The Good Life - Descriptors of change in Roma Pentacostal communities in Serbia and Croatia

Wachsmuth, Melody J. (2017) The Good Life - Descriptors of change in Roma Pentacostal communities in Serbia and Croatia. Relaunch Issue, Spiritus: ORU Journal of Theology, 2 (2). pp. 99-118. ISSN 2573-6345

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Abstract

Studies in specific geographical contexts have shown that the spread of Pentecostalism’s influence on Roma communities is twofold: it is linked to social change, including a rise of education levels, literacy, decrease in crime, better relationships with the majority culture; and it is also instrumental in the fostering of a “trans-national” identity and revitalization of their respective Roma identities. However, Pentecostalism cannot be considered a formula that intersects with a Romani community with con-sequential predictable results in fact, in Southeastern Europe, Romani Pentecostalism is growing at a much slower rate than that of its counterparts in Western Europe and in places such as Romania and Bulgaria. Further, in the language of researchers, NGOs, and the European Union, success is often measured in the appropriated terms of neo-liberal vocabulary: integration, development, and modernization. In view of these circumstances, through what lens and with whose vocabulary should change and transformation be under-stood and measured? The paper discusses both the ideal and the current reality of change in Roma communities through the voices of Roma Pentecostal leaders in Croatia and Serbia with the aim of defining human flourishing and change through the perspective of the Roma.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Roma, Gypsy, Pentecostalism, transformation, identity, reconciliation, Croatia, Serbia
Subjects:	B Mission Theology/Theory > Contextualization/Inculturation B Mission Theology/Theory > Identity Issues C Types of Christian Ministry > Transformational Leadership G Christian Traditions/ Denominations > Pentecostal
Divisions:	Croatia Serbia
Depositing User:	Users 5 not found.
Date Deposited:	19 Sep 2019 10:30
Last Modified:	06 Oct 2019 09:43
URI:	https://r.ceeamsprints.brunner.at/id/eprint/48

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