Publication: Books

Music in the Life of the African Church

March 2008
By Roberta King, with contributing writers Jean Ngoya Kidula, James R. Krabill, and Thomas A. Oduro

​During the twentieth century, the number of Christians in Africa grew
from an estimated 4 million to more than 300 million. One of the forces
that has propelled the church’s remarkable growth is its liturgical
music, which has been heavily influenced by indigenous musical
traditions. This rewarding book takes readers "inside the music" for the
first time. By examining the central role of indigenous music in
promoting Christianity and in giving voice to local theologies, the
authors seek to energize conversations between music, culture, and the
church. Furthermore, they extract useful lessons for fostering faith
communities around the globe.