Original Research

Pentecostal leadership disputes in Zimbabwe: A pastoral challenge

Zephania Mundhluri, Maake J. Masango
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies | Vol 80, No 1 | a9940 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v80i1.9940 | © 2024 Zephania Mundhluri, Maake J. Masango | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 28 May 2024 | Published: 29 August 2024

About the author(s)

Zephania Mundhluri, Department of Practical Theology, Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
Maake J. Masango, Department of Practical Theology, Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa

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.


Keywords

pastors; trauma; internalisation; wounded; AFM; senior leaders; leadership; conflict

Sustainable Development Goal

Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions

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