Misleading Theology in Tanzania
False pastors exploit people’s hopes for healing, wealth, and miracles, often pushing families into poverty and despair. Danmission works with churches and theological institutions in Tanzania to strengthen critical thinking among pastors and ensure that faith remains a source of hope – not exploitation.
God’s love is not for sale
Religion plays a central role in Tanzania, where millions turn to the church for guidance before politicians or public institutions. But poverty and vulnerability make people easy targets for false pastors who promise miracles in exchange for money or property. Families lose their livelihoods and entire communities are harmed.
Together with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania (ELCT) and Nyakato Lutheran Bible College, Danmission supports a forum on misleading theology. The initiative equips pastors, pastoral students, and communities to recognize harmful practices, provide psychosocial support to victims, and protect the role of faith as a foundation for dignity and hope.
Training future pastors in critical theology
This project at Nyakato Lutheran College means that many future Lutheran pastors will work critically against misleading theology, so awareness of the problem will only grow.
Raising awareness and supporting victims
Misleading theology leaves deep scars – from poverty and broken families to depression and loss of trust. To address this, Danmission and its partners provide psychosocial support for victims and raise awareness through dialogue forums and community outreach.
The Forum for Misleading Theology brings together multiple dioceses across Tanzania to discuss the impact of misleading theology, develop a shared code of ethics, and promote Christian teachings that uphold life with dignity.
Pastors and lay leaders are also trained in pastoral care and equipped to guide people through trauma, ensuring that victims are not left alone but are reconciled and supported back into their communities.
The church must dare to talk about misleading theology if we want to protect the very foundation of faith and ensure it remains a source of hope.
Our Impact
Through the project, we have equipped hundreds of pastors to provide pastoral care and resist misleading practices. We have supported victims with psychosocial care and reconciliation and raised awareness through media and church networks.
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people reached in local communities
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theology students trained in critical and contextual theology
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Lutheran dioceses engaged in the Forum for Misleading Theology
Part of a bigger change
Danmission’s work in Tanzania is part of our efforts to ensure that faith promotes life with dignity, not exploitation. By strengthening churches, equipping leaders, and building resilience, we help communities resist harmful practices and hold on to hope.
Learn about the foundation of our work here.