Pentecostal leadership disputes in Zimbabwe : a pastoral challenge
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Date
Authors
Mundhluri, Zephania
Masango, Maake J.S.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AOSIS
Abstract
Conflicts in the Pentecostal church leadership have been growing since time immemorial.
However, leadership disputes have become traumatic and tragic in Zimbabwe to the extent
that junior pastors are committing suicide and killing each other because of these conflicts. The
article uses the practical theological framework to explore the complex intersections of conflict
within the Pentecostal church, analysing the various factors and dynamics contributing to
these conflicts. This work examines and addresses the ramifications of a leadership conflict
within the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM). The junior pastors, who have been impacted by the
leadership dispute, have endured trauma stemming from the ongoing conflict among the
church’s prominent leaders, which is the central focus of this study. To better understand
the lived experience of trauma among these pastors, a qualitative research design was
employed. Through purposeful sampling and face-to-face interviews, participants were given
the opportunity to share their narratives of leadership trauma. The result is that junior pastors
are internalising the trauma, which is affecting them spiritually, emotionally and physically in
ministry. This article proposes a healing methodology utilising the Gerkin and Positive
Deconstruction approach.
CONTRIBUTION: This study leverages a practical theological framework to examine the challenges
of providing pastoral care for junior ministers who were impacted by leadership disputes
within AFM thereby contributing to Pentecostal approaches to care.
Description
DATA AVAILABITY STATEMENT: The data that support the findings of this study are available
from the corresponding author, Z.M., upon reasonable
request.
Keywords
Pastors, Trauma, Internalisation, Wounded, Senior leaders, Leadership, Conflict, SDG-16: Peace, justice and strong institutions, Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM, SDG-03: Good health and well-being
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG-03:Good heatlh and well-being
SDG-16:Peace,justice and strong institutions
SDG-16:Peace,justice and strong institutions
Citation
Mundhluri, Z. & Masango,
M.J., 2024, ‘Pentecostal
leadership disputes in
Zimbabwe: A pastoral
challenge’, HTS Teologiese
Studies/Theological Studies
80(1), a9940. https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v80i1.9940.