[version 1; peer review: 2 approved, 1 approved with reservations]
No competing interests were disclosed.
Non-heteronormative persons within South African Pentecostal communities experience unique challenges that arise from the intersection of sexual orientation and religious belief. Although the South African constitutional framework ostensibly grants rights and protections to sexually diverse individuals, Pentecostal expressions of Christianity largely continue to uphold heteronormative understandings, rendering sexual diversity undesirable and invisible. This scoping review paper aims to systematically map the literature on the experiences, theological discourses, and pastoral care of non-heteronormative persons in South African Pentecostalism, utilising Arksey and O’Malley’s framework. By analysing, collating, and summarising the existing body of work, the review aims to identify categories of evidence and information gaps to facilitate the possibility of further developing inclusive theological and pastoral practices and paradigms within/pastoral care within South African Pentecostalism. Ultimately, the findings will guide researchers, policymakers, and faith communities in devising interventions and responses to foster acceptance, inclusion, and well-being.
The intersection of sexual orientation and religious conviction presents complex challenges for individuals navigating non-heteronormative identities within faith-based communities.
The societal and theological marginalisation of LGBTQ+ individuals in Pentecostal settings reflects broader tensions between evolving social values and religious orthodoxy.
Pentecostal theological discourse frequently invokes heteronormative hermeneutics, such as interpretations of Genesis 19 (Sodom and Gomorrah), Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:13, Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9, and 1 Timothy 1:10, to validate exclusionary practices.
Although existing research has examined queer theology, pastoral care, and LGBTQ+ experiences in faith contexts globally, there is a notable paucity of literature systematically mapping these phenomena within the South African Pentecostal milieu.
To systematically map literature on the experiences, theological interpretations, and pastoral care of non-heteronormative individuals within South African Pentecostalism.
To identify existing literature on non-heteronormative sexual identities within South African Pentecostal communities. To explore theological and pastoral responses to non-heteronormative sexualities. To examine the psychosocial and spiritual experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals in Pentecostal contexts. To highlight gaps in knowledge to inform future research, theology, and pastoral practice.
This scoping review seeks to systematically map the literature on non-heteronormative sexual identities within South African Pentecostal communities. Guided by the PEO framework.
The primary research question is:
What evidence exists on the experiences, theological interpretations, and pastoral care of non-heteronormative individuals in South African Pentecostalism, and how do these factors influence their inclusion, acceptance, and well-being?
What evidence is available on the lived experiences of non-heteronormative individuals within South African Pentecostal communities? In what ways do Pentecostal theological interpretations shape perceptions and attitudes toward sexual diversity? What pastoral care approaches or interventions are documented to support non-heteronormative individuals in Pentecostal settings? What gaps exist in the current literature that warrant further research on non-heteronormative identities in South African Pentecostalism?
This study will employ a scoping review design guided by the Arksey and O’Malley framework.
A comprehensive and systematic search strategy will be employed to identify relevant literature on non-heteronormative sexual identities within South African Pentecostal contexts. The search will be conducted across multiple electronic databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, SABINET, JSTOR, and Google Scholar, to ensure broad coverage of both health, social science, and theological literature.
Key search terms will include:
“LGBTQ” “Queer” “Sexual minorities” “Pentecostalism” “Pentecostal churches” “South Africa” “Southern Africa” “Sexuality” “Identity” “Spirituality” “Pastoral care”
Boolean operators (AND, OR) will combine keywords, and reference lists of included articles will be screened for additional sources.
Population: Non-heteronormative individuals (LGBTQ+) within Pentecostal communities in South Africa. Concepts: Studies addressing sexual identity, spiritual experiences, pastoral care, Pentecostal theology. Context: South African Pentecostal churches, congregations, or literature. Types of Sources: Peer-reviewed articles, theses, books, book chapters, reports, and grey literature. Language: English. Time Frame: 2015–2025.
