Abstract
Recent developments within South African Pentecostalism reveal that a number of pastors in new Prophetic Churches abuse religion and women and engage in other extreme practices of religion. The vast majority of scholars have linked these recent developments with the gap that exists between theory and praxis in South African Pentecostalism. This article bridges the gap by using Patmos, a Bible School started by Elias Letwaba, one of the first Black workers in the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) of South Africa, as a model. Patmos Bible School was an African institution located in Africa for African people. The Bible School offers relevant content to its students, provides specific training for lay preachers and community service, in addition to academic responsibilities. Patmos Bible School thus serves as a model for synergy between theory and praxis in South African Pentecostalism because of its relevant theological curriculum, embracement of African identity, and African indigenous knowledge.
Highlights
There is a new development in South African Pentecostalism,1 where pastors abuse religion, with some of them abusing women in the name of God (Resane 2017; Kobo 2019; Kgatle 2019; Ramantswana 2019; Tsekpoe 2019; Mashau & Kgatle 2019; Banda 2020; Dube 2020; Kgatle & Anderson 2020)
While this article is in agreement of a need to train pastors in preparation for the work of ministry, the big question is: What kind of training is suitable for Pentecostal ministers or pastors? This article suggests Patmos Bible School as a model suitable for bridging the gap between theory and praxis in Pentecostalism
Recent developments in South African Pentecostalism have raised an alarm signalling the abuse of religion that has taken practitioners of faith and scholars by storm
Summary
There is a new development in South African Pentecostalism, where pastors abuse religion, with some of them abusing women in the name of God (Resane 2017; Kobo 2019; Kgatle 2019; Ramantswana 2019; Tsekpoe 2019; Mashau & Kgatle 2019; Banda 2020; Dube 2020; Kgatle & Anderson 2020). Resane (2017) has linked these new developments with the gap that exists between theory and praxis, while Masenya and Masenya (2018) have called for theological education among pastors of Pentecostal churches. It highlights recent developments in South African Pentecostalism and shows how such developments are linked to a lack of theological education. AICs refers to churches that were initiated in Africa by Africans, with some of them maintaining the teachings of classical Pentecostalism These are churches such as St John Apostolic Faith Mission of Christina Nku, International Pentecostal Holiness Church (Africa) of Frederick Modise and Zion Christian Churches (ZCC) of Lekganyane (Anderson 2005:66). Independent charismatics, known as neo-Pentecostals in South Africa, refers to churches that have left main denominations with signs of Pentecostalism in their approach These are churches such as the Grace Bible Church of Bishop Musa Sono in Soweto and many other charismatic churches in the urban and rural areas, with some of their pastors being well-trained ministers (Anderson 2000:37). The last very sensitive matter is the alleged abuse of women by Timothy Omotoso of Jesus Dominion International who is currently standing trial at the Port Elizabeth High Court (Kobo 2019:2)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
