CHRISTIANITY AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN IGBOLAND: A FOCUS ON THE ANGLICAN CHURCH IN AWKA

Abstract

The study examines the contributions of the Anglican Church to community development in Awka Town. The study employs both the primary and secondary means of data collections. The required hypothesis and deductions are drawn strictly on the qualitative analysis and synthesis of the collected data made via culture centered and phenomenological approaches. Adopting the structural functionalism and the Symbolic Interactionism theories on community development: Findings portray that the Anglican Church in Awka apposite to the Diocese of Awka (Anglican Communion), have made remarkable socio-economic impacts in community development in Awka town. This includes amongst others, inculcating of core values and quality moral lifestyle on the residents of Awka town; establishment of academic institutions of higher learning and skill acquisition centers; enhancing the formation of local vigilantes; and the institution of Millennium Micro-Finance bank in Awka community. The study concludes by recommending that concerted efforts should be employed by both Christian churches and government authorities in Igbo Land towards embarking on capacity building which enhances both human and community development. Government authorities are equally enjoined to aid in financing Christian churches projects with core socio-economic values within Igbo Communities. Christian churches through their teachings and preaching should enlighten the populace in the Igbo enclaves on attaching sound, quality and positive moral symbols on issues in the society, as this will promote diligence in community service as well as ensuring sanity and perpetual development of the Igbo regions.