Towards a balancing act between the emergence of prophetic churches and organisational culture in South African Pentecostalism

Abstract

Scholars with interest in South African Pentecostalism have highlighted the emergence of New Prophetic Churches (later NPCs) in South Africa in the last 5 years. These scholars have indeed characterised NPCs, their theology of new prophetism and pointed to the leading figures in these churches. Majority of these scholarly works have highlighted the abuse of religion by some NPCs. Research gap exists in the relationship between the NPCs and organisational culture. Scrutiny at these churches demonstrates that they encapsulate anti-organisation and anti-structure ideals that soon or later may hinder their growth. Therefore, the main contribution of the article is to seek ways in which NPCs can find balance between their emergence and organisational culture. This will be achieved by highlighting through literary analysis and observation some disadvantages that can impede the growth of these churches. In addition, the article suggests a balanced act in ecclesiological framework that will ensure the sustainability of the emergence of NPCs in South Africa. Interdisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article is an interdisciplinary study between missiology and practical theology. The article suggests the balancing act in ecclesiology between NPCs and organisational culture in order to deal with the challenges of anti-organisational culture within South African Pentecostalism.

Keywords

• pentecostalism
• new prophetic churches
• institutionalism
• prophets
• theology
• ecclesiology