@article{ireland_african_2012, title = {African Traditional Religion and Pentecostal Churches in Lusaka, Zambia: An Assessment}, volume = {21}, issn = {09667369}, url = {https://www.researchgate.net/publication/270534450_African_Traditional_Religion_and_Pentecostal_Churches_in_Lusaka_Zambia_An_Assessment}, doi = {10.1163/17455251-02102006}, shorttitle = {African Traditional Religion and Pentecostal Churches in Lusaka, Zambia}, abstract = {This study seeks to discover how African Traditional Religion ({ATR}) is viewed by Pentecostal church leaders in Lusaka, Zambia. The convenience sample focused on fourteen Pentecostal churches of various denominational affiliations within the city of Lusaka, Zambia. A thirty-one-item survey tool, the Assessment of Traditional Religious Practices ({ATRP}), was developed and administered to 128 leaders regarding the prevalence of traditional religious practices among their congregants. The {ATRP} also assessed how these leaders typically respond to concerns related to {ATR} within their ministerial context. Findings indicated that traditional beliefs and practices continue to persist, though at nominal levels, within these churches. More importantly, a majority of these leaders feel adequately equipped to handle issues related to {ATR} because they understand their ministerial calling in terms of spiritual empowerment. The study concludes that the challenges presented by {ATR} regarding Christian discipleship continue to persist in local Pentecostal churches. However, leaders have employed a practical theological understanding of Pentecostalism, allowing them to overcome many of these same challenges.}, pages = {260--277}, number = {2}, journaltitle = {Journal of Pentecostal Theology}, shortjournal = {Journal of Pentecostal Theology}, author = {Ireland, Jerry M.}, urldate = {2019-10-21}, date = {2012-10}, note = {Paid}, keywords = {African Traditional Religion, Animism, Christianity and African religions, Demonology, Healers, Healing, Spiritual, {LUSAKA} (Zambia), Lusaka (Zambia), {MANNERS} \& customs, {MISSIOLOGY}, {PENTECOSTAL} churches, {PENTECOSTALISM}, Peer reviewed, Pentecostal, Pentecostal churches -- Zambia, Pentecostal theology, {RELIGION}, Supernatural, Syncretism, Witchcraft -- Africa, {ZAMBIA}, Zambia, Zambia -- Church history, Zambia -- Religion, animism, conversion, missiology, missions}, }