Presbyterian Church of Angola

Last updated
Presbyterian Church of Angola
Presbyterian Church in Angola.jpg
Leaf logo of the Presbyterian Church in Angola
AbbreviationIPA or PCofA
Classification Protestant
Orientationconservative Calvinist
Theology Reformed Evangelical
Governance Presbyterian
ModeratorRev. Antonio Bento [1]
Associations World Reformed Fellowship (WRF) and the Association of Evangelical Churches in Angola
Regionin 9 Angolan Provinces out of the 18 Provinces
FounderNeves Massaqui
Origin1984
Luanda, Angola
Separated from Evangelical Reformed Church in Angola
Branched from Presbyterian Church of Brazil
Merger of united with the Independent Presbyterian Church in Angola and the Christian Presbyterian Church in Angola in 2012
Congregationsabout 80-100
Members20,000 - 23,000 [2]
Ministers 51 (2009)

The Presbyterian Church in Angola (In Portuguese the Igreja Presbiteriana de Angola or IPA) is a federation of theologically orthodox Reformed churches, that was founded in the mid-1980s, adopting the Westminster Confession of Faith as the official Standards.

Contents

Origin

In the Evangelical Reformed Church in Angola (IERA) has suffered numerous conflicts. In the IERA problems were about the way of exercising the leadership in the church. Pastor Neves Massaqui created the church and has close relations with the Presbyterian Church of Brazil, this fostered the secession as well. The official beginning of the church is on June 9, 1984. [3] There is an agreement of cooperation between the Presbyterian Church of Brazil and the Presbyterian Church in Angola in the fields of evangelism and social issues. [4]

The officially agreement dates back to 1987. [5] The IBP continues watching, supporting the IPA and provides education for pastors and sending teachers to Angola. In the 1980s Rev. Antonio Neves Massaqui came to Brazil and established this partnership. [6] But also several Angolan Presbyterian pastors and ministers are training in Brazilian Seminaries. [5] [7] [8]

The Presbyterian Church in Manaus has involved several years in the mission trips and evangelism in Luanda, Angola. [9]

Theology

The Presbyterian Church in Angola is a conservative Reformed and Presbyterian denomination. [10] The main activities of the church were in Luanda and Uige, the home region of the founder. The denomination adopted the Westminster Confession of Faith as its official confession along with the Apostles Creed. [11] [12]

Organisation of the denomination follows the Presbyterian church government, local congregations, presbyteries, synods, and the highest level is the General Assembly. IPA has the same constitution as the Brazilian Presbyterian Church (IPB). [13]

Interchurch organisations

The denomination is a member of the World Reformed Fellowship [14] as well as the Association of Evangelical Churches of Angola

Statistics

The Presbyterian Church in Angola had 12,000 members and 30 congregations and 50 house fellowships in 2000, and an estimated 23,000 members in 2009.

Presbyterians who were in Congo and returned to the IPA were around 12,500. There are no women ordination. The denomination is present in 9 provinces from the 18 Provinces in Angola. In 2000 it had 51 pastors, that means one pastor per 450 members. Ministers are men only. Church government is Presbyterian-synodal, with presbyteries, Synods and the General Assembly. Official languages are Portuguese and Kikongo. [15] [16]

Due to the union these numbers of members and churches grew rapidly. [17]

In January 2014 Rev Rondinho Antonio Bento said that reinforced house to house evangelisation will continue to help youth to life a socially useful life. [18]

