Determinants of Participation in Church among the Marginalized Groups:a casde study of the Pygmies in Ijwi and Katana Forests in Congo

Abstract

The issue of taking social responsibility as part of Christian outreach has been ignored and overlooked for a long time. The purpose of this study was to establish the determinants of participation in Church among the marginalized people groups. Specifically, the study looked at social needs as determinants that hinder Church participation among the Pygmies. Two research visits were done in Congo. One was in Katana forest and the other in Ijwi forest. Data collection involved the use of discussion questions which guided the focus groups. The discussions were held in these two different regions to establish whether social needs among the Pygmies would determine their Church participation. Participant observation was also used to give independent findings as well. Four groups involved in discussions were; a group of Pygmy men, Pygmy women, Pygmy children as well as pastors who have Churches in the Pygmy neighborhood or having ministry among the Pygmies. It emerged from the study that social needs hinder participation in Church directly or indirectly. In order to transform the lives of the Pygmies, social responsibility must be given its rightful place. Recommendations from the findings were made calling Christians, the Church, NGOs, and other stakeholders to do holistic ministry to the Pygmies and by extension to the marginalized people groups.