The Evangelical movement is a significant Christian movement in the life of the Zambian Nation and it is to this movement that the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement belongs. Undoubtedly this movement has become to be a vital player in enhancing the voice of hope and change that Evangelicals have trumpeted in the past twenty years. Emerging in the shadows of formidable established Christian movements such as the Evangelical fellowship of Zambia and Christian Council of Zambia, the movement is yet to consolidate itself as one of the influencing groups within the Evangelical movement. For this to happen, they has to be realization of the potential there is to become an agent of change in the Nation. In order to attain this, the movement needs introspection in their perception and involvement in socio-economic development and theological response to matters which affect communities they serve. This work endeavors to high light historical factors which have contributed to the development and growth of the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement in Zambia. Roles and contributions of the movement towards the Evangelical movement as well us short comings. / Christian Spirituality, Church History & Missiology / M. Th. (Missiology)

The subject of “unreached people” is still debated in Christian circles. Given the vast resources of the Church, it is difficult to understand that there are still people unreached by the gospel. This study views that part of the reason for this is that there is an unequal distribution of Christian mission resources. It thus critically examines the reasons that have been advanced to explain this unequal distribution. Next, it makes an in-depth study of one particular church in Zambia, namely the Pentecostal Assemblies of God (Zambia), which has more than 1400 congregations across the country, by looking at the initiatives it has taken towards reaching the unreached. Chapter 5 reveals that the lack of a clear mission policy and the autonomy of congregations contribute to an unequal distribution of mission resources in the PAOG (Z). The dissertation uses the “praxis cycle” to structure its theoretical framework and research methodology. / Christian Spiritual Church History and Mission / MTH (MSN)

The Evangelical movement is a significant Christian movement in the life of the Zambian Nation and it is to this movement that the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement belongs. Undoubtedly this movement has become to be a vital player in enhancing the voice of hope and change that Evangelicals have trumpeted in the past twenty years. Emerging in the shadows of formidable established Christian movements such as the Evangelical fellowship of Zambia and Christian Council of Zambia, the movement is yet to consolidate itself as one of the influencing groups within the Evangelical movement. For this to happen, they has to be realization of the potential there is to become an agent of change in the Nation. In order to attain this, the movement needs introspection in their perception and involvement in socio-economic development and theological response to matters which affect communities they serve. This work endeavors to high light historical factors which have contributed to the development and growth of the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement in Zambia. Roles and contributions of the movement towards the Evangelical movement as well us short comings. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M. Th. (Missiology)

The subject of “unreached people” is still debated in Christian circles. Given the vast resources of the Church, it is difficult to understand that there are still people unreached by the gospel. This study views that part of the reason for this is that there is an unequal distribution of Christian mission resources. It thus critically examines the reasons that have been advanced to explain this unequal distribution. Next, it makes an in-depth study of one particular church in Zambia, namely the Pentecostal Assemblies of God (Zambia), which has more than 1400 congregations across the country, by looking at the initiatives it has taken towards reaching the unreached. Chapter 5 reveals that the lack of a clear mission policy and the autonomy of congregations contribute to an unequal distribution of mission resources in the PAOG (Z). The dissertation uses the “praxis cycle” to structure its theoretical framework and research methodology. / Christian Spiritual Church History and Mission / MTH (MSN)

The subject of social involvement though, still under debate and being pursued by the Church of Jesus Christ even this time around has not wholly been appreciated by most Pentecostals. This is despite the fact that some of the early Pentecostals, including the early Church as seen from the ‘Acts of the Apostles’ chose to pursue social dimension of the gospel in addition to the Church’s mandate of ‘pure evangelism.’ Although social involvement has been at the very heart of Pentecostal theology, traditionally speaking, PAOG (Z), being one of the Pentecostal groupings has been seen to place much emphasis on ‘pure evangelism’, rather than ‘embracing’ both forms of missional dimensions. However, this trend is slowly changing as observed from the social involvements that some of its congregations and institutions are currently undertaking. This study views that part of the reason for the lack of an all-round social involvement’ by all the PAOG (Z) congregations lies in its theology of mission and thus critically examines it. The other aspect is the non-utilization or recognition of known professions of clergies that could normally enhance social involvement in most of its congregations. Next it makes an in-depth study of one PAOG (Z) - PAOC run projects and few congregations for the purpose of doing a social impact assessment, which has shown positive impacts in the communities that these projects are being undertaken. The study also reveals that the lack of clear constitutional guidelines concerning this has contributed to the absence of social programs in most of its churches resulting in not having a strong ‘social’ voice compared to the Catholic Church. The thesis uses a modified “praxis cycle” to structure its theoretical framework and research methodology. / Christian Spirituality, Church History & Missiology / D. Th. (Missiology)

