Buhle Mpofu

BIOGRAPHY

Buhle Mpofu is a lecturer with the department of Practical Theology and Mission studies with the Faculty of Theology and Region at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. Mpofu has an interest in mission studies and social transformation within the context of migration and UN Sustainable Development Goals. He is also an ordained minister with the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa (UPCSA).

ABSTRACT

Buhle Mpofu, “Election, ethics and missio-dei: A Biblical theology of life and transformative leadership in the context of COVID-19 in South Africa”

In this contribution I will draw on Christopher wright’s understanding of how people are called to participate in the mission of God, through the concepts of election, ethics, and mission – to highlight the challenges of leadership disobedience and defiance which was witnessed during the COVID-19 lockdown when the government had put regulations in place. The contribution will employ Social systems theory to explore how local community and church leaders responded to the COVID 19 regulations and highlight how God’s calling should be understood by the church and the world in the context of COVID-19 pandemic and to provide recommendations for the role of transformative church leadership for future public health emergencies.