Power Relations and Breakaway in Pentecostal/Charismatic Denominations in Africa

Abstract

Pentecostal denominations are undoubtedly spreading in Africa. While the proliferation of Pentecostal churches appears to be the resultant effect of church planting strategies and the works of the Holy Spirit, it is rather struggles from the power relations that serve as the underlying force behind the spread of these denominations. This is connected to the fact that Pentecostal churches govern themselves and hold real disciplinary powers that result in the subjectification of their adherents as docile bodies. This study therefore aims to analyze the roles as well as effects of the combination of the Spirit’s power and pastoral power that underlie the power relations, and result in the prevalence of breakaway among Pentecostal believers. Employing a literary criticism approach and using secondary data, the findings show that without careful understanding of power relations and openness of Pentecostal pastors to reason in their exercise of technologies of powers, the rising incidence of breakaway among Pentecostal denominations in Africa will undoubtedly continue.