A practical theological exploration of leadership practices and its impact on the United Apostolic Faith Church in South Africa

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore theological leadership practices and its impact in the UAFC. The UAFC was formed in 1912 and is today experiencing a leadership crisis that has the potential to limit its growth and its sustainability. The subsequent research questions are aspired to be explained by this research study: (i) what is a descriptive vision picture of the future for UAFC? (ii) what kind of leadership exists among the UAFC? (iii) what are some of the prominent challenges of UAFC leadership and what are contributory reasons to these challenges? (iv) what is the desirable visionary Christian leadership and its effective impact in the UAFC? (v) how many UAFC pastors and how many of them went to the Bible College. Also, how many members does the UAFC currently have? This exploration of leadership practices in the UAFC is undertaken through the reviewing of leadership literature such as the Theocentric Servant-Leadership and the theological exposition of the Full–Range Model of Leadership. The study explores the concept of leadership in the UAFC by assessing the Pauline Theology of Cross-Cultural Leadership, and the Administrative Leadership and People Management of Moses. It is also important to deliberate on the effectiveness of succession within the UAFC juxtaposed to other denominations. A qualitative approach was adopted. Data was collected and analysed using desktop study, one-on-one interviews, and survey questionnaires. Survey questionnaires were distributed to 253 UAFC General Church Council members and 179 (71%) responses were received. The key findings of the study suggest that the UAFC is oblivious of the leadership challenges and her deficient vision for growth. Most leaders in the UAFC are devoid of pastoral leadership skills and the UAFC Bethel Bible College is missing an opportunity to train and develop its leaders. The current UAFC financial-model is outdated and needs to be reviewed in order to bring it in line with the modern-day church demands as this has an adverse impact on the effectiveness of the UAFC visionary leadership. This study does not profess to be an exhaustive exegesis of leadership practices and its impact within the UAFC.