African Instituted Churches

What does this name mean?

African Instituted Churches, often shortened to AICs, are churches established through African initiative. “Independent,” “indigenous,” and “initiated” are also used, with different emphases. The term describes a broad family, not one denomination and not every church in Africa. It should not be confused with Africa's ancient Orthodox traditions, or taken to mean that African Catholics, Anglicans, and other Christians lack local identities. The Organisation of African Instituted Churches introduces the family in its own terms.

How did these churches develop?

From the late nineteenth century, many African Christians established churches independent of foreign missionary control. Racial discrimination and colonial power helped shape some separations. Other churches grew through new prayer and prophetic movements rather than a single organizational break. Local leadership and culturally meaningful forms of worship mattered alongside theological questions. The World Council of Churches' introduction explains this historical setting. Alongside these political and social circumstances, the communities understood themselves as responding to God.

What do faith and worship look like?

Some churches emphasize prayer, healing, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Others place more weight on African leadership within inherited church forms. Language, music, movement, clothing, and communal practices can carry religious meaning alongside sermons and written teaching. Local social needs also shape ministries in education, health, and mutual support. The OAIC's discussion of the family's varied forms gives examples. These features occur in different combinations; there is no single “African” style shared by all communities.

Why does a specific church's name matter?

Churches differ in leadership structures, biblical interpretation, relations with other denominations, and views of prophecy and healing. Some work through councils or associations; others are led by particular founders and their successors. The OAIC promotes fellowship and cooperation without turning all its members into one denomination. Readers should therefore ask what a particular church teaches, rather than attributing every reported belief to the entire family. Christians elsewhere also disagree about present-day prophecy and healing; our spiritual-gifts guide explains the arguments. This family broadens the picture of Christian history beyond a story told only through European institutions.