http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/7 Welcome to faculty’s research contributions 2026-03-19T16:30:00Z http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/40 Title: Unsafe spaces? An ecclesiological evaluation and response to recent controversial practices in some South African neo-Pentecostal churches Authors: Banda, Collium Abstract: From a communal perspective of the church, this article analyses critically the controversial practices reported in some South African neo-Pentecostal (SANP) churches, such as feeding congregants with grass. The article examines the effect of the controversial practices on the meaning of the church. The main question answered in this article is as follows: What is the nature of the church that emerges from the controversial practices reported amongst some SANP churches? And what is a biblically informed understanding of the church that can be used to end these practices that violate the human rights of congregants? The question is answered by describing the controversial SANP practices and examining the theological foundations of these controversial practices. The article argues for the necessity for a sound church doctrine as a way of curbing these controversial practices. This ecclesiology must take seriously the communal nature of the church. The contribution of the article is showing the need for Christians to take personal responsibility to guard against practices that make their churches unsafe spaces. Description: Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The article combines perspectives from the communal nature of the church, the Trinity and the salvation mission of the church to analyse the state of the church represented by the controversial SANP churches which use questionable practices, such as healing rituals that involve spraying people with insecticides. The study has direct implications on the doctrine of the church, ministerial practices and foundations of the church that make churches safe places for their members. 2020-11-09T00:00:00Z http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/39 Title: God as a Servant of Magic? The Challenge of the Impersonalisation of God in Neo-Pentecostal Prophetic Responses to Human Agency and Transcendence in Africa Authors: Banda, Collium Abstract: This article is a Christian theological evaluation of African neo-Pentecostal prophets’ (ANPPs) projection of God as a servant of prophetic rituals in their solutions to poor human agency (power to act) and transcendence (power to overcome) in Africa. Instead of propagating a personal relational God who transforms the poor and empowers their agency and transcendence by personally engaging with them, ANPPs propagate a God who works by ritual manipulation. The main question answered in the article is: what is the notion of God that informs and guides the ANPPs’ engagement with human agency and transcendence in Africa? The question is answered by first presenting a framework of God’s personality. The ANPPs’ impersonalized view of God is described. The basis of the impersonalisation of God in ATR is presented. The vulnerability of human agency and transcendence as a result of the impersonalisation of God is described. The article closes by proposing how a personal Trinitarian view of God rejects the ANPP impersonalisation of God and describes how the Trinitarian view can assist in addressing the problem of human agency and transcendence among poor Africans. The contribution of the article lies in challenging ANPPs to desist from addressing poor human agency and transcendence in Africa by propagating a version of God who is a servant of magical rituals instead of a relational God who is personally involved with the poor to empower them to overcome the hindrances to their human flourishing. 2022-10-17T00:00:00Z http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/37 Title: Sustaining pastoral work and welfare in Zimbabwe: Case study of pastors in Masvingo urban Authors: Tagwirei, Kimion Abstract: A growing number of pastors in Zimbabwe are adversely affected by the economic crisis that has been caused by the lockdown measures imposed by the government to tackle the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Only some pastors who are financially supported by their churches and donors and others who have adopted tent-making ministry are getting through this difficult situation. There is very little study on the subject of economic sustainability of Zimbabwean pastors. The majority of the available literature is limited to a few denominations. This article applies ‘theonomic reciprocity’ theory, which integrates divine action and human participation for ecclesiastic sustainability. In this respect, tent-making was reviewed. In the context of economic volatility, this study examined the economic sustainability gap that needs to be bridged between pastoral ministry and welfare. The article discusses sustainability of congregational support for pastors and tent-making ministry in the Zimbabwean economic context. Very few pastors in Masvingo have embraced self-sustaining initiatives. Most of them are yet to integrate faith and business due to fear of diverting their attention from ministry. The study recommends pastors to consider contextually needful tent-making towards sustaining their work and welfare. Description: INTRADISCIPLINARY AND/OR INTERDISCIPLINARY IMPLICATIONS: Exploring the economic sustainability of congregational support and consideration of tent-making is a contextually crucial research that features Pastoral Theology, Ecclesiology and Economics. 2022-06-30T00:00:00Z http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/36 Title: Speaking in signs: Communicating the gospel with deaf people in Zimbabwe Authors: Tagwirei, Kimion Abstract: Churches in Zimbabwe have excluded deaf people, limiting their access, presence and participation in Missio Dei and Missio Ecclesiae. So far, there is minimal Zimbabwean theological scholarly attention to communicating the gospel with deaf people. Much of the available related literature focusses on education for deaf people. This article applies a critical disability theory, which is explanatory, practical, normative, and promotes equality and inclusion. In this contribution, communication of the gospel with deaf people is explored. Against the backdrop of marginalisation of deaf people and the inconsideration of the hearing Church, this study interrogated the gospel communication gap that needs to be bridged between deaf people and the hearing Church. The culture of deaf people and communication of the gospel in Zimbabwe were examined. Reflecting through a topic ‘Speaking in signs: Communicating the gospel with deaf people in Zimbabwe’, using a qualitative research methodology through interviews with 20 participants from different institutions for deaf people and Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe, this research observed that very few denominations have reached out to deaf people with the gospel, whilst the majority have not. The study challenges traditionally exclusive Zimbabwean ecclesiology, missiology and communication of the gospel. It recommends inclusive and contextualised communication of the gospel through the incorporation of sign language and deaf culture towards effective evangelisation and discipleship of deaf people. Description: INTRADISCIPLINARY AND/OR INTERDISCIPLINARY IMPLICATIONS: The trainers of deaf people, Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe and deaf people themselves provided an example of an interdisciplinary approach to communicating the gospel with deaf people in Zimbabwe where Ecclesiology, Communication and Disability Studies collaborate towards inclusive sharing of the gospel, and the realisation of Missio Dei and Missio Ecclesiae in Zimbabwe. 2021-10-12T00:00:00Z