Identity Construction of Converts to the Pentecostal Methodist Church of Chile

Abstract

This paper explores the identity construction of people who have converted to the Pentecostal Methodist Church of Chile (Iglesia Metodista Pentecostal de Chile, IMPCH). Biographical-narrative interviews were conducted with eleven people converted to IMPCH, with analysis based on grounded theory methodology. The results indicate that personal identity is constructed by means of five key elements: the continuity of divine intervention, change in the sense of sameness, the definition of oneself in relation to the Other (God), identity as a project (being God's people), and transcendence as a result of an Apostolate life. Such elements have a loaded organization of ideological messages corresponding to the Pentecostal discourse. The results are contrasted with findings of other related investigations and conclude with some practical psychological proposals. URN: urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs0801238