"We Sleep with One Eye Open": Exploring the Experiences of Churches in Rivers State, Nigeria. (December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nche, George C; Wachukwu, Chikodi; Nwaoga, Chinyere T; Mokwenye, Ekene M; Agwu, Prince; Alagboso, Daniel I
• Is Part Of: Journal of Asian and African studies. Volume 54:Number 8(2019)
• Page Start: 1262
• Page End: 1279
• Publication Date: 2019-12
• Subjects: Churches -- experiences -- Rivers State -- insecurity -- cultism -- Amnesty program; Social change -- Africa -- Periodicals; Social change -- Asia -- Periodicals; Economic development -- Africa -- Periodicals; Economic development -- Asia -- Periodicals; Africa -- Social conditions -- Periodicals; Asia -- Social conditions -- Periodicals; Africa -- Periodicals; Asia -- Periodicals; 950
• DOI: 10.1177/0021909619865582
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9096

Abstract

In instances of insecurity in many societies, churches "also" suffer. Yet there is a dearth of literature exploring the experiences of churches in connection with situations of insecurity. This study, therefore, explored the experiences of churches in the face of the high rate of insecurity in Rivers State, Nigeria. Information was elicited from 16 church leaders of different denominations in different communities in Rivers State. Using a descriptive narrative approach, the study found that churches' experiences in some communities in the state are reflections of helplessness and despair due to the incidences of cultism, kidnapping, armed robbery, etc. Many churches in some of the embattled communities have been deserted or left with a few older people. This has had negative impacts on evangelism and the churches' economy, with the clergy at the receiving end. The implications of findings for the government and churches are discussed.