Call for Papers
Purdue Symposium 2013
An Interdisciplinary Conference
Global ReOrient: Chinese Pentecostal/Charismatic Movements in the Global East
November 1-2, 2013
Purdue University
The importance of Pentecostal-charismatic movements in the “Global South” has been well established. We would like to call for a scholarly reorientation toward the “Global East” where economic miracles go hand in hand with rapid growths of Christianity. This symposium particularly focuses on Chinese Pentecostalism in Asian societies. With its innovative styles of experiential spirituality, female leadership, and powerful communication strategies, Chinese Pentecostalism is challenging the dominance of conventional Christianity.
Deadline for the submission of abstracts (max 200 words, with a brief biographical note): April 20, 2013. Completed paper is due on Oct. 1, 2013.Submissions and questions send to Joy Tong at joy_tong@ymail.com.
CALL FOR PAPERS
An International, Interdisciplinary Conference
'POLITICS, PROBITY, POVERTY AND PRAYER: AFRICAN SPIRITUALITIES,
ECONOMIC AND SOCIO-POLITICAL TRANSFORMATION?
University of Ghana, Legon
October 21-23, 2013
This International Conference brings together scholars/researchers,
practitioners of diverse religious traditions and spiritualities,
FBOs/NGOs and policy makers to interrogate how and to what extent
various religions and spiritualities in Africa and the African
diaspora engage in processes of economic, social and political
transformation. Public commentators often criticize political
entrepreneurs and African states of their failure to develop an ethic
of public probity and accountability, partly exemplified by
corruption. The enigmas of public transparency and probity can hardly be limited to public governance. We can also explore how religious institutions in Africa interrogate, critique, practice or fail to
eschew transparency, accountability and probity in the quest for
economic and social-political transformation. Religious entrepreneurs
grapple with similar issues of leadership, good governance, probity,
integrity as a reflection of their wider societies. Ecclesiastical,
Islamic, or Indigenous religious polities are situated within wider
pluralistic (secular) polities in Africa and are thus mutually
reinforcing each other. The significance of leadership and corporate
governance (religious/secular) lies in its contribution to prosperity,
peaceful coexistence, moral regeneration and accountability.
Accountability requires appropriate rules and regulations, doctrines,
codes of conduct, values and behaviour to make for viable
transformation. For instance, a historical perspective on leadership
dynamics can be helpful in the present crisis in leadership in church
and secular contexts. The churches and missionary societies played a crucial role in the shaping of South African cultures, as much in the
colonial period as during the years of the formation of the Union and
the apartheid era.
The conference provides a platform in which scholars/researchers,
practitioners and policy makers will explore, through historical and
contemporary perspectives, how authority structures, institutionalized
myths, beliefs, and rituals of authority differently mobilize and
influence members? behaviour and attitudes towards financial probity
and organizational policies. How do various hierarchical/decentralized
religious polities (i.e. structures of church government) in Africa
deal with issues of probity (moral regeneration), equity and
sustainable development? What values do African religions and
spiritualities evince that represent a boon or bane for improving
corporate governance and ensuring improved ethics and probity in
African systems of governance? How should religious polity structures
respond, critique and identify with national/international policies
that are aimed at a disciplined management and equitable distribution
of public resources, and the establishment of a viable culture of
financial probity? What various models condition religious polities
and leadership in Africa, and how have these been influenced by modern political movements, such as Western democracy, as well as by modern economics and technology? Are liberal or conservative forms of religiosity compatible with Western democracy? How and to what extent should religious insights be present in the public sphere of the secular polity and vice versa? ?How do engage prayer ritual action impact on their religious and national polities to maximize probity at personal and institutional levels?
The conference will highlight and explore how and to what extent
African and diaspora religious traditions and spiritualities may
cohere on the critical issues, such as that of probity, equity and
accountability, which confront the African continent, their ?faiths?
in relation to the wider, global community. Interrelated issues on
religion, spirituality, leadership, social capital, public role,
poverty, corruption, transparency will be discussed. The conference is intended to build synergies and forge dialogue on how
religious/spiritual communities in Africa and the African Diaspora can
combat poverty and foster probity and sustainable development.
The conference programme shall focus on the following and related sub-themes:
- African politico-economies, religious polity and accountability
- religious polity structures, corruption and transparency
- religious polity, social and religious capital
- religious values, behaviour, probity and financial accountability
- ethics, socio-cultural values, and social action
- democracy and ecclesiastical polity
- traditional (indigenous) systems of governance and probity
- religion/spiritualities, prayer and poverty
- religion, politics and socioeconomic empowerment
- church polity, apartheid and post-apartheid transformation
- religion, spiritualities and sustainable development in Africa and
the African Diaspora
- Probity and African and African-derived religions/spiritualities in
a new global order
Paper/presentation proposals based or related to one or more of the
above themes are invited from the interested public: scholars,
religious/spiritual communities and organizations, policy makers, and
FBOs/NGOs. Interested panelists are invited to submit a paper/abstract proposal (max. 200 words), stating institutional affiliation, on or before 30 March 2013. The conference will be jointly hosted by the Faculty of Arts, University of Ghana-Legon; Center of African Christianity, Trinity Theological Seminary, Accra; The University of Edinburgh, and PANAFSTRAG.
Abstract proposals and all correspondences regarding the conference should be sent electronically (email) to the conference organizers:
Afe Adogame: a.adogame@ed.ac.uk
Rose Mary Amenga-Etego: rosem.etego@googlemail.com
Cephas Omenyo: comenyo@hotmail.com
Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu: kwabena.asamoahgyadu@gmail.com
Call for Submissions
The Journal of Africana Religions
This peer-reviewed journal offers critical analysis of the
religious traditions of African and African Diasporic peoples as well as religious traditions influenced by the diverse cultural heritage of Africa. An interdisciplinary journal encompassing history, anthropology, Africana studies, gender studies, ethnic studies, religious studies, and other allied disciplines-and covering the religious traditions of people of African descent throughout the world-the Journal of Africana Religions embraces a variety of humanistic and social scientific methodologies for understanding the social, political, and cultural meanings and functions of Africana religions. We invite authors to examine African traditional religions, Islam, Christianity, new religious movements, and other African and African Diasporic religious expressions and experiences.
For more information on submissions, our prestigious 33-member editorial board, and our purpose and goals, please visit our website:
http://liberalarts.iupui.edu/religious_studies/index.php/joar
The appointment will be made at the level of University Lecturer. 
