The challenges of being a female pastor: A case of the Apostolic Faith Mission in Zimbabwe

Terence Mupangwa,Sophia Chirongoma

doi:10.4102/hts.v76i2.5838

Abstract

The focus of this article is to highlight some of the inherent gender injustices experienced by the female pastors within the Apostolic Faith Mission in Zimbabwe (AFMZ). Drawing insights from the field research conducted in pursuance of a doctoral programme, the study foregrounds some of the barriers that women have had to endure when it comes to the issue of being ordained as a pastor. The article also interrogates the reasons used as a basis to exclude female pastors from the key decision-making bodies and to deny them the opportunity to preach at the national conference, which is the biggest gathering within the AFMZ. This is a qualitative study utilising interviews, focus group discussions and the observation method. The main findings emerging from this study reveal that whilst some positive changes have been made towards the inclusion of women in the pastoral ministry, however, there are still many gaps needing urgent attention before the AFMZ becomes a gender-inclusive and gender-equitable faith community.Contribution: This article foregrounds the challenges faced by female pastors in the AFMZ. It advocates for gender mainstreaming and gender inclusive policies in the AFMZ leadership structures. This is in sync with the focus of this collection, for which the main thrust is on women and religious leadership.

Highlights

Introduction and backgroundThis article is a product of the field research conducted in 2017 in pursuance of a doctoral study.1 The data were collected before the split of the Apostolic Faith Mission in Zimbabwe (AFMZ) into two
Other Pentecostal churches such as the Zimbabwe Assemblies of God Africa (ZAOGA), which is an offshoot of the AFMZ, began to ordain women well before the AFMZ accepted it (Togarasei 2016:5)
After she had attended the Apostolic Council that is when the leadership of the time through the guidance of President Mutemererwa decided to ordain female pastors in Zimbabwe as well

Summary

Introduction

Introduction and backgroundThis article is a product of the field research conducted in 2017 in pursuance of a doctoral study. The data were collected before the split of the Apostolic Faith Mission in Zimbabwe (AFMZ) into two. The AFMZ only began to ordain women in 1999 after a white woman from the AFM in South Africa attended the AFMZ’s annual general conference at Rufaro as an ordained minister in Africa (Kwaramba 2019, 2004) During the conference, this white woman, popularly known as Diagar’s daughter as if she did not have a name of her own, attended ‘Dare raana baba’ (the men’s Apostolic council), which is the highest decision-making board in the AFMZ. Even after the concession to accommodate women into the ordained ministry, the Apostolic council is still constituted by men that is why it is still being referred to as ‘Dare raana baba’ (men’s apostolic council) After she had attended the Apostolic Council that is when the leadership of the time through the guidance of President Mutemererwa decided to ordain female pastors in Zimbabwe as well. According to Kwaramba (2019, 2004), President Mutemererwa argued that if the AFM in South Africa had already ordained women, nothing could stop the Zimbabwean women from being ordained as well

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Discussion

Conclusion