Women’s Participation in Resolving Church Conflicts. A Case of the Salvation Army, Bindura Citadel, Zimbabwe

Abstract

This study investigates women’s participation in resolving church conflicts. The study used a mixed method approach combining focus group discussions, in-depth interviews and congregants survey. The findings of the study were that women in the Salvation Army Church, Bindura Citadel were actively participating in resolving church conflicts through counseling, mediation, negotiation, and facilitation and by being members of the powerful Pastoral Care Council whose main role was to hear matters referred from the lower echelons of the church. It was established that the church was organized and administered in military style with all congregants referred to as “soldiers” and leadership titles bearing military ranks. The church faced the challenge of male domination due to the patriarchal nature of African and church communities, lack of self confidence and esteem as well as the lack of support from fellow women. The study recommended that women be trained and encouraged to participate and support one another in resolving church conflicts. Furthermore, church policy reforms were recommended to foster women participation.