The Church of the Lord (Aladura)
The Church of the Lord (abbreviation: CL (A) ) - also The Church of the Lord (Aladura) Worldwide (abbreviation: TCLAW ) - is a Christian church that was founded in 1930 by Josiah Olunowo Oshitelu in Ogere , Nigeria . It emerged from the Aladura movement and is now widespread worldwide, namely in Benin , Togo , Ghana , Liberia and Sierra Leone . Its membership is estimated at around 3.5 million. The CL (A) maintains its own theological institute, which is now integrated into Lagos State University .
Cult and Faith Practice
The word Aladura is taken from the Yoruba language and means "prayer". This is the focus of the faith practice within the CL (A). Extended prayer sessions determine the worship service and also the everyday life of the followers of the church. The CL (A) was one of the first independent West African churches to introduce typically African elements into worship, such as drumming, clapping and dancing. She is characterized by the white cassock in which her followers celebrate services.
The church has adopted four principles as its motto and rule: Pentecostal in power, biblically founded, preaching in service and ecumenical in appearance . A special feature of this church is the so-called Holy Mount Tabieorar (pronounced: Taborah) Festival , which is celebrated annually from 10th to 22nd August as a retreat by thousands of believers. It was used by Oshitelu in 1937.
Rufus Okikiola Ositelu has led the church since 1998 , as the fourth head of the CL (A).
Ecumenism
The CL (A) attaches great importance to ecumenical cooperation with other churches. That is why she is a member of numerous ecumenical organizations.
These are among others:
- World Council of Churches (World Council of Churches )
- All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC)
- Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (BCC).
- In 1996 the CL (A) led a conference of African churches of the World Council of Churches in their training center in Ogere.
- In 1999 the CL (A) was a founding member of the international convention of Christian communities - Rhein-Main.
literature
- Harold Walter Turner: History of An African Independent Church. 2 volumes. Clarendon Press, Oxford 1967;
- Volume 1: The Church of the Lord (Aladura).
- Volume 2: The Life and Faith of the Church of the Lord (Aladura).