Spiritual and ethical transformational leadership: Critical discourse analysis within a practical theology praxis

The objective of this article is to focus renewed attention on ethics in contemporary dialogue through value-based leadership. This is done with reference to the value of meaning in social research and critical discourse analysis within a framework of leadership discourse praxis. Discourse constructs, such as dominance and power, are analysed in the (re)production of oppression, injustice and inequality. The objective is to analyse the way in which human ideas and the actions of powerful and dominant leadership elites are influencing and dominating ethical and/or unethical public enactments. The hypothesis is that ethical discourse enactments (practices) could foster authentic ethical and transformational leadership

Towards a multi-method approach to addressing violent protest action in South Africa: A practical theology perspective

Pervasive violent strike action and protests over service delivery in South Africa call for new methodological approaches. To this end, a multi-method research approach consisting of a case study, communicative action, a multidimensional theoretical framework and its integration into African Christopraxis research is proposed. The ultimate aim is to offer a broad research framework and to encourage a multidisciplinary research approach to work in and beyond the Marikana-Wonderkop area

Towards a multi-method approach to addressing violent protest action in South Africa: A practical theology perspective

Pervasive violent strike action and protests over service delivery in South Africa call for new methodological approaches. To this end, a multi-method research approach consisting of a case study, communicative action, a multidimensional theoretical framework and its integration into African Christopraxis research is proposed. The ultimate aim is to offer a broad research framework and to encourage a multidisciplinary research approach to work in and beyond the Marikana-Wonderkop area

The dilemma of traditional and 21st century pastoral ministry : ministering to families and communities faced with socio-economic pathologies

A holistic pastoral methodology is sought in transforming the socio-economic and systemic pathologies of poor families and local communities. Missional pastoral ministry is proposed from a critical hermeneutical and contextual perspective for the empowerment and liberation of people living with complex and multiple forms of pathologies. A transversal rationality model is applied merging the complexity and divergence of cross-disciplinary and intradisciplinary approaches between missional theology, practical theology, contextual theology, religious pedagogy and ethics. Practical theology in South Africa should be applied from and within the contemporary socio-economic, systemic and ecclesiological pathologies. Solidarity, prayer, and martyrdom add up to a time of salvation and judgment, a time of grace and stern demand – a time, above all, of hope.http://www.hts.org.zahb201

A dangerous pedagogy of discomfort: Redressing racism in theology education

This article aims to illustrate how racism could be addressed. Three pedagogies – a dangerous pedagogy as courageous dialogue, a pedagogy of discomfort and a critical pedagogy – are presented as examples to reframe the issue of racism. The contribution of James Cone is applied as a broad descriptive theoretical framework. Cone’s views in this article resonate with the history of contemporary racism in South Africa and will therefore be juxtaposed by the contribution of South African theologians. A fourth pedagogy, namely, a pedagogy of freedom and healing, is introduced to address gaps in the first three pedagogies. The objective is to realise freedom or healing between people of different races

Abstracts from the 8th International Conference on cGMP Generators, Effectors and Therapeutic Implications

This work was supported by a restricted research grant of Bayer AG

Practical theology as embodiment of Christopraxis-servant leadership in Africa

This article proceeds from the aim to revitalise the value of a service ethic for human well-being and the common good of all. The service delivery crisis in South Africa and Africa forms the context. A contemporary example of an embodied practical theology of service is offered, followed by a theological and social analysis of service delivery in South Africa. A theoretical service ethic framework with special reference to practical theology as a living Christopraxis is discussed. Finally, the value of diaconology as a science of service is presented, followed by the conclusion

The pedagogical role of multicultural leadership in post-apartheid South Africa

Practical theology in the 21st century is faced with increasing diversity that requires a new pedagogy to address multicultural challenges. Multiculturalism serves as a subversive agency for monocultural and ‘silent minority’ landscapes. It might also contribute to the development of an identity pedagogue for the three public spaces of theology, specifically in South Africa, where this new democracy seeks a new culture of humanity and has to deal with the dichotomy of a multicultural society and a resistant monocultural ‘laager’ mentality of minority races. Despite the promising start to its democracy, South Africa has many social challenges and practical theology has a role to play by reflecting on how we understand and embody the relationship between faith, culture and public life. To this end, this article seeks to reflect critically on spirituality, leadership and social transformation praxis in search of meaning-forming multicultural praxes

Ethical Leadership Project: The Worcester World of Work Workshop

This one-day event took place on the 26 May 2007 at the offices of Nehawu. The workshop attracted 70 young worker leaders of Worcester. Dr Clint Le Bruyns facilitated the event with the assistance of Ms Sue Mcwatts and Dr Gordon Dames. The participants represented 70 young worker leaders from Worcester. The workshop focused on the theme: “Ethical Leadership in the World of Work”. The objectives of the workshop were: (1) to contribute to the public good (democratic ideals, human rights culture, social capital development, moral renewal); (2) to serve the COSATU Young Workers Leadership Campaign – a modest, concrete, critical means ‘to empower a critical number of leaders … with knowledge, skills and values to foster moral transformation’ in society through their particular roles and practices of responsibility in the world-of-work and labour movement contexts; and (3) to collaborate, now and in the future with COSATU.Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM), Beyers Naudé Centre for Public Theology (University of Stellenbosch), University of the Western Cape (UWC), Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and The Office of the Premier of the Western Cape.Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theolog

Report on Ethical Leadership in and through Politics Conference 6-7 September 2007, at the Great Hall, University of the Western Cape

A two-day conference, Ethical leadership in and through Politics, was held at the Great Hall, University of the Western Cape (UWC) from 6 to 7 September 2007. The objective of the conference was to investigate the contributions of existing politics practices and initiatives in political parties and government for a morally renewed society by exploring: • the ethical frameworks of political parties and government’s relationships with its stakeholders • their role in nation building • their role in alleviating socio-economic conditions in disadvantaged communities • their role in contributing to ethical leadership practices and to a morally renewed societyMoral Regeneration Movement (MRM), Beyers Naudé Centre for Public Theology (University of Stellenbosch), University of the Western Cape (UWC), Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and The Office of the Premier of the Western Cape.Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theolog