Recent issues

In early 2011 the Independent Presbyterian Church in Angola and the Christian Presbyterian Church in Angola teamed up with the Presbyterian Church in Angola (IPA). The integration of the denomination into one is a result of a long period of dialogue. Both Christian denomination took this decision because they understand that the Presbyterian Church in Angola is a large community not only in Angola, but internationally. Regard to its evolution there was a need of reunification, to integrate everything into one single denomination. The Independent Presbyterian Church in Angola and the Presbyterian Christian Church in Angola integrated with all of their congregations, pastors, elders and deacons into the Presbyterian Church in Angola. This effort was supported by the PC in Angola. [19] The President of the Generas Synod of IPA said that : " The IPA are open to welcome all who are open to and want to a union, to serve better the Lord. The Presbyterian community become stronger in Angola.he pastor Rondinho Antonio Bento, president of the IPA General Synod, he said, in the worship of reception that sealed the integration of these two communities, "Now we are great in number and solid in our structures." He said that the IPA, the name that drives will work with two other Presbyterian churches that until very recently acted in isolation. And invited them to follow suit, to create a Presbyterian community increasingly united. Also according to the pastor Rondinho Antonio Bento, the IPA's doors are open to welcome in its midst all those who understand the need for unity, where efforts lead all members to better serve the Lord in the church." [20]

Seminary

The Presbyterian Church in Angola with the partnership with the Transcultural Presbyterian Mission Agency of the Presbyterian Church of Brazil built a Seminary building in the end of 2012 in Luanda, Angola. This building sits in a 660 m high area. [21] [22]

Previously in 2012 there were 4 Angolan Presbyterian seminarians, who studied in Brazilian theological seminaries, 2 in Northern Presbyterian Seminary in Recife, and the others are in the Presbyterian Theological seminary in Belo Horizonte. [23]

The Presbyterian Theological Institution was opened by Pastor Neves Massaqui. [24]

Related Research Articles

Igreja Presbiteriana de Moçambique is one of the largest Protestant denominations of Mozambique.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">World Communion of Reformed Churches</span> International Christian organization

The World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) is the largest association of Reformed (Calvinist) churches in the world. It has 230 member denominations in 108 countries, together claiming an estimated 80 million people, thus being the fourth-largest Christian communion in the world after the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, and the Anglican Communion. This ecumenical Christian body was formed in June 2010 by the union of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) and the Reformed Ecumenical Council (REC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Presbyterian Church of Brazil</span> Evangelical Protestant Christian denomination in Brazil

The Presbyterian Church of Brazil is an Evangelical Protestant Christian denomination in Brazil. It is the largest Presbyterian denomination in the country, having an estimate 702,949 members, 4,915 ordained ministers and 5,420 churches and parishes. It is also the only Presbyterian denomination in Brazil present in all 26 States and the Federal District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Protestantism in Portugal</span> Overview of the role of Protestantism in Portugal

Protestantism in Portugal has long been a minority religion. After the Reformation, the Inquisition and the Portuguese government's religious intolerance outlawed the practice of non-Catholic faiths in the country, and those who followed them could not practice it openly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Independent Presbyterian Church of Brazil</span>

The Independent Presbyterian Church of Brazil is a Mainline Protestant Christian denomination in Brazil. Part of the Reformed family of Protestantism, it is the second oldest Presbyterian denomination in the country, had an estimated 74.224 members, 693 ordained ministers and 510 churches in 2009. In 2012 the church had more than 85,000 members and 546 congregations. It was founded by Brazilian minister Rev. Eduardo Carlos Pereira and a group of six other ministers and their churches, who split from the Presbyterian Church of Brazil over a number of political and ecclesiastical controversies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Presbyterian Church in Mexico</span> Protestant denomination in Mexico

The National Presbyterian Church in Mexico is the second-largest Protestant church, and the largest Reformed denomination in Mexico. It is present throughout the country, and is particularly strong in the states of Tabasco, Chiapas, Campeche, Yucatan, Nuevo León, Aguascalientes and Mexico City.

The Igreja Presbiteriana Conservadora do Brasil (IPCB) is a Presbyterian Reformed denomination, founded in 1940, by the churches and members that separated from the Independent Presbyterian Church of Brazil (IPIB). The main reason for the split was the decision of the IPIB General Assembly, in 1938, to appoint a commission to draw up a new confession of faith. This confession would replace the Westminster Confession of Faith and be tolerant of annihilationism. The members who opposed this split and formed the IPCB. It is currently the third largest reformed denomination in Brazil, right after the Presbyterian Church of Brazil (IPB) and a IPIB, preserving traditional positions of Presbyterianism.

