Charismatic leadership and the socio-economic transformation of the church

Abstract

Some of the contemporary religious movements in Zimbabwe are led or were founded by people who hold considerable charismatic authority and who are believed to have special powers, knowledge and revelations. This paper will define charismatic leadership and transformational leadership closely looking at their theories and characteristics and further go onto explain how charismatic leadership in contemporary churches has influenced the transformation of the church to prosperity. Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa will be used as an example of charismatic leaders in the church today. The paper will also unveil the positive and negative sides of the charismatic leadership.