A community needs responsive management training model: Re-envisioning management training for pastors of the International Assemblies of God Church

Abstract

Non-profit organisations (NGO�s) play an important role in helping satisfy society�s many needs. Churches, for example, are called upon to address critical challenges facing the South African society such as discrepancies in life chances, unemployment and corruption. It largely depends on the management skills of leaders of such organisations to succeed in their endeavour to meet community needs. In order to improve these skills, this study sought to redefine the initial training of student pastors, including their management training, at the colleges of the International Assemblies of God Church (IAG). A qualitative research approach was followed. Two focus group interviews and seven individual interviews were conducted. Interviews included members of the national and provincial executive committees of the IAG, serving pastors, directors of training colleges, pastor trainees in their final year of study, and a newly graduated student. The findings of the study support the importance of formal management training for pastors before being employed in the service of the IAG. This Church has moved away from accepting ministers for service based on their faith and profession of a call to ministry only. The investigation revealed shortcomings in the initial training programmes of pastors; for example, the emphasis on theological courses at the expense of courses that are responsive to community needs and management training issues. Leaders with the competency to respond to community needs are required. The implementation of a transformational management framework, which includes community responsive courses, is recommended as a way to effectively train church leaders.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: Although this article is written within the framework of Educational Management, it touches on other fields like Practical Theology and Curriculum Development. It reflects on the perceived need to include management training in the formal preparation of pastors; an aspect which has previously been sorely neglected. A training model is suggested to achieve this objective.Keywords: community;�training; pastors

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“…Sa aspekta upravljanja, navedeno implicira da je važan faktor uspešnosti poslovnog modela konkurencija usled koje može da dođe do smanjenja broja vernika odnosno verujućih ljudi. Dakle, da bi uspele u svojim nastojanjima da zadovolje ciljeve verske zajednice, što u u velikoj meri zavisi od promocije, a promociju vrše lideri (sveštenstvo) organizacija, obavezna je obuka iz menadžmenta kod studenata teologije (Masenya & Booyse, 2016). Poslovni model treba dizajnirati na način da misija povezuje lokalni nivo sa univerzalnim vrednostima, trajnosti i odgovornosti verske zajednice, na način koji obezbeđuje identifikaciju verujuće populacije.…”

Toward a Relevant De-colonized Curriculum in South Africa: Suggestions for a Way Forward

“…One of the post-modern scholars on curriculum development, Slattery as quoted by Masenya (2014, p. 76), asserts that a well thought of curriculum should allow learners “to listen to their own voices and implement their curriculum programs.” This is particularly the case when teachers adapt the theories and philosophies of educationists, academics, and specialists to the local needs of learners in schools. A reconceptualized curriculum allows education to address pertinent issues in the life of learners as it responds to the needs of communities—economic, ecological, social, health, and theological (Masenya, 2014, pp. 75–76).…”

“…The following statement attests to the fact that curriculation is supposed to be a continuing process locally, nationally, and at the international level. As Masenya (2014, p. 73) notes, “Theories on curriculum reform are tied to continuing changes in society and are adjusted to meeting the changing needs of the communities they are designed for.”…”