Abstract:
Social redemption is part of the Church’s holistic approach to evangelism which takes care of the material needs of human beings. It is the contribution and efforts of the Church to alleviate societal problems. Social redemption focuses on health, education, security, the physically challenged and general welfare of the people. In pursuance of Social Redemption Programme, the Church Missionary Society (CMS) which brought the Anglican Church to Nigeria established social institutions to take care of the people’s welfare. The CMS Grammar School Lagos, Dennis Memorial Grammar School Onitsha, Iyienu Hospital in Ogidi, St Christopher’s Hospital and Maternity Obowo, were among many educational and health facilities built by the Anglican Mission. Available literature reveals overemphasis on the spiritual welfare of the people as if their material welfare is not part of the redemptive activities of the church. Unfortunately, this aspect of the church’s mission is presently being neglected. Therefore, this study examined the pattern of engagement of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) in social redemption in Nigeria from 1979 - 2019. The study adopted historical-descriptive design. The coming of the CMS missionaries in 1842 pioneered many projects that contributed to the development of Nigeria. Findings show that before the civil war in Nigeria, from 1967 – 1970, over ninety percent of educational and health facilities in Nigeria belonged to the churches. The CMS missionaries built most of the schools and hospitals owned by the Anglican Church. The combined factors of takeover of management of mission schools and hospitals by government and lack of external funding, when the church became self-supporting under its indigenous leadership, hampered the church’s response to social welfare. Quest for wealth for personal gratification among her leaders is responsible for current low level of interest in reviving Church’s social responsibility. A return to the missionary theological thought pattern of holistic approach to evangelism and selfless service will bring the church back to her social redemption programmes.
