Journal: Conspectus
Volume: CONSPECTUS 32:1 (Oct 2021)
Article: Exegetical And Theological Reflections On John 10:1–18: Implications For Contemporary African Christian Leadership
Author: Isaac Boaheng

Conspectus 32:1 (October 2021) p. 172

Exegetical And Theological Reflections On John 10:1–18: Implications For Contemporary African Christian Leadership

Isaac Boaheng

Christian Service University College, Kumasi

About The Author

Rev. Isaac Boaheng recently completed a PhD program (awaiting graduation) at the University of the Free State, South Africa, where he also serves as a Research Fellow. He holds a Master of Theology degree from the South African Theological Seminary and a Master of Divinity degree from the Trinity Theological Seminary, Accra, Ghana. Boaheng serves the Christian Service University College, Ghana and has over fifty publications in Translation Studies, Systematic Theology, Biblical Studies, Methodist Studies and African Christianity, among others. [email protected]

This article: https://www.sats.ac.za/exegetical-theological-reflections-john

Abstract

One of the major challenges facing the contemporary African society (and church) is ineffective leadership. The problem of leadership in Africa has led to an increased scholarly interest in the theology of leadership; yet, the problem of ineffective leadership still persists in many African communities. This literature-based research, therefore, was conducted to explore how leadership principles embedded in the Good Shepherd pericope of John 10:1-18 might inform the behaviors, styles, and leadership philosophies of African leaders and hence serve as an antidote to ineffective and mediocre leadership within the African society. Through a historical-critical analysis and theological study of the text, the study argues that Christian leaders must serve, guide, protect, and provide for their followers, who in turn must hear their leaders’ voices and adhere to their directives.

Keywords

Africa, Shepherd leadership, Christian, sheep, servant

Introduction

One of the major challenges facing the contemporary African society (and church) is ineffective leadership. Many African leaders are characterized by pride, selfishness, hypocrisy, corruption, mismanagement, and misappropriation of funds. The concept of leadership is defined in the context of this study as: “leadership over human beings is exercised when persons with certain motives and purposes mobilize, in competition or conflict with others, institutional, political, psychological, and other resources so as to arouse, engage, and satisfy the motives of followers” (Burns, cited in Hickman 2010, 68). From this definition, leadership is a dynamic phenomenon that seeks to move a group of people towards a certain goal. It may also be considered as a transformational force

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