This thesis is a socio-historical study which shows the correlation between the historically developed leadership culture of democracy and the leadership practice within the evangelical churches of Switzerland. After clarifying the theological understanding in the mutual relationship of leadership and culture, first the historical development of the Swiss leadership culture is described. This development is rooted in the cultural heritage of the Celts, the Romans and the Alemannen, as well as in the history of the Swiss-Confederation and the history of Christianity. In the light of this historically founded leadership culture, the study deals further with the present leadership situation of the evangelical churches. Central fundamental values of the Swiss-leadership-culture prove to be: No power to the individual, democratic right of co-determination, federalist freedom and the importance of achievement and work. The thesis concludes with an outlook on servant leadership as an up-to-date answer to the present Swiss leadership culture. / Practical Theology / MTH (PRACTICAL THEOLOGY)

Text in English / Since its inception in 1833 the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in South Africa has been a missionary church and has always had its own missionary work. It started to organise the Christianization, Evangelization and Westernization endeavours to take place inside the territories of South Africa. The Evangelical Presbyterian Church Missionaries founded, financed, maintained, controlled and administered their educational endeavours without any moral or financial support from the Government. The main purpose of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church Missionaries in founding and supporting schools has been to use education as an auxiliary to the evangelization of the indigenous people of South Africa. Elementary schools served as instruments of direct evangelization rather than secular education. Pupils were taught the 3 R's, namely, reading, writing and arithmetic. Education was a useful tool that enabled the converts to read the Bible and other religious material on their own and preferably in their own language. Converts who demonstrated the ability to read, write and do simple arithmetic were trained to become missionaries' helpers. As these earliest converts became proficient and competent, they were posted out into the interior with the instructions to start new church centres and schools. Although the teaching which took place inside these schools was not of high quality, it was definitely better than nothing. The Evangelical Presbyterian Church Missionaries together with missionaries of other denominations provided virtually all the education which was available for the Blacks in South Africa. Through missionary endeavours the South African Government have realized that Western education and civilization has been important forces which helped the indigenous people to advance individually and collectively in the social, political and economic fields. Western technology and culture successfully won the indigenous people of South Africa to Western civilization. The acceptance of Christianity and the introduction of the White man's rule in the interior of South Africa effectively stopped the inter-tribal wars. The missionaries have made a noteworthy contribution to the education of the indigenous people of South Africa. They empowered the Blacks to play a worthy part side by side with members of other races (Whites, Coloureds and Indians) in the development of the country they shared. / Educational Studies / D.Ed. (History of Education)

This thesis is a socio-historical study which shows the correlation between the historically developed leadership culture of democracy and the leadership practice within the evangelical churches of Switzerland. After clarifying the theological understanding in the mutual relationship of leadership and culture, first the historical development of the Swiss leadership culture is described. This development is rooted in the cultural heritage of the Celts, the Romans and the Alemannen, as well as in the history of the Swiss-Confederation and the history of Christianity. In the light of this historically founded leadership culture, the study deals further with the present leadership situation of the evangelical churches. Central fundamental values of the Swiss-leadership-culture prove to be: No power to the individual, democratic right of co-determination, federalist freedom and the importance of achievement and work. The thesis concludes with an outlook on servant leadership as an up-to-date answer to the present Swiss leadership culture. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / MTH (PRACTICAL THEOLOGY)

Text in English / Since its inception in 1833 the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in South Africa has been a missionary church and has always had its own missionary work. It started to organise the Christianization, Evangelization and Westernization endeavours to take place inside the territories of South Africa. The Evangelical Presbyterian Church Missionaries founded, financed, maintained, controlled and administered their educational endeavours without any moral or financial support from the Government. The main purpose of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church Missionaries in founding and supporting schools has been to use education as an auxiliary to the evangelization of the indigenous people of South Africa. Elementary schools served as instruments of direct evangelization rather than secular education. Pupils were taught the 3 R's, namely, reading, writing and arithmetic. Education was a useful tool that enabled the converts to read the Bible and other religious material on their own and preferably in their own language. Converts who demonstrated the ability to read, write and do simple arithmetic were trained to become missionaries' helpers. As these earliest converts became proficient and competent, they were posted out into the interior with the instructions to start new church centres and schools. Although the teaching which took place inside these schools was not of high quality, it was definitely better than nothing. The Evangelical Presbyterian Church Missionaries together with missionaries of other denominations provided virtually all the education which was available for the Blacks in South Africa. Through missionary endeavours the South African Government have realized that Western education and civilization has been important forces which helped the indigenous people to advance individually and collectively in the social, political and economic fields. Western technology and culture successfully won the indigenous people of South Africa to Western civilization. The acceptance of Christianity and the introduction of the White man's rule in the interior of South Africa effectively stopped the inter-tribal wars. The missionaries have made a noteworthy contribution to the education of the indigenous people of South Africa. They empowered the Blacks to play a worthy part side by side with members of other races (Whites, Coloureds and Indians) in the development of the country they shared. / Educational Studies / D.Ed. (History of Education)