Improving the Constitutional Document titled, “The List of Qualifications for Electing Bishops” in the Pentecostal Assemblies of God in Zambia (PAOGZ): An Integrated Theological Analysis of a Contemporary Challenge

Abstract

Abstract: This mini-thesis employs the innovative methodology of Integrative Theology to analyse and propose improvements to the constitutional document which regulates the election of bishops in the Pentecostal Assemblies of God in Zambia, hereafter called PAOGZ. The purpose of the project is to attempt to improve the PAOGZ constitutional document titled, “The List of qualifications for electing bishops,” and make it Bible-based, Christocentric and missional. The objective of the research is to determine what the PAOGZ needs to do to ensure that its praxisin relation to the election process is faithful to God and relevant to its context.Critical examination of the outlined qualifications for electing bishops revealed that they are not explicitly dependent on Scriptures. Using insights from exegetical, biblical and historical theological analysis, a theory of action was formulated to improve the document. In that theory of action, the suggestion made was that the PAOGZ may include the qualifications outlined in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 in the governance document. More qualifications were also proposed from other passages of the Bible as outlined in appendix two. This theory of action was recommended in the belief that all theological reflection and Christian doctrine should be based on Scripture as the primary source. The formulation of the theory of action was followed by designing a communication and implementation action planusing Habermas’s theory of communicative action (Smith 2013:89-91). This communicative plan recommends use of dialogue and negotiation.The findings through the Integrated Theological approach showed that the qualifications in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 area standard and universal norm. Recommendations are made in a draft proposed replacement document which improves the existing one by being more biblical, Christocentric and missional. The key contribution of the mini-thesis is that it demonstrates a structured application of the versatile integrated theological methodology for addressing a practical contemporary challenge in the Church.