The Evangelical Reformed Church in Angola is a Reformed denomination in the country of Angola established by the missionaries of the Swiss Reformed Church.

The Presbyterian Church in America, Chile is a confessional Presbyterian denomination, created by the Presbyterian Church in America missionaries and it currently has 5 congregations.

The Presbyterian Church in Paraguay is an independent confessional Reformed Calvinist denomination in Paraguay, it was founded by Brazilian missionaries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reformed Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Colombia</span>

The Reformed Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Colombia, also known as Reformed Church of Latin America, is a Protestant Reformed denomination, founded in Colombia in 1992, by missionaries from the Presbyterian Church in America.

The Evangelical Presbyterian Church of East Timor is a Reformed Presbyterian denomination in East Timor with 14 churches and 3 chapels. It has 3,500 members and 9 pastors - 6 full-time 3 part- time pastors and 6 evangelists. The church is supported by the Presbyterian Church of Australia, and sister church relationship was also formed between these denominations. It held the foundational Synod in 2011. Contacts with the Christian Presbyterian Church in Portugal was also established and mission trip was made in East Timor in August 2012.

The Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Portugal is a result of evangelistic effort in Madeira between 1838 and 1846 by Robert Kalley, a Scottish minister, the mission continued in the continent in 1966. The first Presbyterian church was founded by Rev. Antonio de Matos, who arrived in Portugal in 1870. Matos was converted by Kalley, and studied in Scotland. Throughout the 19th and 20th century churches were planted in Madeira, Azores, Portugal. In 1926 a Presbytery was formed. In 1944 the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Portugal was formed. In 1946 a Theological Seminary was formed in Carcavelos, but moved to Lisbon in 1970. The denomination is the oldest non-Catholic church in Portugal. It is a member of the World Communion of Reformed Churches, the Conference of European Churches and the World Council of Churches.

The Presbyterian Church in Guinea-Bissau is a mission of the Presbyterian Church of Brazil. It was started as a medical mission in Guinea-Bissau. Today the church has three national pastors, and a training center, the Aboundadt Life Center and the Presbyterian Church in Gabú, this is a church and also in the church is a seminary, the building was begun to construct in the Spring 2013. There are two more congregations around Gabú and a preaching station in Sintabaco around 110 km from Gabú. The worship attendance is about 700.

The Brazilian Evangelical Christian Alliance is a national evangelical alliance, member of the World Evangelical Alliance. It regroup 31 Evangelical Christian denominations, 68 organizations, educational institutions and local churches in Brazil. The headquarters is in Campinas, Brazil. Its president is Silas Tostes.

The Presbyterian Church of Grace is a denomination of orientation Pentecostal, founded on October 8, 1995, in Mogi das Cruzes, São Paulo from a group of dissident members of the Presbyterian Church of Brazil, who adhered to the Pentecostal doctrine of Baptism with the Holy Spirit as the second blessing, after conversion. Despite adopting the Presbyterian name, it has no link with the doctrine Presbyterian, nor with the Presbyterian form of government, being the Episcopalism adopted.

The National Reformed Presbyterian Church of Bolivia also called from Reformed Presbyterian Church of Bolivia is a reformed denomination in Bolivia, founded in 2006, by pastors Miguel Condoretti and Christian Villa. The denomination spread throughout the country, with churches in La Paz and El Alto. On April 23, 2022, its Presbytery was formally organized, with the help of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America.

The Pentecostal Presbyterian Church is a denomination of orientation Pentecostal, founded on November 18, 1974, in Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro from a group of dissident members of the Presbyterian Church of Brazil, who adhered to the Pentecostal doctrine of Baptism with the Holy Spirit as a second blessing, after conversion.

