Power struggles, poverty and breakaways in the African Independent Churches in South Africa

Abstract

This article will address the historical tensions that the impoverished state of many African Independent Churches (AICs) caused in South Africa. Such tensions have often led to divisions and breakaways within the AIC denominational structures. Of note here is the fact that many such breakaways were the result of, among other things, spiritual doctrinal differences, internal politics, hunger, status issues and financial squabbles. This article investigates the reasons for division. Accordingly, the article notes that many of the people who were at the centre of these splits joined the church with ulterior motives, both spiritual and physical, depending on their interests. In time, even major AICs in South Africa were not immune to the divisions resulting from internal conflict. This article considers questions such as: Can divisions be viewed as a problem or a way of life for the AICs? Can breakaways be prevented? What effect do divisions among the AICs have on their growth, bearing in mind that they are the fastest growing churches in Africa today? The article will consider these important questions in order to ascertain whether, historically, money has been the main factor in their breakaways.