History Episcopal Church Liberpb

This study is a sequel to A History of the Episcopal Church in Liberia 1821-1980 (1992). It is a narrative shaped by contexts-context of the Episcopal Church and its Christian witness through the episcopacies of Diocesan Bishops George Daniel Browne, Edward Wea Neufville II, and Jonathan B. B. Hart; the context of a modernizing Liberia plunged into unprecedented political violence by a military coup d'etat in 1980 and a devastating civil war that ensued and consumed the country for some 14 years; and the context of shifting external ties with the American Church, the Liberian Episcopal community in the United States, and the Church of the Anglican Province of West Africa. D. Elwood Dunn also examines what the church's contemporary history uncovers about Liberia's social history in its juxtaposition of national identity issues with religious syncretism (a mixture of African traditional religions, Islam, some elements of Christianity, and basic human secularism), while suggesting challenges for the Episcopal Church's Christian witness going forward.

All of this is done in four concise chapters successively addressing the episcopate of Bishop Browne, a critical interregnum period between Browne and his successor, Bishop Neufville, the episcopate of Neufville, and initiating the episcopate of incumbent Bishop Hart. This is followed by a general conclusion and assessment of the church's work. The study ends with an epilogue on the Episcopal Church that was, the Church that is, and the Church of the future.

List of contents

List of Illustrations and Tables

Foreword

Bishop Jonathan B. B. Hart

Prologue

Acknowledgments

List of Abbreviations

Introduction

One: Episcopate of Bishop George Daniel Browne (1970-1993)

A Measure of the Man, George Daniel Browne

Domestic and International Contexts of Browne's Ministry

Stewardship and Self-Support

Evangelism

Education

Social Issues, Civil War, and the Church to 1993

Identity with Church of the Province of West Africa as Covenant Redefines Relations with American Church

Browne's Ministry Assessed

Two: Interim Between Bishop Browne and Bishop Neufville (1993-1996)

Browne's Health Condition and Ad Hoc Administrative Arrangements

State of the Church on Browne's Sudden Death: Leadership Controversy

Church of the Province of West Africa Oversight Amid Uneasy Relations Between Neufville and Team Ministry

Election of Successor Diocesan Bishop

Assessing the Interim Period

Three: Episcopate of Bishop Edward Wea Neufville II (1996-2007)

Another Challenging Beginning

Journey to the Episcopacy

Vision and Thrust of Leadership

Stewardship Ministry

Evangelism Ministry

Education Ministry

External Ties: Church of the Province of West Africa and The Episcopal Church (USA)

Neufville's Episcopacy Assessed

Four: Episcopate of Bishop Jonathan Bau-Bau Bonaparte Hart (2008-)

Election of Bishop Coadjutor

Events Leading to Consecration of Twelfth Diocesan Bishop

Highlights of First Twelve Years

Tentative Assessment

Conclusion

Epilogue: Church That Was, Church That Is, Church of the Future

Appendices 1-5

1. Bishops of the Episcopal Church of Liberia

2. Biographical Data of Episcopal Church of Liberia and Diaspora Clergy: Clergy of the Episcopal Church of Liberia Since 1980 and Liberian-Born Episcopal Clergy in the Diaspora (USA)

3. Chancellors of the Diocese Since 1976

4. Presidents of Cuttington College/University, 1949-2019

5. Brief Historical Sketch of St. John's Episcopal Church, Lower Buchanan, Grand Bassa County

List of Interviews

Bibliography

Archives

Sources

Index

About the Author

About the author

D. Elwood Dunn

Summary

This book provides a window on the Episcopal Church of Liberia and its Christian witness through the lenses of three bishops who have led the Church since 1980. This is done in the critical context of the experience of the Liberian people since the 1980 coup and the civil war of 1989–2003.

Additional text

Dr. Elwood Dunn is the foremost historian on the Episcopal Church of Liberia (“ECL”). His commitment to this cause is unwavering. Dr. Dunn’s historical and analytical account, spanning the last forty years of the ECL, provides noteworthy prognosis of issues vital to the sustainability, growth, and future of the Church. Liberian Episcopalians are indebted to him for the extensive research and clear recount of events that helped to shape the Diocese of Liberia.

Product details

• Authors: D Elwood Dunn, D. Elwood Dunn, Dunn D. Elwood
• Publisher: Rowman and Littlefield
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 31.03.2020
• EAN: 9780761870982
• ISBN: 978-0-7618-7098-2
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Religion/theology > Christianity; Liberia, RELIGION / Christianity / Episcopalian, Anglican and Episcopalian Churches, Anglican & Episcopalian Churches, Church of England