Zoom
The public defence will be held as a video conference over Zoom.
Trial Lecture – time and place
See Trial Lecture
Adjudication committee
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Dr. Loreen Maseno, Maseno University, Kenya (first opponent)
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Associate professor Terese Bue Kessel, Faculty of Theology, Diaconia, and Leadership Studies, VID (second opponent)
- Professor emeritus Trygve Wyller, Faculty of Theology, University of Oslo
Leader of the disputation
- Dean of Studies and Education Sivert Angel, Faculty of Theology, University of Oslo
Supervisor
- Associate Professor Birgitte Lerheim, Faculty of Theology, University of Oslo
- Associate Professor Nina Hoel, Faculty of Theology, University of Oslo
Abstract
Charismatic renewal groups (CRGs) have become central features of mainline churches in Ghana. They fall under the category of the Pentecostal/ charismatic movement, while existing within their specific mainline churches (MLCs). The aim of this study is to examine the influences and tendencies of women’s leadership roles in a selection of three charismatic renewal groups of the mainline churches in Ghana. The thesis also aims to examine women’s experiences of leadership roles and the extent to which it contributes to women’s empowerment. The Roman Catholic, Anglican and Methodist churches are the three mainline churches examined in this study and their charismatic renewal groups are the primary focus. Methodologically, the study employs the approaches of participant observation and semi-structured interviews, as well as comparative and thematic analysis. Servant leadership theory and African feminist theology are used as critical lenses to analyse and discuss data and findings. The thesis finds that segments of the charismatic renewal groups have a strong presence of women in leadership. Nonetheless, some of these women consider themselves "women who are men in the spirit," and hold experiences that are reflective of sentiments like "not being enough" and being in "a state of self-doubt" when in positions of leadership. The thesis also finds that women’s experiences of leadership have empowering potential related to their ability to cope and survive. Additionally, women in segments of the charismatic renewal groups are treading a differentiated ministerial track: ministering solely to other women. Through the prism of a dominant patriarchal Ghanaian culture and the adoption of Christian patriarchal normativity, women’s identities are forged in ways that often limit their activities in the charismatic renewal groups. At the same time, Christianity—as seen through the utilization of Biblical texts by many participants is perceived to be liberational and empowering for women in some respects.