There is wisdom of Solomon in his old age when he says that ‘For everything there is a new season, a time for every activity under heaven’ (Ec 3:1 NLT). There is nothing quite like the magic of a new beginning. For just over a century, Pentecostalism has made some significant strides and gained prominence within the Protestant faith. It has become a global movement, and its impact is felt everywhere. The literature is cluttered with unfortunate references to Pentecostalism as an anti-intellectual, anti-institutional and anti-liturgical movement. Now, for us here in Africa, the time has come to prove otherwise by accepting that Pentecostalism is a force to be reckoned with, hence the need for a focused journal that aims to capture the dynamics of the ongoing Pentecostal evolution. Together, the publisher AOSIS and the Southern African Society of Pentecostal Studies (SASPS) saw the need to create a platform that will also contribute to Pentecostal and Neo-Pentecostal understanding, too. And so, this African Journal of Pentecostal Studies (AJOPS) was born. AJOPS is a new opportunity and a platform that can, by means of the contributions it publishes, objectively conceptualise and situate Pentecostal and Charismatic faith within both academia and the church.
As a journal, we see new beginnings as times of possibilities – times that are filled with limitless potential and hope. These times are for something more than one can imagine. Doubtlessly, AJOPS comes as a new beginning in the form of relationships with scholars, researchers, church formations and cultural encounters. The encounter brings the Pentecostal movement closer to religious and cultural identities. AJOPS is a journal of Pentecostal and Charismatic reflection, rooted in Christian confession, set in the context of Africa, in conversation with other Christian and cultural traditions, in touch with current Pentecostal theological discussions, expressed in accessible language, aimed at forming and informing Pentecostal and Charismatic ministry and spiritual life and serving communities of faith. It is through this journal that a creative platform is introduced for dialogue among aspiring community leaders who confess the Trinitarian God as the Lord God who eternally exists as a unit to bring redemption to the fallen creation and salvation to humans who humbly come to him for the forgiveness of their sins. It is an opportunity for those who are willing to reflect biblically in order to communicate the Pentecostal message within African cultures.
The launch of AJOPS is a wake-up call for researchers to see a new Africa rising from the horizon, an era where miracles can expand ecumenical cooperation, whereby scholars from all walks of theological convictions converge, dialogue and resolve issues within the Christian faith. AJOPS is here to wade into uncharted waters where everything has an opposite, but where opposites become vital in mental enhancement to gain some deeper perspective on our own lives and Pentecostal and Charismatic convictions.
As the Journal is Open Access, the contributions that are published in it will be available to any researcher, teacher, scholar and learner via the Journal platform. To help ensure the finest of contributions are selected for publication, some logistical matters must be taken care of, the firstly of which is the editorial board (EB), which is now instituted. This EB is made up of people from all theological fields, with consideration of balance such as cultural background, theological field, gender inclusivity and age diversities in order to enhance the journal’s credibility, integrity and objectivity to sensitive issues. In the international standards of publication of journals, the EB functions as a sounding board in order to maintain the sustainability, focus, integrity and quality of the Journal. The EB is, therefore, the conscience of the Journal, doing this out of passion for academic excellence in the specific field the Journal serves as a platform for. It is also important to highlight that the Journal adheres to its double-blind peer-review process. This is yet another measure to ensure the quality of the selected contributions to be published.
AJOPS is interdisciplinary, intradisciplinary and transdisciplinary in content. This approach is necessitated by historical constructive analysis in theologising these days. The eclectic nature of doing theology opens broader and higher possibilities in research hypothesising. Many of our current Pentecostal writings are sociohistorical, emphasising the history, mission and observable features (i.e., practices) within Pentecostalism. There is limited research on the doctrinal or metanarratives on Pentecostal theology. The AJOPS, although embracing this sociohistorical approach, also embarks on making the public understand Pentecostal doctrines such as healing, atonement, priesthood of all believers, glossolalia, baptism, etc.
I, therefore, appeal to researchers and scholars to embrace AJOPS by creating in their hearts the desire to impart wisdom by contributing their manuscripts for consideration. I have no doubt that AJOPS will bring you love, grace, beauty, joy and abundance, because your participation is worthy of Christian experience guided and governed by all these wonderful things.
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