Shepherd Centre relaunch – standing for ethical leadership and lifelong learning
7 February 2024 | Story Leonie Bolleurs
Sinovuyo Mogwasi, Project Coordinator in the Shepherd Centre, aims to contribute to the development of ethically sound spiritual leaders who can influence others to live ethically.
The
Shepherd Centre in the
Faculty of Theology and Religion at the University of the Free State (UFS) has recently been relaunched, not only to reintroduce itself to the market, but also to present additional functions beyond offering short learning programmes to spiritual leaders in the communities it serves.
The new vision of the centre is to be a globally recognised institution known for creating a thriving religious community, with leaders guided by ethical leadership, spiritual understanding, global impact, and accountability.
According to
Sinovuyo Mogwasi, Project Coordinator: Shepherd Centre in the Office of the Dean: Theology and Religion, her aim is for the centre to stand out in the market, and to align with the university’s
Vision 130, getting back to maximum societal impact with sustainable relationships.
A focus on ethical leadershipWith the relaunch, there was also a definite shift in the centre’s focus. It will no longer be catering only for Christian leaders, but also to other religions. Another important focus of the rebranding of the centre is ethical leadership.
Mogwasi states that their goal is to contribute towards the development of ethically sound spiritual leaders. These leaders can influence others to live ethically by demonstrating what it means to stand and act on ethical principles, no matter how challenging or tempting life circumstances may be.
In this regard, they are excited about a new initiative they are working on with a non-profit organisation based in Seattle in the US – the Center for Ethical Leadership. The initiative is called Creating Ethical Leaders in Faith-Based Communities, and it involves going out into the community and offering practical workshops to community leaders and spiritual leaders.
“We have already identified community partners in Bloemfontein, Qwaqwa, and Kroonstad, where we will be running these workshops,” remarks Mogwasi. She states that the sessions will be presented in a blended mode, with facilitators from the centre conducting face-to-face sessions, while the US facilitator will simultaneously conduct corresponding sessions online.
Another initiative that Mogwasi is looking forward to is the project called Providence and Financial Planning for Pastors. “Through this project, we want to provide basic financial literacy skills to spiritual leaders – first in the Bloemfontein community and then the rest of the country,” she says. For this initiative, they will approach sponsors to fund the project.
Empower and support spiritual leaders
Mogwasi is serious about the role of the centre in empowering and supporting spiritual leaders. With quality training, leadership development, and proactive change management initiatives, it is equipping individuals with the necessary knowledge and skills to serve their communities effectively and act as representatives of ethical leadership, promoting spiritual growth, unity, and service.
Short learning programmes are presented in the communities and are also offered online, extending the reach to areas outside the province. “As the centre, we aim to be more involved and accessible, promoting lifelong learning among spiritual leaders,” says Mogwasi.