A missional study of Ghanaian Pentecostal churches’ leadership and leadership formation

Peter White

doi:10.4102/hts.v71i3.2865

Abstract

Church leadership plays an important and irreplaceable role in the planting and the configuration of the missional congregation. The key to the formation of missional communities is their leadership. In that regard, this article explores Classical Ghanaian Pentecostal Churches’ leadership and leadership formation from a missiological perspective. This was done through an exposition on their leadership system (structure). It was argued that Classical Ghanaian Pentecostal Churches’ leadership is based on the Fivefold Ministry (Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher). These leadership functions were therefore discussed in the light of their missiological implication. The conclusion arrived at is that it is not enough to discover one’s spiritual gift or calling; these gifts should be developed and nurtured through mentoring and proper theological education, with the ultimate purpose being to participate in the Missio Dei.

Highlights

Leadership is the process of influencing the thoughts, emotions and behaviours of followers towards set goals (Dessler 2012:34)
In this article, refers to a kind of church leadership that trains and leads their congregation to participate in the Missio Dei by joining in with the Holy Spirit to discern what God is doing in their context
When Pentecostals talk about the Fivefold Ministry, they are referring to the Apostle, Evangelist, Prophet, Pastor and Teacher

Summary

Introduction

Leadership is the process of influencing the thoughts, emotions and behaviours of followers towards set goals (Dessler 2012:34). According to the tenet of the Apostolic Church, Ghana (2015), the leadership gifts are described as the Fivefold Ministry, including Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher, with the rest of the gifts serving as supporting gifts. When Pentecostals talk about the Fivefold Ministry, they are referring to the Apostle, Evangelist, Prophet, Pastor and Teacher In their view, the Fivefold Ministry is the five leadership or governmental offices given to the church by Jesus Christ for the edification of the church and for the purpose of church administration and decisions on doctrinal and spiritual issues of the church. This Pentecostal idea will be elaborated on further in the subsequent subheadings My submission at this point is that the ministry of Apostle, Pastor, Prophet, Teacher and Evangelist in Ephesians 4:7 and 11–12 is not just for church leadership, but for the entire church (cf Eph 4:7; 11).

Kings 18:44 Ephesians 4:11

Conclusion