Responding to the challenge and impact of demon possession among Seventh-Day Adventist Members in Buganda District, North-West Burundi Mission

Abstract

In Burundi, demon possession has often challenged the Bumbiri Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church members. It divides, causes suffering and even death. This project sought to describe the phenomenon and to identify ways to equip church members to respond to its challenge. The researcher used the qualitative case study research method. He interviewed fifteen persons at the Bumbiri Seventh-day Adventist Church. Among them are two pastors, four church elders, three persons delivered from demon possession, and six helpers of these demon-possessed persons. He also worked with 150 participants in a series of seminars he conducted. This study discovered that the conventional responses of church members have been to ask help from pastors of other denominations or from witch-doctors in order to cast out demons from the demon-possessed persons. The study also highlights the necessity for a stronger biblical foundation for dealing with demon possession as opposed to following traditional beliefs and practices. The analysis of interview data showed that traditional beliefs and practices are the main causes of demon possession at Bumbiri SDA Church. Participants in this study also realized that the profound transformation of church members by biblical beliefs is an ideal response to demon possession at Bumbiri. This study suggests the following as a way to respond to demon possession: a) theological education, b) proper orientation to small group ministry, c) identification of wrong or unbiblical traditional beliefs and practices, and d) the use and contextualization of appropriate biblical teachings on demon possession.