Studies focusing exclusively on heterosexual populations. Research conducted outside South Africa or outside Pentecostal contexts. Studies not addressing sexuality, pastoral care, or theology. Non-English publications. Publications prior to 2015.
Justification: These criteria ensure the review is relevant to contemporary South African Pentecostalism, focuses on non-heteronormative experiences, and captures both academic and practical perspectives.
Titles and abstracts will be independently screened by two reviewers. Full-text articles meeting inclusion criteria will be retrieved and assessed. Discrepancies will be resolved through discussion or consultation with a third reviewer.
A standardized charting form will capture:
Author(s), year, publication type Study aims and objectives Population characteristics Methodology and study design Key findings related to sexual identity and Pentecostalism Theological perspectives and pastoral care approaches Research gaps
The scoping review will follow a structured schedule to ensure timely completion. The initial phase, including refining the research question, developing the search strategy, and piloting the search, will take 2 weeks. Database searches, retrieval of full-text articles, and screening of titles and abstracts will take 3 weeks. Full-text screening, data extraction, and charting will require 3 weeks, followed by thematic analysis, synthesis of findings, and drafting of the manuscript over 3 weeks. The final week will be dedicated to revisions, formatting, and preparation for submission. Overall, the project is expected to be completed within 3 months.
The scoping review is expected to systematically map literature on non-heteronormative sexual identities within South African Pentecostal communities, highlighting:
The experiences of non-heteronormative individuals within Pentecostal contexts. Theological interpretations that influence inclusion, marginalization, or acceptance of sexual diversity. Documented pastoral care strategies supporting LGBTQ+ individuals. Psychosocial and spiritual outcomes of engaging with Pentecostal communities. Existing research gaps and opportunities to inform inclusive pastoral and theological practices.
The findings will provide a comprehensive overview of current knowledge, inform policy and faith-based interventions, and guide future research to promote acceptance, dignity, and spiritual well-being for non-heteronormative individuals in Pentecostal contexts.
This study will analyse existing literature; no primary data collection is involved. Therefore, ethical approval is not required. Ethical conduct includes proper citation, acknowledgment of sources, and accurate representation of findings.
This scoping review will synthesize available evidence on non-heteronormative identities within South African Pentecostalism, highlighting theological interpretations, pastoral care practices, and lived experiences. The findings will identify gaps in knowledge, inform inclusive pastoral and theological practices, and provide a foundation for future research that promotes acceptance, dignity, and spiritual well-being.
No supplementary materials are included at this protocol stage. Detailed search strategies, data extraction forms, and screening tools will be provided in the full scoping review upon completion.
All data underlying the results are available as part of the article and no additional source data are required.
Munyadziwa M.
The project contains the following extended data:
PRISMA-ScR Protocol Checklist
This manuscript presents a scoping review protocol that aims to systematically map the literature on non-heteronormative identities within South African Pentecostal contexts. Drawing on Arksey and O’Malley (2005)’s scoping review framework, the study seeks to examine lived experiences, theological interpretations, and pastoral care practices affecting non-heteronormative individuals in Pentecostal communities. The protocol is clearly motivated, well situated within relevant theological and political debates, and addresses an important and underexplored phenomenon. Overall, the protocol demonstrates scholarly relevance and has the potential to make a meaningful contribution to the field of LGBTQ+ Religious Studies.
The protocol is clearly written and structured, and the choice of a scoping review is appropriate and relevant given the lack of these type of studies in the field of LGBTQ+ Christianity. The aims and objectives are well articulated, and the rationale for conducting a scoping review is precise. However, I think that the study design is partly appropriate for the research question. This is not because a scoping review is an unsuitable approach, but rather because some elements of the research question, objectives and conceptual framing would benefit from further clarification to ensure a strong alignment between objectives, methods, and outcomes. Here are my suggestions and recommendations:
Is the study design appropriate for the research question?
Partly
Is the rationale for, and objectives of, the study clearly described?
Yes
Are sufficient details of the methods provided to allow replication by others?
Yes
Are the datasets clearly presented in a useable and accessible format?
