The Puzzle of Polygamy

A classic mission dilemma:

The chief of a village in a remote area, whose people practice a tribal religion, becomes a believer and declares the whole village is now Christian. Most of the leading men in the village, including the chief, have multiple wives and families.

What should be done about the polygamous families?

Confronted with this problem, a growing indigenous African denomination initially decided that no men who practice polygamy can become members of their churches. But this created a problem.

2nd and 3rd wives and their children started to be…