| Abstract: | In connection with Independent Church leadership typologies, the author wonders whether the evidence provided by Sundkler and Oosthuizen warrants the categoric use of terms as 'Messianism', 'Black Christ' or deification of the Independent Church leader. Does the prophet actually replace the Person of Christ in the thought world of his followers? This is a crucial question when it comes to an evaluation of the Christian character of such movements. At any rate in relation to the Shona Independent Churches the author considers the use of such terms as misleading. Reference to the Independent Church leader as a Church 'chief' suggests an alignment to traditional leadership patterns and the qualification 'land-protest movement' hints at some form of socio-political involvement. In special connection with Shona Independent Church leadership this is examined in this paper. Sections: Types of leaders and conditions for leadership - Socio-political involvement of Independent Church leaders - Chieftainship - Kinship - Messianic leadership? Notes. |
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