Refusing to Eat Pre-chewed Food: Assessment of the Effectiveness of ‘Jitegemea Philosophy’ in the Ecclesiology of the PCEA in Nyeri and Ki rinyaga Counties Kenya (1971-2021)
Keywords:
Presbytery,, Moratorium,, Missiology,, Jitegemea,, Self-sustenance,, PCEA,Abstract
The call for moratorium on foreign missionaries and subsequent adoption of the
‘Jitegemea’ philosophy in the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) provoked
a strong debate about the future of the church and her ability to engage in
misiological aspects without external support. The African Church was sim ply
refusing to eat pre-chewed food from missionaries. The philosophy was expected to
guide the Church into self-sufficiency in terms of finances, evangelization,
theologizing and governance and personnel. Consequently, income generating
projects such as building of schools, hospitals and farming among other were
established to support the needs of the church. However, limited research has been
conducted to examine the challenges and lessons learnt by the PCEA especially at
the Parish level since the moratorium was commenced. The purpose of this study
therefore, is to examine the positive outcomes of the moratorium on the growth of
the PCEA, to assess the challenges faced by the PCEA since the Jitegemea
philosophy was adopted in 1971 and the lessons learnt fifty years later. A survey
research design using a mixed method approach was adopted. Data collection was
done using questionnaires for ordinary church members and interview guides for
both church elders and parish ministers. Quantitative data was analyzed
descriptively using percentages, means and frequencies. Qualitative data was
analyzed by organizing it into themes based on research objective. The study
established that since moratorium was started the PCEA in Nyeri and Kirinyaga
Counties has benefited through establishment of self reliance, self propagation, selftheologising and self-governance structures. However, the Jitegemea philosophy
increased financial burden to the members with some wishing for financial support
from churches of the western countries. The study recommended the establishment
of more vibrant church policies that can accommodate support from global Church
as a way of encouraging partnership in mission and development.
References
The call for moratorium on foreign missionaries and subsequent adoption of the
‘Jitegemea’ philosophy in the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) provoked
a strong debate about the future of the church and her ability to engage in
misiological aspects without external support. The African Church was sim ply
refusing to eat pre-chewed food from missionaries. The philosophy was expected to
guide the Church into self-sufficiency in terms of finances, evangelization,
theologizing and governance and personnel. Consequently, income generating
projects such as building of schools, hospitals and farming among other were
established to support the needs of the church. However, limited research has been
conducted to examine the challenges and lessons learnt by the PCEA especially at
the Parish level since the moratorium was commenced. The purpose of this study
therefore, is to examine the positive outcomes of the moratorium on the growth of
the PCEA, to assess the challenges faced by the PCEA since the Jitegemea
philosophy was adopted in 1971 and the lessons learnt fifty years later. A survey
research design using a mixed method approach was adopted. Data collection was
done using questionnaires for ordinary church members and interview guides for
both church elders and parish ministers. Quantitative data was analyzed
descriptively using percentages, means and frequencies. Qualitative data was
analyzed by organizing it into themes based on research objective. The study
established that since moratorium was started the PCEA in Nyeri and Kirinyaga
Counties has benefited through establishment of self reliance, self propagation, selftheologising and self-governance structures. However, the Jitegemea philosophy
increased financial burden to the members with some wishing for financial support
from churches of the western countries. The study recommended the establishment
of more vibrant church policies that can accommodate support from global Church
as a way of encouraging partnership in mission and development.
