Entering through the narrow gate and walking the hard road: The role of Christian leaders in exposing moral evil in the South African workplace

Kretzschmar, Louise

doi:10.4102/koers.v79i2.2120

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Earlier publications analysed the need for spiritual and moral formation of leaders (Kretzschmar 2002(Kretzschmar , 2006(Kretzschmar , 2007 and discussed formation in the context of ministerial education (Kretzschmar 2015;Kretzschmar & Tuckey 2017; see also Naidoo 2016). The need for mature Christian believers to be formed (so that they can engage in a credible and wise way with church and state challenges) was also discussed (Kretzschmar 2012), and I identified ways in which lay leaders could be helped to become mature practitioners of their faith in work contexts (Kretzschmar 2014(Kretzschmar , 2016.…”

Section: Definitions Aims and Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

African and Western approaches to the moral formation of Christian leaders: The role of spiritual disciplines in counteracting moral deficiencies

Kretzschmar

2020

HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies

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This article begins with a brief outline of current African and Western contexts, and the moral predicaments in which leaders in South Africa find themselves. The research problem addressed is how the spiritual maturity and moral excellence of Christian leaders can be advanced. The methodology employed draws on African and Western cultural and Christian traditions of moral formation. Whilst some common means of moral formation are discussed, particular attention is given to the role of spiritual disciplines. The article aims to address the following question: ‘how do leaders become the kind of people who will make good and right decisions, live moral lives, contribute to the life and work of the church, care for others and the environment, and pursue social justice?’ Three clusters of moral deficiencies are discussed, including pride, vainglory (self-glorification or narcissism) and greed, together with the spiritual disciplines that can counteract them. The central argument is that spiritually mature and morally excellent leaders can address more effectively the moral challenges facing the church and South African society.Contribution: This transdisciplinary article contributes to the HTS’s theological research by combining the academic disciplines of Christian Spirituality and Theological Ethics with particular reference to leadership formation. It further contributes to academic contextual discourse by evaluating African and Western traditions of moral formation and advancing practical means of addressing leadership deficiencies.

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Section: Definitions Aims and Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

African and Western approaches to the moral formation of Christian leaders: The role of spiritual disciplines in counteracting moral deficiencies

Kretzschmar

2020

HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies

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“…The Christianity to which Jesus calls his followers is a faith which stems from a moral vision, revealed by God in the person of Jesus Christ, which leads to the formation of moral character in the individual to the benefit of the community and society, leading to action which promotes a good life for all (Kretzschmar 2012:127). The inclusive nature of Christ's message is important, as Kretzschmar (2014b) defines moral evil or sin as follows:…”

Section: Why Is It Difficult For Christians To Live a Good Life?mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The term 'leadership' may be interpreted to refer to those who find themselves in structural leadership roles. Although Kretzschmar addresses this definition of leadership (Kretzschmar 2014b:2) and promotes the idea that those who find themselves occupying leadership positions should lead in accordance with the tenets of their Christian convictions, leadership is demonstrated in all strata of social interactions where people who hold to their beliefs become agents of change, morality and ethical behaviour.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Can we live a good life? Engaging Kretzschmar’s social ethics

Bentley

2022

Verbum Eccles.

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Louise Kretzschmar has served society, the church and academia as a person who has shaped minds in the fields of Christian spirituality, leadership and ethics. This article seeks to celebrate Kretzschmar’s work as she retires from full-time academia. This article describes Kretzschmar’s notion of a good life, asks why Christians fail in following this good life and concludes by outlining the social-ethical contribution Kretzschmar’s approach can make in society.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article addresses the question of social ethics and its relationship with the processes of spiritual formation and leadership. The argument is based in the Christian faith conviction, with specific reference to the theological position argued by Prof. Louise Kretzschmar.

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“…As regards the notion of leadership, some publications explicitly refer to theology for studying leadership (e.g. Ayers 2006, Case et al 2012, Dames 2014, Kretzschmar 2014, Worden 2005, see also 21 Wieland is an economist writing on the implications of Luther's thought on economic and business ethics. 22 The role of theology in business ethics has been particularly controversial, as can be observed, for example, in the 1986 special issue of the Journal of Business Ethics with articles from a symposium on 'religious studies and business ethics'.…”

Section: Theological 'Entry Concepts' To the Workplacementioning

confidence: 99%

The Christian Body at Work

Brügger¹

2021

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A large part of the global workforce is said to be Christians, but what does it mean to be a Christian at work? This study offers a review of relevant research from management and organisation studies as well as from theology; it reports on fieldwork among business managers in Switzerland and proposes an embodiment perspective on Christians at work. The author identifies difficulties relating to the predominant uses of terms such as faith, spirituality and religion at work, and argues for the importance of taking Christians’ framing practices and bodily forms of existence into account. By participating in a bodily form in Christ’s death and resurrection, and by thus practising Christ’s body, Christians find themselves located at an existential nerve centre for carrying out work activities. This study shows how the notion of ‘Christians’ can open up conceptual space for relevant organisational, managerial, sociological, ethical and theological aspects concerning contemporary work settings.

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Entering through the narrow gate and walking the hard road: The role of Christian leaders in exposing moral evil in the South African workplace

Abstract: Entering through the narrow gate and walking the hard road: The role of Christian leaders in exposing moral evil in the South African workplace', Koers − Bulletin for Christian Scholarship 79(2), Art. #2120, 9 pages.

Cited by 3 publications

References 16 publications

African and Western approaches to the moral formation of Christian leaders: The role of spiritual disciplines in counteracting moral deficiencies

African and Western approaches to the moral formation of Christian leaders: The role of spiritual disciplines in counteracting moral deficiencies

Can we live a good life? Engaging Kretzschmar’s social ethics

The Christian Body at Work

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