The Charisma of Ideas and Personal vs. Sacral Authority in Vineyard Deutschland, Österreich, Schweiz

Abstract

This article applies the terms “charisma of ideas” (Winfried Gebhardt) as well as “personal authority” and “sacral authority” (Heinrich Popitz) to the German-speaking branch of the neo-charismatic Vineyard Church to reveal its uniqueness within the broader international organization. Theoretically, it moves beyond a traditional Weberian focus on charismatic leadership to focus on ideas ascribed with charisma and the role of authority in disseminating them. Empirically, it reveals that individual communication with God, perceiving Jesus as a role model, and cultivating an intellectual self-image are such central ideas. Both personal and sacral authority come into play in communicating them within and beyond the religious organization.