Exploring the influence of pentecostalism on Chipata college of education students in eastern province of Zambia.

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Date
2017
Authors
Ngoma, Christopher
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Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
The study explored the influence of Pentecostalism on students of Chipata College of Education (CCE) in the Eastern Province of Zambia. The study was guided by Emile Durkheim’s Functionalist theory of religion and the following objectives: to establish the influence of Pentecostalism on students at CCE, to ascertain elements of Pentecostalism that attract students and to determine the challenges, if any, that come along with Pentecostalism at CCE. This study employed a case study design and applied a qualitative approach. Focus Group discussion and semi-structured interviews were used to generate data. The study had a sample of thirty (30) participants. Twenty (20) students were selected randomly from both Pentecostal and mainline churches. Purposive sampling was utilized to select 3 administrators and 7 lecturers from the relevant departments. Data were analysed thematically according to emerging themes. The findings of the study revealed that Pentecostalism is very popular among the students and lecturers at CCE. Elements that attract students to Pentecostalism include: freedom of worship, deliverance, healing, prosperity messages and prophecy which are believed to offer immediate solutions to problems mostly faced by the students of the modern generation. However, the findings also disclosed that few students were not attracted to these elements as they were deeply rooted in the teachings of their denominations. The conclusion of the study was that Pentecostalism has influenced some students positively and holistically while some were negatively affected in that they did not like loud prayers, preaching and music. According to them, the academic space was not a spiritual space. Pentecostal students acted in the manner that was perceived by the non- Pentecostal students as being holier than thou. The non- Pentecostals did not like this and describe them as ‘Pharisees’. As such, the research recommended that patrons of Pentecostals and non- Pentecostals must work towards maintaining the spirit of ecumenism for it has been in existence for a long time. The attitude of ‘holier than thou’ could prove repugnant to those of different denominational affiliation. Future research should consider exploring the influence of non-Pentecostal denominations onto secular college of education students.
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Pentecostalism--Impact colleges--Zambia , Evangelistic work--Colleges--Zambia
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