Gender dimensions in Pentecostal leadership: The Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa as a case study

Mookgo S Kgatle

doi:10.4102/ve.v40i1.1980

Abstract

Women play an important role in Pentecostal Christianity, especially in an African context. They are a majority in most local assemblies and contribute a large percentage in terms of the income of such assemblies. Women are active participants in the activities of local assemblies such as prayer, fellowship and catering. The participation of women in general activities has been acknowledged by scholars interested in gender dimensions in Pentecostal leadership. The research gap exists in the representation of women in high structures of Pentecostal leadership. This article uses the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) of South Africa, the largest Pentecostal church in South Africa, as a case study to look at women misrepresentations in the leadership structures of Pentecostal Christianity. The study is located in missiology and is a literary analysis that aims to explore problematic aspects or rationale behind the misrepresentations of women in high echelons of leadership in the AFM. The article looks at the best practices that can enhance women representations in Pentecostal leadership. The outcome is that women in the AFM should initiate their own upliftment. Secondly, the AFM should disarm patriarchy. Thirdly, the AFM should rethink the Pauline prohibition of women. Fourthly, the AFM might have to rethink elections in order to drive transformation agenda. Finally, the AFM should learn from prominent leaders like Richard Ngidi who encouraged women to take part in leadership. Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article challenges gender inequality that perpetuates the marginalisation of women in Pentecostal leadership. Gender equality is proposed as an effective way to empower women to occupy highest offices in leadership.

Highlights

The Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) of South Africa is a classical Pentecostal Christian denomination
With the unity of the AFM in 1996, the church has experienced the rising of black leaders to take up roles in various leadership structures ranging from assembly leadership, Regional Leadership Forum (RLF), National Leadership Forum (NLF), National Office Bearers (NOB) and officers in the AFM International (AFMI)
There is a need for studies that will empirically assess the representations of women in the leadership structures of the AFM

Summary

Introduction

The Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) of South Africa is a classical Pentecostal Christian denomination. For the election of the NOB, each assembly sends a pastor and one delegate, and other qualifying voting members including the members of the NLF, member from the church departments like children ministry, youth, men and women and representative of theological training (see the constitution of the AFM of South Africa 2010). The AFM church should look at its patriarchal structure as a sin, confess it and subsequently discard it – as a result, they should be able to accept women’s humanity as they are placed in their rightful positions of leadership in the church and the society as a whole Seen in this way, the church should correctly view patriarchy as a deviation from God’s plan and against the mission of God. Seen in this way, the church should correctly view patriarchy as a deviation from God’s plan and against the mission of God This will lead to a healthy community where all experience the love of God as the true image of God (Selokela 2005:57). These women would start an assembly and Ngidi would come and receive the new converts into fellowship (Khathide 2010:111)

Conclusion

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