their social network. There is also a strong Chief mentality in which people willingly follow their head person's opinions Thus, the contextualization of the messenger for communication is made message carriers should be able to employ mediators appropriately in their endeavor to communicate with the Tangale people The Chief the elders or the head of a family should be considered to be a contact point to start communication. To have effective communication with the Tangale people, the messenger must strive to build good relationship It will involve spending much of his time eating with villagers, chatting together with them, exchanging long greetings, and sometimes giving appropriate gifts. The last area to contextualize is the church with the focus on oneness. All villagers live a communal life. If for some reason, a Tangale person is isolated from his collective and communal life, he can hardly survive in the community To enjoy their fellowship and also to avoid any conflict or possible isolation; people try their best to participate in all of the activities that arise in their community Marriage ceremonies, naming ceremonies, celebrations, festivals, rituals, and community projects all involve communal effort Therefore, the church should seek oneness with the entire village, aiming to establish a central place in communal life, influencing and eventually leading people to Jesus.