Change the world

07/10/2024

Nelson Mandela University’s new Department of Executive Education is training a different type of white-collar worker with business skills: a group of Anglican clergy drawn from across the African continent. 

Anglican clergy from around Africa were on the Second Avenue Campus of Nelson Mandela University for a short learning course on leadership

Although many view Christian ministry as incompatible with wealth, saying that “the love of money is the root of all evil”, others emphasise responsible financial stewardship so that the parish is not as poor as the fabled church mouse.

Although many view Christian ministry as incompatible with wealth, saying that “the love of money is the root of all evil”, others emphasise responsible financial stewardship so that the parish is not as poor as the fabled church mouse.

Within this context, the Department of Executive Education, based at the University’s Business School in Summerstrand, has designed a Theological Executive Leadership Programme (TELP) tailored for the deans and rectors of colleges and institutions that teach future ministers.

Delegates from more than a dozen countries in Africa, including Sierra Leone, Madagascar, Zambia, Mauritius, Botswana and Liberia, were in Gqeberha from September 30 to October 4 for an in-person component of the TELP.

The Anglican Church’s USPG, an organisation that supports mission work and development projects around the world, chose the University in Gqeberha to develop the programme.

USPG theologian Rev Canon Dr Peniel Rajkumar welcomed the delegates in Gqeberha online from London this week, saying that it was “important to ensure that all those called to leadership, management and governance roles are equipped effectively for the task”.

From left, Prof Paul Poisat, The Right Reverend Dr Edward (Eddie) Daniels and Prof Grant Freedman

Business School acting director Professor Paul Poisat said the University was delighted to partner with USPG. Prof Grant Freedman leads the programme, which features professional facilitators with specialised knowledge in their fields.

“The TELP programme is not just about leadership; it is a transformative journey tailored specifically to the unique challenges faced by theological institutions across Africa,” said Prof Freedman.

“As with all our Executive Education programmes, we have gone to great lengths to ensure that TELP is not only bespoke and relevant but also deeply impactful, equipping leaders with the tools to navigate roles and accountabilities with confidence and clarity.”

This is the first international development programme offered by the new department and it will be customised on request.

It could, for example, be adapted to the need for senior leadership to use AI (artificial intelligence) as a tool to help their thinking.

Diocesan Bishop Eddie Daniels, speaking on the University’s Second Avenue Campus, highlighted how the role of the clergy went beyond instruction, and included the “profound and often challenging nature of servant-leadership”.

“The integration of faith with action is vital for the formation of ministers who are not only knowledgeable but also compassionate, ethical and resilient in their faith,” he said.

There are many challenges facing the church, such as declining income, fewer congregants in its pews, pressure from other religions and more, said Prof Poisat.

“Collection plates are lighter than ever as people don’t tithe, and they go online for church,” he said. “Their training has equipped them well for dealing with biblical and theological issues but not necessary for transformational leadership at a macro level. They are not trained to do that, they are trained to look after our souls, and this calls for new thinking.”

It also called for new thinking on the part of the Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences.

“How do we tackle this? After all, for example, vision in biblical terms and vision in the business sense have totally different meanings.”

However, when Prof Poisat discovered that a theological book cited a paper he had written on transformative leadership, the way was clear.

He discovered that the gospel of Matthew contained many principles relevant for leadership in 2024, including the concept of servant-leadership which aligned with his own research in the Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences on transformational leadership.

“I went to the Bible and lo and behold in there was our answer!” he said, only partly tongue-in-cheek.

While it was important to “store up treasures in heaven”, it was just as important to keep the lights on and be a good steward of church resources.

“Everything on this TELP has been customised to go back to the theology. How do we change the curriculum so that priests can also be entrepreneurs, for their survival?”

He said ethics was a major focus of the SLP, and students therefore discuss relevant issues such as how to use AI ethically, and effectively, and what policies need to be in place to avoid plagiarism in sermons. Another ethical issue was how to treat donations that came from illegal sources, such as the proceeds of crime.

Prof Freedman outlined how the TELP was a blended learning experience, beginning with a series of online seminars and includes two in-person.

“At the heart of the programme is a residential colloquium, offering an immersive, face-to-face learning experience where participants gather for deeper reflection, group discussions and workshops,” he said.

It concludes with another on-campus session in November, ensuring a comprehensive learning journey integrating theoretical insights with practical applications.

Throughout the course, participants work on a Capstone Project, applying what they learn to real-world challenges within their own institutions.

Contact information
Primarashni Gower
Director: Communication & Marketing
Tel: 0415043057
Primarashni.Gower@mandela.ac.za