Ordination of Women in the Pentecostal Assemblies of God–Zambia (PAOGZ), Eastern Province, Lundazi District

Abstract

This study discusses the ordination of women in the Pentecostal Assemblies of God – Zambia, Eastern province, Lundazi District, Zambia with regards to the local church’s cultural environment. The literature review was conducted on the teaching of the Pentecostal churches in which scholars’ systems and theories that shaped their theology regarding female ordination were unearthed. Nineteen local participants were interviewed in three separate focus groups of seven Lundazi Pentecostal pastors, six Lundazi senior males, and six Lundazi senior females, respectively. Each group aired their experiences, views, and feelings on the Lundazi cultural context regarding the role of women in society. Five lecturers from Eastern School of Mission and Theology were interviewed to share their views on the ordination of females in the Pentecostal Assemblies of God-Zambia in the Eastern Province of Zambia. A biblical analysis was conducted to determine what the Bible teaches regarding female ordination. Focus was placed on passages that teach some form of ordination, namely Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5 in relation to gender prophetic gifts (Acts 2:17). These and related passages were compared with 1 Timothy 2:12, which tends to teach on the exclusion of females from ruling local assemblies. Comparison and contrast of the literature, interviews and biblical analysis revealed that PAOGZ, Eastern Province, Lundazi District, Zambia operated in a patriarchal environment. Evidence showed that women who attempted to pastor local assemblies in the area faced rejection from local people. Recommendations were made in forms of theological implications and practical recommendations to help the local church improve its practices of female ordination by making them relevant to the culture of its people.This study discusses the ordination of women in the Pentecostal Assemblies of God – Zambia, Eastern province, Lundazi District, Zambia with regards to the local church’s cultural environment. The literature review was conducted on the teaching of the Pentecostal churches in which scholars’ systems and theories that shaped their theology regarding female ordination were unearthed. Nineteen local participants were interviewed in three separate focus groups of seven Lundazi Pentecostal pastors, six Lundazi senior males, and six Lundazi senior females, respectively. Each group aired their experiences, views, and feelings on the Lundazi cultural context regarding the role of women in society. Five lecturers from Eastern School of Mission and Theology were interviewed to share their views on the ordination of females in the Pentecostal Assemblies of God-Zambia in the Eastern Province of Zambia. A biblical analysis was conducted to determine what the Bible teaches regarding female ordination. Focus was placed on passages that teach some form of ordination, namely Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5 in relation to gender prophetic gifts (Acts 2:17). These and related passages were compared with 1 Timothy 2:12, which tends to teach on the exclusion of females from ruling local assemblies. Comparison and contrast of the literature, interviews and biblical analysis revealed that PAOGZ, Eastern Province, Lundazi District, Zambia operated in a patriarchal environment. Evidence showed that women who attempted to pastor local assemblies in the area faced rejection from local people. Recommendations were made in forms of theological implications and practical recommendations to help the local church improve its practices of female ordination by making them relevant to the culture of its people.