| dc.description.abstract | The purpose of this study was to examine how selected Pentecostal activities in the Zimbabwe East District of the Church of the Nazarene have affected the district's theology, worship, and practices. The aim is to address issues of church identity that appear to be diminishing in the congregations of the Zimbabwe East District. The study was guided by four objectives: To explore Modern Pentecostalism, to analyse the Wesleyan-Holiness Tradition within the Church of the Nazarene in the Zimbabwe East District, to investigate the effects of three prominent Pentecostal worship practices—prophecy, healing, and deliverance - and lastly, to propose steps the Church of the Nazarene on Zimbabwe East District should take to shape its theology, worship, and practice in the face of religious pluralism. The research employed Ernst Troeltsch’s theory model “From Sect to Church” and Donald W. Dayton’s theory of the “embourgeoisement of Methodism.” It utilised descriptive survey design and correlation methods of research. Data was analysed using SPSS and Excel. The study covers over half of Zimbabwe’s territory and focuses on the Zimbabwe East District, which has 6,155 members. Several Nazarene churches are included in the study, targeting 60% of the congregations in Zimbabwe's East District through random sampling. This figure has gone up since the district continues to grow rapidly in these current years. More churches have been planted in the district and therefore we are using figures that were provided at the time we requested for them. The findings indicate that deliverance and prophetic revelations have minimal impact on the Church of the Nazarene in the Zimbabwe East District. The phenomena of embourgeoisement and the existence of large postmodern Pentecostal congregations present doctrinal challenges for the Church. Issues surrounding traditional Sunday services and the distribution of spiritual gifts were noted, particularly in the areas of prophecy, healing, and deliverance ministries. It was found that Wesleyan beliefs and prophetic practices are often poorly understood within the Church, and there is a lack of emphasis on holiness. The study also revealed that miraculous healing is underrepresented, suggesting that sanctification should take precedence. Deliverance is a common practice among the churches. With the current information at hand, there is need for the Church of the Nazarene in the Zimbabwe East District to find ways to keep its doctrine. Interdenominational influence will always be there, but it is up to each church to find ways for its people to remain true to the church’s identity. The report recommends that congregations preserve the Wesleyan-Holiness Tradition while actively addressing non-biblical views. There are certain things that require change. This is inevitable for every church. However, as the change is made, identity is key. Even from an individual point of view, everyone is faced with issues in life that demand one to change. This change should never obliterate one’s personality or identity. The Church of the Nazarene in the Zimbabwe East District is growing in strides. Many doctrinal challenges as people are also coming with things they learn in other churches before coming to the Church of the Nazarene. It is therefore, up to each pastor, to teach the importance of maintaining the doctrine of the church while making good changes where there may be need for the change. | en_US |
