Page 183 - tesis

A second feature of Weber\u2019s charismatic authority has to do with the recognition of the charisma. The leader needs to be recognized by his followers. The group of people, who are subject to that authority, need to recognise the charisma and realize how it is going to benefit them (Weber 1968 Vol. 1: 242). In the case of the Neo-Pentecostal membership, they submit, follow and recognize the pastors as their spiritual authority and benefactors. Members of these churches recognize the charisma of their pastors, and point out that they have been blessed and challenged by their lives and preaching. An informant recognized that they received \u2018vision\u2019 and \u2018stimulation\u2019 to reorder life and start a small business (L10ESH). These pastors claim that they have power and direct revelations from God which they use to legitimate their charismatic authority. Members of these churches usually do not only recognize the authority of their pastors but they also submit to them and follow them.\u000AIn the third place, Weber underlines that the charismatic leader ponders over or carefully measures the task for which he is destined and demands that others obey him and follow him by virtue of his mission (Weber Vol.3 1968: 1111-1112). The sense of calling to fulfil a mission is fundamental in these pastors and their followers. This \u2018calling\u2019 is used both by the pastors and by the members to legitimate their leadership, ideas and projects. In some cases they use their calling as an argument to drive gigantic projects.\u000AAccording to these pastors the credibility of their ministry is perceived by the thousands of followers who believe, support and give their lives to the vision and the proposed projects. An example of this can be seen in the teams of voluntary workers. They assist thousands of people in their Sunday activities and mass events. They carry out different tasks that they have been assigned empowered by the vision they have received from the leader and as a result of their commitment to their new faith. Hong found this same phenomenon in his analysis of the Korean mega-churches (2000: 3). The commitment, organization and mobilization of the laity comes mostly as a result of the\u000A170\u000A