Full Text Available

Note: Clicking the button above will open the full text document at the original institutional repository in a new window.

The impact of worldview on the process of administration : a study of Shona and Ndebele Christians in Zimbabwe

Thesis (PhD (Practical Theology))--University of Pretoria, 2007.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Other Authors: Lotter, G.A.
Format: Thesis
Published: University of Pretoria 2013
Subjects:
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1867613521456398336
access_status_str Open Access
author2 Lotter, G.A.
author_browse Lotter, G.A.
author_facet Lotter, G.A.
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv © University of Pretor
description Thesis (PhD (Practical Theology))--University of Pretoria, 2007.
format Thesis
id oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/28619
institution University of Pretoria (South Africa)
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:37:28.126Z
license_str Other — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
publishDate 2013
publishDateRange 2013
publishDateSort 2013
publisher University of Pretoria
publisherStr University of Pretoria
record_format dspace
source_str UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
spelling oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/28619 The impact of worldview on the process of administration : a study of Shona and Ndebele Christians in Zimbabwe Lotter, G.A. Muller, Julian C. Stone, Howard W. Swart, Ignatius, 1965- tcz@netconnect.co.zw Heaton, Robert William Ndebele Administration Narrative Social constructionism Shona Worldview Postfoundationalism Practical theology Praxis UCTD Thesis (PhD (Practical Theology))--University of Pretoria, 2007. As a Euro-African I wish to explore the validity of the idea that worldview factors are fundamental in determining the praxis of administration. From observation and experience, problems with the practice of administration appear to be generic, rather than primarily personal. (It was noted, however, that personality and temperament also play a role.) The enquiry focuses on Shona and Ndebele Christians in Zimbabwe. As the field of study is Practical Theology and to give a theological foundation for and, perhaps, at least a partial solution to some of the perceived problems, a nascent theological approach to administration is presented, together with proposed training courses in administration and leadership for Bible colleges. Because the notion of administration is somewhat abstract, a fivefold framework was used comprising Planning, Organising, Leading and Controlling, all performed within Time. Questions on the connections, values, perceptions, expectations and use of these components by Shona and Ndebele Christians were discussed in light of their worldviews. Although the intended research approach was social construction, the need for the framework undercut this approach somewhat. I also came from a moderately soft postfoundationalist viewpoint, using narrative practical theology. Six Christian leaders as co-researchers – three Shona and three Ndebele; three Pentecostal and three non-Pentecostal – shared their multicultural insights through personal anecdotes and narrative interaction. Chapter One, in two parts, begins with a personal anecdote and other illustrations highlighting some of the difficulties experienced with administration and its processes in a multicultural African context. The research question – whether worldview shapes the praxis of administration – together with sub-problems, is then outlined. The second section explains the research methodology. Chapter Two defines worldview and administration from both the natural and Christian perspectives, to clarify their nature and praxis. Some underlying problems are introduced. Chapter Three explores what constitutes administration in Christian ministry. Here, values and tasks are itemised to reveal the actual content of administration (at least from a local church pastor’s perspective) and some assumptions behind it. Chapter Four presents individual conversations with the six co-researchers. These personal responses begin to highlight the connection of worldview to administrative praxis and some initial issues arising there from. Chapter Five reflects group dialogues, which allow for cross-cultural and cross-theological views. Gender is introduced as a woman para-church ministry leader replaces a pastor. This provides further fusion of views. From there, Chapter Six examines the Shona, Ndebele and Christian worldviews in more depth. Two case studies are explored narratively, to identify how worldview factors impact the praxis of administration in specific settings. Chapter Seven discusses the group’s understanding of the Biblical perspective of administration. A tentative theological approach to administration is offered. And lastly, Chapter Eight summarises the findings, identifies the issues and presents some solutions. The focus for the latter is on possible administration courses for Bible colleges. Although not directly social constructionist, the team affirmed this approach. The intention here is to enhance this training and thus improve administration in Christian ministry for the wider benefit of the Church community. Practical Theology PhD unrestricted 2013-09-07T13:50:22Z 2007-10-12 2013-09-07T13:50:22Z 2007-09-05 2007-10-12 2007-10-11 Thesis Heaton, RW 2007, The impact of worldview on the process of administration : a study of Shona and Ndebele Christians in Zimbabwe, PhD Thesis, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, viewed yymmdd <http://hdl.handle.net/2263/28619> Pretoria http://hdl.handle.net/2263/28619 http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-10112007-153313/ © University of Pretor application/pdf application/pdf application/pdf application/pdf application/pdf application/pdf application/pdf application/pdf application/pdf University of Pretoria
spellingShingle Ndebele
Administration
Narrative
Social constructionism
Shona
Worldview
Postfoundationalism
Practical theology
Praxis
UCTD
The impact of worldview on the process of administration : a study of Shona and Ndebele Christians in Zimbabwe
title The impact of worldview on the process of administration : a study of Shona and Ndebele Christians in Zimbabwe
title_full The impact of worldview on the process of administration : a study of Shona and Ndebele Christians in Zimbabwe
title_fullStr The impact of worldview on the process of administration : a study of Shona and Ndebele Christians in Zimbabwe
title_full_unstemmed The impact of worldview on the process of administration : a study of Shona and Ndebele Christians in Zimbabwe
title_short The impact of worldview on the process of administration : a study of Shona and Ndebele Christians in Zimbabwe
title_sort impact of worldview on the process of administration a study of shona and ndebele christians in zimbabwe
topic Ndebele
Administration
Narrative
Social constructionism
Shona
Worldview
Postfoundationalism
Practical theology
Praxis
UCTD
url http://hdl.handle.net/2263/28619
http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-10112007-153313/