The Revived Presbyterian Church for the Nations is a Pentecostal denomination, founded in 1998, in Guarulhos, São Paulo, by Bishop Eliseu Ribeiro da Silva.

References

  1. ↑ "IGREJA PRESBITERIANA DE RIO DOCE: NOTÍCAS DA IPB - Conheça a Igreja Presbiteriana da Angola". presbiterianaderiodoce.blogspot.hu. 31 August 2009. Retrieved 2015-06-25.
  2. ↑ www.apmt.org.br/index.php/central-de-noticias/1757-seminaristas-se-preparam-para-realizar-projeto-de-curto-prazo-em-angola
  3. ↑ comunidades.net. "Igreja Presbiteriana da Angola - IPA". ipangola.no.comunidades.net. Retrieved 2015-06-25.
  4. ↑ Benedetto, R.; McKim, D.K. (2009). Historical Dictionary of the Reformed Churches. Scarecrow Press. p. 442. ISBN   9780810870239 . Retrieved 2015-06-25.
  5. 1 2 http://www.ipbafonsopenasjp.com.br/files/acordo_com_a_angola.pdf [ dead link ]
  6. ↑ "IPB - Ilhéus: Conheça a Igreja Presbiteriana da Angola". ipbilheus.blogspot.hu. 27 August 2009. Retrieved 2015-06-25.
  7. ↑ http://www.apmt.org.br/index.php/central-de-noticias/1058-a-apmt-investe-na-formacao-de-lideres-da-ip-de-angola [ dead link ]
  8. ↑ "IPM - SAF - Carta da SAF de ANGOLA". ipmanaus.org. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2015-06-25.
  9. ↑ "Transcultural | IPM – Igreja Presbiteriana de Manaus". Archived from the original on 2014-02-23. Retrieved 2015-06-25.
  10. ↑ "Conheça a Igreja Presbiteriana da Angola". Archived from the original on 2010-11-01. Retrieved 2015-06-25.
  11. ↑ www.apmt.org.br/index.php/central-de-noticias/1073-safs-enviam-2250-biblias-para-angola
  12. ↑ Christoph Fasse. "Address data base of Reformed churches and institutions". reformiert-online.net. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2015-06-25.
  13. ↑ "reformiert online". reformiert-online.net. Retrieved 2015-06-25.
  14. ↑ www.wrfnet.org/web/guest/membershiplist Archived 2012-07-30 at the Wayback Machine
  15. ↑ http://www.executivaipb.com.br/Atas_CE_SC/SC/SC%202010/doc31_320.pdf/ Igreja Presbiteriana do Angola
  16. ↑ http://www.executivaipb.com.br/Atas_CE_SC/SC/SC%202010/doc31_320.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  17. ↑ comunidades.net. "Paroquias". ipangola.no.comunidades.net. Retrieved 2015-06-25.
  18. ↑ "Igreja deve ajudar a juventude para uma vida socialmente útil - Sociedade - Angola Press - ANGOP". portalangop.co.ao. Retrieved 2015-06-25.
  19. ↑ "Igrejas presbiterianas unidas | Sociedade | Jornal de Angola - Online". jornaldeangola.sapo.ao. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2015-06-25.
  20. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-03-24. Retrieved 2013-04-10.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  21. ↑ "SDG: PROJETO "MÃO NA MASSA" - CONSTRUINDO EM ANGOLA / ÁFRICA". somentedeusgloria.blogspot.hu. Retrieved 2015-06-25.
  22. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-11-02. Retrieved 2013-09-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  23. ↑ http://www.apmt.org.br/index.php/central-de-noticias/1058-a-apmt-investe-na-formacao-de-lideres-da-ip-de-angola www.apmt.org.br/index.php/central-de-noticias/1058-a-apmt-investe-na-formacao-de-lideres-da-ip-de-angola
  24. ↑ www.apmt.org.br/index.php/central-de-noticias/1058-a-apmt-investe-na-formacao-de-lideres-da-ip-de-angola
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.