Conversion in Africa: A Look from the Women’s Side

Abstract

Conversion produces both qualitative and quantitative church growth. There are three major theological definitions of conversion: Evangelicals define conversion as spiritual rebirth.1 For most of them, there is only one conversion which is achieved when persons acknowledge their sin, receive forgiveness and begin a new life in Christ. Although among Pentecostals and Charismatics the word ‘conversion’ is bi-dimensional, evangelical conversion is the starting point. After this conversion to new life, there is a second stage of baptism with or infilling of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 is often quoted for such a conversion.2 The argument is that the filling of the Holy Spirit came upon those who had already found an initial conversion to new life in Christ and thus all Christians must have this second conversion.3 Mainline churches define conversion as ‘doctrinal conversion’ which is achieved through the mastery of catechism instructions. Outside the three theological definitions of conversion lies conversion in the sociological sense which is the act of leaving one’s church or religion to join another. This article sheds light on the relationship between conversion in the theological sense and conversion in the sociological sense based on the experiences of women in the Baptist Convention4 in Malawi and of women in other churches in Africa.