The Effect of Church Conflict on the Growth of Pentecostal Churches in Kenya: A Case Study of Selected Churches in Nairobi

The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of church conflict on the growth of Pentecostal churches in Kenya with focus on selected churches in Nairobi which are struggling with growth. The objectives of the study were to investigate the nature of conflicts in the Pentecostal churches in Kenya, determine the effect of conflict on the growth of Pentecostal churches in Kenya, and to assess the conflict resolution mechanisms employed to solve the conflict in Pentecostal churches in Kenya. The study was carried out in branches of four churches which experienced growth challenges, namely: Full Gospel Churches of Kenya, Kenya Assemblies of God, Pentecostal Evangelism Fellowship of Africa, and Worldwide Gospel Church of Kenya. The study used qualitative research approach as it intended to collect data based on participants’ subjective experience, and its ability to uncover unexpected and exploring new avenues. The target population was church leaders who have been in the church for at least two years. The study used purposive sampling method to select the church leaders in influential positions (i.e., leaders that direct and/or lead a church ministry) of the selected churches according to the church leadership structure espoused by each of the four selected churches. Proportionate stratified sampling was used where equal number of units was selected from each stratum. Data was collected using face-to-face individual interview schedule. The data was analyzed thematically using content analysis method. The researcher came up with the vital themes, recurring ideas, and patterns of belief, which assisted with the integration of the results. The study found that there were conflicts in all the churches under study. The study established that there were top leadership wrangles at the national level seeking to control the church. There were also local church leadership wrangles pitting pastors and other leaders and conflict among other leaders within the church. The study established that conflict negatively affected the growth of the church as the churches lost members to other churches around. Among the conflict resolution mechanism used were prayer and fasting, dialogues, and courts. The study recommends that the Pentecostal churches should adopt conflict resolution methods and avoid conflicts by practicing inclusivity.

On the need of social dialogue. Reflections in the perspective of the pastoral letter of the Episcopal Conference of Poland

The Church as an institution, but also a community of believers, is a part of a society. Thus, She is present in the space of processes and changes taking place in a society. A society is extended in tension between conflict and harmony. In that context, the Episcopal Conference of Poland reflected on the current social issues in the Polish society in a form of a letter. It is focused on the necessity of common effort in favour of dialogue and order and in the face of existing destructive phenomena. The letter has become a perspective for considerations on elements of social life like social mission of the Church, conflict, solidarity, the truth, dialogue. Discussing particular questions draws from the Tradition and the teaching of the Church Magisterium. The undertaken reflection is an attempt to argue for social dialogue which is necessary, especially in more and more pluralistic and at the same time full of tensions society. Genuine dialogue includes being directed to an opponent, respect, and striving for solutions in the perspective of searching the truth and taking into account human dignity.

Religious Conflict among Pentecostal Churches in Uganda

Extensive research has been done on Pentecostal churches over the past years. Several studies have focused on their history and robust growth, some on their economic and developmental ethos, while others have focused on their theological stances, and growing political influence in society. Amidst these kinds of studies, is the need to address the overt challenge posed by religious conflict among Pentecostal churches. Whereas there is growing scholarly interest in religious conflict among Christian churches, this has been narrowed to intra-church conflict. However, studies on inter-church conflict, between separate Pentecostal churches, that are independent of each other, are rare. Yet inter-church feuds and conflicts among Pentecostal churches in Uganda occupy a significant part of public space and discourses. Through analysis of both print and electronic media reports and engagement with twenty key informant interviewees, this article sought to establish and analyse the nature, manifestations and root causes of inter-church conflict between Pentecostal churches in Uganda. The study established that Pentecostal pastors are not only the major protagonists of inter-church conflicts but also act as collective agents for the churches in conflict. The study further established that religious conflicts among Pentecostal churches are caused by different ideological inclinations, theological differences notwithstanding, but mainly by the desire to dominate the religious market and by power struggle dynamics within the religious leadership. This tension has a particular impact on society given pastors’ visibility, access to media and their public action in the Ugandan context.

Islam Fundamentalis-Radikal: Stigmatisasi atas Gerakan Formalisasi Islam

This study aimed to analyze the meaning of fundamentalist-radical Islam, its relationship with the Islamic formalization movement, and the political motives behind embodying fundamentalist-radical Islam. Through a literature review, this study found that the term of fundamentalist-radical was not a term that emerged from the treasury of Muslim thought but came from the West, associated with church conflict. Furthermore, this term was used to intimidate the Muslims who want to formalize Islam in the order of state constitution. However, historically, Islamic thought and formalization movements have historical roots that are quite strong in Indonesia and globally capable of creating tolerant civilizations, maintaining security, and creating prosperity.

Superordinate Ties, Value Orientations, and Congregations’ Organizational Cultures

In this paper, I examine how clergy’s value orientations and congregations’ relationships to the superordinate organizations in their institutional environment are reflected in congregations’ organizational cultures. My analysis of nearly 50 qualitative interviews with clergy, members, and former members of four Southern Baptist Convention congregations and one Independent Christian megachurch indicates organizational cultures are (1) reflections of their leaders’ value orientations and the congregation’s engagement with superordinate organizations and (2) an important indicator of how congregations establish legitimacy. I describe three unique organizational cultures and their relationship to clergy’s value orientations and the congregations’ ties to the superordinate organizations in their institutional environment. In the discussion, I argue there is a need to focus on specific components of the institutional environment beyond superordinate organizations, and I consider the role the three organizational cultures described in the text play in congregational growth and decline and church conflict.

Kings’ Courts and Bishops’ Administrations in Fourteenth-Century England: A Study in Cooperation

Behind the rhetoric and theory of crown-church conflict there was much cooperation in the everyday world, where practice and pragmatism often overrode legal and theoretical rules. This article examines the ways in which fourteenth-century English bishops and their clerks responded to the demands made of them by the royal courts. Bishops were bombarded with commands from the crown, with a resulting impact on diocesan records. The crown sought historic information about finance and rights, and commanded bishops to collect clerics’ debts and to enforce their attendance before the lay courts in both civil and criminal cases. Enquiries about the current status of individuals, whether professed in religious orders or legitimate, made considerable work for bishops. How enthusiastically and efficiently these orders were carried out is also evaluated and discussed.

Reshaping Offline Community in the Image of Online Experience: The Impact of Digital Media on Church Conflict in the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh

As more and more people join social media networks, Christian churches struggle to discern how best to adapt to this emerging cultural phenomenon and employ it in ways that are consistent with Christian beliefs, values, and practices. This essay argues that as Christians explore the potential of digital media, they should not neglect to also reflect deeply on the negative aspects of the medium, which are increasingly coming under scrutiny among social scientists and media analysts. We raise this concern in response to our discovery of the capacity of digital media to contribute to church conflict while we were engaged in ethnographic field research in the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh. The essay identifies ways in which digital media exacerbated tensions among Anglicans and Episcopalians in Pittsburgh and concludes with a reflection on the limitations of one of our online attempts to intervene in these dynamics.