The formation of Christian leaders: A Wesleyan approach

 

Die vorming van Christenleiers: 'n Wesleyaanse toepassing

 

 

W. Bentley

Department of Philosophy & Systematic Theology, University of South Africa, PRETORIA and Glen Methodist, Methodist Church of Southern Africa. E-mail: wbentley@telkomsa.net

 

 

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ABSTRACT

The problem of leadership is that it is defined according to a very narrow understanding. It postulates that all people can be divided into two categories. People are either leaders or followers. This article explores the formation of Christian leaders using the model offered by the Wesleyan revival of eigteenth-century England. It asks what leaders would look like when we use the Wesleyan definition instead of the leader-follower understanding to which we have grown accustomed.

Key concepts: accountability,  holiness, leadership, Wesleyan revival

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OPSOMMING

Die probleem met leierskap is dat dit in terme van 'n baie eng definisie verstaan word. Dit stel voor dat alle mense in een van twee kategorieë val. Mense is óf leiers óf volgelinge. Hierdie artikel fokus op die vorming van Christenleiers volgens die model van die agtiende-eeuse Wesleyaanse hernuwing wat in Engeland plaasgevind het. Die vraag word gevra hoe ons leiers sou lyk indien ons, in plaas van die leier-volgelingverstand-houding waaraan ons gewoond geraak het, eerder die Wesley-aanse definisie sou volg.

Kernbegrippe: heiligheid, leierskap, verantwoording, Wesleyaanse hernuwing

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1 Dr Wessel Bentley is a part-time lecturer in the Department of Philosophy and Systematic Theology at the University of South Africa.