Abstract
This article is descriptive in nature and a practical theological assessment of the schisms that took place in the Reformed Church in Zambia (RCZ) between 1996 and 2001. It analyses empirical evidence to find an answer to the question why it happened. Pentecostal or charismatic tendencies have challenged the long inherited tradition of mainline churches. Subsequently, Pentecostal or charismatic movements have caused intense conflict in the church between the pro-conservatives and pro-Pentecostals. In the RCZ this led to the formation of the Christian Reformed Church (CRC) in 1999 and the Bible Gospel Church in Africa (BIGOCA) in 2001.
Highlights
This article provides a descriptive and practical–theological assessment of the Reformed Church in Zambia (RCZ) schisms, relevant to the understanding of one of the most salient contemporary issues in the church in Africa, the growth of Pentecostalism (Cox 1995:243−262; Martin 2002; Kalu 2008)
The larger research project (Soko 2010) aims at alerting church leaderships to realise the importance of change and transition and to eventually ask the question of how to prevent schisms
It is concerned about data-gathering methods. It aims to establish the link between the primary documental sources (Soko 2010:80−120) and the affected parties’ real narratives and stories. It focuses on specific questions in order to understand how particular members and groups in congregations feel about the RCZ’s entire situation of infighting
Summary
This article provides a descriptive and practical–theological assessment of the Reformed Church in Zambia (RCZ) schisms, relevant to the understanding of one of the most salient contemporary issues in the church in Africa, the growth of Pentecostalism (Cox 1995:243−262; Martin 2002; Kalu 2008). This kind of schism either takes place within congregations or between large bodies of Christians that all impact on the church’s mission. The larger research project (Soko 2010) aims at alerting church leaderships to realise the importance of change and transition and to eventually ask the question of how to prevent schisms. The validity and reliability of the research finding compelled us to explain in some detail the methodology that we followed
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