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An investigation into the phenomena and practices of spiritual ...

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work, a low level <strong>of</strong> academic study but a high level <strong>of</strong> commitment to discernment. Theirability to discern is developed through practice over <strong>the</strong> years <strong>and</strong> this is largely achievedthough <strong>the</strong> belief in <strong>the</strong> power <strong>and</strong> authority <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Holy Spirit.It is not m<strong>and</strong>atory for <strong>the</strong> Pastor to have all <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>spiritual</strong> gifts. Popular religious writerswho can be found in <strong>the</strong> bookstalls at <strong>the</strong> front <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> churches, such as Meyer (1995) or<strong>the</strong> constantly evolving Scripture Union “Lifeguide” Spiritual Gifts (Hummel <strong>and</strong>Hummel 1990 Stevens 2004,) emphasise a pastor does not have to have all <strong>the</strong> gifts <strong>of</strong> aleader. However, it is important that, as with all effective leaders, he has <strong>the</strong> knowledge<strong>and</strong> skill to delegate <strong>and</strong> appoint o<strong>the</strong>rs to positions where <strong>the</strong>y can function to <strong>the</strong>ir bestfor <strong>the</strong> growth <strong>and</strong> survival <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> organization. Hummel <strong>and</strong> Hummel (1990) warn that itis imperative that <strong>the</strong> Pastor underst<strong>and</strong>s <strong>the</strong> purpose <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> gifts <strong>of</strong> prophecy <strong>and</strong> speakingin tongues so that corporate worship may be conducted in a fitting <strong>and</strong> ordered manner.Respondent 11 (COGIC) echoes <strong>the</strong>se popular texts:Interviewer: The conventional churches, <strong>the</strong>y are very ritualistic in <strong>the</strong> sense that <strong>the</strong>ywould-------- What I‘m thinking is that if someone has <strong>the</strong> gift <strong>of</strong> healing, because <strong>the</strong>church is ritualistic in <strong>the</strong>ir approach to healing, <strong>the</strong> person who is gifted may not get <strong>the</strong>opportunity to practise because <strong>the</strong> church‘s approach to healing is ritualisticRespondent 11…: That is also wrong. In our church <strong>the</strong> minister encourages everybody totake part in what is going on, so if you are interested in <strong>the</strong> healing ministry, come we willhelp you. Some people feel, ‗ Oh I can‘t do this or that.‘ So anyone <strong>of</strong> you can do itbecause it is not you, it is <strong>the</strong> Holy Spirit who is going to do it, so it is your faith <strong>and</strong> youbeing able to listen to God, because everybody that <strong>the</strong> Holy Spirit uses <strong>the</strong>y are able tolisten <strong>the</strong>y know <strong>the</strong> prompting <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Holy Spirit. Those with <strong>the</strong> gift <strong>of</strong> healing, <strong>the</strong>y see173

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