Departing from multi-sited etnographic study portraying six African churches divided between global north/south migratory process, it is evidenced that the development of multiple tasks is carried out by Pentecostal Pastors and other leading figures within an equally specialised group structure in each congregation. The division of the churches into groups often presents similar cohort variables such as gender, age and spiritual gifts associated with individuals. Although there was not a significant variation in the scale of the institutions observed (i.e. building dimensions and number of attendants), the role of these groups within the organisational structure presented the same relevance. While teaching believers African Pentecostal values, the breakdown of the church community into assemblies provides a specialised social capital for worshippers. Whereas each group (re)produce its Christian role in the community (mother, father, youth, man, women, elder, etc.), everyday experiences and problem-solving situations, identity traits and emotional dispositions are exchanged amongst members.In this paper, I present an account on how the notion of belonging through the analysis of the organisational structures observed in the fieldwork aforementioned. By acknowledging the ethnic diversity in these spaces, such 'fellowships' are capable to forge bonds and relationships in accordance to distinctive discourses (gender, healing, deliverance, age, etc.). In this way, a somewhat micro 'layered integration’ takes place amongst groups perpetrating notions of belonging articulated by certain emotions and sentiments. From this point, pastors promote Pentecostal-Charismatic narratives focused on particular social roles under the aegis of a Diasporic consciousness mediated by local and global dimensions.
English:Departing from multi-sited etnographic study portraying six African churches divided between global north/south migratory process, it is evidenced that the development of multiple tasks is carried out by Pentecostal Pastors and other leading figures within an equally specialised group structure in each congregation. The division of the churches into groups often presents similar cohort variables such as gender, age and spiritual gifts associated with individuals. Although there was not a significant variation in the scale of the institutions observed (i.e. building dimensions and number of attendants), the role of these groups within the organisational structure presented the same relevance. While teaching believers African Pentecostal values, the breakdown of the church community into assemblies provides a specialised social capital for worshippers. Whereas each group (re)produce its Christian role in the community (mother, father, youth, man, women, elder, etc.), everyday experiences and problem-solving situations, identity traits and emotional dispositions are exchanged amongst members.In this paper, I present an account on how the notion of belonging through the analysis of the organisational structures observed in the fieldwork aforementioned. By acknowledging the ethnic diversity in these spaces, such 'fellowships' are capable to forge bonds and relationships in accordance to distinctive discourses (gender, healing, deliverance, age, etc.). In this way, a somewhat micro 'layered integration’ takes place amongst groups perpetrating notions of belonging articulated by certain emotions and sentiments. From this point, pastors promote Pentecostal-Charismatic narratives focused on particular social roles under the aegis of a Diasporic consciousness mediated by local and global dimensions.
CR - Copyright; 2016 Asociación AIBR, Antropólogos Iberoamericanos en Red ER -