The newer Non-Denominational Pentecostal Churches in South Africa: A Critical Approach to Non-Denominationalism in Pentecostalism

Abstract

This article seeks to illustrate that although there is a church historical significance of non-denominationalism in Pentecostalism demonstrated in numerical growth, non-denominational Pentecostal churches still require some level of order and doctrinal foundations for their sustainability. A lack of these fundamental doctrinal foundations might result in some of these churches facing closure, as calls for the regulation of churches in South Africa are growing stronger. This is done through a discussion of these non-denominational Pentecostal churches that can be categorised into four types: i) Pentecostal and charismatic; ii) prophetic; iii) Zionist; and iv) deliverance ministries. The significance of non-denominationalism in these is highlighted to demonstrate their numerical growth. However, to maintain such numerical growth, these churches would require a balanced approach to denominationalism that embraces doctrinal foundations in the Christian tradition. In other words, an escape from denominationalism should not mean an escape from the foundational doctrines.