The subject of social involvement though, still under debate and being pursued by the Church of Jesus Christ even this time around has not wholly been appreciated by most Pentecostals. This is despite the fact that some of the early Pentecostals, including the early Church as seen from the ‘Acts of the Apostles’ chose to pursue social dimension of the gospel in addition to the Church’s mandate of ‘pure evangelism.’ Although social involvement has been at the very heart of Pentecostal theology, traditionally speaking, PAOG (Z), being one of the Pentecostal groupings has been seen to place much emphasis on ‘pure evangelism’, rather than ‘embracing’ both forms of missional dimensions. However, this trend is slowly changing as observed from the social involvements that some of its congregations and institutions are currently undertaking. This study views that part of the reason for the lack of an all-round social involvement’ by all the PAOG (Z) congregations lies in its theology of mission and thus critically examines it. The other aspect is the non-utilization or recognition of known professions of clergies that could normally enhance social involvement in most of its congregations. Next it makes an in-depth study of one PAOG (Z) - PAOC run projects and few congregations for the purpose of doing a social impact assessment, which has shown positive impacts in the communities that these projects are being undertaken. The study also reveals that the lack of clear constitutional guidelines concerning this has contributed to the absence of social programs in most of its churches resulting in not having a strong ‘social’ voice compared to the Catholic Church. The thesis uses a modified “praxis cycle” to structure its theoretical framework and research methodology. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D. Th. (Missiology)

Abstracts in English and Tsonga / This study explored the lack of integrating a scientific imagination and rationality in the hermeneutic and theological practices of neo-Pentecostal churches in the town of Livingstone, Zambia. Although the vantage point of the study was primarily practical theology, the researcher adopted both an interdisciplinary and a multidisciplinary approach. This assisted the researcher in understanding the different theoretical nuances that inform neo-Pentecostal theological practices as propagated by its proponents. An in-depth scientific analysis premised on the critical theory approach was conducted to find out whether or not neo-Pentecostal communicative practices contribute positively to the economic conditions of local church members in Livingstone. The theological framework for this study was based on the “pastoral cycle”, which ought to be at the very heart of any contemporary practical theology (Ballard & Pritchard 2006). The research methodology consisted of data collection, interpretation and analysis (comparing and contrasting primary sources in the light of the data collected). Research participants' personal narratives of their experience of neo-Pentecostal practices were heard in a semi-structured format. These aided in establishing ecclesiastical views on the causes of the lack of integrating a scientific imagination and rationality in neo-Pentecostal spiritual experience; and consequently informed the study on whether the current theological orientations of neo-Pentecostal congregations in Livingstone have a positive or negative impact on the economic conditions of members. Two forms of data collection were employed, namely qualitative interviews and observation instruments. / Ndzavisiso lowu wu langutisa ku pfumaleka ka vuanakanyi hi vuntshwa bya xisayense na ku va na ngqhondo eka mamfambiselo ya vulavisisi na vuxopaxopi ku hlamusela matsalelo na mafambiselo ya swa vugandzeri eka tikereke ta Pentakosta leyintshwa edorobeni ra Livingston, eZambia. Hambileswi masungulo ya ndzavisiso a ku ri mafambiselo ya vugandzeri, mulavisisi u tirhise fambiselo ra interdisciplinary na multidisciplinary. Leswi swi pfunete mulavisisi ku twisisa ku hambana eka swa thiyori leyi yi nga xiseketelo xa Pentakosta leyintshwa ya swa vugandzeri na mafambiselo ya kona tanhilaha swi endliwaka hi lava nga vachumayeri va yona pentakosta leyintshwa. Vuxopaxopi bya xisayense byi seketeriwe hi thiyori yo xopaxopa leyi nga endliwa ku kuma leswo xana mafambiselo ya Pentakosta leyintshwa ya pfuneta eka swiyimo swa ikhonomi eka swirho swa kereke swa yona eLivingston. Rimba ra swa vugandzeri eka ndzavisiso lowu wu seketeriwe hi ndzhenzheleko wa vurisi bya kereke ku nga "pastoral cycle", lowu wu faneleke ku va mbilu ya mafambiselo wahi na wahi ya vugandzeri (Ballard & Pritchard 2006). Methodoloji ya ndzavisiso a yi katsa ku hlengeletea vutivi, ku byi toloka no byi xopaxopa (ku kotlanisa na ku pimanisa swihlovo swa vutivi hi ku landza data leyi yi nga hlengeletiwa). Lava a va ri na xiavo eka ndzavisiso, va endle marungula ya vona na ntokoto wa vona hi mafambiselo ya Pentekosta leyintshwa ya yingiseriwile hi fomati yo ka yi nga kunguhatiwangi swinene ku nga semi-structured format. Leswi swi pfunete ekusunguleni mianakanyo ya kereke ya vukreste hi swivangelo swa ku pfumaleka ka ku hlanganisa na ku anakanya hi vuntshwa mavonelo na ntokoto eka swa moya hi swa Pentekosta leyintshwa; hi ku landza swona leswi, swi pfunete ndzavisiso hi leswo xana mavonelo yo hambana hi swa vugandzeri bya Pentakosta leyintshwa eka nhlengeletano eLivingston leswo xana yi na vuyelo lebyinene kumbe lebyi nga ri ku lebyinene eka swiyimo swa ikhonomi ya swirho. Ku tirhisiwe minxaka mimbirhi ya nhlengeleto ya vutivi, ku nga qualitative interviews na xitirho xa ku languta kunene leswi endlekaka (observation instruments). / Practical Theology / D. Th. (Practical Theology)