Not applicable
Reviewer Expertise:
I am a sociologist and social anthropologist specialising in the intersections of sexuality, religion, and politics. Over the past six years, I have researched the experiences of non-heterosexual Christians within institutional and church contexts, with particular attention to their collective action and strategies for challenging conservative discourses and practices. My work includes in-depth ethnographic research within LGBTQ+ Christian communities and organisations. As part of my doctoral thesis, I also conducted a scoping review of the literature on LGBTQ+ Christians from the 1970s onwards, which closely relates to the aims and methodological approach of this protocol.
I confirm that I have read this submission and believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard, however I have significant reservations, as outlined above.
This article will explore various literatures addressing the experiences, theological interpretations, and pastoral care of non-heteronormative individuals among South African Pentecostals. Through an in-depth review of this literature, this study will present a discussion of the landscape over the past ten years in South African Pentecostalism.
Therefore, this study has met academic standards by demonstrating clear, relevant objectives, research questions, and research methods, and—in my personal opinion—are crucial for the development of non-heteronormative studies, Christianity, and Pentecostalism.
However, the question remains: how will all the collected literature be interpreted? What theoretical lens will be used? Furthermore, if this study aims to unravel the heteronormative perspective on theology and pastoral practice of South African Pentecostalism, how can a queer theological lens be integrated into the analysis and discussion of this article? All of this needs to be properly referenced to achieve the objectives of this study.
Despite these concerns, this research holds great promise for untangling heteronormative bias in Pentecostal Christianity in South Africa in particular and other contexts that hold similar biases in general.
Is the study design appropriate for the research question?
Yes
Is the rationale for, and objectives of, the study clearly described?
Yes
Are sufficient details of the methods provided to allow replication by others?
Yes
Are the datasets clearly presented in a useable and accessible format?
Yes
Reviewer Expertise:
(Pentecostal) theology, gender, and sexuality studies
I confirm that I have read this submission and believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard.
The contribution presents a planned scoping review protocol that systematically examines the literature on experiences, theological discourses, and pastoral practices concerning non-heteronormative and sexually diverse individuals (LGBTQ+) within South African Pentecostalism. The aim is to consolidate existing knowledge, identify research gaps, and provide a foundation for the development of more inclusive theological and pastoral approaches.
The planned study demonstrates a consistently well-prepared and well-balanced scientific approach, and the research idea is meaningful. This is because it is important not only for research, but also for religious, pastoral, social work, and political practice and research to understand how much knowledge exists on this relevant topic. The results are awaited with great interest. However, the derivations made by those conducting the study are particularly essential here, as what is implemented on the basis of the findings is what is truly relevant.
Accordingly, throughout the data collection process, continuous recursive attention should be paid to clarity and to the precise definition and naming of the populations under study. The results must also be situated within a broader relational framework that takes the overall setting into account. In particular, confessional aspects of the respondents, as well as local differences in practice and geographical and demographic perspectives, would be of additional interest. A differentiation between positive and negative effects on individuals would likewise be valuable.
Such a research project should therefore be positively approved; however, the researchers face a substantial responsibility to provide the scientific community with results that are not only analytically sound but also relationally grounded and applicable.
Is the study design appropriate for the research question?
Yes
Is the rationale for, and objectives of, the study clearly described?
Yes
Are sufficient details of the methods provided to allow replication by others?
Yes
Are the datasets clearly presented in a useable and accessible format?
Yes
Reviewer Expertise:
Social Work as a human rights profession; right-wing extremism and threats to democracy; political education and citizenship education; migration, forced displacement, and post-migrant societies; human trafficking and victim identification; prevention, intervention, and protection frameworks; professional theory and ethics of social work; digitalisation, technologisation, and future scenarios of social work; teaching, didactics, and Learning by Teaching (LdL); intersectionality, discrimination, and vulnerability; pastoral care, religiosity, and social work; transfer-oriented and applied research.
I confirm that I have read this submission and believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard.